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Installing WordPress on Linux Mint

WordPress is the world's most popular content management system (CMS), powering a significant portion of the web.

Throughout this guide, we'll cover every step, from preparing your system to customizing your WordPress site. We'll use a combination of command-line tools and graphical interfaces to ensure a smooth installation process. So, let's dive in and turn your Linux Mint system into a WordPress powerhouse!

Prerequisites​

Before we start, ensure that you have the following:.

  • A computer running Linux Mint with administrative privileges.
  • A stable internet connection to download necessary packages.
  • A LAMP stack (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP) installed on your system. If you haven't installed it yet, don't worry – we'll cover that in the next section.

Step 1: Installing the LAMP Stack​

The LAMP stack is the backbone of our WordPress installation. Here's how to set it up:.

  1. Update Package Repositories:.

Open a terminal and run the following commands to ensure your system is up to date:. 

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade
  1. Install Apache Web Server:.

Install Apache using the following command:. 

sudo apt install apache2


After installation, you can check if Apache is running by navigating to http://localhost in your web browser. You should see the default Apache web page.

  1. Install MySQL Database Server:.

Install MySQL and secure it with the following commands:. 

sudo apt install mysql-server
sudo mysql_secure_installation


Follow the prompts to set a root password, remove anonymous users, disallow root login remotely, remove the test database, and reload privilege tables.

  1. Install PHP and Required Modules:.

Install PHP along with the necessary modules that WordPress requires:. 

sudo apt install php php-mysql libapache2-mod-php php-cli php-gd php-curl php-xml php-mbstring php-zip


After installation, restart Apache to apply the changes:. 

sudo systemctl restart apache2


To verify PHP installation, create a file named info.php in the web root directory:. 

echo "<?php phpinfo(); ?>" | sudo tee /var/www/html/info.php

Navigate to http://localhost/info.php in your web browser to see the PHP information page.

Step 2: Configuring MySQL for WordPress​

Now, let's set up a database for WordPress:.

  1. Log in to MySQL:. 
sudo mysql -u root -p


  1. Create a Database and User for WordPress:.

Replace your_database_name, your_username, and your_password with your chosen database name, username, and password:. 

CREATE DATABASE your_database_name;
CREATE USER 'your_username'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'your_password';
GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON your_database_name.* TO 'your_username'@'localhost';
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
EXIT;

Remember these credentials, as you'll need them during the WordPress installation.

Step 3: Downloading and Installing WordPress​

With the LAMP stack in place, we can now install WordPress:.

  1. Download WordPress:.

Navigate to the web root directory and download the latest WordPress package:. 

cd /var/www/html
sudo wget https://wordpress.org/latest.tar.gz


  1. Extract WordPress:. 
sudo tar xzvf latest.tar.gz


  1. Configure Permissions:.

Set the correct permissions for the WordPress files:. 

sudo chown -R www-data:www-data /var/www/html
sudo find /var/www/html/ -type d -exec chmod 750 {} \;
sudo find /var/www/html/ -type f -exec chmod 640 {} \;


  1. Move WordPress Files:.

Move the extracted WordPress files to the root directory:. 

sudo mv wordpress/* /var/www/html/
sudo mv wordpress/.htaccess /var/www/html/


  1. Configure WordPress:.

Copy the sample wp-config.php file to a live configuration:. 

sudo cp /var/www/html/wp-config-sample.php /var/www/html/wp-config.php


Edit the wp-config.php file to enter the database details you created earlier:. 

sudo nano /var/www/html/wp-config.php

Replace 'database_name_here', 'username_here', and 'password_here' with the database name, username, and password you set up.

Step 4: Completing the WordPress Installation​

Open your web browser and navigate to http://localhost/. You should be greeted by the WordPress installation wizard:.

  1. Choose Language:.

Select your preferred language and click "Continue".

  1. Information Required:.

Fill in the site title, username, password, and email address. Click "Install Now".

  1. Success!

    Once the installation is complete, you'll see a success message. Click "Log In" to access your WordPress dashboard.

Step 5: Configuring WordPress​

After logging in, you can start configuring your WordPress site:.

  • General Settings: Go to Settings > General to set the site title, timezone, and other general settings.
  • Permalinks: Navigate to Settings > Permalinks and choose a structure for your site's URLs.
  • Themes and Plugins: Install themes and plugins from the Appearance and Plugins sections to enhance your site's design and functionality.

Step 6: Securing Your WordPress Site​

Security is crucial for any website. Here are some steps to secure your WordPress installation:.

  • Regular Updates: Keep WordPress, themes, and plugins up to date.
  • Strong Passwords: Use strong passwords for your WordPress user accounts and database.
  • Security Plugins: Install security plugins like Wordfence or Sucuri to monitor and protect your site.
  • SSL Certificate: Consider installing an SSL certificate to enable HTTPS and secure data transmission.

Step 7: Backup Strategy​

Regular backups are essential to prevent data loss:.

  • Manual Backups: Periodically back up your WordPress files and database.
  • Backup Plugins: Use plugins like UpdraftPlus to automate the backup process.

Troubleshooting Common Issues​

  • White Screen of Death: Disable plugins and switch to a default theme to identify the cause.
  • Error Establishing Database Connection: Verify your database credentials in wp-config.php.
  • Permission Issues: Ensure the correct file permissions are set for WordPress directories and files.

Hopefully You now have a fully functional WordPress site ready for your content. Remember to keep your site updated and secure, and don't hesitate to explore the vast array of themes and plugins available to enhance your website.

If you encounter any issues or have questions, the WordPress community is vast and supportive, with numerous forums and resources available to assist you.