Testing new themes and plugins on your live website can cause functionality issues, poor loading speed, and even downtime. It can be difficult to protect without a testing site. This is why it is vital to know how to install WordPress locally.
Using a version of WordPress stored on your computer, you can make the changes you want and your visitors will not see them. This allows you to safely test the software, learn to code, and look for performance bugs. You can even use it as before starting it up.
In this guide, we will explain how to install WordPress locally. Then we will show you three ways to do it. Let’s start!
Why should you install WordPress locally?
wordpress It is a flexible and easy to use platform. It allows you to create a website and put it online quickly and easily. However, it can also be used to install WordPress locally.
Doing this results in an offline website that is stored on your computer and can only be viewed by you or anyone else with access to that device. At first, it may seem counterintuitive to create a private website in this way, but there are many reasons to do so.
For example, you can create a new website locally and then bring it online when it’s ready to be published. This ensures that no search engine or human visitor sees it before it’s finished.
However, you can also choose to create a local version of your existing website. Here are some of the uses of this local copy type:
- Test new themes or install to make sure they work properly and don’t cause compatibility errors
- Test updates, new features, and third-party tools
- Experiment with website redesign
- Troubleshoot, investigate bugs, and experiment with solutions so that
With a local sandbox, you can also . Instead of editing your site live and risking data loss, you can safely experiment with your local WordPress files.
An added bonus is that running a local WordPress site on your computer doesn’t require an internet connection. This can allow you to develop your website offline, so you don’t need to rely on slow internet speeds or have access to a reliable connection.
Creating a local WordPress site is also completely free. It can be a great option for beginners who want to develop their website before purchasing a hosting plan or domain. You can learn the technicalities of running a website with a local site before racking up monthly costs.
How to install WordPress locally (3 methods)
If you want to install a local WordPress site, it’s important to find the right tool. Since WordPress will not run directly on your computer, you will need web development software capable of performing this task.
Local WordPress software typically includes a , and . These platforms work together to create an environment that supports a local site. By downloading them in a package, you can avoid the hassle of installing them separately.
However, you will need to install compatible software on your computer. Some web development environments are designed specifically for Windows or Mac, while others are compatible with both. Let’s look at three main options.
Method 1: Install WordPress locally on Windows
For Windows users, we recommend downloading the .
WampServer is Windows based software that supports a local web development environment. Anyone can download this free resource to access a local website without the need for an internet connection or web hosting.
When you learn how to install WordPress on WAMP, you will be able to use Apache2, PHP, and a MySQL database to create a local site. Then you can manage it with .
1. Download WAMP
To get started, go to and navigate to the downloads (downloads). There you will see two options: 64 BITS and 32 BITS.
You will have to download the best version for your computer depending on the type of operating system. If you don’t know what operating system you are using, you can go to Control Panel -> System and Security -> Systemand then find the section Type of system.
There you will be able to know if you have a 64 or 32 bit operating system. Next, download the WampServer file that corresponds to your configuration.
2. Define the default browser
After downloading the appropriate file, open the saved folder. Click on the WampServer execution file to start the process. This will open the installation wizard.
Next, follow the installation instructions, which include accepting the License Agreement. You will also need to set a destination location to install WampServer.
Continue through the installation wizard until you reach a screen where you can confirm your choices. then click Install (Install). This will start extracting the files and sending them to the specified destination:
WampServer will ask you to confirm which default web browser you want it to use during installation. The program uses Internet Explorer by default, but you can choose the one you prefer.
Once the installation process is complete, WampServer will show you a short instruction screen explaining how to interact with the software. We’ll show you how to do it in the next step.
3. Run phpMyAdmin and login
If this is the first time you use WampServer, you will have to start the program from the Start Menu. After doing so, a new icon will appear on the taskbar.
Make sure the icon is green, which means everything is working properly. If you see a red or yellow icon, you will need to resolve the issue by restarting the program.
Next, click on phpMyAdmin, which we will use to manage the MySQL database. You can also access the screen phpMyAdmin opening your browser and typing localhost. That will open the WampServer server settings page.
On the phpMyAdmin login screen, enter “root» in the username section. leave the field of password (password) blank.
After this, click on Go to access the phpMyAdmin dashboard.
4. Create a database and install WordPress
Among the tabs at the top of the page, select Databases (Databases). To create a new database for your WordPress site, enter a name in the text box and select Collation in the next dropdown menu.
Now you will have to download the platform. Go to and choose Get WordPress.
Once it is downloaded as a file zip, extract the WordPress folder and copy it. Next, find the folder where you installed WAMP. Paste the WordPress folder into this root directory.
Rename the WordPress folder to whatever you want. For example, you can call it mytestingsite. Since this will become the URL and title of your local WordPress site, make sure it is clear and descriptive
5. Visit the testing site
To finish installing a WordPress WampServer, open your web browser and go to http://localhost/mytestingsite. Replaces mytestingsite by the name you chose in the previous step.
To start setting up WordPress, you will need to choose a language. When you fill in the database details, use root as username and leave the password field blank.
After this, WordPress will connect to your database and you can continue with the installation process. Enter the site title, username, password, and email address of your WordPress account when you see a welcome screen.
Lastly, click on Log in to access the WordPress control panel of your local site. After this, you are ready to start testing and/or troubleshooting as you wish.
If you run into any performance issues that prevent you from following these steps, you can read the WampServer support forums for troubleshooting tips. There you can find solutions to many common WAMP server problems.
Method 2: Install WordPress locally on macOS
To install WordPress for Mac locally, you will need compatible software. To start installing WordPress locally, we recommend using . This is one of the best tools to create a local WordPress site on macOS systems.
MAMP it is a combined software package. In other words, you will have all the tools you need to create a WordPress locale. It follows a similar setup process as WAMP, except that it has options to support macOS-based software.
With MAMP PRO, you can even test your WordPress site on a mobile device. With its , you can edit your website on different devices, such as your smartphone or tablet.
Another advantage of MAMP is that you won’t have to start any scripts or change any configuration files. Since MAMP does not modify any existing system, you can simply remove the application once you are done using it.
1. Download and install MAMP
First of all, go to and click on free download. Windows users will see an option to download MAMP for their operating system. However, Mac users will need to choose one of the macOS versions.
By downloading any of these options, you will be able to access both MAMP and MAMP PRO. However, you can remove MAMP PRO to use only the free version.
Next, open the downloaded MAMP file. This will display the step-by-step installation instructions.
Start by accepting the license agreement and choosing the disk you want to install MAMP on. Before installation, the program will tell you exactly how much storage space the software uses.
After following the installation guide, you should receive a confirmation message indicating that the installation was successful.
Once you see this, you can close the installation wizard.
2. Customize your preferences
Now, launch the MAMP application by double clicking on the icon. Look for the menu preferences in the upper left corner and select the tab ports.
In the Apache Port section, enter “80”. This will allow you to access your local site using the URL http://localhost instead of http://localhost:8888. However, keep in mind that if you use “80” as the port Apache will always ask you for your password.
keep the port of Nginx in “8888» and that of mysql in “8889«. Once you have finished customizing the ports, select OKAY.
Then go to the tab Web server. Choose the folder where you want to store your website (the default location will be Applications/MAMP/htdocs).
You can choose a new folder and name it whatever you want. For example, your document root could be…
Facebook Comments
Disqus