How to install WordPress in DirectAdmin

The fastest way to install WordPress on DirectAdmin is through Softaculous, a one-click installer available in most DirectAdmin plans. If Softaculous is not available on your plan, follow the manual installation steps instead.

Install WordPress via Softaculous

1. Open Softaculous

   Log in to DirectAdmin and look for Softaculous in the navigation (often under Extra Features or the sidebar). Click it to open the installer.

2. Find WordPress

   In Softaculous, click WordPress (under CMS, or search for it) and click Install.

3. Configure the installation

   • Protocol: Choose https:// if SSL is already active, or http:// if not yet
   • Domain: Select the domain to install WordPress on
   • Directory: Leave blank to install at the root (https://yourdomain.com/), or enter a subfolder (e.g., blog)
   • Site name and description: Your website name-can be changed later in WordPress
   • Admin username: Choose a name other than "admin" for security
   • Admin password: Use a strong, unique password
   • Admin email: A real email address you monitor

4. Install

   Click Install. Softaculous creates the database, downloads WordPress, and configures everything automatically. Installation takes about 30–60 seconds.

Manual WordPress installation

If Softaculous is not available, install WordPress manually:

1. Create a database

   Go to Extra Features → MySQL Management. Create a new database, a new database user, and assign the user to the database with all privileges. Note the database name, username, and password.

2. Download and upload WordPress

   Download WordPress from wordpress.org. Upload and extract the ZIP file to public_html/ using File Manager or FTP.

3. Run the installer

   Open your domain in a browser. The WordPress installation wizard will start. Enter the database name, username, and password from step 1. Complete the site setup form.

After installation

• Log in to WordPress at https://yourdomain.com/wp-admin
• Install only the plugins you need-start lean
• Set the permalink structure: Settings → Permalinks → select Post name for clean URLs
• Update WordPress, themes, and plugins immediately after installation
• Install a security plugin (e.g., Wordfence or Sucuri) and a caching plugin

Enable HTTPS for WordPress

If SSL is not yet issued for your domain, issue a Let's Encrypt certificate first. See Free SSL certificates in DirectAdmin. After SSL is active:

1. In WordPress: go to Settings → General and change both WordPress Address and Site Address from http:// to https://
2. Add a redirect rule to .htaccess to force HTTP to HTTPS for all visitors

Related: DirectAdmin databases | DirectAdmin SSL | Install WordPress | WordPress security

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