Starting a website doesn’t have to be complicated. One of the most popular (and economical) ways of going about it is install WordPress on shared hosting.
Since shared hosting is inexpensive (often as low as $1/month), easy to use as a beginner, and great for blogs, small websites, or personal pages, it’s the perfect solution for this guide.
We’ll show you:
- How to install WordPress on shared hosting using our step-by-step guide.
- Alternative methods like: VPS, localhost, XAMPP and Ubuntu installation.
- Tips from an expert to help you avoid common pitfalls.
By the end of this guide, you’ll be ready to launch your WordPress site with complete clarity!
Why Do We Use Shared Hosting to Install WordPress?
Before we begin, let’s look at why many beginners choose shared hosting.
- Low Cost – Plans often start for just a few dollars a month.
- Easy for beginners – With one-click WordPress installers (like Softaculous), it is pretty easy to get going.
- Good enough for small sites – Works well with blogs, portfolios, and small business websites.
- Supports WordPress – Most hosting providers configure their servers specifically for hosting WordPress.
👉 Shared hosting often has limited resources. If your site grows quickly, you will want to upgrade to VPS, or Cloud hosting.
How to Install WordPress on Shared Hosting?
There are two common methods to install WordPress:
Method 1: One-Click Installer (Recommended)
Most hosting providers include Softaculous or similar tools in cPanel.
Steps:
- Access your hosting cPanel.
- Locate either the Softaculous Apps Installer or WordPress Installer.
- Select Install WordPress.
- Select your domain.
- Fill out the site details (site name, admin username, password, email).
- Select the installation directory (leave it blank to install it in your root domain).
- Select Install.
👉 Within minutes, you’ll have a fully functional WordPress site.
Method 2: Manual Installation
If your host doesn’t offer a one-click installation, here’s what to do:
Step 1: Download WordPress
- Download the latest version of WordPress from WordPress.org.
Step 2: Upload Files
- Access you hosting File Manager or use FTP (e.g. FileZilla).
- Upload the WordPress ZIP file. Extract the ZIP to your root folder (public_html is usually root).
Step 3: Create a Database
- In cPanel, go to MySQL Databases.
- Create a new database, username, and assign all privileges.
Step 4: Edit wp-config.php
- Open your extracted WordPress files.
- Rename wp-config-sample.php to wp-config.php.
- Add your database name, username, and password.
Step 5: Run the Installation
- In your web browser, go to your domain.
- Set up your admin account to complete the installation.
✅ Congratulations! You have Install WordPress on Shared Hosting is done.
Can I Install WordPress on VPS?
Yes! If you are outgrowing shared hosting, VPS hosting is the right option because it gives you dedicated resources. VPS hosting can offer better speed, better stability, and better scalability than shared hosting.
- VPS installation processes are similar but might require you to setup a server stack: Apache/Nginx, PHP, MySQL.
- Most VPS hosts also have one-click WordPress installers.
👉 VPS is a good option for websites that expect 100,000+ monthly visitors or like more control.
How to Install WordPress on Localhost
You can install WordPress on localhost, allowing you to build a site or test a site without going online.
Follow these steps:
1. Download and install XAMPP, WAMP, or MAMP on your computer.
2. Start the Apache and MySQL services.
3. Download WordPress from WordPress.org.
4. Unzip WordPress into the htdocs directory of XAMPP.
5. Create a database using phpMyAdmin.
6. Run the WordPress installer by going to localhost/wordpress in your browser.
👉 This is helpful for developers or if you want to test your themes and plugins.
How to Install WordPress on XAMPP
- Since a lot of people have specifically asked this, here is a quick summary:
- Install XAMPP → Start Apache & MySQL.
- Put WordPress files in the htdocs folder.
- Create a MySQL database using phpMyAdmin.
- Edit wp-config.php with the database info.
- Run the setup at localhost/wordpress.
How to Install WordPress on Ubuntu
If you are using an Ubuntu server, you can set it up by following these steps:
Steps
1. Update your system:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade
2. Install Apache:
sudo apt install apache2
3. Now install PHP and the required PHP extensions:
sudo apt install php libapache2-mod-php php-mysql
4. Now install MySQL:
sudo apt install mysql-server
5. Download WordPress and extract to /var/www/html.
6. Set permissions:
sudo chown -R www-data:www-data /var/www/html/wordpress
7. Now create a database and configure WordPress and run the installer using your server’s IP address.
👉 This method is more suited for advanced users and is ideal for developers or businesses requiring additional control.
Comparison Table: Shared Hosting vs VPS vs Localhost
| Method | Best For | Difficulty | Cost | Scalability |
| Shared Hosting | Beginners, small sites | Easy | Low | Limited |
| VPS Hosting | Growing businesses | Medium | Moderate | High |
| Localhost | Developers, testing | Easy/Med | Free | N/A |
| Ubuntu Server | Advanced users | Hard | Variable | Very High |
Also Read :
FAQ of Install WordPress on Shared Hosting
1. How do I install WordPress on shared hosting?
Use a one-click installer found in cPanel (Softaculous) or upload the files yourself and create a database.
2. Can I install WordPress on VPS?
Yes, VPS will give you more control, allow for more speed, and more scalability compared to shared hosting.
3. What are the steps to install WordPress on localhost?
You need to install XAMPP/WAMP (Apache, MySQL, PHP), create a database, add the WordPress files into the htdocs folder, and then run the installer by going to localhost/wordpress.
4. How to install WordPress on XAMPP?
Start Apache and MySQL, move the WordPress files to htdocs, create a database, then complete the setup by going to localhost/wordpress.
5. How to install WordPress on Ubuntu?
Install Apache, PHP, MySQL, download WordPress, change permissions, then run the setup.
Conclusion
It’s easy and inexpensive to install WordPress into shared hosting, and shared hosting offers plenty of benefits for beginners.
You’ll find both manual and one-click installers everywhere you look, and it’s a very straightforward process if you want to handle everything yourself.
If your site grows, you’d want to switch to VPS hosting at some point. Better performance! If you want to play around with WordPress, or if you’re building your site offline, you can set up localhost or use something like XAMPP.
Developers and advanced users will sometimes choose Ubuntu servers as well, giving you greater control and customization options.
👉 The bottom line: No matter whether you’re a beginner or advanced user, you now know how to install WordPress in a few environments. Start with a shared environment and adapt as you grow.