Are you having trouble installing WordPress on your localhost? Installing WordPress on localhost is a super easy task. And you can do this in a few different ways by using software like XAMPP and Local WP. Below in this article, I have shared the step-by-step instructions to install WordPress on localhost in two different ways.
Installing wordpress on a live server is easy; all you need to do is purchase some SSD-based WordPress hosting and domain name and connect them. After that, you can simply follow the steps to install it – but when you’re just learning about the designing and development part of the website, you don’t need to spend a hefty amount on these things.
You can simply install WordPress on your localhost server and start designing your website locally. Basically, localhost means creating a server-like environment on your system using special software. And it is not just about learning WordPress or web development; professional web developers also use it to develop and test websites, web applications, themes, and plugins.
So, let’s get started with the instructions for installing WordPress on the localhost server…
What is Localhost?
But before sharing the steps to install WordPress on localhost, it’s really important to learn about localhost and how it works.
And if you ask me to define localhost in one word, I can describe it as the server-like environment on a computer system. If you check the hosting plans on any hosting provider’s website, you might have noticed that web hosting compounds are entirely like a computer system.
The computer and web server both have RAM, CPU, and storage (HDD or SSD). Till now, I think you have understood that a web hosting server is nothing but a powerful computer connected to high-speed internet. Everything is exact; that’s why we can use our computer system as a local server using localhost softwares.
When you create a localhost environment using software, it will use your system resources as the server RAM, CPU, and storage.
That’s what the local host is all about.
Why Do You Need to Install WordPress on Localhost?
Few people may think WordPress on localhost is just for a beginner who can’t purchase or doesn’t have a domain and hosting, but it is not valid. Localhost is best for everyone, from the beginner who is just learning WordPress to the professional who develops new things like themes and plugins for WordPress.
Localhost makes it easy to learn WordPress for beginners and test themes or plugins for professionals. Only professional web developers can understand the hard work and pain behind developing a new theme or plugin for WordPress and testing it on a live server.
When you do development and testing on a live server, you need to edit and reupload the file every time there is a mistake. On localhost, you can check the edited code as soon as you save it.
I am also a professional web developer, and I always use localhost to design, develop and test all my websites.
What are the Options to Install WordPress on Localhost?
There are lots of ways and softwares you can use to install WordPress on localhost. Most of the localhost softwares are free to use.
Here are two different options we’re going to cover in this guide:
- Installing WordPress on Localhost Using XAMPP Localhost Software
- Installing WordPress on Localhost Using Using Local WP
Now, let’s get started with detailed step-by-step instructions and proper images for easy understanding.
Ways to Install WordPress on Localhost
As I told you above, there are multiple ways to install WordPress on Localhost. Below, I will share the process to install WordPress on localhost using XAMPP and LocalWP.
How to Install WordPress on Localhost using XAMPP?
To install WordPress on Localhost using XAMPP, you first need to download and install XAMPP software, configure it, and then download and install WordPress on it. Here is how you can do it.
1. Downloading XAMPP
First of all, visit the official website of XAMPP (www.apachefriends.org). On the home page, you will get the option to Download XAMPP.
The good thing about this software is that it is free for Windows, Linux, and macOS, so no matter which operating system you are using, you can follow the same steps to install WordPress on localhost. Here, I am sharing the steps with Windows.
Click on the Download button according to your operating system, and the download will start. The setup file of the XAMPP is about 150 MB for Windows, it may take 2 min to complete the download, depending upon the internet speed.
2. Installing XAMPP
After completing the download, double-click on the setup files and run the XAMPP installation wizard; you will find the downloaded setup file in the Download folder. Now follow the instructions on the screen to complete the installation process.
Once the installation wizard is started, click on Next.
Here on the next screen, you need to select the compound you want to install. For installing WordPress on localhost, I suggest you only install Apache, phpMyAdmin, and MySQL, so uncheck other compounds and click on Next.
On the next screen, you need to choose the destination to install XAMPP, suggesting you keep it as it is and click on Next. Select the language, click Next, and the XAMPP installation will start.
Once the installation is completed, start Apache and MySQL services by clicking on the Start button.
3. Downloading and Installing WordPress
Go to the official WordPress website and download the latest version of WordPress. Unzip the downloaded WordPress and copy the files.
Now go to the XAMPP installation folder, and open the ‘htdocs’ folder. Here is the path you can follow: ‘C:/Xampp/htdocs’
Create the new folder here, as I have created a folder as ‘Blog‘; it will be the URL of your website, like,
https://localhost/Blog
Paste the copied WordPress files into this folder.
Now you need to create a database for your website, open the XAMPP control panel, and click on the Admin button beside MySQL. You can also follow the path below to open the phpMyAdmin:
https://localhost/phpmyadmin/
In the phpMyAdmin, click on the small ‘+ icon‘ to create a new database; name your database and click on Create.
4. Configuring WordPress
To configure WordPress, go to ‘https://localhost/blog/’ (you need to replace the word ‘blog‘ with your WordPress installation folder name)
Once you open the URL, select the language and click on Continue.
Now in the next step, you need to provide some information which includes:
- Database Name
- Database Username
- Password
- Database Host
- Table Prefix
Here only enter the Database name you created, my DB name is a ‘blog’, and the default Username is ‘root’. Keep the remaining fields as it is.
Click on Submit and then click on Run the Installation.
In the next step, you need to provide the information such as,
- Site Title
- Username
- Password
- Your Email
Enter all the information and click on Install WordPress. Done; WordPress is now successfully installed on your system. Go to ‘localhost/blog/wp-admin’ to log in.
That’s how you can install WordPress on localhost using XAMPP.
💡 Keynote:
No matter which operating system you are using, you can install WordPress on localhost using XAMPP by following the same steps. Just the interface and a few options may be different.
How to Install WordPress on Localhost using Local WP?
Local WP is the other best software you can use to install WordPress on localhost. Here is how you can install WordPress on localhost using Local WP.
1. Downloading Local WP
First, go to the Local WP official websites and download the software. This localhost software is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux, so you can follow the same steps no matter which operating system you are using.
Click on the Download for Free option on the homepage, select the operating system, and Local WP downloading will start.
2. Installing Local WP
Once the downloading is completed, go to the Windows download folder, and double-click on the Local WP setup file to start the installation.
Choose the Installation Option on the first screen and click Next. For now, I am keeping it as it is.
Now select the Local WP installation destination and click on the Install button.
Installation may take a few min, depending on your system. Once it is completed, click on Finish, and the Local WP will open.
3. Creating a New WordPress Site on Local WP
First, click on the big green Create a new site button in the Local WP software. Select Create a new site on the next screen and click on Continue.
Now, enter the site name on the next screen and click on Continue. Then choose the environment as Preferred and click on Continue.
On the Setup WordPress screen, enter your WordPress username, WordPress password, and WordPress email; after entering all the details, click on Add Site.
Now, wait for a few minutes until the Local WP processes your request, and then you can log in to your WordPress website by clicking the WP Admin button.
Done; that’s how you can install WordPress on localhost using Local WP.
Other Software You Can Use to Install WordPress on a Local Host
As I already told you, there are lots of softwares you can use to install WordPress on localhost or to create a server environment locally on your system. Above I have shared the exact way you can follow to install WordPress on localhost using XAMPP and Local WP. Here are a few other localhost softwares you can use:
- AMPPS- Localhost server with Softaculous
- WampServer localhost webserver
- MAMP
- UwAMP portable WAMP server
- DesktopServer from ServerPress
- EasyPHP- Devserver & Webserver
Those are a few other softwares you can use for creating localhost.
After developing a website on localhost, you can also migrate this site to the live server by purchasing a hosting and domain name. Make sure you upload and use compressed images on your website because it directly affects the loading speed of your web page. You can also integrate a CDN like Cloudflare for better loading speed when you upload the website on a live server.
Final Words
This is how you can install WordPress on localhost. All the above-shared methods are good and very easy to follow.
If you ask me which way you should choose to install WordPress on localhost, then I recommend you to go with Local WP if you are a newbie and looking for the easiest way to install WordPress on localhost. You can go with XAMPP Localhost Software for installing WordPress on localhost if you need more control over what you are building.
All the above-featured ways and tools used to install WordPress locally are free. You don’t need to pay a single penny to use those softwares.
I hope this article about how to install WordPress on Localhost is helpful to you. If you face any problem following the above-shared instructions, share them in the comment section below.
