WordPress is the most popular content management system for building various websites. Installing WordPress and XAMPP to create a local development site is wise if you require a private location for testing or exploring. XAMPP allows you to host a website directly from your Windows PC. After installation, it only takes a few clicks to launch a new WordPress site.
However, the procedure can be difficult, so having some assistance is beneficial.
In this extensive guidance, I’ll show you how to install XAMPP and then use it to create a local WordPress development site.
What is XAMPP?
XAMPP is a free and open-source software stack that provides a local development environment for WordPress. With XAMPP, you can create a private sandbox on your computer to experiment with WordPress without affecting your live site.
Benefits of Installing WordPress Locally with XAMPP
1). Sandbox Environment
It allows you to test changes and explore options without impacting your public website.
2). Offline Access
Work on your site without an internet connection, ensuring complete privacy and control over your development process.
3). Testing and Optimization
Preview changes, identify potential issues, and optimize your site for user experience (UX) before releasing it to the public.
4). Enhanced Development Workflow
Improve your development process by working on your site locally, reducing the need for constant deployment to a live server.
Creating a Local WordPress Site with XAMPP
To establish a local WordPress environment, you require web server software (Apache), PHP, and MySQL on your computer. PHP is a programming language, while MySQL is database management software essential for WordPress operation.
Installing these components individually can prove challenging, especially for beginners. XAMPP simplifies this process by providing a comprehensive package that includes Apache, PHP, and MySQL, eliminating the complexities of individual installations.
XAMPP Installation and Configuration
It is compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux-based systems. Once downloaded and installed, configure XAMPP to run your WordPress site locally.
Install XAMPP on Your Computer
1. Download XAMPP
Visit the XAMPP website and download the installer for your operating system.
2. Run the Installer
Click and run the downloaded installer.
3. Choose Installation Location
Select the installation directory for XAMPP.
4. Select Components
Choose the components (e.g., Apache, MySQL) you want to install. By default, all components are selected.
5. Finish Setup
Continue clicking “Next” to complete the setup wizard.
6. Launch Control Panel
Check the option to start the XAMPP Control Panel after installation. Click “Finish”.
7. Start Services
Open the XAMPP Control Panel app and click “Start” for both Apache (webserver) and MySQL (database server).
8. Allow Firewall Access
If prompted by a Windows firewall notification, click “Allow Access” for both applications.
9. Check Status
Once Apache and MySQL are started, their status will be highlighted in green in the Control Panel.
10. Proceed with Local Website Creation
You are now ready to create a local website and install WordPress using XAMPP.
Creating a WordPress Website Locally with XAMPP
1. Download and Install WordPress
▪️Visit the WordPress website and download the latest version.
▪️Extract the downloaded zip file to obtain the “wordpress” folder.
2. Place WordPress in XAMPP
▪️Navigate to your XAMPP installation folder (e.g., C:/Program Files/XAMPP/htdocs on Windows)
▪️Paste the “wordpress” folder into the “htdocs” directory.
▪️Rename the folder to a unique name (e.g., “newwebsite”).
3. Access WordPress via Browser
▪️Open your preferred web browser.
▪️Enter the following URL in the address bar:
▪https://localhost/newwebsite
▪Replace “newwebsite” with the renamed folder name.
4. Configure WordPress Database
▪️Open a new browser tab and visit https://localhost/phpmyadmin.
▪️Click on “Databases” and create a new database with a suitable name.
5. Install WordPress
▪️Return to the browser tab with the WordPress installer.
▪️Click “Let’s Go” and enter the database details you created earlier:
▪Database Name: your database name
▪Username: root
▪Password: leave blank
▪Database Host: localhost
▪️Click “Submit.”
6. Configure WordPress Settings
▪️Enter your desired website title, username, password, and email address for the admin account.
▪️Click “Install WordPress” to proceed.
7. Log In and Explore
▪️WordPress will install and prompt you to log in.
▪️Visit https://localhost/mysite/wp-admin to access the WordPress admin area.
Tips After Setting Up a Local WordPress Site
✔Customizing Appearance
▪️Install themes
Explore the WordPress theme directory or third-party marketplaces to find a theme that suits your website’s design and purpose.
▪️Modify settings
Adjust your website’s layout, typography, and color scheme through the WordPress Customizer (Appearance > Customize).
✔Extending Functionality with Plugins
▪️Contact forms
Install plugins like Contact Form 7 or WPForms to create custom contact forms for your website.
▪️Social media integration
Integrate social media sharing buttons and feeds using plugins like Social Warfare or Monarch.
▪️E-commerce functionality
Transform your website into an online store with plugins like WooCommerce or Easy Digital Downloads.
▪️Analytics and optimization
Track website traffic and optimize performance with plugins like Google Analytics for WordPress or Yoast SEO.
▪️Security enhancements
Protect your website from vulnerabilities and attacks with security plugins like Wordfence or iThemes Security.
Additional Tips
✔Use a child theme
Create a child theme to customize your theme’s files without modifying the original theme, ensuring future updates won’t overwrite your changes.
✔Test plugins thoroughly
Before activating plugins, test them on your local site to ensure compatibility and avoid conflicts.
✔Regularly update WordPress and plugins
Keep your website secure and up-to-date by applying the latest updates promptly.
✔Create backups
Regularly back up your local WordPress site to prevent data loss in case of technical issues.
Moving Your Local WordPress Site to a Live Server
01. Register a Domain Name and Web Hosting
▪️Choose a domain name that represents your website and is easy to remember.
▪️Select a reliable web hosting provider that offers WordPress-optimized hosting plans.
02. Export Your Local WordPress Site
▪️In your local WordPress installation, go to Tools > Export.
▪️Select “All Content” and click “Download Export File.” This will create a WXR file containing your website’s content.
03. Import Your Site to the Live Server
▪️Log in to your live server’s cPanel or hosting dashboard.
▪️Navigate to the File Manager and create a new directory for your WordPress site (e.g., public_html/mysite).
▪️Upload the WXR file to the directory.
04. Use a Migration Plugin
▪️Install and activate a WordPress migration plugin like All-in-One WP Migration on both your local and live sites.
▪️On the local site, go to All-in-One WP Migration > Export and generate an export file.
▪️On the live site, go to All-in-One WP Migration > Import and upload the export file.
05. Update Site URL and Database Settings
▪️Once the import is complete, visit your live site’s wp-admin area.
▪️Go to Settings > General and update the Site Address (URL) and WordPress Address (URL) to reflect your live domain name.
▪️If necessary, update the database settings in wp-config.php to match your live server’s database credentials.
06. Test and Troubleshoot
▪️Thoroughly test your live site to ensure everything is functioning correctly.
▪️Check pages, posts, images, plugins, and any custom functionality.
▪️If you encounter any issues, consult the migration plugin’s documentation or seek professional support.
Additional Tips
▪️Create a staging site on your live server to test changes before pushing them to the live site.
▪️Set up redirects from your old domain (if applicable) to your new domain to avoid losing traffic.
▪️Monitor your website’s performance and make adjustments as needed to optimize speed and responsiveness.
Conclusion
We hope this article helped you learn how to create a local WordPress site using XAMPP. With WordPress and XAMPP installed on your computer, you can now start building and customizing your website in a local environment before deploying it live. This setup allows you to test plugins, themes, and content without affecting your live website. Happy building!
