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Namr: How to Install WordPress on DreamHost (Complete Step-by-Step Guide)

How to Install WordPress on DreamHost (Complete Step-by-Step Guide)

Installing WordPress on DreamHost is remarkably straightforward thanks to their one-click installer and WordPress-optimized infrastructure. As one of only three officially WordPress.org-recommended hosting providers, DreamHost makes WordPress installation quick and painless for beginners while offering advanced options for experienced developers.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through three methods to install WordPress on DreamHost, from the beginner-friendly one-click installer to manual installation and command-line setup using WP-CLI.

Prerequisites Before Installing WordPress

Before you begin, make sure you have:

✅ An active DreamHost hosting account (Web Hosting, DreamPress, or VPS) ✅ A domain name (registered with DreamHost or pointed to DreamHost nameservers) ✅ DreamHost panel login credentials (emailed when you signed up) ✅ Email access to receive installation confirmation

Don't have DreamHost yet? Sign up for a hosting plan to get started. DreamHost offers a generous 97-day money-back guarantee, giving you plenty of time to test WordPress on their platform risk-free.

Need a domain? Check Namr to compare domain prices across 20+ registrars and find the best deal before registering your domain.

Method 1: One-Click WordPress Installation (Recommended for Beginners)

The DreamHost one-click WordPress installer is the fastest, easiest way to get WordPress up and running. The entire process takes less than 15 minutes.

Step 1: Log Into Your DreamHost Panel

  1. Navigate to panel.dreamhost.com
  2. Enter your email address and password
  3. Click Sign In

Step 2: Access the WordPress Installer

  1. From the DreamHost panel dashboard, click WordPress in the left sidebar
  2. Select Install WordPress from the submenu
  3. You'll see the WordPress installation page

Alternative path: Navigate to Domains → Manage Domains, then click Install WordPress next to your chosen domain.

Step 3: Configure Your WordPress Installation

On the installation page, you'll need to configure several options:

Domain Selection

Choose where to install WordPress:

  • Select your domain from the dropdown menu
  • If installing in a subdirectory (like example.com/blog), click Advanced and enter the subdirectory name
  • For most users, leave this blank to install in the root directory (example.com)

Example configurations:

  • example.com – WordPress at your main domain
  • example.com/blog – WordPress in a blog subdirectory
  • blog.example.com – WordPress on a subdomain

Database Configuration

Select database options:

  • Leave the dropdown set to "Automatically Create Database" (recommended)
  • This creates a new MySQL database specifically for your WordPress installation
  • DreamHost handles all database configuration automatically

Advanced users: If you need to use an existing database, select it from the dropdown. However, this is rarely necessary and can cause conflicts.

Installation Options

Choose your installation type:

  • Deluxe Install (Recommended): Includes helpful plugins and a getting-started guide
  • Basic Install: WordPress core only, without additional plugins

We recommend: Deluxe Install for beginners, Basic Install for experienced developers who want a clean slate.

Step 4: Complete the Installation

  1. Review your configuration settings
  2. Click the "Install WordPress" button
  3. You'll see a confirmation message that installation has begun
  4. DreamHost will send a confirmation email to your primary account email address

Installation time: WordPress installation typically completes within 10-15 minutes, though it can occasionally take up to 30 minutes during peak times.

Step 5: Check Your Email

Within 15 minutes, you'll receive an email from DreamHost with the subject line "WordPress Installation Confirmation".

The email contains:

  • Your WordPress site URL
  • WordPress admin URL (example.com/wp-admin)
  • Your WordPress username
  • Instructions to set your password

Important: Save this email—it contains critical login information.

Step 6: Set Your WordPress Password

  1. Click the password reset link in the confirmation email
  2. Enter your desired WordPress password (use a strong, unique password)
  3. Click "Save Password"

Password best practices:

  • At least 12 characters long
  • Mix of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols
  • Avoid common words or personal information
  • Use a password manager to generate and store it securely

Step 7: Log Into WordPress

  1. Navigate to example.com/wp-admin (replace with your domain)
  2. Enter your username (from the email)
  3. Enter your password (just created)
  4. Click "Log In"

Congratulations! You're now logged into your WordPress dashboard and ready to start building your website.

Step 8: Initial WordPress Configuration

After logging in for the first time, complete these essential setup steps:

Update Site Settings

  1. Go to Settings → General
  2. Verify your Site Title and Tagline
  3. Set your timezone to your local time zone
  4. Set your date format and time format
  5. Click Save Changes

Configure Permalinks

  1. Go to Settings → Permalinks
  2. Select "Post name" for SEO-friendly URLs
  3. Click Save Changes

Why this matters: Clean, descriptive URLs improve SEO and user experience.

Delete Sample Content

  1. Go to Posts and delete the sample "Hello World" post
  2. Go to Pages and delete the sample page
  3. Go to Comments and delete the sample comment

Install Essential Plugins

Consider installing these plugins immediately:

  • Yoast SEO or Rank Math – SEO optimization
  • Wordfence Security – Security and firewall
  • UpdraftPlus – Automated backups
  • WP Super Cache – Page caching for speed

Method 2: Manual WordPress Installation

Manual installation gives you complete control over the process and helps you understand how WordPress works. This method is ideal for developers or users who want more configuration options.

Step 1: Create a MySQL Database

Before installing WordPress files, you need to create a database.

  1. Log into your DreamHost panel
  2. Navigate to Databases → MySQL Databases
  3. Scroll to "Create a New MySQL Database"
  4. Enter a database name (e.g., wordpress_db)
  5. Click "Add new database"

Note the following details (you'll need them later):

  • Database name
  • Hostname (usually mysql.example.com)

Step 2: Create a Database User

  1. On the same MySQL Databases page, scroll to "Create a MySQL User"
  2. Enter a username (e.g., wp_user)
  3. Enter a strong password (DreamHost will suggest one)
  4. Click "Create User"

Save these credentials securely—you'll need them during WordPress installation.

Step 3: Grant Database Privileges

  1. Scroll to "Grant Privileges to a User"
  2. Select your database from the first dropdown
  3. Select your user from the second dropdown
  4. Click "Add User to Database"

Your database user now has full access to the database.

Step 4: Download WordPress

  1. Visit WordPress.org
  2. Click "Download WordPress"
  3. Save the .zip file to your computer
  4. Extract the .zip file to access the WordPress files

Step 5: Upload WordPress Files to DreamHost

You have two options for uploading files: FTP or File Manager.

Option A: Upload via FTP (Recommended)

  1. Download an FTP client like FileZilla (free)
  2. Get your FTP credentials from DreamHost panel → Users → Manage Users
  3. Connect to your DreamHost server using:
    • Host: ftp.example.com
    • Username: Your FTP username
    • Password: Your FTP password
    • Port: 22 (SFTP recommended)
  4. Navigate to your domain's directory (usually /home/username/example.com/)
  5. Upload all files from the WordPress folder to this directory
  6. Wait for the upload to complete (5-10 minutes)

Option B: Upload via DreamHost File Manager

  1. In the DreamHost panel, go to Files → File Manager
  2. Navigate to your domain's directory
  3. Click "Upload Files"
  4. Select all WordPress files
  5. Wait for upload to complete

Note: FTP is generally faster and more reliable for uploading many files.

Step 6: Run the WordPress Installation Script

  1. Navigate to example.com in your web browser (replace with your domain)
  2. You'll see the WordPress installation welcome screen
  3. Select your language
  4. Click "Continue"

Step 7: Enter Database Information

On the database information screen, enter:

  • Database Name: The name you created in Step 1
  • Username: The database user from Step 2
  • Password: The database password from Step 2
  • Database Host: Usually mysql.example.com (check your DreamHost panel)
  • Table Prefix: Leave as wp_ (or customize for security)

Click "Submit"

Step 8: Complete WordPress Installation

If the database connection succeeds, you'll see a success message.

  1. Click "Run the installation"
  2. Enter your site information:
    • Site Title
    • Username (for WordPress admin)
    • Password (strong and unique)
    • Your Email Address
  3. Check "Discourage search engines" if your site isn't ready for public viewing (uncheck later)
  4. Click "Install WordPress"

Success! WordPress is now installed. Click "Log In" to access your dashboard.

Step 9: Delete Installation Files (Security)

After successful installation, delete the wp-config-sample.php file via FTP for security purposes (optional but recommended).

Method 3: Install WordPress via WP-CLI (Advanced)

WP-CLI is a command-line tool for managing WordPress. This method is fastest for developers comfortable with SSH.

Step 1: Enable SSH Access

  1. Log into your DreamHost panel
  2. Navigate to Users → Manage Users
  3. Click Edit next to your user
  4. Change User Type to "Shell User"
  5. Click "Save Changes"

Step 2: Connect via SSH

Open your terminal and connect:

ssh [email protected]

Replace username with your DreamHost username and example.com with your domain.

Enter your password when prompted.

Step 3: Navigate to Your Domain Directory

cd ~/example.com

Replace example.com with your actual domain name.

Step 4: Download WordPress Core

wp core download

This downloads the latest WordPress version to your current directory.

Step 5: Create wp-config.php

wp config create --dbname=database_name --dbuser=database_user --dbpass=database_password --dbhost=mysql.example.com

Replace the values with your actual database credentials.

Step 6: Run the Installation

wp core install --url=https://example.com --title="Your Site Title" --admin_user=admin --admin_password=strong_password [email protected]

Customize the parameters:

  • --url: Your site URL
  • --title: Your site title
  • --admin_user: WordPress admin username
  • --admin_password: WordPress admin password
  • --admin_email: Your email address

Step 7: Verify Installation

Navigate to your site URL in a browser. WordPress should be fully installed and accessible.

WP-CLI advantages:

  • Fastest installation method
  • Scriptable and repeatable
  • No browser required
  • Perfect for bulk installations

Post-Installation: Optimizing WordPress on DreamHost

After installing WordPress, optimize your site for performance and security.

Install a Caching Plugin

DreamHost Web Hosting doesn't include built-in caching (except on DreamPress plans). Install a caching plugin:

Recommended plugins:

  • WP Super Cache – Simple, effective caching
  • W3 Total Cache – Advanced caching options
  • LiteSpeed Cache – Not compatible with DreamHost (use on LiteSpeed servers only)

Installation:

  1. Go to Plugins → Add New
  2. Search for "WP Super Cache"
  3. Click Install Now
  4. Click Activate
  5. Go to Settings → WP Super Cache
  6. Select "Caching On"
  7. Click "Update Status"

Enable Cloudflare CDN

Cloudflare's free CDN dramatically improves global load times.

  1. Sign up for a free Cloudflare account
  2. Add your domain to Cloudflare
  3. Update your domain's nameservers to Cloudflare's nameservers
  4. Enable Cloudflare's Auto Minify and Brotli compression
  5. Set SSL/TLS mode to "Full (Strict)"

DreamHost + Cloudflare is a powerful, budget-friendly combination for fast WordPress hosting.

Optimize Images

Large images slow down your site. Optimize them before uploading:

Recommended plugins:

  • Smush – Automatic image compression
  • ShortPixel – Lossy and lossless compression
  • Imagify – Simple, effective compression

Install Security Plugin

Protect your WordPress site from attacks:

Recommended security plugins:

  • Wordfence Security – Comprehensive security suite
  • Sucuri Security – Malware scanning and hardening
  • iThemes Security – Security hardening and two-factor auth

Set Up Automated Backups

Backup options:

  • DreamHost's automated backups – $2.99/month (recommended)
  • UpdraftPlus – Free WordPress backup plugin
  • BlogVault – Premium backup service
  • VaultPress (Jetpack) – Jetpack backup solution

Best practice: Store backups off-site (Google Drive, Dropbox, Amazon S3) for maximum safety.

Enable SSL Certificate

SSL encrypts traffic between your site and visitors (essential for security and SEO).

DreamHost provides free SSL certificates:

  1. Go to DreamHost panel → Domains → Manage Domains
  2. Click Edit next to your domain
  3. Under HTTPS Settings, click "Add" next to Let's Encrypt SSL certificate
  4. Wait 10-15 minutes for the certificate to activate

After SSL is active:

  1. In WordPress, go to Settings → General
  2. Update WordPress Address (URL) to https://example.com
  3. Update Site Address (URL) to https://example.com
  4. Click Save Changes

Update PHP Version

Newer PHP versions improve performance and security.

  1. Go to DreamHost panel → Domains → Manage Domains
  2. Click Edit next to your domain
  3. Under PHP version, select PHP 8.2 (latest stable version)
  4. Click Save Changes

Performance improvement: Upgrading from PHP 7.4 to PHP 8.2 can improve load times by 20-30%.

Troubleshooting Common Installation Issues

Issue: "Error Establishing Database Connection"

Causes:

  • Incorrect database credentials
  • Database server is down
  • Database privileges not granted

Solutions:

  1. Verify database name, username, and password in wp-config.php
  2. Confirm database hostname is correct (usually mysql.example.com)
  3. Check that user has privileges on the database
  4. Contact DreamHost support if the database server is unresponsive

Issue: White Screen After Installation

Causes:

  • PHP error
  • Plugin conflict
  • Theme conflict
  • Memory limit exceeded

Solutions:

  1. Enable WP_DEBUG in wp-config.php to see error messages
  2. Increase PHP memory limit in wp-config.php: define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M');
  3. Deactivate all plugins via FTP (rename the plugins folder)
  4. Switch to default theme (Twenty Twenty-Four)

Issue: Installation Takes Longer Than 30 Minutes

Causes:

  • Server congestion
  • Large file uploads
  • Slow internet connection

Solutions:

  1. Wait patiently—DreamHost may be experiencing high traffic
  2. Check your email—installation may have completed without notification
  3. Contact DreamHost support if no confirmation after 1 hour

Issue: Can't Access wp-admin

Causes:

  • Incorrect URL
  • .htaccess corruption
  • Permalink issues

Solutions:

  1. Verify you're using the correct URL: https://example.com/wp-admin
  2. Delete .htaccess file and regenerate it (Settings → Permalinks → Save)
  3. Clear browser cache and cookies
  4. Try accessing from an incognito/private browser window

Upgrading to DreamPress Managed WordPress

If you need better WordPress performance, consider upgrading to DreamPress, DreamHost's managed WordPress hosting.

DreamPress benefits:

  • 10x faster than entry-level web hosting
  • Built-in caching (Varnish + Redis)
  • Automatic WordPress updates
  • Daily backups included
  • Staging environment for testing
  • On-demand malware removal
  • DreamShield CDN included

DreamPress pricing:

  • DreamPress: $16.95/month (1 site)
  • DreamPress Plus: $24.95/month (1 site, more resources)
  • DreamPress Pro: $71.95/month (1 site, maximum performance)

Migration from Web Hosting to DreamPress is free and automatic. DreamHost handles the entire migration process, typically completing within 24 hours.

Domain Registration and Management

Before installing WordPress, you need a domain name. While DreamHost offers domain registration, you can often find better prices elsewhere.

Use Namr to:

  • Compare domain prices across 20+ registrars
  • Find the lowest registration fees for .com, .net, .org, and 1000+ TLDs
  • Calculate transfer costs when moving domains
  • Check WHOIS privacy pricing across registrars

Money-saving tip: Register your domain with the cheapest provider (found via Namr), then point it to DreamHost hosting. This gives you the best price on both services.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does WordPress installation take on DreamHost?

The one-click installer typically completes within 10-15 minutes, though it can take up to 30 minutes during peak times. You'll receive an email confirmation when installation finishes.

Can I install multiple WordPress sites on DreamHost?

Yes. The Web Hosting Unlimited plan and higher plans support unlimited WordPress installations. Simply repeat the installation process for each domain or subdomain.

Does DreamHost offer free WordPress migration?

DreamHost offers automated migration for sites moving from other hosts. However, complex migrations may require their Professional Services team (paid service starting at $99).

Is WordPress free on DreamHost?

WordPress itself is always free (it's open-source software). You only pay for DreamHost hosting. DreamHost's one-click installer doesn't charge any additional WordPress installation fees.

Can I install WordPress on a subdomain?

Yes. First, create a subdomain in the DreamHost panel (Domains → Manage Domains → Add Subdomain), then install WordPress on that subdomain using the one-click installer.

Does DreamHost automatically update WordPress?

Web Hosting: WordPress core updates are NOT automatic by default DreamPress hosting: WordPress core updates ARE automatic

For entry-level web hosting, we recommend enabling automatic updates via a plugin like Easy Updates Manager or upgrading to DreamPress.

What happens if I exceed my storage limit?

The Web Hosting Starter plan includes 50 GB storage. If you exceed this, you'll need to:

Can I use WordPress.com instead of WordPress.org on DreamHost?

DreamHost installs WordPress.org (self-hosted), not WordPress.com (hosted platform). WordPress.org gives you complete control and ownership of your site—the better option for most users.

Conclusion: Start Building with WordPress on DreamHost

Installing WordPress on DreamHost is quick, straightforward, and beginner-friendly. Whether you choose the one-click installer, manual installation, or WP-CLI method, you'll have WordPress running in under 30 minutes.

Key takeaways: ✅ Use the one-click installer for fastest, easiest setup ✅ Manual installation offers more control and learning ✅ WP-CLI is perfect for developers and bulk installations ✅ Optimize immediately with caching, SSL, and security plugins ✅ Consider DreamPress for maximum WordPress performance ✅ Check Namr for best domain prices before registering

Ready to get started? Sign up for DreamHost hosting and install WordPress today. With their 97-day money-back guarantee, you have over three months to build and test your site risk-free.

And remember: before registering your domain with DreamHost, compare prices on Namr to ensure you're getting the best possible deal on your domain name.

Happy WordPress building!

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