BENTECH

Deploying WordPress on IONOS: Manual Installation Masterclass

Master the complete manual deployment workflow for WordPress on IONOS (1&1) hosting using SFTP, FileZilla, custom subdomains, and MariaDB databases.

This comprehensive practical course covers everything required to manually install and configure WordPress on IONOS hosting infrastructure without using automated one-click scripts. Learners will configure secure SFTP access, install and configure FileZilla, manage directory architectures within the IONOS Webspace, map subdomains, provision relational databases, and link all components through the official WordPress browser installation wizard.

Section 1: Environment Preparation and Client Setup

Set up required installation assets, configure secure SFTP accounts, and establish external client connectivity.

Lesson 1.1: Gathering WordPress Core and FileZilla Client

  • Downloading WordPress Core
  • Installing FileZilla
  • Understanding Manual vs One-Click Deployments

A manual WordPress installation gives administrators complete visibility over configuration files, directory paths, and file permissions. To prepare the local environment, download the official WordPress release directly from wordpress.org in zip format. Next, install an FTP client supporting SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol), such as FileZilla. FileZilla bypasses browser upload limits and enables multi-threaded background transfers of thousands of individual core assets.

Practical work

  1. Navigate to wordpress.org and download the latest WordPress zip archive to your local desktop.
  2. Download and install the FileZilla client for your operating system.
  3. Extract the WordPress zip archive locally and verify the presence of wp-admin, wp-content, and wp-includes directories.

Lesson 1.2: Configuring IONOS SFTP Access

  • IONOS Hosting Dashboard
  • Setting SFTP Password
  • Exporting FileZilla XML Configuration

IONOS provisions SFTP access through its Hosting Overview panel. Unlike standard shared hosting environments with custom FTP usernames, IONOS assigns an automated user ID (e.g., u109136961) linked to a specific server host (e.g., access*.webspace-data.io) on port 22. To activate access, navigate to 'SFTP & SSH' in the IONOS panel, click 'Configure' or 'Manage', and define a strong password. You can either copy these connection strings manually into FileZilla's Quickconnect bar or download the XML configuration profile and import it via File > Import in FileZilla.

Practical work

  1. Log in to the IONOS Cloud Panel and locate 'SFTP & SSH' under the Hosting module.
  2. Assign and save a master password for your SFTP user.
  3. Download the FileZilla configuration file or record the Host, Port (22), and Username for manual connection.

Section 2: Webspace Architecture and File Transfer

Establish project directories, route subdomains, and upload WordPress core files via SFTP.

Lesson 2.1: Subdomain Creation and Directory Provisioning

  • Subdomain Creation
  • Webspace File Structure
  • /clickandbuilds/ Directory

IONOS supports unlimited subdomains across managed contracts. Subdomains allow staging, multi-site setups, or independent application installations on distinct sub-paths. Within the IONOS Webspace Explorer, project roots are organized under the `/clickandbuilds/` folder. Creating a dedicated subfolder matching your application or subdomain name (such as `/clickandbuilds/wordpress`) ensures clear separation from existing installations.

Practical work

  1. Navigate to Domains & SSL in the IONOS control panel and create a new subdomain named 'wordpress'.
  2. Open the Webspace Explorer, locate the `/clickandbuilds/` directory, and create a new subfolder named 'wordpress'.

Lesson 2.2: Batch File Upload via FileZilla

  • FileZilla Quickconnect
  • Webspace 20MB Upload Limit
  • Transfer Queue Monitoring

The IONOS Webspace Explorer has an upload limit of 20 MB per file, preventing direct upload of complete website zip archives. Attempting to compress and upload smaller chunks is time-consuming and error-prone. Connecting via FileZilla allows direct transmission of all ~8,600 uncompressed WordPress core files into the remote `/clickandbuilds/wordpress/` directory. Monitor the bottom queue pane to ensure all files transfer successfully with zero remaining failed transfers.

Practical work

  1. Connect to IONOS via FileZilla using your SFTP credentials and port 22.
  2. Navigate to your local extracted WordPress folder in the left pane and `/clickandbuilds/wordpress/` in the right pane.
  3. Select all core files (Ctrl+A) and upload them to the remote folder. Wait for the queue to complete.

Section 3: Routing, Database Setup, and Web Installation

Map the subdomain to the webspace folder, provision a MariaDB database, and execute the installation wizard.

Lesson 3.1: Mapping Subdomain to Webspace Directory

  • Destination Adjustment
  • Connecting Subdomain to Folder

After uploading files, the subdomain must be pointed to the directory housing the WordPress installation. In the IONOS dashboard under 'Domains & SSL', click the gear icon next to the subdomain and select 'Adjust Destination'. Choose 'Connect to Webspace', browse the folder tree, and select the `/clickandbuilds/wordpress/` directory. Save the changes and refresh the dashboard to verify that the subdomain status reflects the new folder binding.

Practical work

  1. Locate your subdomain under 'Domains & SSL' and open 'Adjust Destination'.
  2. Select 'Connect to Webspace', pick `/clickandbuilds/wordpress/`, and click Save.
  3. Verify that the subdomain status displays the updated directory path.

Lesson 3.2: Database Creation and WordPress Finalization

  • MariaDB Provisioning
  • setup-config.php Configuration
  • Site Initialization
  • Admin Login

WordPress requires a relational database to store posts, user data, and system settings. In the IONOS Hosting section, open 'Databases' and click 'Create Database'. Enter a descriptive name, choose MariaDB, set a strong database password, and record the generated Database Name, User Name, and external Host Name (e.g., db*.hosting-data.io). Open a web browser, navigate to your subdomain URL, select your language, and click 'Let's go!'. Enter the database name, username, password, and database host exactly as provided in the IONOS panel. Once validated, click 'Run the installation', configure your Site Title, admin username, password, and email, and complete setup by logging into the admin dashboard.

Practical work

  1. Create a new database in the IONOS Databases manager and note the Host, User, and Database Name.
  2. Navigate to your subdomain URL in a browser to trigger `wp-admin/setup-config.php`.
  3. Enter the database credentials and click Submit.
  4. Run the installer, set the site title, admin username, and password, then log in to `/wp-admin/`.