Chapter 3: Setting Up WordPress

Setting Up WordPress. This is where your site actually comes to life. Most people (especially in Hyderabad with good hosts like Hostinger) get this done in under 10-15 minutes. I’ll walk you through it like we’re on a video call together, screen-sharing every click, with super-detailed steps, screenshots-in-mind explanations, and real examples tailored for someone starting fresh in 2026.

We’ll cover:

• Installing via one-click (the easy way most hosts offer now)
• Manual install (only if needed—rare for beginners)
• Logging in to the dashboard the first time
• The basic initial setup wizard/configuration

Pro tip before we start: Make sure you’ve already bought hosting + domain (e.g., from Hostinger, as we discussed—it’s still topping lists for India in 2026 with Mumbai servers, fast speeds, and cheap plans). If not, pause and do that first. Hostinger’s hPanel (their control panel) makes everything beginner-friendly.

Installing WordPress via One-Click Install (The Recommended Way – 95% of Beginners Do This)

In 2026, almost every decent host (Hostinger, Bluehost India, YouStable, etc.) has a one-click or auto installer for WordPress. No downloading files, no messing with databases—it’s automated.

Focus on Hostinger (my top pick for you right now—budget-friendly, fast for Indian users):

1. Log in to your Hostinger account Go to hostinger.com or hostinger.in → Log in with your email/password (or Google/UPI login if set up). You’ll land on hPanel (their clean dashboard, not old cPanel).

2. Go to Websites section On the left sidebar or main screen, click Websites → Then Add website or Create or migrate a website (if it’s your first one).

   • For new purchases: Many plans trigger an onboarding flow automatically after payment—super easy wizard.

3. Choose WordPress Select WordPress from the options (it might say “Install WordPress” or show the famous WP logo).

   • If you see Auto Installer in the sidebar: Click it → Search/select WordPress.

4. Fill in the quick details (this is the “one-click” part) A form pops up—keep it simple:

   • Domain: Pick your domain from the dropdown (e.g., webliance.in or webliance.com). If you want it on a subdomain (blog.webliance.in), choose that.
   • Admin Username: Something secure, not “admin” (e.g., webliance_admin or your name + numbers). Avoid common ones for security.
   • Admin Password: Make it strong (use the generator—mix uppercase, lowercase, numbers, symbols). Save it in a password manager or note it securely!
   • Admin Email: Your email (e.g., yourname@gmail.com)—this gets important notifications.
   • Site Title: Your site name (e.g., “Webliance – Hyderabad Web Design”).
   • Language: English (or add Telugu later if needed).
   • Optional: Language, timezone (set to Asia/Kolkata for Hyderabad).

5. Hit Install Click Install or Continue. It takes 1–3 minutes (you’ll see a progress bar). Hostinger:

   • Creates the database automatically
   • Uploads WordPress files
   • Configures wp-config.php
   • Sets up admin user

   Once done → You’ll see “Installation Complete!” with links:

   • Your site: https://webliance.in
   • Admin dashboard: https://webliance.in/wp-admin

Real example: A Hyderabad freelancer like you buys Hostinger’s Premium plan (~₹200/month intro), adds webliance.in, fills the form with username “web_dev_2026” and a strong pass. Boom—site live in 2 minutes. Refresh browser cache if it doesn’t show immediately.

If your host uses Softaculous (some like Bluehost or MilesWeb do): Similar—find Softaculous in control panel → WordPress → Install → Fill same details.

Installing WordPress Manually (Only If One-Click Fails or You’re on Advanced Hosting)

This is the “famous 5-minute install” – still relevant in 2026 if auto-installer glitches (rare).

1. Download WordPress Go to wordpress.org/download → Click “Download WordPress” (latest version, e.g., 6.7 or whatever is current in Jan 2026). Get the .zip file.
2. Upload files to your host In hPanel/cPanel → File Manager → Go to public_html (or the folder for your domain).
   • Unzip the WordPress zip on your computer first.
   • Upload all files/folders inside (wp-admin, wp-content, wp-includes, etc.) to public_html. (Or upload zip and extract there.)
3. Create a MySQL database In hPanel → Databases → Manage → Add new database.
   • Database name: e.g., webliance_db
   • Username: e.g., webliance_user
   • Password: Strong one Note these down!
4. Run the installer Open your domain in browser. You’ll see the famous WordPress setup screen.
   • Choose language → Continue
   • Enter database details: Name, User, Password (host usually “localhost”).
   • Submit → Run installer
   • Site Title, Admin Username/Password/Email → Install WordPress

Done! Same as one-click but manual.

Why skip manual for now? One-click is faster, safer (handles permissions), and Hostinger optimizes it.

Logging into the WordPress Dashboard for the First Time

Super simple:

1. Go to: https://yourdomain.com/wp-admin (or /wp-login.php) e.g., https://webliance.in/wp-admin
2. Enter:
   • Username (or Email) you set during install
   • Password
3. Click Log In
   • First time? You might see a “Welcome” screen or security notice.
   • Bookmark this page or save as favorite.

Security tip: Never share this URL publicly. In 2026, add 2FA later via plugins (e.g., Wordfence).

Forgot password? Click “Lost your password?” → Enter email → Reset link sent.

Basic Initial Setup Wizard / Configuration

Right after first login, WordPress often shows a quick setup or you jump straight to the dashboard. In recent versions (2026), it’s streamlined—no big wizard like older times, but do these essentials immediately:

1. Dashboard tour (if prompted): Click through quick tips.
2. Update everything Dashboard → Updates → Update WordPress core, then plugins/themes if any pre-installed.
3. Basic Settings (Settings → General)
   • Site Title & Tagline (e.g., “Webliance | Professional Web Design in Hyderabad”)
   • Timezone: Kolkata
   • Date/Time format: Customize if needed
4. Permalinks (Settings → Permalinks) Choose Post name (e.g., /sample-post) – best for SEO. Save changes.
5. Reading Settings
   • Your homepage: Static page (create “Home” later) or latest posts.
   • Posts per page: 10–12
6. Delete sample content Posts → All Posts → Trash “Hello world!” Pages → Trash “Sample Page” Comments → Trash any spam
7. Install SSL (free via Hostinger) hPanel → Security → SSL → Install/Force HTTPS. Your site becomes https:// (secure padlock).
8. Mobile check Open your site on phone—should look good (responsive).

Example first 5 minutes after login: You log in → See dashboard with welcome banner → Update WP → Set permalinks to “Post name” → Trash sample post/page → Feel accomplished! Site is live, secure, ready for themes/content.

Your site is now up! https://webliance.in shows a basic WordPress page (maybe “Coming soon” or default theme).

Questions?

• Stuck on any step? Describe what you see.
• Want screenshots? (I can guide you to Hostinger’s help articles.)