WordPress Quick Start: Installation, Configuration and Basic Settings

WordPress has become one of the world's most popular platforms for building websites. Whether it's a blog, a small business website, a personal portfolio or a content portal, WordPress can help you get your website online quickly and maintain it easily. For those who are new to WordPress, "Installation, Configuration and Basic Settings" is a step in the right direction, and you can take a lot of detours. This article will use simple and solid language, from zero to dismantle each step, to take you immersed to learn the core operation of WordPress, to truly realize the "look at the end of the do-it-yourself".


First, what is WordPress? Who is suitable for?


WordPress is a set of PHP and MySQL-based content management system (CMS), without the need for in-depth programming foundation, easy to expand and maintain. Suitable for:


- Personal blogs, knowledge sharing

- Official website for micro and small businesses/entrepreneurs

- Portfolio, resume display

- Information , community and lightweight e-commerce site


Core advantages: free and open source, a huge number of themes and plug-ins, SEO friendly, strong community support.


Second, the preparatory stage: choose a host and domain name


Before the formal installation of WordPress, you need to prepare:


Options Beginner Recommendations Remarks
Domain name Recommended .com/.net/.cn and other mainstream suffixes Domestic sites need to be filed in advance
Hosting Virtual host/cloud host (Ali cloud, Tencent cloud, Bluehost) Overseas lines are recommended for more flexibility
Environmental requirements PHP 7.4+, MySQL 5.7+. Most hosts have pre-installed environment



Some hosts will integrate "one-click installation of WordPress", such as SiteGround, Bluehost, etc., suitable for newcomers.


WordPress installation process in detail


1. Get WordPress installation package


- Visit the WordPress website to download the latest version

- Unzip the files and upload them to the root directory of your space (usually the public_html or www folder).


2. Create MySQL database


- Create a new database, set a username and password in the hosting administration panel (e.g. cPanel, Pagoda, etc.) and make a note of this information


3. Run the installation program


- Enter your domain name in the browser, e.g. www.yoursite.com

- Follow the page prompts, fill in the database information, site name, administrator account and password

- After completing the installation, remember to save the administrator password and background login address (default www.yoursite.com/wp-admin)


4. Basic Security Settings


- Change the default password at the first time after the installation is completed

- It is not recommended to use admin as the user name

- Enable the host / WordPress comes with the backup function


Fourth, WordPress background basic settings, "white special" operating directory


1. Website information and SEO foundation


Enter the "Settings" ¡ú "General", improve the site title, subtitle, time zone, language

"Settings" → "Fixed Links", it is recommended to select the "article name" mode, conducive to SEO


2. Theme selection and installation


- Visit the background "Appearance"→"Themes", you can directly search, preview and install free themes with one click.

- Foreign famous themes such as Astra, OceanWP, domestic such as Mockingbird, DUX, etc. are very suitable for beginners!



Function Recommended Plugins Description
SEO Optimization Yoast SEO / Rank Math Increase Search Weight
Protection Backup Wordfence / UpdraftPlus Website Security & Backup
Visual Editing Elementor / Gutenberg Editor Drag & Drop Layout
Image Compression Optimization Smush Improved loading speed



Plugins can be searched, installed and launched in the background "Plugins" menu. Note: It is not recommended to install too many plug-ins in the first stage, to keep simple and better performance.


4. Tips for Beginners


- Home, menu, sidebar can be in the background "page" and "widgets" module flexible layout

- Categories, labels, article content to maintain a clear, easy to manage

- Regularly in the "Tools" ¡ú "Data Export" backup site-wide information


V. WordPress installation and set up a complete flow chart


Register a domain name / purchase hosting ↓ hosting panel to create a database ↓ upload and unzip the WordPress installation package ↓ access to the domain name, run the installation program (fill in the database and other information) ↓ log in the background and complete the basic configuration (site information, themes, plug-ins, links) ↓ regular backup and optimization


Six, common questions and answers


questions Answers and suggestions
The installation package can not be uploaded or prompted timeout Check the hosting space size / FTP batch upload / contact the hosting customer service
Database connection error Double-check the database name, user, password/consider the database permission problem
The site can not be opened / style error Check the cache, domain name resolution / clear the browser / theme plug-ins are compatible with the
How to retrieve the background password? You can reset the password through the database phpMyAdmin / use the host to retrieve the function
Theme or plug-in installation after the site white screen? Into the FTP to delete the theme or plugin / try to rename the plugins folder




- WordPress Chinese official website

- WordPress official documentation

- Mockingbird WordPress Tutorials for Beginners

- WPBeginner English tutorial

- SEO plugin Yoast official website


Conclusion


WordPress provides a very low threshold for building a website, but also highly customizable and rich community resources. As long as you master the core installation and basic configuration ideas, the follow-up, regardless of whether to do blogs, official website, e-commerce or content operation, can be easily, enjoy the fun of easy to build the station and content operation. Recommended for newbies to practice more, refer to the tutorials, and have their own digital space as soon as possible!

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