WordPress installation

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WordPress Setup

WordPress via FTP

To install WordPress using FTP (File Transfer Protocol), you will need webspace, the MySQL5 database management software and a free FTP client like FileZilla, which allows you to load the WordPress data quickly and easily onto the server. If you have already booked cheap 1&1 IONOS webspace, you can find out how to set up the FTP access and configure FileZilla in the 1&1 IONOS Help Center. Then create a MySQL5 database and start FileZilla. Click on the "server manager" icon in the upper left corner and enter the name of your FTP access in the "server" input window. For "connection type", select "normal" and enter the username and password. Otherwise, keep the default settings.

If you are connected to the server, you will see the files and folders on your PC on the left, and the contents of your webserver on the right. Unzip your WordPress version, which after the download is usually a ZIP folder on the PC. Simply drag the contents of the folder named "wordpress" – but not the folder itself – from the left, into the right FileZilla window and place the WordPress files on the server. Type in the URL of your domain, including the WordPress directory, into the web browser search line, and then enter the data for your MySQL5 database. The WordPress Installation will start automatically.

A step by step guide

Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4

Step 1: Download WordPress

Do you already own a domain and have you already booked webspace? Then you are almost ready to install WordPress on the server. If you do not want to use the 1&1 IONOS Click & Build application, you can also install WordPress manually. First of all, you will need a free FTP client, like FileZilla, and you will have to create a MySQL5 database.

Once you have taken care of the above guidelines, then you are ready to download the current version of WordPress and unpack the ZIP archive with a suitable program, such as WinRar. Alternatively, you can simply use the built-in Windows ZIP extractor: right click the folder and select the "extract" option from the menu. Then create a new text file with the name ".htaccess.txt" in the unzipped directory named "wordpress" (right click -> select "new" -> select "text document"). Open it with a text editor and add the following two lines (without quotation marks): "AddType x-mapp-php5.php" and "AddHandler x-mapp-php5 .php" (please note the space before the file transfer).

Step 2: Change wp-config.php

Next, rename the file "wp-config-sample.php", which is in the unpacked folder, to "wp-config.php" and then edit the following entries with a text editor:

On the line define('DB_NAME', 'database_name_here'), insert the name of your MySQL5 database.
On the line define('DB_USER', 'username_here'), add the database user name.
On the line define('DB_PASSWORD', 'password_here'), insert the database password.
In the line define('DB_HOST', 'localhost'), enter 'db12345678.hosting-data.io' instead of the default value with a 1&1 IONOS webhosting package. For a 1&1 IONOS managed server, use the following value: 'localhost:/tmp/mysql5.sock'.

The next step requires you to generate a security key by visiting this link. Copy the generated data and replace the corresponding placeholders in your "wp-config.php" file, then save the file.

Step 3: Upload folder content

Now it is time for you to load the contents of the unzipped WordPress folder – but not the folder itself – into the main directory of your webspace. A free FTP client like FileZilla can be used for this purpose.

Once the files are transferred, run the WordPress installation by typing your domain and WordPress directory (/wp-admin) into the address line of your web browser. The installation file is called "install.php". The input should look like this: "www.YourDomain.com/wp-admin/install.php". If your WordPress data is located in a subdirectory on the server instead of in the main directory, adjust the input as follows: "www.YourDomain.com/subdirectory/wp-admin/install.php".

Step 4: Finish installation

After the welcome message appears, set a blog title, enter your email address, and set a password. For your blog to be listed on Google, you should also check the option "I want my blog to appear in search engines like Google." Otherwise, your blog will not be found by search engines.

Start the installation process by clicking on "Install WordPress".

WordPress Setup

After the installation is finished, log in with the data you have set up on your domain. You are now in the administration area of WordPress (the so-called Dashboard), where you can further customize your settings and set up your WordPress page according to your preferences. Within the Dashboard you can also install plugins, themes and widgets of your choice. For the most part, WordPress themes support a flexible web design, or what is known as Responsive Web Design. This way, your website content is displayed correctly on a diverse range of devices, regardless of its display size. A large selection of templates with a wide range of layout options and extensive administrative functions is at your disposal – whether for a private blog, an online magazine, or a company page. In just a few clicks you can install the best WordPress plugins for SEO, security, eShops, administration, social media and more.

For more information on how to set up your new WordPress site, please visit our Digital Guide.

WordPress shop

If you want to integrate a flexible and customizable online shop with easily expandable plugins into your WordPress installation, we recommend you use WooCommerce Hosting – the established standard solution among WordPress-based shopping systems. WooCommerce, the popular open-source solution, offers thousands of extensions and one of the world's largest user communities. Thanks to the 1&1 IONOS WordPress Wizard, you can install the plugins of your choice with just a few clicks. It goes without saying that we also provide you with the most up-to-date security and core function updates, so you can concentrate entirely on your WordPress shop and its design.

WordPress blog

You can set up a WordPress blog in a variety of ways. To install your blog on a server, you need a webspace, a domain, and an FTP client. For more detailed information, please refer to the "Installing WordPress via FTP" section. However, you can also set up your WordPress blog locally on your PC, using the free web developer tool XAMPP for Windows, Linux and Mac OS, as well as the MAMP development environment. For more information, see "Installing WordPress locally with XAMPP or MAMP".

Install WordPress locally

XAMPP and MAMP Windows Linux

XAMPP and MAMP

Before you install WordPress on your website and share it with the public over the internet, you can test it first on your own PC. This also applies to those who already have a WordPress blog on the internet – you can test new functions, plugins and themes without disturbing your live webspace. To do this however, you require additional software.

One software option is to install WordPress with XAMPP. Install your own webserver and database on your Windows, Linux or Mac computer. This server is easily operated and configured by beginners. Simply load the WordPress files into the corresponding directory in XAMPP, and then WordPress should be installed directly. On your local XAMPP installation, configure and use WordPress from your so-called local host – this is your own computer with the IP address 127.0.0.1 – exactly as you would on your own webspace. If all the tests are successful, transfer the local data at any time to your webspace.

With Mac OS, the local web development environment offers a local web server. MAMP is therefore also suitable for installing WordPress.

Windows

WordPress requires web server functions like MySQL and PHP, which a conventional Windows system does not have pre-installed. However, the free, open PHP development environment XAMPP, provides an easy solution, allowing you to also set up WordPress on your Windows-PC. XAMPP can be downloaded here free of charge and then installed with the default components.

Open the configuration menu via "Module/Apache Admin", click on "security check", then on "http://localhost/security/xamppsecurity.php". Enter a password for the MySQL area and a directory password for the XAMPP directory. This step prevents unauthorized access to your WordPress application. You will need to enter "http://localhost/phpmyadmin/" into your web browser's address line and "root" as your username. As well as your username, you can also create a new database using the menu item "databases" and name it. Enter "utf8_general_ci" under "character set/collation of the MySQL connection".

The next step is to download WordPress from the manufacturer page and then unpack the ZIP directory. This will result in a folder named "wordpress". Now create a new folder in the directory "c:/xampp/htdocs" and name it "wordpress_pc". In this folder, copy the contents of the "wordpress" folder – but only its contents, not the folder itself. Then type the following in the search field of your web browser: "http://localhost/directory_name/". Instead of "directory name", enter the previously selected folder name, in our example "wordpress_pc". In the browser line, you will see: "http://localhost/wordpress_pc /", then click on "run installation" and select the desired language. Enter the database name, username ("root", unless otherwise defined) and password. On the welcome page, select a title for your WordPress application and specify an admin username and password.

Linux

As with Windows, the free PHP development environment XAMPP is also suitable for a Linux machine. The installation process is the same as for Windows.

If you want to install WordPress and use an Ubuntu Server as a Linux base, you must first enter the following code line into the Ubuntu terminal (Ctrl + Alt + T): "sudo apt-get install -y wordpress mysql-server". You will need to create a root password for your MySQL database, and your own corresponding database, at which point you can finally set up WordPress. This is not only applicable for Ubuntu, but for all other Debian-based operating systems.

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WordPress installation

FAQ

Are security updates installed automatically?

If you chose the Managed Mode for the WordPress installation via the 1&1 IONOS Click & Build application, security patches and updates are automatically executed. If you chose Free Mode, you are responsible for the current state of your WordPress installation. However, WordPress will keep you informed by email if there is a new update available in order to keep your blog up-to-date. The update itself is easy to carry out with just a few clicks in the administration menu of your blog.

How can I install WordPress plugins?

You can install WordPress plug-ins in Free Mode (a change from Managed Mode is also possible at any time) to expand the functionality of your WordPress blog. Whether a visitor counter, protection against spam comments, or your own forum; with just a few clicks, you can adapt the blog exactly to your needs. WordPress plugins can be installed in the administration area of your WordPress blog, or you can download the plugin directly from the WordPress website. You can then upload the files to the blog's plug-in directory via FTP.

How can I change my blog design?

WordPress allows you to change the look and feel of your blog with just a few clicks. Ready-to-use designs, so-called Themes, allow the blog to appear exactly as you wish. You can change the theme at any time via the administration interface, or upload any theme via FTP to the corresponding WordPress directory.

How can I back up my WordPress installation?

For additional security, the so-called security key (SECRET_KEY) has been implemented since version 2.5. This security key has now been expanded into a key league. The individual security keys play an important role in the encryption of the information that is stored in the WordPress cookies. When you install WordPress manually, the security keys must also be entered manually. To do this, you can create it under: https://api.wordpress.org/secret-key/1.1/salt/ and enter these keys into the wp-config.php file. Additionally, special security plugins exist to provide further protection. These limit, for example, the number of login attempts in your admin area, preventing criminal hackers from testing various passwords for hours on end until they are successful. Just search for these plugins in the official WordPress Plugin directory under "security." Installing the plugin is quick and easy and provides additional security.

For even greater peace of mind, 1&1 IONOS offers SSL certificates at a low cost. In addition to the measures described above for securing your WordPress installation, you can also secure the exchange of data between your site and those visiting it when using an SSL certificate. Instead of the unsecured HTTP channel, the communication now takes place via a secure HTTPS connection. You can purchase an SSL certificate with one of our web hosting offers (Linux or Windows).

How can I reinstall WordPress if I experience technical issues?

Whilst WordPress will update in almost all cases without issue, sometimes technical difficulties may arise after a particular installation. Reinstalling WordPress is often the easiest way to solve these issues and the process can be completed without too much difficulty. Naturally, it is always important to back up your data to ensure elements such as plugins can also be easily reinstated - this should always be done first.

To reinstall WordPress manually you will need to download the WordPress file from the official website. Unzip this file onto the server where WordPress is hosted and deactivate your plugins. Access your installation directory through FTP and delete the wp-includes and wp-admin directories. Next, copy/paste the new versions of these directories from the unzipped file to replace the ones you have deleted. Now copy the files within the wp-content directory from your download and overwrite those that are on your server - do not delete any other files. Finally, copy any loose files from the download into your root directory and your reinstallation of WordPress is finished.

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