How to Install WordPress in cPanel (GoDaddy): A Definitive Guide

So, you’re ready to unleash the power of WordPress on your GoDaddy hosting? Excellent choice! WordPress, in my humble (yet experienced) opinion, remains the king of content management systems (CMS). It’s flexible, scalable, and backed by a massive community. Installing it through cPanel on GoDaddy is surprisingly straightforward, even if you’re a beginner. Let’s dive in, shall we?

The simplest and recommended way to install WordPress in cPanel on GoDaddy is using the Softaculous Apps Installer. This tool automates the process, handling database creation and file transfer with just a few clicks. Alternatively, you can manually install WordPress by downloading the WordPress files, creating a database, and then uploading the files to your server. We’ll cover both methods, but trust me, Softaculous is your friend.

Installing WordPress with Softaculous: The Effortless Route

Softaculous, often bundled with cPanel, is a one-click installer for various web applications, including WordPress. Think of it as your personal web application concierge. Here’s how to use it:

1. Log in to your GoDaddy Account: Head over to GoDaddy and log in using your credentials.

2. Access cPanel: Navigate to “My Products” and locate your web hosting package. Click “Manage,” and then find and click the “cPanel Admin” button. This will whisk you away to the land of cPanel.

3. Find Softaculous: In cPanel, scroll down until you find the “Software” section. Look for the “Softaculous Apps Installer” icon and click it.

4. Select WordPress: Once in Softaculous, you’ll see a list of popular applications. You can either search for “WordPress” or find it in the “Blogs” category. Click on the WordPress icon.

5. Install Now: You’ll see an overview of WordPress. Click the “Install Now” button to begin the installation process.

6. Configure Your Installation: This is where the magic happens. You’ll need to provide the following information:

   • Choose Protocol: Select either “http://” or “https://”. If you have an SSL certificate installed (and you should!), choose “https://”. If you want visitors to automatically redirect to the secure version of your site, select “https://www. “.
   • Choose Domain: Select the domain name where you want to install WordPress. If you want it on your main domain (e.g., yourdomain.com), leave the “In Directory” field blank. If you want it in a subdirectory (e.g., yourdomain.com/blog), enter the subdirectory name here. I strongly recommend installing WordPress on your main domain for optimal SEO.
   • Site Name and Site Description: Enter the name of your website and a brief description. These can be changed later within WordPress.
   • Admin Account: Choose a secure username and password for your WordPress administrator account. This is crucial for security! Don’t use “admin” as your username, and create a strong password using a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Also, enter a valid email address for your admin account. This email will be used for password resets and other important notifications.
   • Choose Language: Select your preferred language for WordPress.
   • Select Plugins: Softaculous may offer to install some plugins by default. Review the options and choose the plugins you want. You can always install more later.
   • Advanced Options: This section allows you to customize the database name and table prefix. Unless you have a specific reason to change these, I recommend leaving them at their default values.
   • Email Installation Details To: Enter your email address to receive a confirmation email with your WordPress installation details.

7. Click Install: Once you’ve filled in all the required information, click the “Install” button at the bottom of the page. Softaculous will now automatically install WordPress for you.

8. Success! After the installation is complete, you’ll see a success message with links to your WordPress website and the WordPress admin area.

Installing WordPress Manually: The Hands-On Approach

While Softaculous is the easier option, manually installing WordPress provides a deeper understanding of the process. This is for those who like to tinker and get their hands dirty (digitally speaking, of course).

1. Download WordPress: Go to wordpress.org and download the latest version of WordPress.

2. Create a Database: In cPanel, find the “Databases” section and click on “MySQL Databases.”

   • Create a New Database: Enter a name for your database and click “Create Database.”
   • Create a User for the Database: Scroll down to the “MySQL Users” section and create a new user with a strong password.
   • Add the User to the Database: In the “Add User To Database” section, select the user you just created and the database you just created, then click “Add.” On the next screen, grant the user “All Privileges.”

3. Upload WordPress Files: In cPanel, find the “Files” section and click on “File Manager.”

   • Navigate to the directory where you want to install WordPress (e.g., the public_html directory for your main domain).
   • Click the “Upload” button and upload the WordPress ZIP file you downloaded earlier.
   • Once the file is uploaded, right-click on it and select “Extract.” Extract the files to the desired directory.

4. Configure WordPress:

   • Rename wp-config-sample.php to wp-config.php.

   • Open wp-config.php in the File Manager’s code editor.

   • Update the following lines with your database credentials:

     define( 'DB_NAME', 'your_database_name' ); define( 'DB_USER', 'your_database_user' ); define( 'DB_PASSWORD', 'your_database_password' ); define( 'DB_HOST', 'localhost' ); 

     Replace 'your_database_name', 'your_database_user', and 'your_database_password' with the actual values you created earlier.

   • Save the wp-config.php file.

5. Run the WordPress Installation Script: Open your website in your web browser (e.g., yourdomain.com). You should be redirected to the WordPress installation script.

6. Follow the On-Screen Instructions: Choose a language, enter a site title, create an admin username and password, and provide an email address.

7. Log in to WordPress: Once the installation is complete, you can log in to your WordPress dashboard using the username and password you created.

Congratulations!

You’ve successfully installed WordPress on your GoDaddy hosting, whether you chose the easy route with Softaculous or the more hands-on manual approach. Now the real fun begins – building your website!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some common questions I get asked about installing WordPress on GoDaddy with cPanel:

1. What if I don’t have Softaculous in my cPanel?

Contact GoDaddy support. Softaculous is a common feature, but not all hosting plans include it. Ask them to enable it for your account, or consider upgrading to a plan that includes it.

2. I’m getting a “Database Connection Error” during the installation. What should I do?

Double-check your database credentials in the wp-config.php file. Make sure the database name, username, and password are correct. Also, ensure that the database user has the necessary privileges for the database.

3. Can I install multiple WordPress websites on one GoDaddy hosting account?

Yes, but it depends on your hosting plan. Some plans limit the number of websites you can host. If you have the resources, you can install WordPress in separate subdirectories or subdomains. Be mindful of resource usage.

4. How do I access my WordPress admin area after installation?

The WordPress admin area is usually accessed by adding /wp-admin or /wp-login.php to your domain name in your web browser (e.g., yourdomain.com/wp-admin).

5. What if I forget my WordPress admin password?

You can reset your password using the “Lost your password?” link on the WordPress login page. If that doesn’t work, you can reset it through phpMyAdmin in cPanel.

6. Should I install WordPress on a subdomain or in a subdirectory?

For SEO purposes, installing WordPress on your main domain (e.g., yourdomain.com) is generally recommended. If you’re creating a separate blog or section, a subdirectory (e.g., yourdomain.com/blog) can be a good option. Subdomains (e.g., blog.yourdomain.com) are treated as separate websites by search engines.

7. Is it necessary to have an SSL certificate before installing WordPress?

While not strictly necessary, it’s highly recommended. An SSL certificate encrypts the connection between your website and visitors, protecting their data. Most hosting providers offer free SSL certificates. Install the SSL certificate before installing WordPress and choose the https:// protocol during the Softaculous installation.

8. What are the essential WordPress plugins I should install after setting up my site?

Some popular and essential plugins include:

• Yoast SEO: For search engine optimization.
• Akismet Anti-Spam: To combat spam comments.
• Contact Form 7: For creating contact forms.
• UpdraftPlus: For backing up your website.
• Wordfence Security: For website security.

9. How often should I update WordPress and my plugins?

Regularly! Updates often include security patches and bug fixes. It’s best practice to update WordPress and your plugins whenever new versions are released.

10. What is the difference between WordPress.com and WordPress.org?

WordPress.com is a hosted platform where you can create a website for free (with limitations). WordPress.org is the self-hosted version of WordPress that you install on your own web server, giving you full control and flexibility. This guide is about installing the WordPress.org version.

11. Can I migrate an existing WordPress website to GoDaddy?

Yes, you can. You’ll need to back up your existing WordPress website (files and database) and then restore them to your GoDaddy hosting account. There are various plugins available to assist with this process.

12. What if I’m completely stuck?

Don’t hesitate to contact GoDaddy support or consult the WordPress documentation. The WordPress community is also very helpful and responsive. There are tons of forums and online resources where you can find answers to your questions.

Now get out there and build something amazing! WordPress awaits.