How To Install WordPress On A Web Server (Using DreamPress)

Description

For those first installing WordPress as a website on your hosted server and want to understand how everything actually works, learning how to install WordPress manually is a great place to start. Let me walk you through, I’ll show you step by step how to install WordPress on your web server. In this case I am using DreamHost web servers but this should work with all web servers. This will cover everything from creating a database to uploading files and running the setup. It’s a simple process once you try it a few times.

“You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.”
— Zig Ziglar

Introduction

A lot of hosting companies make installing WordPress a one-click option and DreamHost DreamPress does too. But let’s learn how to do a manual installation. Once you understand how the pieces fit together, you’re not just pushing buttons, you’re actually managing your own site as a true pro. This option is seldomly used by anyone. in fact I was not even sure if I wanted to write this blog post as everyone uses one click install with DreamPress and there is nothing wrong with that method to be used.

In this post, I’ll want to walk you through installing WordPress on your DreamHost DreamPress plan, setting up the database, uploading files through FTP, and running the setup right in your browser.
(Affiliate Link Placement #1 — after “DreamHost hosting plan,” link your affiliate URL to DreamHost Shared Hosting.)

Why Learn the Manual Way

There’s a big difference between clicking “Install WordPress” and understanding what’s happening under the hood. The manual process helps you: I know that most people will simply use the one click install with DreamPress

Learn where your website files live and how they connect to your domain
Understand what to do if something ever breaks
Move or back up your site manually
Strengthen your site security from day one

What You’ll Need

Before you start:

An active DreamPress hosting plan
Your DreamHost panel login
SFTP credentials (found under Websites → Manage Websites → FTP/SFTP)
A computer with an SFTP client such as FileZilla or Cyberduck
The latest WordPress package from wordpress.org/download

(Affiliate Link Placement #2 — link “DreamPress hosting plan” to your DreamPress signup page.)

Step 1: Download WordPress

Download the latest WordPress ZIP file from wordpress.org/download and extract it on your computer. This gives you full access to the WordPress core files so you can upload or modify them before pushing to the server.

Step 2: Connect to Your DreamPress Server via SFTP

Open FileZilla (or your preferred SFTP client).
Enter your DreamPress SFTP hostname, username, and password.
Navigate to your domain directory, usually /home/username/example.com/.

DreamPress uses SFTP only for added security, so make sure your port is set to 22.

Step 3: (Optional) Create a Fresh Database

DreamPress already provisions one, but if you’d like a clean database:

Log into the DreamHost Panel.
Go to Websites → MySQL Databases → Add Database.
Create a new name, user, and password.
Note your hostname—usually mysql.yourdomain.com.

Keep these handy for your configuration step.

Step 4: Upload the WordPress Files

Back in FileZilla, open the extracted WordPress folder on your computer.
Upload its contents into your DreamPress directory—usually the root of your domain or /wordpress if you’re creating a sub-install.

Because DreamPress already includes a WordPress installation, you can overwrite or install into a new folder for a clean, customized setup (for example, /customsite).

Step 5: Configure `wp-config.php`

Inside your uploaded WordPress folder:

Rename wp-config-sample.php → wp-config.php.
Open it in a text editor and enter your DreamPress database credentials:

define( 'DB_NAME', 'your_database_name' );
define( 'DB_USER', 'your_database_user' );
define( 'DB_PASSWORD', 'your_database_password' );
define( 'DB_HOST', 'your_mysql_hostname' );

To take advantage of DreamPress caching and performance, add:

define( 'WP_CACHE', true );

Save and upload the edited file.

Step 6: Run the Installer

Visit yourdomain.com/wp-admin/install.php.
You’ll see the familiar setup screen—enter your site title, username, password, and email, then click Install WordPress.

DreamPress handles the PHP version, caching, and SSL automatically, so you can focus on content and structure.

Step 7: Fine-Tune for Performance

Now that WordPress is live, you can make the most of DreamPress’s built-in advantages:

Enable built-in caching: DreamPress uses Varnish and object caching—just keep WP_CACHE true.
Use HTTPS: SSL is free via Let’s Encrypt (enabled automatically).
Install performance plugins like WP-Optimize or Breeze (avoid duplicating caching layers).
Set automatic backups in the DreamHost Panel.

Step 8: Log In and Explore

Go to yourdomain.com/wp-admin and log in.
You now have a WordPress installation running on DreamPress—but with your own custom setup, database, and configuration.

This means you understand your site completely, from the filesystem to the database layer, and can adjust anything you need later.

Common Pitfalls

Uploading into the wrong directory (e.g., inside another WordPress folder)
Forgetting to update the database host
Overlapping cache plugins with DreamPress’s built-in cache
Ignoring file permissions (should be 755 for folders, 644 for files)

Quick Reference

SFTP Host: sftp.dreamhost.com (Port 22)
Database Host: mysql.yourdomain.com
Config File: wp-config.php
Install URL: yourdomain.com/wp-admin/install.php

Wrapping Up

Remember You’ve just performed a manual WordPress setup on DreamPress. A task few people will every do. Something to be proud of!

By taking this approach, you didn’t just “set up a site.” You learned the backbone of WordPress hosting, gained full control over your files, and built a foundation you can manage confidently.

If you want to dive deeper, join as a user free.