In this tutorial, I will guide you through the process of setting up WordPress locally using Local WP.
Local WP is a powerful tool that allows you to create a local development environment for WordPress websites on your computer.
This local setup is ideal for testing, development, and design changes without affecting your live website.
By the end of this tutorial, you will have a fully functional WordPress installation running on your local machine, enabling you to experiment and build your WordPress site with ease.
Table of Contents
Installing Local WP
The first step is to download and install Local WP on your computer.
To do this, visit the Local WP website at https://localwp.com/ and choose the appropriate version for your operating system (Windows or macOS).
Once the download is complete, run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
Creating a New WordPress Site
After successfully installing Local WP, launch the application and click on the “+ Create a New Site” button, it can be found in the bottom left corner.
It will first ask if you want to “Create a new site” or “Create from a blueprint” select “Create a new site” and then click “Continue” located in the bottom right corner.
You’ll be prompted to enter a site name, once you have added your site name click on the “Continue” button.
Next, it will ask you to select the environment type it is defaulted to “Preferred” I would recommend choosing “Custom” this will give you control over the PHP version, web server (Apache or Nginx) and Database.
Pick the settings that best suits your development requirements. Click on the “Continue” button.
Last section is the WordPress details, it will ask you for a WordPress username and password also an email address fill these out then click “Add Site” button.
Now, Local WP will start creating your new WordPress site.
Accessing Your Local WordPress Site
Now that WordPress is installed, you can access your site by clicking on the “WP Admin” button in the Local WP dashboard.
This will open the WordPress login page, where you can log in with the admin credentials you set up earlier.
Congratulations! You now have a fully functional local WordPress site ready for development.
Managing Plugins and Themes
With Local WP, managing plugins and themes is a breeze.
To add new plugins or themes to your local WordPress site, go to the WordPress admin dashboard and navigate to “Plugins” or “Appearance” > “Themes.”
Here, you can search for and install plugins or themes from the WordPress repository, just like you would on a live site.
Additionally, you can upload plugin and theme files directly to your local site for testing or development purposes.
Conclusion
Setting up WordPress locally with Local WP is a valuable skill for website owners, web developers and designers.
It allows you to work on your WordPress projects in a secure and isolated environment, reducing the risk of errors on your live website.
By following this tutorial, you should now be confident in installing Local WP, creating new WordPress sites, managing plugins and themes.
If you want to learn how to install WordPress on a live site, you can check out my tutorial here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I import an existing WordPress site into Local WP?
Yes, you can import an existing WordPress site into Local WP. In the Local WP dashboard, click on the “Add Site” button and select the “Select an existing ZIP” option. You can use WP-migrate plugin to get a ZIP of your website. Follow the instructions to import your site’s files and database, and you’ll have your live site running locally in no time.
Can I access my local WordPress site from other devices on the same network?
Yes, you can. Local WP provides an option to enable “Live Links,” which allows you to access your local site from other devices on the same network. However, keep in mind that this feature might have security implications, so it’s best to use it only on trusted networks.
Can I use Local WP for production websites?
Local WP is designed for local development purposes only and is not suitable for hosting production websites. It lacks the necessary security measures and performance optimizations required for live websites. For hosting your live WordPress site, consider reliable web hosting providers.
Is Local WP free to use?
Yes, Local WP is free to download and use.