Two ways to install WordPress

There are two methods to install WordPress on 0724 Hosting:

  • Softaculous (recommended): One-click auto-installer that sets up WordPress in minutes
  • Manual installation: Download WordPress from wordpress.org, upload files via FTP, and configure manually

This guide covers both methods. Most users should use Softaculous for speed and convenience.

Method 1: Install WordPress with Softaculous (recommended)

Softaculous is an automatic installer included with all 0724 Hosting web hosting accounts. It handles database creation, file uploads, and WordPress configuration automatically.

Step 1: Access Softaculous in DirectAdmin

  1. Log in to DirectAdmin
  2. On the dashboard, look for Advanced Features or Applications
  3. Click Softaculous Apps Installer
  4. You will see a list of available applications

Step 2: Select WordPress

  1. In Softaculous, find WordPress (usually at the top under Popular or Blogs)
  2. Click the WordPress icon
  3. Click Install Now

Step 3: Configure WordPress installation

The installer will present a form with several options. Fill in the following details:

Software Setup

  • Choose Protocol: Select https:// (secure) if you have SSL enabled, or http:// if not
  • Choose Domain: Select the domain where you want to install WordPress
  • In Directory: Leave blank to install at the root (e.g., https://yourdomain.co.za), or enter a folder name (e.g., blog for https://yourdomain.co.za/blog)

Site Settings

  • Site Name: Enter your website name (e.g., "My Business Website")
  • Site Description: Short description of your website (you can change this later)

Admin Account

  • Admin Username: Choose a username for logging in to WordPress (do not use "admin" for security)
  • Admin Password: Set a strong password (use the password generator)
  • Admin Email: Your email address for WordPress notifications

Choose Language

  • Select English or your preferred language

Advanced Options (optional)

  • Database Name: Leave as auto-generated or customise
  • Table Prefix: Leave as wp_ or change for security (e.g., wp2_)
  • Auto Upgrade: Enable to keep WordPress automatically updated (recommended)
  • Backup Location: Leave default

Select Theme (optional)

  • You can select a theme now or skip and install one later from the WordPress dashboard

Step 4: Install WordPress

  1. Review your settings
  2. Scroll to the bottom and click Install
  3. Softaculous will create the database, upload WordPress files, and configure everything
  4. The installation takes 30–90 seconds

Step 5: Access your WordPress site

When installation is complete, Softaculous will display:

  • Website URL: Your live WordPress site (e.g., https://yourdomain.co.za)
  • Admin URL: WordPress login page (e.g., https://yourdomain.co.za/wp-admin)
  • Admin Username and Password: Your login credentials

Visit the admin URL and log in with your username and password to start building your WordPress website.

Method 2: Manual WordPress installation

If you prefer to install WordPress manually, follow these steps:

Step 1: Download WordPress

  1. Go to wordpress.org/download
  2. Click Download WordPress
  3. Extract the .zip file on your computer

Step 2: Create a MySQL database

  1. Log in to DirectAdmin
  2. Go to MySQL Management
  3. Create a new database (e.g., wordpress)
  4. Create a database user with a strong password
  5. Assign the user to the database with All Privileges
  6. Note down the database name, username, password, and host (localhost)

Step 3: Upload WordPress files

  1. Connect to your hosting account via FTP
  2. Navigate to /public_html (or /domains/yourdomain.com/public_html for addon domains)
  3. Upload all the extracted WordPress files to public_html
  4. Wait for the upload to complete (may take several minutes)

Step 4: Run the WordPress installer

  1. Visit your domain in a web browser (e.g., https://yourdomain.co.za)
  2. You will see the WordPress installation screen
  3. Click Let's go!
  4. Enter your database details:
    • Database Name: The full database name including prefix (e.g., username_wordpress)
    • Database Username: The full username including prefix (e.g., username_wpuser)
    • Database Password: Your database user password
    • Database Host: localhost
    • Table Prefix: wp_ (or customise for security)
  5. Click Submit
  6. If the connection is successful, click Run the installation

Step 5: Complete the WordPress setup

  1. Enter your site information:
    • Site Title: Your website name
    • Username: Admin username (do not use "admin")
    • Password: Strong admin password
    • Your Email: Your email address
    • Search Engine Visibility: Leave unchecked (discourage search engines from indexing your site) while building, enable later
  2. Click Install WordPress
  3. WordPress will complete the installation
  4. Click Log In to access your WordPress dashboard

Post-installation: Essential WordPress setup

After installing WordPress, complete these essential setup tasks:

1. Set up permalinks

  1. Log in to WordPress
  2. Go to Settings → Permalinks
  3. Select Post name (recommended for SEO)
  4. Click Save Changes

2. Install SSL certificate

If your site does not have HTTPS:

  1. Go to DirectAdmin
  2. Install a free Let's Encrypt SSL certificate
  3. Update WordPress site URL to use https:// in Settings → General

3. Install essential plugins

Recommended plugins for WordPress websites:

  • Security: Wordfence or iThemes Security
  • Backups: UpdraftPlus
  • SEO: Yoast SEO or Rank Math
  • Performance: LiteSpeed Cache (optimised for 0724 Hosting)
  • Contact forms: Contact Form 7 or WPForms

4. Choose and customise a theme

  1. Go to Appearance → Themes
  2. Click Add New to browse free themes
  3. Install and activate a theme
  4. Go to Appearance → Customise to personalize your site

5. Configure email delivery

WordPress email (contact forms, notifications) may not work reliably by default. Set up SMTP:

  1. Install the WP Mail SMTP plugin
  2. Configure it to use your 0724 Hosting email account
  3. Test email delivery

See our WordPress hosting guide for more details on email deliverability.

WordPress best practices for 0724 Hosting

  • Keep WordPress updated: Install updates for WordPress core, themes, and plugins regularly
  • Use LiteSpeed Cache: 0724 Hosting uses LiteSpeed servers. Install the LiteSpeed Cache plugin for optimal performance
  • Limit plugins: Only install plugins you actually need. Too many plugins slow down WordPress
  • Use strong passwords: For WordPress admin, database, and FTP accounts
  • Back up regularly: Use UpdraftPlus or DirectAdmin backups to protect your website
  • Enable auto-updates: For minor WordPress core and plugin updates
  • Set up SPF and DKIM: For better email deliverability. See our SPF, DKIM, and DMARC guide

Troubleshooting WordPress installation issues

Softaculous installation fails

If Softaculous installation fails:

  • Ensure your domain is pointing to 0724 Hosting nameservers
  • Check that the target directory is empty
  • Verify your hosting account has enough disk space
  • Contact support if the error persists

"Error establishing a database connection"

If you see this error after manual installation:

  • Verify database credentials in wp-config.php match those in DirectAdmin
  • Ensure the database user is assigned to the database
  • Check that database host is set to localhost

WordPress shows a blank white page

If WordPress displays a blank page:

  • Increase PHP memory limit in DirectAdmin (recommended: 256MB)
  • Check for plugin or theme conflicts by disabling all plugins
  • Enable WordPress debugging to see error messages
  • Contact support for assistance

Cannot access wp-admin (404 error)

If the WordPress admin page shows a 404 error:

  • Ensure .htaccess file exists in the WordPress root directory
  • Regenerate permalinks: Go to Settings → Permalinks → Save Changes
  • Verify mod_rewrite is enabled on the server (contact support if needed)

Managing multiple WordPress installations

You can install WordPress multiple times on the same hosting account:

  • Primary domain: Install WordPress at the root of public_html
  • Subdirectory: Install in a folder (e.g., public_html/blog)
  • Subdomain: Create a subdomain, then install WordPress in its directory
  • Addon domain: Add a second domain, then install WordPress in /domains/seconddomain.com/public_html

Each WordPress installation requires its own database.

Getting help with WordPress

If you need assistance with WordPress installation, configuration, troubleshooting, or optimisation, contact 0724 Hosting support. We provide hands-on WordPress support including:

  • Installing and configuring WordPress
  • Migrating WordPress from another host
  • Troubleshooting errors and performance issues
  • Plugin and theme recommendations
  • Security hardening and malware removal

We also offer WordPress development services for custom work, site repairs, and ongoing maintenance.