Manual WordPress Installation on Hostinger

Overview

This tutorial demonstrates how to manually set up WordPress on Hostinger web hosting without relying on automatic one-click installers. It begins with acquiring hosting using a promotional link and selecting a billing term of at least 12 months to ensure eligible discounts apply. The instructor then navigates the Hostinger dashboard (hPanel) to access domain management and create a new MySQL database, emphasizing the importance of recording the complete database prefix, username, and password in a text document. Next, the process covers sourcing official WordPress core files from wordpress.org. While attempting to upload an uncompressed folder directly through Hostinger's File Manager proves inefficient, the instructor shows the superior method: compressing the core files into a zip archive, uploading it rapidly to public_html, extracting it on the server, and moving the inner core files into the root public_html directory before cleaning up remaining archive artifacts. Finally, the instructor visits the live domain in a web browser to trigger the famous WordPress installation wizard. By feeding the previously saved MySQL credentials (full database name, user, and password) into the setup screen, connecting to localhost, and establishing initial administrator credentials (site title, admin username, password, and email), WordPress installs successfully. The video concludes with logging into the wp-admin dashboard and previewing the live website front end.

Hosting Selection and Discount Strategy

00:00

Setting up WordPress manually grants full control over directory structures, files, and database naming. The process begins by acquiring a hosting package on Hostinger. To maximize cost efficiency, a discount link (such as techdula.com/hostinger) provides up to a 75% baseline discount plus an additional 20% discount applied via referral code at checkout. When selecting a subscription cycle (such as the Premium Web Hosting tier), selecting terms of 12, 24, or 48 months is required for promotional referral discounts to apply, whereas monthly (1-month) commitments exclude these coupons.

• Referral codes and discounts require annual or multi-year terms (12 to 48 months).
• Single-month billing cycles forfeit referral and coupon discounts.

Creating and Documenting the MySQL Database

01:10

Before installing WordPress files, a MySQL database and user must be configured. Inside Hostinger hPanel, navigate to Domains > Domain Portfolio and locate the target domain (either primary or external) to access 'Manage Website'. Under the website dashboard, click on 'Databases'. Hostinger automatically appends account-specific prefixes (e.g., u662439561_) to both database names and usernames. It is essential to open a text editor like Notepad and record the full database name, full database username, and chosen password (which must be at least 8 characters with uppercase letters and numbers). After clicking 'Create', the database is registered and ready for connection.

• Hostinger prepends unique user account prefixes to database names and usernames.
• Accurately document full database credentials (prefix + suffix) in Notepad before continuing.
• Advanced management options like phpMyAdmin and user permission edits are available directly in the database list.

Downloading and Packaging WordPress Core Files

04:27

Official WordPress installation packages must be retrieved directly from wordpress.org by clicking 'Get WordPress' and downloading the latest release zip archive. While unzipping the package locally reveals the internal 'wordpress' directory containing all core PHP files and assets, uploading hundreds of uncompressed loose files through browser-based file managers causes high latency and severe upload bottlenecks. Instead, compress the internal 'wordpress' folder into a single clean zip archive (e.g., wordpress.zip) on your local computer to prepare for high-speed transmission.

• Always download authentic core files directly from wordpress.org.
• Uploading an uncompressed directory over the web file manager is slow due to high request overhead.
• Repackaging the core directory into a zip archive ensures fast and reliable uploading.

Uploading, Extracting, and Relocating Files in File Manager

05:25

Within Hostinger hPanel, click 'File Manager' under the website management dashboard to open the server filesystem. Navigate into the 'public_html' directory. Upload the zipped core file (wordpress.zip). Once uploaded, right-click the archive, select 'Extract', and extract into a temporary directory name (such as 'dt'). Enter the extracted folder structure until you reach the individual WordPress core files and directories (wp-admin, wp-content, wp-includes, index.php, etc.). Select all items (Ctrl+A or Cmd+A), choose 'Move', and navigate up two directory levels until the destination path shows strictly 'files/public_html'. Complete the move and delete the remaining zip archive and empty temporary folder to keep the server tidy.

• The root web directory for the website is 'public_html'.
• Extract archives inside public_html, then move the nested files directly into public_html.
• Ensure no intermediate folder like 'wordpress/' remains between public_html and core files.
• Clean up temporary extraction folders and .zip archives after moving files.

Running the Web Installer and Finalizing Site Setup

09:23

Open a browser window and navigate directly to your domain URL (e.g., techdula.com). Because core files are present in public_html without a wp-config.php file, WordPress automatically launches the configuration wizard. Select your preferred language and click 'Continue'. On the database setup prompt ('Let's go'), paste the full MySQL database name, full MySQL username, and password recorded earlier. Keep 'Database Host' set to 'localhost' and table prefix as 'wp_' unless custom isolation is needed. After submitting and verifying database communication, click 'Run the installation'. Supply your Site Title, administrative Username, secure Password, and Email Address. Click 'Install WordPress', then log in at /wp-login.php using the new credentials to access the admin dashboard.

• Navigating to the domain initiates setup automatically when core files exist without wp-config.php.
• Paste complete database names and usernames including the Hostinger prefix.
• Keep Database Host as 'localhost'.
• Set administrative login credentials and confirm WordPress installation success.