How to Install and Configure WordPress on a Localhost, using a localhost for your WordPress site lets you make updates, test plugins, and build your site privately. This means you can make changes without impacting your users or worrying about mistakes that could cause problems.
Sounds good, right? It’s even better because most developers with some experience can get started easily. By following this guide, you’ll learn how to download and install the localhost software, add WordPress files, and create a database without any trouble.
In this article, we’ll explain what a WordPress localhost is and why it’s beneficial. Then, we’ll walk you through how to set up WordPress on localhost and address some common errors you might encounter.
What is localhost, and why is it useful?
When you set up a WordPress site, you usually buy a domain name and select a web hosting provider. Your site is then hosted on the provider’s server and anyone with the correct URL can visit it.
Using localhost is different. You run the website from your own computer, which means it has a different hardware setup than a live website and isn’t available online.
You’ll create a private environment using your PC’s storage as the host. Then, you’ll need to download software like XAMPP to install WordPress on your computer.
There are several reasons to use localhost. First, it allows you to create a development site for testing and experimenting.
In this case, WordPress acts as a staging site. This is useful for designers and developers because you can find and fix issues before launching your live site. Plus, with localhost, you can work on your website even without an internet connection.
A local site also provides a safe space to try out new ideas. This helps prevent downtime on your live site if something breaks.
Additionally, using localhost is a safer way to test new software or updates. You don’t have to worry about breaking your site since any issues won’t affect your live website.
Can we install WordPress locally on any operating system?
There are many tools to install WordPress locally, but XAMPP is one of the easiest to use.
XAMPP is open-source, free, and works on all operating systems like Mac, Windows, and Linux. When you visit the official XAMPP website, you can see the different versions available. Just download the version that matches your operating system.
What do you need to install WordPress on localhost?
Now you will learn how to Install and Configure WordPress on a Localhost
To install WordPress on localhost, you need the following things:
- A computer to store your website files, acting as a virtual server like a web host’s server for a live site.
- A local development tool such as XAMPP. Other popular options include WAMP, MAMP, LAMP, and Vagrant.
- XAMPP is a great choice for WordPress because it’s free, open-source, and works on Windows, OS X, and Linux.
- After downloading XAMPP, install it along with WordPress. Make sure to activate three modules from the control panel: Apache, MySQL, and PHP.
How to Install and Configure WordPress on a Localhost
Now let’s begin to install XAMPP.
Step 1: Download XAMPP
- You need to download XAMPP software. You can download XAMPP for Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X.
- Choose the version that matches your operating system. The download will start automatically and may take some time .
- Once it’s downloaded, run the file to start the XAMPP installer. If you have antivirus software, you might get a warning, but you can continue with the installation.
- You might also see a User Account Control warning. Usually, you can just click through this and any other prompts.
- Next, you’ll see the installer screen. Click “Next” to continue.
- Now, select the components you want to install. For WordPress, you only need Apache, MySQL, and phpMyAdmin.
- You can add more components if needed, like email features for sending or debugging emails. Uncheck any components you don’t need and click “Next.”
- Choose the folder where you want to install XAMPP and select your preferred language.
- You’ll be asked if you want to install Bitnami for XAMPP. This isn’t necessary for WordPress, but it can simplify the setup.
- If you decide not to use Bitnami, just click “Next” to continue with the installation.
- Once the installation is finished, you can launch the control panel and start using XAMPP.
Step 2: Run the modules
To install XAMPP and WordPress, you’ll need three specific modules:
- Apache
- MySQL
- PHP
You can start these modules from the XAMPP control panel.These modules should be green in status..
After that, test to see that the local server is working fine by going to http://localhost in a web browser.
If it was working fine, you’ll now have a functioning XAMPP server on your operating system.
Step 3: Add the WordPress files
- Now that you have XAMPP installed and the necessary modules running, it’s time to install WordPress. Go to the official WordPress website and download the latest version by clicking on “Get WordPress.”
- You’ll notice an option to set up with a hosting provider, but that’s for creating a live WordPress site.
- Since you’re setting up WordPress on localhost, click on “Download WordPress” to get the software.
- Now, WordPress will be downloaded to your computer.
- Next, navigate to the folder where you installed XAMPP on your computer. This folder might be called something like C://xampp.
- Once there, open the folder and find the htdocs subfolder.
- Inside the htdocs folder, create a new folder for your site. This folder name will be part of the URL to access your site. For example, if you name the folder “testsite,” you’ll access your site at http://localhost/testsite.
- After creating the folder, extract the WordPress zip file that you downloaded earlier into this folder.
Step 4: Create your database
Now that you’ve completed downloading XAMPP, running the modules, and downloading WordPress, it’s time to set up a MySQL database for your WordPress installation.
- To do this, open phpMyAdmin from your XAMPP control panel. Simply click on the “Admin” button next to MySQL.
- Inside phpMyAdmin, select the Databases tab.
- Then, enter a name for your database and select Create.
Step 5: WordPress installation
To complete the WordPress installation, follow these final steps
- Visit your local website by typing http://localhost/url into your browser’s address bar. This will take you to the regular WordPress installer.
- Everything else in the installation process is the same as it would be for any other WordPress site, except for entering the database details. You’ll need to provide the database details as follows:
Database name: name of the database you created in phpMyAdmin
Username: “root”
Password: leave blank
After completing this step WordPress install running on your localhost.