Reading Time: 3 minutesWordPress is a very popular option for running a website or blog and can be used to get your content online quickly.

This guide will walk you through installing the WordPress server software via cPanel / WHM and Softaculous. Liquid Web makes WordPress hosting easy and painless, for every level of customer, especially since all of our managed plans are backed by our 24/7/365
Support team!
Pre-Flight Check
- These instructions are intended for installing WordPress in cPanel / WHM with Softaculous.
- I’ll be working from a Liquid Web cPanel / WHM CentOS 6.6 server, and I’ll be logged into a cPanel account.
Step #1: Open Softaculous

Once you’re logged in to cPanel, navigate to the
Softaculous Apps Installer. It can be found under the
Software heading or the
Softaculous Apps Installer heading. You may also be able to enter
Softaculous into the filter bar to find it quicker!
Click on Softaculous Apps Installer.
Step #2: Start the WordPress Install
WordPress might be located in the
Top Scripts section when you first open Softaculous:

If WordPress isn’t in the
Top Scripts for some reason, then you can use the Softaculous search to find it:

Click on WordPress.
You should be brought to the WordPress
Overview screen. Now click Install.
Step #3: Software Setup
Now it’s time to choose a protocol for WordPress. If you’re using SSL, then you would use
HTTPS. If you haven’t purchased an
SSL certificate, then
HTTP will suit you just fine. If you need more information on SSL Certificates than visit our tutorial on
What is an SSL Certificate?
Select an option for
Choose Protocol. In this case, we’re selecting http://.

And then select your domain under
Choose Domain. This is the domain under which WordPress will be installed.
If you want WordPress installed in the root directory for your domain, then under
In Directory remove
wp. You can also specify another directory.

And finally, enter a database name. The database name cannot be greater than 7 letters. In this case, I’ve entered wpdb.
Step #4: Database Settings
Under the
Database Settings heading, you’ll find
Table Prefix. This setting is generally left unchanged and refers to the table prefix for each WordPress table in the WordPress database. The default is wp_.
Step #5: Site Settings
Both the
Site Name and the
Site Description should be filled in with information relevant to your new blog/site. Only
Enable Multi-site (WPMU) if you plan to use this feature. (A multi-site network is typically very similar to a personal version of WordPress.com, where end users can create their sites on demand.)
Step #6: Admin Account
It is
strongly recommended that the
Admin Username be changed to something
other than admin.
For the
Admin Password, be sure to follow the Liquid Web guide on safe passwords:
Practice Safe Passwords: A Quick Guide to Password Security
And then enter an appropriate email address for the
Admin Email. This email will receive notifications from your WordPress installation.
Step #7: Choose Language
Select a language for your WordPress installation.
Step #8: Select Plugins
It is wise to select Limit Login Attempts.
Step #9: Advanced Options
Of all the options under the
Advanced Options heading, we suggest at least enabling backups. For example, if you want to store a week’s worth of Automated backups, then select Once a day and then under
Backup Rotation select 7.
Step #10: Select Theme
The theme is entirely based on personal preference. A theme can also be added later!
Step #11: Begin the Installation
And finally, click Install!
If you have a question about this topic, we can always assist! Just open a ticket with one of our Support Technician today by emailing
support@liquidweb.com, or calling into our support line at 1-800-580-4985 (or using our international line at 1-517-322-0434) or lastly, open a
chat with us, and we’ll be happy to get you the info you require to resolve your issue quickly!