Here is a step-by-step full guide to set up a WordPress website from scratch, whether you’re doing it locally or on a live hosting environment:

 Step 1: Choose Between Local or Live Hosting

 Option A: Local Setup (For Testing/Development)

Use a tool like:

• XAMPP (Windows, Mac, Linux)

• MAMP (Mac)

• LocalWP (Beginner-friendly)

Option B: Live Hosting (For Public Websites)

Buy:

• Domain name (e.g., GoDaddy, Namecheap or Hostinger)

• Web hosting (e.g., Bluehost, Hostinger, SiteGround, Hostinger, etc.)

Most hosts offer a 1-click WordPress installer.

Step 2: Download WordPress

Go to: https://wordpress.org/download/

• Click Download WordPress .zip

• Extract the .zip file

 Step 3: Set Up a Database

A. Localhost via phpMyAdmin (e.g., with XAMPP):

1. Go to: http://localhost/phpmyadmin

2. Click Databases

3. Create a new database (e.g., wordpress_db)

B. Live Hosting:

• Log in to your cPanel

• Open phpMyAdmin or MySQL Databases

• Create:

  • A new database

  • A new user with a password

  • Assign the user to the database with ALL PRIVILEGES

 Step 4: Move WordPress Files

A. Localhost:

• Copy extracted WordPress files to:

  • htdocs/your-folder-name (for XAMPP)

• Open in browser:
  http://localhost/your-folder-name

B. Live Hosting:

• Use File Manager (cPanel) or FTP client (like FileZilla)

• Upload files to the public_html directory or a subdomain folder

Step 5: Run WordPress Installer

In your browser, go to:

• http://localhost/your-folder (local)

• https://yourdomain.com (live)

Fill in:

• Database Name

• Username (usually root for local)

• Password

• Database Host (usually localhost)

Click Submit → If correct, click Run the Installation

 Step 6: Configure Website

Enter:

• Site Title

• Admin Username

• Password

• Email

• Choose: Discourage search engines (for local testing)

Click Install WordPress

 Step 7: Log In to Admin Panel

Visit:

• http://localhost/your-folder/wp-admin

• https://yourdomain.com/wp-admin

Login using your admin credentials.

 Step 8: Choose a Theme

1. Go to Appearance → Themes

2. Click Add New

3. Install a free theme (e.g., Astra, Hello Elementor)

4. Click Activate

 Step 9: Install Essential Plugins

Go to Plugins → Add New and install:

• Elementor (Page Builder)

• Yoast SEO or Rank Math (SEO)

• WPForms (Contact Forms)

• UpdraftPlus (Backups)

• Wordfence (Security)

 Step 10: Create Your Website Pages

Go to Pages → Add New, and create:

• Home

• About

• Contact

• Blog (optional)

Set Home page:

• Go to Settings → Reading

• Set "Homepage" to your static page

 Step 11: Secure Your Site (Live Site)

• Install SSL Certificate (most hosts provide free Let's Encrypt)

• Use Wordfence Security or iThemes Security

• Enable Captcha and limit login attempts

 Step 12: Launch Your Site

• Check mobile responsiveness

• Submit to Google Search Console

• Create a sitemap via SEO plugin

• Set up Google Analytics (via MonsterInsights plugin or manually)

 You're Done!

Now your WordPress website is live and manageable through the dashboard at /wp-admin.