How To Install WordPress On Debian

Today we are going to show you how to Install WordPress on Debian. WordPress has emerged as one of the most popular content management systems (CMS) globally, powering millions of websites and blogs.

Its user-friendly interface, extensive plugin ecosystem, and robust community support make it an excellent choice for beginners and experienced developers alike. In this guide, we will walk you through the process of installing WordPress on a Debian-based server, providing a detailed, step-by-step tutorial.

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.

Eleanor Roosevelt

Requirements

Before we begin, ensure that you have the following prerequisites:

1. A Debian-based server (such as Debian 11, Debian 12, or Ubuntu).
2. A web server (Apache or Nginx).
3. PHP installed on your server.
4. MySQL or MariaDB database server.

We always advise keeping to the latest Debian release, this will also ensure your servers are secure as possible. Running an WordPress website allows you to also run an online store so its very important to keep the data safe.

You can follow our tutorial on how to keep Debian automatically updated.

Step 1: Update System Packages

It’s crucial to start with an up-to-date system. Open a terminal window and run the following commands:

sudo apt update sudo apt upgrade

This will update the package lists and upgrade any outdated packages on your system.

Step 2: Install LAMP Stack (Apache, MySQL, PHP)

WordPress requires a LAMP (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP) or LEMP (Linux, Nginx, MySQL, PHP) stack to function correctly. We’ll go with Apache, MySQL, and PHP for this guide.

Install Apache:

sudo apt install apache2

Install MySQL:

sudo apt install mysql-server

During the installation, MySQL will prompt you to set a root password. Make sure to choose a strong password and keep it secure.

Install PHP:

sudo apt install php libapache2-mod-php php-mysql

Step 3: Create a MySQL Database and User

Now, let’s create a MySQL database and user for WordPress:

Login to MySQL as the root user:

sudo mysql -u root -p

Create a new database:

CREATE DATABASE wordpress;

Create a new user and grant privileges to the database:

CREATE USER 'wp_user'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'your_password'; GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON wordpress.* TO 'wp_user'@'localhost'; FLUSH PRIVILEGES; EXIT;

Make sure to replace 'your_password' with a strong password.

Step 4: Download and Extract WordPress

Navigate to the Apache web root directory:

cd /var/www/html

Download the latest WordPress package:

sudo wget https://wordpress.org/latest.tar.gz

Extract the downloaded file:

sudo tar -xzvf latest.tar.gz

Step 5: Configure WordPress

Now, let’s configure WordPress to connect to the MySQL database we created earlier.

Rename the WordPress directory:

sudo mv wordpress your_domain_name

Change ownership of the WordPress files:

sudo chown -R www-data:www-data your_domain_name

Copy the sample configuration file:

sudo cp your_domain_name/wp-config-sample.php your_domain_name/wp-config.php

Edit the wp-config.php file:

sudo nano your_domain_name/wp-config.php

Update the database connection settings with the MySQL credentials you created earlier:

define('DB_NAME', 'wordpress'); define('DB_USER', 'wp_user'); define('DB_PASSWORD', 'your_password');

Save and close the file (Ctrl + X, Y, Enter).

Step 6: Configure Apache Virtual Host

Create a new virtual host configuration file for your domain:

sudo nano /etc/apache2/sites-available/your_domain_name.conf

Add the following configuration (replace your_domain_name with your actual domain name):

<VirtualHost *:80>
    ServerAdmin admin@your_domain_name
    DocumentRoot /var/www/html/your_domain_name
    ServerName your_domain_name
    ServerAlias www.your_domain_name

    <Directory /var/www/html/your_domain_name>
        Options FollowSymLinks
        AllowOverride All
        Require all granted
    </Directory>

    ErrorLog ${APACHE_LOG_DIR}/error.log
    CustomLog ${APACHE_LOG_DIR}/access.log combined
</VirtualHost>

Enable the virtual host and Apache modules:

sudo a2ensite your_domain_name.conf sudo a2enmod rewrite sudo systemctl restart apache2

Step 7: Complete the Installation

Open a web browser and navigate to your domain name (e.g., http://your_domain_name). You will be greeted with the WordPress installation wizard.

Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation. You’ll need to provide some basic information such as your site title, username, password, and email address.

Once the installation is complete, you can log in to the WordPress dashboard and start customizing your website.

Congratulations! You have successfully installed WordPress on your Debian-based server. By following this comprehensive guide, you have set up a solid foundation for building your website or blog. From here, you can explore the vast array of WordPress themes, plugins, and customization options to create a unique online presence tailored to your needs. Happy blogging!

You can view more information about WordPress at the official website.

Today you have learned how to install WordPress On debian.