Have you ever planned to build your website? Whether it’s a creative portfolio, an online store, or a blog to share your thoughts, WordPress is the right platform. But before you enter the world of web design and development, it’s much better to test your skills in a safe and controlled environment. This is where XAMPP helps you. It is a user-friendly software that enables you to set up a local WordPress installation on your local PC. In this guide, we’ll show you how to install XAMPP and WordPress for Beginners, leading you to launch a beautiful site in minutes. So, stay connected and get ready for a nice developer journey!
What is XAMPP?
XAMPP stands for Apache, MySQL, MariaDB, PHP, and Perl, a powerful combination of different open-source software that creates a local server environment on your computer. This means you can replicate the functionality of a web hosting service. It also allows you to develop and test websites without needing an internet connection. Look here for the main components:
- Apache: This plays a foundational role as the web server software that processes incoming requests and delivers web content to your browser.
- MySQL/MariaDB: These are database management systems that store all the website’s connected information, like content, user data, and settings. XAMPP offers other options as well. MariaDB is a popular alternative to MySQL.
- PHP: This scripting language powers a website’s dynamic elements, allowing you to create interactive features and functionalities.
- Perl (Optional): Perl is another scripting language. It is not used as widely as PHP in web development. XAMPP includes it for those who may require it for specific projects.
After installing XAMPP, a mini web server is created on the local computer, providing all the necessary tools to run and test a WordPress website before making it live on the internet.
What Are the Advantages of Installing WordPress Locally?
There are many advantages to installing WordPress locally on XAMPP.
- Safe Experimentation: A local environment provides a safe space to experiment with themes, plugins, and website functionality without affecting a live site. You can freely test new features, designs, and code snippets without the risk of breaking anything publicly.
- Offline Development: No internet connection is required with XAMPP. You can work on your website development even when offline. This feature makes it ideal for situations where there is unreliable internet access or when you prefer a focused, distraction-free development environment.
- Faster Testing and Debugging: Local testing allows for significantly faster iteration and debugging. Changes made to your WordPress site are reflected instantly. It enables you to identify and fix issues quickly and efficiently.
- Cost-Effective Development: Setting up a local WordPress environment with XAMPP is entirely free! This is a great benefit for beginners or those on a budget who want to learn and practice web development before investing in web hosting.
- Peace of Mind: Having a local copy of your website provides an added layer of security. You can back up your entire site easily and restore it if needed, giving you greater control over your data.
How to Install XAMPP and WordPress
Download and Installing XAMPP
Go to the website https://www.apachefriends.org/ and download the XAMPP as per your operating system. Here, we proceed with windows.
After downloading XAMPP, install it. Remember the directory where you installed XAMPP.
Setting Up WordPress with XAMPP
You have established a local server powered by XAMPP. Now, download and install the heart and soul of your website, WordPress. Get ready; we will guide you through downloading WordPress, creating a database, and finally, the exciting installation process using the on-screen installer.
Downloading and Installing WordPress
- Download the Latest WordPress: Go to the official WordPress website, https://wordpress.org/download/ and click the “Get WordPress” button. This will download the latest stable version of WordPress in a compressed format (usually a .zip file).
- Locate the htdocs Folder: Recall the installation directory you chose for XAMPP earlier. Go to that folder on your computer. Within this directory, you’ll find a subfolder named “htdocs.” This is the place where all your website data files will exist.
- Extract WordPress Files: Open the downloaded WordPress.zip file using software like WinZip or 7-Zip. Extract all the files and folders from the compressed archive into the “htdocs” folder within your XAMPP installation directory.
- Renaming the Folder (Optional): By default, the extracted files will be in a folder named “wordpress.” You can keep this name, but for better organization, it’s recommended to rename it to something more specific to your website project. This will make it easier to identify your WordPress installation within the “htdocs” folder.
Creating a Database for WordPress
WordPress relies on a database to store all your website’s content, settings, and user information. Thankfully, XAMPP comes bundled with MySQL or MariaDB, which are popular database management systems. Here’s how to create a database for your WordPress site.
Remember to hit the start button in front of Apache and MySQL before proceeding (on the XAMPP control panel).
- Access the phpMyAdmin Panel: Open your web browser and navigate to http://localhost/phpmyadmin in the address bar. This will launch the phpMyAdmin tool, a web interface for managing your MySQL/MariaDB databases.
- Create a New Database: In the phpMyAdmin interface, locate the “Create database” section. Enter a desired name for your database (avoid spaces and special characters).
- Create User (Optional): While not strictly necessary for a local installation, you can create a dedicated user for your WordPress database to enhance security. If you choose to do this, set a strong password for the user.
- Grant Privileges: After creating the database, ensure the appropriate user (or “root” user if you didn’t create one) has the necessary privileges to access and manage the database. In most cases, granting all privileges is sufficient for a local WordPress installation.
Note down the Database Details: Keep note of the database name, username (if created), and password. This information will be needed during the WordPress installation process.
Installing WordPress via the On-Screen Installer
With the WordPress files uploaded and the database created, we are now finally ready to install WordPress.
- Open the WordPress Installation Page: In your web browser, navigate to http://localhost/[your-folder-name]/wp-admin/install.php. Replace “[your-folder-name]” with the actual name you used when renaming the WordPress folder in the “htdocs” directory.
- Welcome Screen: A WordPress installation wizard appears. Click the “Continue” button to proceed.
- Database Connection Information: Here’s where you’ll provide the database details you noted earlier. Enter the database name, username (if created), password, and “localhost” as the database host. Double-check the information for accuracy to avoid installation errors.
- Run the Installation: Click the “Submit” and “Run the Installation” buttons to initiate the WordPress installation process. This might take a few moments, depending on your computer’s speed.
- Write the site title and user name, choose a strong password and email address, and hit the “Install WordPress” button.
- Welcome to WordPress!: Once the installation is complete, you’ll receive a login screen. Enter the username and password you want to use for your WordPress administration panel. Always choose a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols for a strong password.
XAMPP Alternatives
Although XAMPP is a popular choice for setting up a local development environment, it’s not the only option available. If you’re looking for alternatives or have specific needs, here’s an overview of a compelling alternative – Local by Flywheel.
Local by Flywheel
Local by Flywheel is a premium application designed specifically for WordPress development. It offers a user-friendly interface and simplifies creating local WordPress sites. Look at some key features of Local.
- Simplified Setup: Local streamlines the installation process. Unlike XAMPP, where you manage multiple server components, Local focuses solely on WordPress, making setup faster and easier, especially for beginners.
- Multisite Management: Local allows you to create and manage multiple WordPress sites simultaneously on your computer. This is ideal for developers or agencies working on various projects.
- Built-in Server Management: Local handles all the server configuration behind the scenes. You don’t need to worry about manually starting or stopping Apache, MySQL, and other components.
- SSL Certificates: Local provides automatic SSL certificate generation for your local sites, ensuring secure connections during development.
- One-Click Backups and Migrations: Local allows for easy backups and migrations of your local WordPress sites. This is a valuable feature for development and testing purposes.
Local vs. XAMPP
While Local offers a streamlined experience, it’s a premium application with a paid subscription model. XAMPP, on the other hand, is completely free and open-source. The comparison below will help you make a decision.
Choose XAMPP if
- You’re on a budget and prefer a free solution.
- You need a local development environment for more than just WordPress.
- You’re comfortable with managing server components like Apache and MySQL.
Choose Local by Flywheel if
- In your work process, simplicity and efficiency are highly valued.
- You primarily develop WordPress websites.
- You value features like multisite management, automatic SSL, and easy backups.
Final Words: Install XAMPP and WordPress
Congratulations! After reading the article “How to Install XAMPP and WordPress,” you are currently in the process of building a website. With XAMPP and WordPress as your powerful allies, you now possess the tools and knowledge to craft a website that reflects your vision. XAMPP and Local offer effective ways to create a local development environment for your website.
We have discussed how you can download and install XAMPP and WordPress with easy steps in the information given above. Make sure to follow all the steps provided above to avoid facing any type of inconvenience.