How to Install WordPress (in About 5 Minutes)

Installing WordPress takes about five minutes. This guide covers the two ways to do it on AriHosting hosting — the one-click installer (easiest) and the manual method (if you want full control).

Before you start

• An active AriHosting hosting plan (any tier works — see plans)
• Your cPanel login details (sent in your welcome email)
• Optional: a domain pointed at your hosting account (new to domains? Read What Is a Domain Name?)

Method 1: One-click installer (recommended)

1. Log in to cPanel — go to yourdomain.com/cpanel or use the link in your welcome email.
2. Find the auto-installer. Scroll to the Software section and click WordPress Toolkit (or Softaculous → WordPress, depending on your plan).
3. Click “Install”. Fill in:
   • Site name — your website’s title (you can change it later)
   • Admin username & password — pick something strong; this is your WordPress login, separate from cPanel
   • Admin email — where password-reset emails go. Use an address you check.
   • Language and whether to install a starter theme — defaults are fine
4. Choose the domain and directory. Leave the directory field empty if you want WordPress at your main address (yourdomain.com). Only fill in something like blog if you want it at yourdomain.com/blog.
5. Click Install and wait ~60 seconds. You’ll get a confirmation with links to your new site and its admin area (usually yourdomain.com/wp-admin).

That’s it — log in at /wp-admin and start building. First things worth doing: pick a theme under Appearance, and confirm your site loads over https:// (SSL is free and automatic on every AriHosting plan).

Method 2: Manual install (full control)

1. Download WordPress from wordpress.org and unzip it on your computer.
2. Create a database: in cPanel open MySQL Database Wizard → create a database, a user, grant ALL privileges, and save the password somewhere safe.
3. Upload the files: open File Manager, go to public_html, and upload the unzipped WordPress files (or upload the zip and use “Extract”).
4. Run the installer: visit yourdomain.com — WordPress walks you through language, database details (from step 2), site title, and your admin account.

Common first-time questions

“My domain shows a parking page.” DNS needs a few minutes to a few hours to point at your new hosting — see domain vs hosting for how that relationship works.

“Can I move an existing WordPress site here?” Yes — and we’ll do it for you free. Email support with your current host’s login and we’ll handle the transfer with zero downtime.

“Do I need to update WordPress?” Yes, one click per update under Dashboard → Updates. Updates close security holes — and daily backups (included on every plan) mean an update that misbehaves is easily rolled back. More on that in What Is a Website Backup?