Ananta Code Academy
 Continue to Day 3
MODULE 01 · FOUNDATIONS

Installing WordPress & Hosting Basics

Today you'll turn yesterday's theory into a real, running site — choosing a hosting path and completing an actual WordPress install.

Day 2 of 30 Beginner ~20 min
01 · OVERVIEW

Picking Where WordPress Will Live

Yesterday you learned WordPress needs three things: a domain, hosting, and the core software. Today is about actually getting those three pieces in place — either on your own computer for practice, or on real hosting so your site is live from day one.

Neither path is "more correct." Many professionals build locally first and migrate later; others go live immediately because seeing real URLs keeps them motivated. Pick whichever keeps you moving forward.

02 · HOSTING TYPES

What Kind of Hosting Do You Actually Need?

Hosting plans are usually sold by how much of the server you get to yourself. For a first WordPress site, you don't need much.

HOSTING TYPE WHAT IT MEANS
Shared hosting

Your site shares a server with many others. Cheapest option and more than enough for a course project or small business site.
Managed WP hosting

A host tuned specifically for WordPress — automatic updates, caching, and backups included. Costs more, but removes a lot of maintenance work.
VPS / Cloud

A dedicated slice of a server you configure yourself. Overkill for now — this becomes relevant once a site gets serious traffic.
FOR THIS COURSE

Shared hosting or a local install are both perfectly fine. Don't overspend on hosting before you've even built a page.

03 · WHAT A ONE-CLICK INSTALL DOES

Behind the "Install WordPress" Button

When you click a one-click installer in your host's control panel, it's really running the same handful of setup steps WordPress itself would ask for manually.

install-steps.txt 
// What "Install WordPress" actually does
1. Create database     // a MySQL/MariaDB database for your content
2. Download core files // the latest WordPress software from wordpress.org
3. Generate wp-config  // connects WordPress to the new database
4. Create admin user   // your first login: username + password
04 · INSTALLING STEP BY STEP

Your Installation Checklist

Follow these in order, whether you're using a host's one-click installer or a local tool like LocalWP.

  • Choose your environment — pick a host's control panel, or open LocalWP for a local site.
  • Start the installer — locate "Install WordPress" (hosts) or "Create a new site" (LocalWP).
  • Set your site title and admin login — use a strong password; you'll use this to log into wp-admin.
  • Wait for the install to finish — this usually takes under a minute.
  • Visit yoursite.com/wp-admin — log in with the credentials you just created.
    • 05 · LOCAL VS LIVE, IN PRACTICE

    What Each Path Actually Feels Like

    Here's the practical difference once you're actually clicking through setup, not just reading about it.

    LOCAL (LOCALWP) Install the app, click "Create a new site," and you have a working WordPress install in under two minutes — visible only on your machine.
    LIVE (SHARED HOSTING) Sign up, connect a domain, run the host's installer, and your site is reachable by anyone within minutes of finishing setup.
    06 · POST-INSTALL CHECKS

    Confirming the Install Actually Worked

    STATUS CHECK
    LOGIN You can reach /wp-admin and log in with the admin account you created.
    FRONT END Visiting your site's root URL shows a default WordPress theme, not an error page.
    SSL / HTTPS If hosted live, confirm the browser shows a padlock — most hosts issue this automatically.
    07 · BREAKDOWN

    Breaking Down What You Just Learned

    1

    Hosting tiersShared hosting is enough for now; managed and VPS hosting solve problems you don't have yet.

    2

    One-click installersAutomate the same four steps you'd otherwise do by hand: database, files, config, admin user.

    3

    wp-adminThe URL pattern (yoursite.com/wp-admin) you'll use to log in for the rest of this course.

    4

    Local vs liveBoth get you to a real WordPress install — the difference is only whether it's public yet.

    5

    Post-install checksConfirm login, front-end rendering, and HTTPS before moving on.

    08 · TRY IT

    Try It Yourself

    EXERCISE

    Before installing anything, write down your intended site title and a strong admin password in a safe place. You'll need both in the next step, and reusing a weak password here is a common early mistake.

    09 · TODAY'S PRACTICE

    Complete Your First Install

    HANDS-ON EXERCISE

    Getting a real WordPress site running

    This is the most important task so far — everything for the rest of the course happens inside the site you set up today.

    1. Choose local (LocalWP) or live hosting, based on yesterday's decision.
    2. Complete the installation using the step-by-step checklist above.
    3. Log into wp-admin and confirm the dashboard loads.
    4. Visit your site's front end and confirm it displays the default theme.
    5. Save your login URL and admin credentials somewhere safe for Day 3.
    10 · RECAP

    Recap

    SHARED HOSTING

    Enough power for a first WordPress site — no need to overspend early.

    ONE-CLICK INSTALL

    Automates database creation, file setup, config, and your admin account.

    WP-ADMIN

    The login URL you'll return to for every lesson from here forward.

    POST-INSTALL CHECKS

    Login, front-end render, and HTTPS confirm a clean, working install.

    11 · SUMMARY

    Key Takeaways

    • Shared hosting or a local tool like LocalWP are both fine starting points for this course.
    • One-click installers automate database creation, core files, config, and your first admin login.
    • Every WordPress site is managed through the same wp-admin login pattern.
    • Always confirm login, front-end rendering, and HTTPS after any install.
    • Save your site URL and admin credentials — you'll need them starting Day 3.
    Course Overview