Installing WordPress used to mean downloading files, creating databases, and editing config files by hand. Softaculous — the one-click installer included with our hosting plans and most quality hosts — reduces it to a short form. Here’s the walkthrough, plus the settings that matter immediately after.
Step 1: Open Softaculous in your control panel
Log into cPanel or DirectAdmin (both work identically here — see our panel comparison) and find the Softaculous Apps Installer. WordPress is the first icon.
Step 2: Fill the install form — three fields matter
Choose Protocol: select https:// — your SSL certificate is already active on our plans, and installing on https avoids redirect cleanup later.
In Directory: leave empty to install at yourdomain.com (the most common mistake is the pre-filled “wp” that buries your site at /wp/).
Admin username and password: never “admin”; use a real username and the generated strong password. Save both in a password manager.
Site name and description can be changed anytime. Click Install; Softaculous creates the database, copies files, and hands you your login link in under a minute.
Step 3: Three settings before anything else
Permalinks: Settings → Permalinks → “Post name.” Clean URLs are an SEO foundation and must be set before content exists.
Timezone and language: Settings → General — set your city so scheduled posts publish when you expect.
Search visibility: Settings → Reading — make sure “Discourage search engines” is unchecked (unless you’re still building privately).
Step 4: The lean starter stack
Install four plugins, not twenty: an SEO plugin (Rank Math), LiteSpeed Cache (on LiteSpeed hosting like ours it’s transformative), UpdraftPlus for backups, and a security hardener. Then a lightweight theme — the full reasoning is in our WordPress hosting guide.
Troubleshooting the common hiccups
“Directory not empty” error: something’s already installed at that path — check File Manager before overwriting.
Login link 404s: wait a minute for DNS/cache, then try yourdomain.com/wp-admin directly.
White screen after install: rare, usually a PHP version mismatch — our support fixes this in minutes, or see the fixes in our upcoming troubleshooting guides.
Frequently asked questions
Is Softaculous WordPress installation safe?
Yes — it installs the official WordPress from wordpress.org, creates a properly-secured database, and generates strong credentials. It’s the same result as a careful manual install, without the manual steps.
Can I install WordPress in a subdirectory or subdomain?
Both. Use the “In Directory” field for yourdomain.com/blog, or create a subdomain first in your control panel and select it in the “Choose Domain” dropdown for blog.yourdomain.com.
What PHP version should WordPress run on?
PHP 8.1 or newer in 2026 — faster and actively supported. Your control panel’s PHP selector changes this per-domain; WordPress core and mainstream plugins support it fully.
No Softaculous at your current host? Ours is included on every plan — from $1.99/mo with free migration.