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How to Install WordPress on IONOS Hosting

This tutorial demonstrates how to install WordPress on an IONOS hosting account using two primary methods, while also explaining how to resolve conflicts caused by pre-existing…

This tutorial demonstrates how to install WordPress on an IONOS hosting account using two primary methods, while also explaining how to resolve conflicts caused by pre-existing installations. The first method covers selecting an unused domain or subdomain directly within the 'Domains & SSL' section of the IONOS dashboard and navigating to the WordPress setup wizard. The instructor addresses a common scenario where the standard 'Use Your Domain' button is missing due to an existing WordPress deployment. Viewers learn how to reset the domain's configuration back to defaults, remove leftover folders inside the 'clickandbuilds' directory in Webspace, and delete orphaned databases to ensure a clean slate. Finally, the video demonstrates an alternative direct installation path using the IONOS App Center (`my.ionos.com/APPCenter`). The tutorial walks through configuring administrative credentials, selecting between Managed and standard WordPress, assigning the appropriate domain, and accessing the WordPress administrator dashboard while skipping setup wizards.

Section 1: Accessing the IONOS Dashboard and Domains

Accessing the IONOS Dashboard and Domains • Standard Installation via 'Use Your Domain' • Resetting Domains and Removing Legacy Installations

Lesson 1.1: Accessing the IONOS Dashboard and Domains

  • Sign in at ionos.com using your hosting credentials.
  • Access 'Domains & SSL' from the top menu.
  • Check domain and subdomain assignment statuses before proceeding.

To begin installing WordPress, navigate to ionos.com and sign in with your customer credentials. Once authenticated, open the main dashboard menu and choose 'Domains & SSL'. This section lists all purchased domains and active subdomains along with their current assignment status.

Practical work

  1. Reproduce the demonstrated step for: Sign in at ionos.com using your hosting credentials. and verify the result yourself.

Lesson 1.2: Standard Installation via 'Use Your Domain'

  • Click 'Use Your Domain' on the target domain entry.
  • Scroll past the built-in website builder options down to 'Creating a Website with WordPress'.
  • Enter website title, admin username, password, and interface language.
  • Select between standard self-managed WordPress and Managed WordPress.

When a domain has no active CMS deployment, click the 'Use Your Domain' link. Avoid clicking the default website builder options at the top, as they route to IONOS's proprietary builder. Instead, scroll down to 'Common domain actions' and click 'Creating a Website with WordPress'. Choose your target domain, specify a website title, set administrator login details, select the interface language, and decide between standard WordPress or Managed WordPress to complete installation.

Practical work

  1. Reproduce the demonstrated step for: Click 'Use Your Domain' on the target domain entry. and verify the result yourself.

Lesson 1.3: Resetting Domains and Removing Legacy Installations

  • Locate domains missing the setup prompt and choose 'Adjust Destination' -> 'Reset Domain'.
  • Confirm resetting configuration and type of use back to IONOS defaults.
  • Open Webspace and delete old deployment folders under the 'clickandbuilds' path.
  • Open Databases and delete unused database instances to prevent conflicts.

If a domain already has WordPress or another application linked to it, the 'Use Your Domain' button will not appear. To clear this, click the gear actions icon next to the domain, choose 'Adjust Destination', scroll down, and select 'Reset Domain'. Confirm the reset to default settings. Afterward, navigate to Menu -> Hosting -> Web Hosting Business. Open 'Webspace', enter the 'clickandbuilds' folder, and delete the legacy installation directories. Next, go to 'Databases', click 'Manage', and delete the old unused MariaDB/MySQL databases to ensure no residual data remains.

Practical work

  1. Reproduce the demonstrated step for: Locate domains missing the setup prompt and choose 'Adjust Destination' -> 'Reset Domain'. and verify the result yourself.

Section 2: Alternative Installation via IONOS App Center

Alternative Installation via IONOS App Center • Accessing the WordPress Dashboard

Lesson 2.1: Alternative Installation via IONOS App Center

  • Navigate to URL: my.ionos.com/APPCenter.
  • Select WordPress from the App Catalogue and click Install.
  • Enter site title and administrator credentials.
  • Assign the domain package and complete the deployment.

A direct alternative method is navigating directly to `my.ionos.com/APPCenter` in your browser. From the App Catalogue, select WordPress and click 'Install' -> 'Create Website'. Enter the website title, administrator username, and password. After accepting the terms, select standard WordPress or Managed WordPress, select the desired domain from the dropdown menu, and click 'Assign Domain' to execute the installation.

Practical work

  1. Run or reproduce this step, then verify the result: my.ionos.com/APPCenter

Lesson 2.2: Accessing the WordPress Dashboard

  • Click 'Edit Website' to access wp-login.php.
  • Log in using the administrator credentials configured in IONOS.
  • Bypass the IONOS setup assistant and Jetpack prompt if a clean setup is desired.

When installation concludes, click 'Edit Website' to reach the WordPress login screen. Provide the administrative username and password created during setup. When prompted with the IONOS setup assistant and Jetpack prompts, you can choose 'No thanks, I'm an expert' and 'Continue without Jetpack' to arrive directly at the standard WordPress administration dashboard.

Practical work

  1. Reproduce the demonstrated step for: Click 'Edit Website' to access wp-login.php. and verify the result yourself.