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Learn how to install WordPress on your computer using a local development tool. This allows you to safely build and experiment with your website without needing hosting or a domain name.
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Before
we start building our portfolio website,
0:00
we need to install WordPress
on our computer.
0:02
Normally, websites live on the internet
and require hosting and a domain name.
0:05
But while we're learning,
0:09
it's much easier, and completely free,
to build our site locally.
0:10
Building locally means your website runs
directly on your computer,
0:15
only you can see it,
which makes it perfect
0:18
for learning, experimenting,
and making mistakes safely.
0:20
In this lesson, I'm going to walk you
through installing WordPress step-by-step
0:24
using a tool called Local.
0:28
However, if you feel ready
to set up a live website with hosting
0:30
and a domain name, I've included
a link in the teacher's notes below
0:34
with a list of hosting providers
you can explore.
0:37
Just keep in mind,
hosting requires a monthly subscription,
0:40
and domain names, though
cheap, cost money as well.
0:43
Local is a free application
that allows us to run WordPress
0:47
on our computer without needing
to manually install complicated software
0:51
like databases or server tools
that handles everything behind
0:55
the scenes and makes the setup process
very beginner friendly.
0:58
Okay let's start by downloading local.
1:03
Open your web browser
and go to localwp.com.
1:05
I'll put a link in the teacher's
notes below for you too.
1:10
Once you're on the website, click
the download button.
1:13
You'll be asked to choose
your operating system.
1:15
Select
the version that matches your computer.
1:18
I'm using a Mac but
the installation process is very similar
1:20
on Windows.
1:23
Once the file
1:31
finishes downloading,
open it to begin the installation.
1:32
Follow the installation instructions
1:35
on your screen
like you would with any other software.
1:36
Once installation is finished open
the Local application.
1:39
When you open Local for the first time
you see an option to create a new site.
1:43
Click the button labeled create a new site.
1:48
Local will now guide us through
creating our WordPress installation.
1:50
You'll be asked to give your site a name.
1:54
This is just for your local workspace
and can be changed later.
1:56
For this course, I'm going to name my site
Mike the Frog Portfolio.
2:00
Next, local will ask you
to choose your environment setup.
2:04
For beginners,
we'll choose the recommended option.
2:07
Local will automatically configure
everything we need.
2:10
Now we'll create our WordPress
admin account.
2:13
This is the login information you'll use
to access your website dashboard.
2:16
You'll need to enter a username,
a password, and an email address.
2:20
I recommend saving this information
somewhere safe because you'll need it
2:25
later.
2:28
Once you're finished, click Add Site.
2:29
Local will now install WordPress for you
automatically.
2:32
This may take a moment.
2:35
When the installation finishes, you'll
see your new site listed inside local.
2:37
Cool, now let's open our website.
2:41
First, click the Start Site button
if it isn't already running.
2:43
You'll now see two important
buttons, Open Site and WP Admin.
2:47
Open Site shows
your website as visitors would see it.
2:52
WP Admin opens the WordPress dashboard
where we build and manage the website.
2:55
This is the
3:04
default WordPress site
that comes installed automatically.
3:04
I'll close this and open WP Admin.
3:07
This takes us into the WordPress
dashboard.
3:11
This is where you use
the login information you created inside
3:14
local earlier.
3:17
If you're seeing this dashboard,
congratulations,
3:20
you've successfully installed
WordPress locally.
3:22
This is where we'll spend most of our time
building our portfolio site.
3:25
Now that WordPress is installed,
3:29
we're ready to start learning
how everything works.
3:30
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