Written By: author avatar Chipo
author avatar Chipo
A self described devotee of WordPress, Chipo is obsessed with helping people find the best tools and tactics to build the website they deserve. She uses every bit of her 10+ years of website building experience and marketing knowledge to make complicated subjects simple and help readers achieve their goals.

|  Updated on January 21, 2026

How to Install WordPress Software: The Beginner’s Real-World Guide

TL;DR: How to Install WordPress Software

Installing WordPress software is simple, but the surrounding ecosystem (hosting, DNS, SSL) is confusing. This guide cuts through the noise and shows you the three paths to installation, plus the critical Day-One setup steps that tutorials always skip.

If you’re skimming, here are the three most important takeaways:

  1. Choose Your Path Wisely: You will install WordPress using either an Auto-Installer (cleanest), a Managed Hosting Wizard (fastest), or LocalWP (safest for practice). The right choice depends on your goals.
  2. SSL First, Install Second: Make sure your SSL certificate (the little lock icon) is active before you run the installation. This prevents hundreds of frustrating http vs. https errors later.
  3. Day-One Hygiene is Non-Negotiable: After installing, immediately set your permalinks to "Post Name," change the default wp_ database prefix, and turn off search engine indexing while you build.

If you want a site that is fast, secure, and ready to convert, don't just install the software. Make sure you understand the environment. The detailed steps below will save you hours of troubleshooting.

Installing WordPress software feels like a rite of passage for anyone serious about building an online business. But if you’ve tried to follow a tutorial lately, you’ve probably walked away feeling more confused than when I started.

The truth is, the actual process of installing the software is simple. The real barrier isn't difficulty; it’s the sheer volume of conflicting, context-free explanations floating around the internet.

This guide will show you exactly how to install WordPress software in the way that makes the most sense for your goals. You'll learn the three main methods (Auto-installer, Managed Hosting Wizard, or Local Sandbox) and I’ll help you choose the right one.

More importantly, we’re going beyond the basic installation. We’re covering the critical Day-1 setup hygiene, the DNS timing, and the SSL activation steps that every other guide skips. By the time you finish here, you won’t just have a website; you’ll understand the environment it lives in, so you’re never stuck wondering what went wrong.


Table of Contents


Start Here: Why Installing WordPress Still Feels Hard in 2026

I talk to smart, capable entrepreneurs every day who feel defeated by website setup. They expect the process to feel like creating a Pinterest account. You know, instant and smooth.

But when they encounter self-hosted WordPress, they hit a wall. That wall is the ecosystem.

Self-hosted WordPress requires several moving parts to align perfectly: your domain name, your hosting server, the DNS records that connect them, the SSL certificate for security, and finally, the WordPress software itself.

Most tutorials oversimplify this chain, skip the context, or push ingenuine recommendations without explaining the trade-offs. They assume you already know the difference between WordPress.com (a hosted service) and WordPress.org (the software you install yourself).

We’re slowing the process down. We’re explaining the why behind every step, so you can make confident decisions.

Choosing Your Platform Foundation

It’s a big decision, so if you're comparing platforms, make sure you read our guide on SaaS vs. WordPress to choose the right foundation for your business. SaaS vs. WordPress: How to Choose the Right Platform for Your Business

Before You Click Anything: The 4 Pieces You Actually Need

Before you can successfully install WordPress, you need a few foundational pieces in place. Skipping this context is why most beginners end up troubleshooting for hours.

Your Domain (Your Website Address)

Your domain name is your address on the internet (e.g., thrivethemes.com). You buy this from a registrar (like Namecheap or GoDaddy). But a lot of hosting providers also offer a place for you to purchase your domain name.

The tricky part for beginners is DNS propagation. Once you tell your domain registrar where your hosting server is (via nameservers), it takes time for that information to update across the globe. This can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 24 hours.

Action: Don’t panic if your domain doesn’t immediately show your hosting provider’s welcome page. Wait an hour, clear your browser cache, and check again. Installing WordPress before the DNS fully propagates can sometimes lead to confusing errors later.

And don't stress about the terminologies here. Your hosting provider will definitely give you detailed guides on how to set everything up.

Your Hosting (The “Home” for WordPress)

Hosting is the physical server space where your website files live. You have two main choices here:

Hosting Choices Comparison

Type of Hosting

Best For

What You Get

The Trade-Off

Shared Hosting

Budget-conscious beginners, low-traffic sites.

Low cost, cPanel access, usually an auto-installer.

Slower speeds, shared resources (noisy neighbors), limited support.

Managed WordPress

Speed seekers, growing businesses, professionals.

Blazing fast speeds, automatic updates, expert support, guaranteed resources.

Higher cost, less control over the server environment (a "black box").

You’ll want to choose a fast, reliable home for your site so your future conversions aren’t compromised by slow load times. I generally recommend hosts like SiteGround or Hostinger because they provide excellent speed and support—the foundation for a successful Thrive setup.

We’ve done the heavy lifting and compared the top providers in our post, 8 Best WordPress Hosting Solutions to Power Your Website.

Your SSL Certificate (The Lock Icon)

The SSL certificate is what encrypts the connection between your visitor and your server. It’s what gives you the little lock icon in the browser and changes your address from http:// to https://.

Crucial Step: Make sure your SSL is active before you install WordPress.

Most modern hosts provide a free SSL (usually via Let’s Encrypt). If you install WordPress first, it defaults to the insecure http protocol. Then, when the SSL finally activates, you have to manually fix dozens of mixed-content errors.

How to Verify SSL Status

Before running the WordPress installer, you need to confirm your hosting environment is secure.

  • Check the Host Dashboard: Log into your hosting control panel. Look for a section labeled "Security," "SSL," or "Certificates." It should state that the SSL certificate for your domain is "Active" or "Issued."
  • Browser Check: Open a new browser tab and manually type in your domain with the secure prefix: https://yourdomain.com. If you see the lock icon and your host’s welcome page, you’re ready to proceed. If you see a "Not Secure" warning or a privacy error, stop the installation and contact your host.

If you want the full picture on protecting your site, read my personal experience on How to Make Your Website Secure (What Actually Worked for Me).

And speaking of security, you should definitely look into our recommendations for the Best WordPress Security Plugins to Protect Your Site. What Are the Best WordPress Security Plugins to Protect Your Site? (6+ Options)

What If You Install WordPress and Get Errors?

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, the SSL doesn't fully handshake with WordPress, resulting in what's called "mixed content." This means some elements (like images or CSS files) are still trying to load over the insecure http protocol.

If you see the "Not Secure" warning after installation, you have two immediate fixes:

  • Update Site Addresses: Go to Settings > General in your WordPress dashboard. Make sure both the "WordPress Address (URL)" and "Site Address (URL)" fields start with https://. Save the changes.
  • Use a Plugin to Force HTTPS: If the manual update doesn't fix it (which often happens when content is hard-coded), install a lightweight plugin like Really Simple SSL. This plugin scans your site and forces all content to load securely via https. This is a quick fix, but ideally, you want the host and WordPress configured correctly from the start.

Technical Requirements Checklist

While most modern hosts handle these technical prerequisites automatically, it’s smart to know what your environment needs. If you ever run into performance issues or need to troubleshoot, these are the core requirements WordPress needs to run efficiently.

What Your Host Needs to Provide:

  • PHP: Version 7.4 or greater (The latest stable version is always best for performance and security.)
  • Database: MySQL version 5.6 or greater OR MariaDB version 10.1 or greater.
  • HTTPS Support: Must support HTTPS (SSL certificate).
  • Web Server: Nginx or Apache (most hosts use one of these).

If your host meets these minimum technical requirements, your WordPress installation will be stable, fast, and ready for advanced tools like Thrive Suite.

The Four Ways to Install WordPress (Choose Your Path)

The best way to install WordPress depends entirely on your experience level and your goals. Here is a simple decision tree:

Path A — One-Click Host Installer (Recommended for Most Beginners)

This is the most common and beginner-friendly way to install WordPress today. Hosts like Hostinger, SiteGround, and Bluehost handle almost everything for you behind the scenes.

  • How it works: You click “Create WordPress Site” or “Install WordPress” in your hosting dashboard. The host automatically sets up your database, enables SSL, configures WordPress, and gives you login details.
  • What’s happening underneath: Most hosts power this process using an installer like Softaculous or a custom version of it. The important thing to know isn’t which tool they use, but which settings matter.
  • Why I recommend this path: It’s fast, clean, and beginner-safe — and it still gives you full control of your site once installation is complete.

Key takeaway:
You don’t need to touch cPanel to use this method. But understanding the installer settings will save you from common mistakes later.

Next Step: Choosing a Builder

Once the core software is installed, you’ll need a tool to build your pages, so take a look at the 8 Best WordPress Builders for Your Business Site.

Path B — Managed Hosting Wizard

This is the fastest method, ideal for speed seekers who prioritize convenience over control.

  • How it works: Hosts like WP Engine or Kinsta often have a proprietary wizard that asks a few questions ("What is your site name?") and installs WordPress instantly.
  • The Trade-Off: These wizards often pre-install their preferred performance plugins or caching layers. This creates a "black box" environment where you might not know exactly what’s happening under the hood.

Path C — Local Installation (LocalWP)

This is ideal for learners, developers, or cash-strapped beginners who want to practice without paying for hosting yet.

  • How it works: You install WordPress directly on your laptop using a tool like LocalWP. The site is only visible to you.
  • The Trap: Migration. Moving a local site to a live server is where 90% of beginners break things. Only use this method if you are comfortable with migration tools (like Duplicator) or if you are simply practicing.

Path D — Manual Installation (FTP & Database) — For Experts Only

This is the traditional, hands-on method. It requires comfort with FTP clients, file permissions, and database management tools (like phpMyAdmin).

  • How it works: You manually download the core WordPress files, create a new database on your server, edit the configuration file (wp-config.php), upload the files via FTP, and then run the installation script through your browser.
  • Why you should skip it: Unless you are a developer or your host specifically forbids auto-installers (which is rare), this method introduces unnecessary complexity and risk for the average user. Softaculous does all of this automatically, faster, and without the chance of human error in the configuration files.

Step-by-Step: The One-Click WordPress Installer (Explained Properly)

Your host may use Softaculous, a custom wizard, or a branded one-click flow.

The installer settings are nearly identical in all cases.

Others apply smart defaults automatically.

This section walks through those decisions so you know what to look for — and what not to overthink.

Installer Interface Note

BTW: If you’re on a modern host like Hostinger, Bluehost, or SiteGround, WordPress installation usually takes one click. You’ll see a button like “Install WordPress” or “Create WordPress Site”, and your host handles the technical setup automatically.

Some hosts still run the install through cPanel (often via Softaculous). If that’s what you see, follow the steps below — the settings you’ll choose here are the same ones your host configures behind the scenes in a one-click setup.

Open Your Host’s WordPress Installer

Start by logging into your hosting account.

  • If your host has a “Create WordPress Site” or “Install WordPress” button (like Hostinger), click that.
  • If your host uses cPanel, open it and look for Softaculous Apps Installer → WordPress.

Don’t worry about which interface you see. The options below apply to all of them.

The Installer Settings — Explained Without the Noise

These are the only settings that truly matter during installation. Everything else can be changed later.

Protocol (HTTP vs HTTPS)

  • Choose: https://
  • Why this matters: This tells WordPress to use the secure version of your site from the very beginning. If your SSL certificate is active (which it should be), this prevents mixed-content errors and “Not Secure” warnings later.

If your host auto-selects this for you, that’s perfect. Just double-check after installation.

Choose Domain

  • Select the domain you want WordPress installed on.
  • If you have multiple domains, pause here and double-check. Installing on the wrong domain is one of the most common beginner mistakes.

In Directory

  • Leave this field blank.
  • Why: Leaving it empty installs WordPress at yourdomain.com. Adding something like blog installs it at yourdomain.com/blog, which is not what most beginners want.

If your host doesn’t show this option, it usually defaults to the root automatically.

Site Name & Description

  • Fill these in quickly — they’re placeholders.
  • You can change them anytime from Settings → General in WordPress.

This step is about getting you installed, not perfect branding.

Admin Account (Pay Attention Here)

This is one area where you should be intentional.

  • Username: Do not use admin. Choose something unique.
  • Password: Use a strong password or your host’s password generator.
  • Admin Email: Use an email address you check regularly. Pro tip: Don’t use an email tied to the new domain yet (like [email protected]). Use Gmail or an existing business email until everything is set up properly.

These details control access to your site and password resets — they matter.

Advanced Options (If Visible)

Some hosts hide these. Others show them.

If you see them, here’s how to handle them:

  • Database Name: Defaults are fine. Rename only if you’re managing multiple sites.
  • Table Prefix: If possible, change wp_ to something random (e.g. t7x_). This is a simple security hardening step.
  • Auto Updates: Enable automatic minor updates for WordPress core.

If your host sets these automatically, that’s perfectly fine.

Click Install

That’s it.

Your host will now:

  • create the database
  • configure WordPress
  • link it to your domain
  • and secure it with SSL

When the process finishes, you’ll see two important links:

  • Your site: https://yourdomain.com
  • Your WordPress dashboard: https://yourdomain.com/wp-admin/

Do this now:
Bookmark the admin link. This is how you’ll log in to manage your site, and it won’t appear anywhere on the public front end.

Next Step: Launch Checklist

Once you hit that install button, you’re ready for the next phase, so make sure you use The Ultimate Website Launch Checklist: Essential Things To Know.

Step-by-Step: Installing WordPress With a Managed Hosting Wizard

If you chose a specialized Managed WordPress host, your installation process looks more like a consumer onboarding experience than a technical setup.

What Actually Happens in These Wizards

Managed hosts are selling speed and convenience. When they ask, "What type of site are you building?" they are collecting data to auto-configure your environment. They might:

  • Pre-install a lightweight theme (like Astra or Hello Elementor).
  • Add their proprietary caching and security plugins.
  • Adjust server settings specifically for WordPress performance.

Theme Necessity?

If you're wondering if you even need a theme in the first place, read our post, Do I Need a WordPress Theme? The Truth Nobody’s Talking About.

The Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Speed: Installation is often under 60 seconds.
  • Ease: Zero technical decisions required.
  • Support: The host knows exactly how your specific install is configured.

Cons

  • Bloat: You inherit plugins and themes you didn't choose.
  • Hidden Database: You often don't have direct cPanel/database access.
  • Limited Control: Custom server tweaks are often restricted.

How to Keep Your Site Lean After Using a Wizard

The biggest challenge with managed installs is the bloat. You need to identify what the host added and ruthlessly remove anything unnecessary.

  • Check Plugins: Go to Plugins > Installed Plugins. Deactivate and delete any plugins that aren't essential for core functionality. Keep the host's required caching/security plugin, but remove any generic form builders, SEO tools, or gallery plugins the host added.
  • Check Themes: Delete all themes except the one you plan to use and one backup (usually the latest default WordPress theme, like Twenty Twenty-Four).

Plugin Strategy Resources

To keep your site running smoothly and conversion-focused, we put together a list of the 26 Best WordPress Plugins to Build Your Smart Tech Stack. 26 Best WordPress Plugins: Build Your Smart Tech Stack

And If you want to avoid plugin overload entirely, we have a great list of the Best WordPress No Code Tools That Actually Work. Tired of Plugin Overload? Here Are the Best WordPress No Code Tools That Actually Work

Step-by-Step: Installing WordPress On Your Computer (LocalWP Method)

If you’re building quietly, practicing, or developing themes, installing locally is a powerful, risk-free option.

Who This Is For

Local Installation Is For...

  • Students learning development.
  • Creatives who want to design the entire site before going public.
  • Perfectionists who need a safe sandbox to practice new features (like Thrive Architect templates).

Simple LocalWP Setup

  • Download and Install LocalWP: It’s free and available for Mac, Windows, and Linux.
  • Click "Create a New Site": Local handles all the server setup (PHP, MySQL, web server) automatically.
  • Choose Environment: Select "Preferred" for the latest stable versions.
  • Set Credentials: Choose your site name and admin login details.
  • Go! Local creates the site instantly. You can click "Admin" to open the WordPress dashboard or "Open Site" to view the front end.

The Migration Warning No Other Guide Mentions

The biggest risk of building locally is moving the site live. Local environments use specific file paths that break when moved to a live server.

How to avoid disaster:

  • Use a Migration Plugin: You need a tool that packages your entire site (files and database) and handles the necessary path replacements when you upload it to your live host.

Here’s a quick comparison of two popular options:

Local to Live Migration Tools

Migration Tool

Core Functionality

Beginner Recommendation

All-in-One WP Migration

Packages the site into a single, importable file. Handles search-and-replace automatically.

Recommended. The process is simpler: export, then import. It’s the closest thing to a "one-click" solution for beginners.

Duplicator

Creates two files (an archive and an installer script). Requires manual execution of the installer on the live server.

Advanced. Gives more control but requires familiarity with FTP and server file structures. Great for developers, but riskier for first-timers.

  • Keep it Simple: If you’ve only built a few pages, sometimes it’s faster and cleaner to install WordPress on your live host (Path A or B) and simply rebuild the content using your local site as a reference.

Essential Backup Guide

Regardless of how you install, always know How to Back Up Your WordPress Website (The Best Way) to protect your work.

Your Day-One Setup Checklist (The Part Tutorials Always Skip)


Congratulations, you installed WordPress! Now, don't start building yet. You need to configure the core settings for speed, security, and SEO.

Set Your Permalink Structure

Permalinks are the structure of your URLs. The default setting is confusing and bad for SEO.

  • Go to Settings > Permalinks.
  • Choose: Post Name.
  • Why search engines care: This creates clean, readable URLs (e.g., yourdomain.com/best-widgets) that are easy for users and search engines to understand. Do this before publishing any content.

Clean the Default WordPress Demo Content

WordPress installs with placeholder content that needs to go:

Cleaning Up Default Content

  • Delete the "Hello World!" post.
  • Delete the "Sample Page."
  • Go to Posts > Categories and rename the default "Uncategorized" to something useful, like "General" or "Blog."

Update Timezone and Language

If you plan to use any scheduling features (for posts, campaigns, or Thrive Automator flows), your timezone must be correct.

  • Go to Settings > General.
  • Set your correct timezone (e.g., UTC-5).

Turn Off Indexing While You Build

You do not want Google indexing your half-finished, default-themed site.

  • Go to Settings > Reading.
  • Check the box: "Discourage search engines from indexing this site."

Crucial: Remember to uncheck this box the moment your site is ready to launch. This forgotten checkbox ruins SEO for months for many beginners.

Set Up SMTP for Reliable Email Delivery

This is a critical, often-missed step for *all* installations. If you skip this, your site's emails—password resets, contact form submissions, and future Thrive Leads opt-in notifications—will likely land in the spam folder or disappear entirely.

By default, WordPress uses the server's unreliable PHP mail function.

Action: Install a dedicated SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) plugin (like WP Mail SMTP or Post SMTP). Connect it to a reliable third-party service like SendGrid, Mailgun, or your existing Google Workspace account. This ensures your site can reliably communicate with you and your users, which is foundational for security and customer service.

Install Foundational Plugins (Lean, Not Bloated)

Keep your initial plugin list minimal and focused on security and performance.

Foundational Plugins Checklist

  • Security: A robust security plugin (like Wordfence or Sucuri).
  • Backup: A reliable backup plugin (like UpdraftPlus or Duplicator).
  • Builder: Thrive Architect (for design and conversion-focused page building).
  • Leads: Thrive Leads (for email capture from day one).

Next Steps: Building with Intention

We cover the next steps in detail in our guide on How to Build a Website That Doesn’t Look DIY. But before you start the design process, make sure you know How to Plan a Website (Like Someone Who Wants Results) so you aren’t just guessing.

Troubleshooting: The Beginner’s Survival Section

Even the cleanest install can hit a snag. Here are the most common beginner errors translated into human language.

Common WordPress Installation Errors and Fixes

Error Message

What It Means

Beginner-Safe Fix

"My site is just a blank white page."

This is the "White Screen of Death." Usually caused by a plugin conflict or exhausted memory.

Disable your most recently installed plugin via your host's file manager (cPanel). If that doesn't work, contact your host immediately; they can check the server logs.

"Error establishing database connection."

WordPress can't talk to the database it needs. Credentials are wrong or the database server is down.

Do not try to fix this manually. Contact your host. This is usually a server-side issue or a configuration file error that they can fix in minutes.

"Briefly unavailable for scheduled maintenance."

WordPress put itself into maintenance mode during an update but failed to exit.

You need to delete the hidden .maintenance file. In your cPanel File Manager, navigate to the root folder (public_html) and delete the file. Your site will immediately return to normal.

FAQ: 10 Beginner Questions Answered Simply

We’ve covered how to install WordPress software, but here are the answers to the questions I hear most often:

Advanced: Now That You’re Installed, Build Smart

The technical part is done. The real work—and the real opportunity—is what you build next.

You’re not just building a static brochure; you’re building a business engine. That means every design choice must serve a conversion goal.

Why Design Choices Affect Conversions From Day One

A fast host and a clean WordPress install are the foundation. Now, you need tools that prioritize user flow and clear calls to action (CTAs).

Design Must Serve Conversion

  • Page Load: A slow site loses visitors.
  • User Flow: Visitors must know exactly what to do next (e.g., subscribe, buy, contact).
  • CTA Visibility: Your main goals must be clearly visible above the fold.

Install Thrive Suite to Build Faster + Convert Better

A smart setup involves three components: fast hosting, a clean WordPress install, and the right tools for conversion.

Thrive Suite provides the tools you need to turn that blank slate into a functional business:

  • Thrive Architect: Our visual editor for building landing pages, sales pages, and core site content that is explicitly designed to convert.
  • Thrive Theme Builder: This lets you manage your site’s entire structure (headers, footers, templates) from one central dashboard, ensuring brand consistency from the start.
  • Thrive Leads: Start collecting emails immediately with professionally designed opt-in forms.

Theme Builder Resource

If you're looking for total control over your site's appearance, you might be interested in finding out if Thrive Theme Builder Is It Right for Your WordPress Website. Is Thrive Theme Builder Right for Your WordPress Website?

A Smart Beginner Path (90-Day Plan)

  • Install WordPress (Today): Complete the checklist in Section 7.
  • Set Up Core Pages (This Week): Home, About, Contact, and Privacy Policy.
  • Build Your First Funnel (Next Week): Use Thrive Architect to build a simple landing page and Thrive Leads to capture emails.
  • Start Testing Conversions (Next Month): Focus on getting traffic and measuring how many visitors take your desired action.

Stay Current with WordPress FSE

You should also keep up with the latest WordPress developments by checking out our take on WordPress FSE: Is It Time to Switch? Find Out Today.

Conclusion: Installing WordPress Is Easy — Building With Intention Is the Real Win

You’ve successfully navigated the confusing world of hosting, domains, and the technical setup. You know how to install WordPress software using the method that best suits your needs, and you’ve completed the critical Day-One setup that most tutorials omit.

The technical barrier is gone.

What matters now is what you build with this foundation. Your site is currently a blank slate, ready for intention. By pairing your clean WordPress installation with conversion-focused tools like Thrive Suite, you’re not just launching a website—you’re setting up a scalable business asset designed to grow.

The next smart step is to dive into the dashboard and start implementing that Day-One checklist. You've earned a clean slate; now go build something great.

Written on January 19, 2026

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About the author
author avatar
Chipo Marketing Writer
A self described devotee of WordPress, Chipo is obsessed with helping people find the best tools and tactics to build the website they deserve. She uses every bit of her 10+ years of website building experience and marketing knowledge to make complicated subjects simple and help readers achieve their goals.

Disclosure: Our content is reader-supported. This means if you click on some of our links, then we may earn a commission. We only recommend products that we believe will add value to our readers.

Leave a Comment

  • Great guide!

    The step-by-step instructions made setting up WordPress feel so simple, even for beginners.

    I especially appreciate the screenshots and clear explanations. It’s easy to get lost in the technical jargon, but this post breaks it down really well.

    Also, the extra tips on optimizing performance and security right after installation are super helpful for avoiding potential issues later on.

    Thanks for putting this together!

  • Great article, very well explained. In the users section, it would probably be helpful to let people know that it’s worth adding a second user, even if that user is also themselves, so that if there are any issues with their primary email they can still get in.

  • Going from nothing to a functioning online course was pretty straightforward using Thrive Apprentice in Thrive Themes. We host on Hostinger and are happy with this tech stack.

  • WordPress is basically the easiest CMS to use out there. Installing it is easy, the only thing I’d be concerned about is being able to set the salt keys manually on a fresh install, but I was a developer so I like to make sure everything is extra secure from the start.

  • Thrive themes have been teaching me about how to publish, present and sell my training online for years now!

    More fantastic advice for someone who was where I was a few years ago.

    With thrive themes you have picked the right partner for the journey!

  • I am with Thrive Themes for my websites from 2016 and used three different templates. They all where perfectly build for WordPress. I never has to use code, that’s a huge relief. An the few times I had an issue the helpdesk always solved it within hours. And what I appreciate very much is the connection and collaboration with WPX hosting. Thanks TT for all the help, the endless knowledgeable and inspiring blogs and tutorials.

  • I am a thrive-themes-client for a decade and this is just ALL YOU NEED for your website and landing pages. Step by step they take you by the hand and if you have questions, they are always there for you! Thank you!

  • As you posted on the site I would also recommend Option 2 to install a WP site since Option 1 will just turn beginners away from using WP.

    I always like the control you have over your site by using WP and since I started using Thrive Themes it has been a easier to maintain.

  • I’ve made multiple sites with Thrive now and love it. They have lots of good documentation but when I’ve needed a little extra help, their customer support really came through for me.

  • I’ve been using WordPress with ThriveThemes for years. There’s a reason I’ve stayed a customer: its user friendly, no fluff and the university and forum they have for their Thrive Suite members provide top notch help when you need it. Can’t recommend it enough.

  • This is very useful, I have used Thrive on my WP site for 8 years and still enjoy regular new updates and an easy way to build my site.

  • Love the ease of this step by step process. Simple. Clear. And it works, lol. I’ve been using Thrive Themes for YEARS, and wouldn’t use anything else now! Ever!

  • Having built and managed more than 50 websites using just about every theme base and builder available, for me there isn’t any other way. The Thrive suite of tools is everything you need in one subscription. Look no further, if you want to thrive just get Thrive.

  • I am very familiar with WordPress.org and have built numerous websites over the years. What I like best is using Thrive to customize the entire site using their plugins and themes. It gives you versatility not only for the look of your website but also functionality.

  • I have used WordPress with Thrive Themes since 2018. I especially love the elegant, pre-designed theme templates and the simple way to post and collect testimonials on your website (you can choose the reviews that go with the products and even allow reviews to alternate – LOVE this tool!)

  • This is a very helpful step-by-step article. Thanks so much. I am really enjoying using Thrive Themes for all my websites. I have about five!

  • Thanks a lot! This article has been laid out very clearly! Thrive Themes has helped me tremendously throughout the years since 2011 (support, features etc). Can’t thank them enough!

  • I have rebuilt my main website and built my membership site. There are many great features for those who need a front end- easy to use – software!

  • I am using Thrive Themes almost 10 years now and it still surprises me how easy and fast I can design and implement a WordPress website!

  • Nice and concise step by step guide without a lot of buzzwords! So many pages think you know half of it before you start and leave you in the weeds two paragraphs in!

  • Once upon a time, many years ago, setting up Thrive Themes on wordpress was not necessarily hard, but it wasn’t straight-forward either. Now it’s an absolute breeze. From the beginning when downloading the product manager right through to using the Theme wizard to set up a site, I haven’t found another system that can compare to the ease of Thrive Themes.

  • I’ve been a huge fan of Shane and Thrive Themes since the day I interviewed Shane on The My Future Business Show!

    Keep up the amazing work!

  • Great article! It might be worth highlighting security features, too, since we’ve had our share of attacks on our agency’s WordPress sites.

  • Bueno, a mí me gustó mucho la plantilla que adquirí para mi página web. Le dio un aspecto profesional que me gusta mucho y que atrae clientes.

  • This is a detailed blog post with instructions and images on installing WordPress! thank you. Instead of showing people how to do it I will now just send this blog post! what a time saver!

  • I love how simple and straightforward this guide is. Lots of posts on installing WordPress overcomplicate it and make it seem super-stressful!

  • I’m impressed with how detailed, yet simple these instructions are to set up a WP site with Thrive. This and all of the videos that they provide are a great help when setting up and making updates.

  • Thank you for the detailed guide! I especially appreciate how the steps are clearly structured and easy to follow, even for beginners. The section on choosing a hosting provider was particularly valuable, as it highlights important factors like speed and support. Perhaps you could add a note on common installation errors and how to fix them to further assist newcomers. Overall, a fantastic resource for anyone looking to set up their WordPress site independently!

  • I find thrive themes easy to use and still overwhelmed by the features. Will learn and apply more features as I work on various websites.

  • Thrive Themes has made my life so much easier! I’ve been with Thrive Themes since 2018 and have you on all 4 of my business WordPress Blogs. Before I found you, trying to customize my blog and capture my leads was very difficult and time consuming. But now making updates, adding new content and evaluating my growth is a piece of cake! Please don’t ever go away because I don’t know how I could manage without you! I mean it!!

  • I’ve used Wix, Godaddy, Sparkle, and I don’t know how many other web builders in my time. WordPress is the best! I use SiteGround as my hosting because WP is super fast and secure with them and I use Thrive Themes to make my WP pages look fantastic, load fast, and be super effective in getting my words and pictures out there.

  • Seems simple enough, however, I’d love someone else to do all of this for me. It’s a lot running a small business and figuring out direction, style, and content to put into a website.

  • I’ve been working with Thrive Themes for many years now, and I don’t regret I was abandoning Kajabi, Leadpages, Clickfunnels etc. They are great tools, but for my clients far too complicated. My coaching clients understand the Thrive system easily and become enthusiastic marketeers on their own website. It looks great, but more important, they really convert… and keep the owner on the ball.

  • Nice overview. An important addition to keep in mind: For websites targeting european users it is vital to know about GDPR laws and to install a GDPR compliant Cookie Banner – in order to avoid legal consequences of tracking without consent. This information should be added in any beginner´s guide featuring Google Analytics!

  • Great guide and I’m glad you included the last step, I would however vote for rankmath over AIO but it’s ofc a more advanced option. Just the schema and indexing features make it worth it though.

  • I have been working with Thrive exclusively for my WordPress sites for several years now as it is the most intuitive and least technical system I have found. I am also impressed with the frequency and the way that new features are introduced that are commercial and practical – and they arrive as if Thrive have been reading my mind as to what I need!

  • Thrive makes setting up a WordPress site easy and intuitive! I refer to this guide every time I stand up a new website as a reference.

  • Thanks for taking the time to outline how to maximize the Thrive Theme clearly! The breakdown makes it super simple to understand and implement.

  • Use it to set up my website..easy program to use.any issue was solve in a short period of time after a call to customer care..would definitely recommend..

  • WordPress has improved so dramatically since I first started using it years ago. Thrive themes are feature rich and capitalize on WordPress’s framework, making them the perfect match, particularly for marketers.

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