How to Install WordPress Manually

A manual install gives you control over the database and file placement. It is useful when you are migrating, using a custom configuration, or learning how WordPress works under the hood.

Create a Database and User

1. In cPanel, open MySQL Databases.
2. Create a new database, for example user_wpsite.
3. Create a database user with a strong password.
4. Add the user to the database and grant All Privileges.

Note the database name, username, and password.

Upload WordPress Files

1. Download the latest WordPress from wordpress.org.
2. In cPanel File Manager, go to public_html.
3. Upload the WordPress zip, then right-click and Extract it.
4. If files extract into a wordpress subfolder, move them up into public_html.

Configure wp-config.php

Rename wp-config-sample.php to wp-config.php, then edit these lines:

define( 'DB_NAME', 'user_wpsite' );
define( 'DB_USER', 'user_wpuser' );
define( 'DB_PASSWORD', 'your_password' );
define( 'DB_HOST', 'localhost' );

Replace the authentication unique keys with fresh values from the WordPress secret-key service.

Run the Installer

1. Visit your domain in a browser.
2. Choose your language, then enter the site title, admin username, password, and email.
3. Click Install WordPress and log in at /wp-admin.

After installing, enable AutoSSL in cPanel so the site is served over HTTPS.