Manual WordPress installation is less common today because many hosting providers offer one-click installers, but uploading WordPress yourself is still useful when you need control over the installation or are working with a hosting environment without an automated installer.
This updated guide focuses on the current manual workflow using the official WordPress package and FileZilla.
What You Need Before You Start
- A registered domain or temporary hosting URL.
- A hosting account that supports WordPress.
- FTP, FTPS or SFTP access.
- A MySQL or MariaDB database.
- FileZilla Client or another supported file-transfer tool.
WordPress.org currently recommends PHP 8.3 or greater, MySQL 8.0 or MariaDB 10.11 or greater for the latest WordPress release. Check the official requirements before choosing a host.
Step 1: Download WordPress
Download the latest WordPress package directly from WordPress.org. Avoid downloading WordPress from unofficial software repositories.
Extract the downloaded ZIP file on your computer. You should see the WordPress files and directories, including wp-admin, wp-content and wp-includes.
Step 2: Create a Database
Use your hosting control panel to create a MySQL or MariaDB database. Record the database name, username, password and database host. Some hosts use localhost; others provide a separate database hostname.
Step 3: Connect with FileZilla
- Open FileZilla Client.
- Enter the server hostname provided by your host.
- Choose SFTP or FTPS when available.
- Enter your FTP/SFTP credentials and port.
- Connect and locate your website’s document root.
Step 4: Upload WordPress
On the local side, open the extracted WordPress folder. On the remote side, open the document root used by your domain. This may be named public_html, www, htdocs or something else depending on the host.
Upload the WordPress files and folders. Wait until FileZilla’s transfer queue shows that the transfer has completed successfully.
Step 5: Run the WordPress Installation
Open your domain in a browser. WordPress should start its installation process. Select the site language and enter the database details you created earlier.
Next, provide your site title and administrator account details. Use a unique administrator username and a strong password. Store the credentials securely.
Step 6: Complete the Initial Configuration
- Confirm the site URL and WordPress URL.
- Set the correct site language and timezone.
- Configure the permalink structure.
- Remove unused themes and plugins.
- Enable HTTPS and verify the site loads over the secure URL.
- Configure backups before making significant changes.
- Keep WordPress, themes and plugins updated.
Should You Use FileZilla or One-Click Installation?
| Method | Best for |
|---|---|
| One-click installer | Most beginners and standard hosting setups |
| FileZilla/manual install | Custom hosting, troubleshooting and greater control |
Common Problems
WordPress shows a database connection error
Recheck the database name, username, password and host. Confirm that the database user has the required privileges.
The domain shows a blank or default page
Check that the domain points to the correct server and that WordPress files are in the correct document root.
HTTPS is not working
Confirm that an SSL certificate is installed for the domain and that the hosting environment is configured correctly.
Final Takeaway
Uploading WordPress manually is straightforward once you separate the process into four parts: download the official package, create the database, transfer the files securely and complete the browser-based installation. For most sites, a host’s automated WordPress installer is faster, but manual installation remains a useful skill for developers and site administrators.
Related: Learn how to install and configure WordPress after the files are uploaded.
