How to Install WordPress on Localhost: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you’re looking to build a WordPress website but aren’t quite ready to go live, installing WordPress on localhost is the perfect way to test and develop your site locally. In this guide, you’ll learn how to install WordPress on localhost step by step. It’s a great solution for beginners who want to experiment with WordPress in a safe environment without needing a domain or web hosting.

What is Localhost?

Localhost refers to your computer's local server, where you can install WordPress without needing an internet connection. It’s like creating a personal web server on your computer, so you can build and test your website before publishing it online.

Why Install WordPress on Localhost?

Installing WordPress on localhost offers many benefits:

Test without going live: You can try out different themes, plugins, and customizations without affecting a live site.
No need for a hosting service: Everything runs on your computer, saving you the cost of hosting.
Better speed: Since it runs locally, the development process is faster as there’s no need to rely on external servers.
Learn WordPress basics: It’s a great way for beginners to learn how WordPress works in a controlled environment.

Now that you understand the benefits, let’s dive into how to install WordPress on localhost.

Step 1: Install a Local Server Environment

To install WordPress on localhost, you first need to set up a local server environment on your computer. A local server allows you to run PHP scripts and a MySQL database, which are essential for WordPress. The most popular local server options include:

XAMPP (Cross-Platform Apache, MariaDB, PHP, and Perl): Works on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
WAMP (Windows Apache MySQL PHP): Designed for Windows users.
MAMP (macOS Apache MySQL PHP): Suitable for macOS users.

For this tutorial, we’ll use XAMPP, which is available for all major operating systems.

Download and Install XAMPP

Go to the XAMPP website and download the version compatible with your operating system.
Once downloaded, run the installer and follow the installation instructions.
After the installation, open XAMPP Control Panel and start Apache and MySQL. These two services are essential to run WordPress on localhost.

Step 2: Download WordPress

Now that your local server is ready, the next step is to download WordPress.

Visit the official WordPress website and click the Download WordPress button.
The WordPress download will be in a ZIP format. Extract the ZIP file into the htdocs folder in your XAMPP installation directory. For example, if you installed XAMPP in the default location on Windows, you’ll find the htdocs folder at C:\xampp\htdocs.
Create a new folder inside the htdocs directory. Name it something like mywebsite. This folder will serve as the root directory for your WordPress site.

Step 3: Create a Database for WordPress

Before you can install WordPress on localhost, you need to create a MySQL database.

Open your browser and type localhost/phpmyadmin in the address bar. This will take you to the phpMyAdmin interface, where you can manage MySQL databases.
In phpMyAdmin, click on the Databases tab.
Enter a name for your new database (e.g., wordpress_db) in the Create database field and click Create.

You’ve now created a database for your WordPress site. The next step is to link WordPress to this database.

Step 4: Configure WordPress

Now it’s time to configure WordPress to work with your database. This step is crucial to successfully install WordPress on localhost.

Open your browser and type localhost/mywebsite (replace mywebsite with the name of your folder) in the address bar. This will start the WordPress installation process.
The first screen will ask you to choose a language. Select your preferred language and click Continue.
On the next screen, WordPress will ask for your database details. Click Let’s go!

Here’s what you need to fill out:

Database Name: Enter the name of the database you created earlier (e.g., wordpress_db).
Username: Use root (this is the default username for XAMPP).
Password: Leave this field blank (since XAMPP doesn’t require a password by default).
Database Host: Keep this as localhost.
Table Prefix: If you’re only running one WordPress installation, you can leave this as wp_.

Once you’ve entered the details, click Submit.

If everything is correct, WordPress will now communicate with your database, and you’ll be prompted to run the installation. Click Run the installation.

Step 5: Complete the WordPress Installation

The final step in learning how to install WordPress on localhost is setting up your WordPress site.

You’ll see a welcome screen asking for some basic information about your site.
- Site Title: Enter a name for your site (e.g., My Local WordPress Site).
- Username: Create a username for logging into your WordPress dashboard (e.g., admin).
- Password: Choose a strong password for your site.
- Your Email: Provide an email address.
- Search Engine Visibility: You can leave this unchecked since your site is on localhost and not accessible by search engines.
After filling in the details, click Install WordPress.
Once the installation is complete, you’ll see a success message. You can now log in to your WordPress dashboard by going to localhost/mywebsite/wp-admin (replace mywebsite with your folder name).

Congratulations! You have successfully learned how to install WordPress on localhost.

Managing Your Local WordPress Installation

Now that WordPress is installed on localhost, you can start building your site. Here are some tips to help you manage your local WordPress installation:

Accessing your site: Go to localhost/mywebsite in your browser to view your site.
Accessing the dashboard: Go to localhost/mywebsite/wp-admin to log in to the WordPress dashboard.
Backing up your site: Since your site is local, you should regularly back up your WordPress files and database. You can use plugins like UpdraftPlus to help with backups.
Moving to a live server: When you’re ready to take your site live, you can easily move it from localhost to a web server using plugins like Duplicator or manually exporting your database and files.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

While installing WordPress on localhost is usually straightforward, you might run into some common issues. Here are a few solutions:

Apache or MySQL not starting: If Apache or MySQL won’t start in XAMPP, another application might be using the required ports. Try changing the port numbers in the XAMPP Control Panel by clicking Config next to Apache or MySQL.
Error establishing a database connection: Double-check your database details (especially the database name, username, and password). Also, ensure that MySQL is running in XAMPP.
PHP memory limit issues: If you receive an error related to the PHP memory limit, you can increase the limit by editing the php.ini file in your XAMPP installation.

Conclusion

Installing WordPress on localhost is a simple and effective way to build and test your website without spending money on hosting or a domain name. By following the steps in this guide, you’ve learned how to install WordPress on localhost, set up a local server environment, and configure your site. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced developer, this method gives you a safe environment to experiment and refine your WordPress skills.

Now that you know how to install WordPress on localhost, you can focus on creating the perfect website at your own pace. Once everything looks good, you can easily move it to a live server and share it with the world!

How to Install WordPress on Localhost: A Step-by-Step Guide