Tactical WordPress Series Part 2 – How To Setup XAMPP and WAMP Local Servers.

Setting up your own local server will allow you to build and edit your websites live in a local environment, this is powerful!

This allows you to “get it right” before going live with your new WordPress website or blog.

In this PART 2 tutorial series on WordPress, we’ll be delving into how to install XAMPP locally, and also the WAMPSERVER.

The very first thing we need to do is download XAMPP or WAMP, not both (although you could).
How to you know which one to use?
Really, it boils down to personal preference, since they are both very similar.

For more then 5 years I have used XAMPP without any problems. About 2 months ago I decided to try the WAMPSERVER just for kicks!

I liked it!

At the moment I’m using both, but that’s only because I’ve been transferring all my local XAMPP sites over to the WAMP and haven’t finished yet. I like the look and ease of the WAMP a little better.

When your deciding which one to use, don’t over analyze it. They are both great and you can’t go wrong with either one.

We’ll start by installing XAMPP first. This is very easy and I’ve taken quite a few screenshots so you can follow along. If you’ve made up your mind you’d like to install the WAMP server, simply scroll down this page to where the WAMPSERVER tutorial begins.

How To Install The XAMPP Local Server

STEP ONE: Download XAMPP To Your Computer

Download XAMPP if you haven’t done so already. http://www.apachefriends.org/en/xampp.html

You will need to choose your operating system (I will be installing on windows)

Now choose ZIP or EXE format. I will be choosing self extracting EXE:

Once your download is complete, we’ll start the installation.

STEP TWO: XAMPP Step by Step Installation

Double click the XAMPP file you just downloaded to start installation.

You wil get the following popup window. Although you can change the installation folder, it’s best to keep it as the default setting on the C: drive.
Click “Install”

The files will begin extraction/installation and will take several minutes, be patient.

Once the files have been extracted you will get the following popup where you will be asked if you’d like shortcuts created, type “y”

The next screen is about locating the paths correctly, type in “y”

Now you will be asked if you’d like to drop the drive letters to create a portable version. Type “n”. (if you do want a portable version, go download the “lite” version, not this one)

You will then be told that XAMPP is ready to use, press “Return”

The screen will ask if your time zone is correct. The default is Eastern Time Zone USA. Press “Return”.

This is the last screenshot before the install is complete. Type “1″ so we can fire up XAMPP for testing, then type “x” to close the command window.

You should now see this in the lower right corner of your desktop. Press the start button next to Apache and MySql.

You will now see Apache and Mysql running!

STEP THREE: Test XAMPP Installation

XAMPP is now installed, and you’ve fired it up. Now lets’ test it out. Make sure your disconnected from the internet. At the moment there are no security protocols in place and you are vulnerable. (We’ll correct this in the next tutorial) So, disconnect the internet, then open up your browser.

Type “localhost” in the address bar, hit enter.

You will arrive at a splash screen where you’ll need to choose your language. Click your choice and you should now see a congratulations screen!

XAMPP is now installed and operational. Now let’s install WAMP.

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How To Install The WAMP Local Server

STEP ONE: Download WAMP To Your Computer

Download WAMPSERVER if you haven’t done so already. http://www.wampserver.com/en/download.php

Once your download is complete, we’ll start the installation.

STEP TWO: WAMP Localhost Installation

Double click the WAMP file you just downloaded to start installation.

You will get the startup wizard popup, click the “Next” button.

You must agree to the terms by choosing “I agree” then clicking “Next”

You will be asked for an install location. Leave as the default which is c:\wamp then click the “Next” button.

If you would like shortcuts added to the desktop or quick launch then decide that here, then click the “Next” button.

The next screen is just to verify you want to proceed and everything is cool. Click the “Next” button.

WAMP will now begin installation. This will only take a few minutes. Just before it finishes installation, you will get a popup asking for your default browser. You can just click “Next” or browse your folders and find the browser exe.

You will now see a popup asking for your PHP mail parameters. Just click the “Next” button.

Cool, WAMP is installed! Now click the finish button and we’ll test it out.

STEP THREE: WAMP Local Server Test

WAMP is now installed, and you’ve fired it up. Now lets’ test it out. Make sure your disconnected from the internet. At the moment there are no security protocols in place and you are vulnerable. (We’ll correct this in the next tutorial).

Notice the WAMP icon in your system tray

Left click the WAMP icon and choose “Localhost”

You should now see the WAMP welcome screen which will show you info about your server and your current projects (which should be none)

Now let’s make sure phpMyAdmin is good by clicking the “phpMyAdmin” link.

WAMP is now installed and operational, congratulations!

In the next tutorial we will add some security to both the XAMPP installation and to WAMP as well.

Related posts:

1. Tactical WordPress Series Part 1 – Operation Code Name: “Pre-Install Groundwork”

Let’s face it, WordPress is powerful and amazing!

Controlling your content and site design is relatively easy and straightforward.

WordPress is loaded with modern features and customizable in every way. This allows the first time WordPress user to look like a hero and offer all the modern features that were once reserved for web experts.

In this new tutorial series on WordPress, we’ll be delving into every aspect of this great blogging – CMS platform right from setup to completion.
We’ll take it one step at a time so even a total newbie can benefit.

The very first thing we need to do is lay the groundwork and gather all the data and tools we need for our installation.
While this may seem obvious at first glance, you’d be shocked how many people do not do this vital step.
If your thinking you’ll just setup WordPress through your Cpanel then toy around with a couple themes, you’ll be dooming yourself right from the start.

I always approach this a little different then the majority. Avoid all the potential pitfalls and headaches right up front, and your blog or website launch will go smoothly.

What About The Famous 5 Minute Install?

It’s great, if your an amateur, do not care about security, and really don’t want to make a real serious presence online. There are many modifications you really need to do and this cannot be done using the “5 minute install”. Maybe I should say it’s MUCH EASIER to make these changes right up front, not after-wards.

If your not computer savvy, don’t worry about the details as I’ll be walking you through this step by step and before you know it, you’ll be able to do this in your sleep.

STEP ONE:

The very first thing you should do is create an organized folder structure. This is vital to organization and a clean work flow. You can name these to whatever your comfortable with, or just copy these verbatim.

Put these folders somewhere on your computer. I like to create a master folder called “Website Projects” and put all my websites in this. You’ll notice I assign a number in the folder name. I do this so they are arranged in the order I want them, instead of the alphabetical default.

So here’s what you need to create:

Quick folder explanation:

• The “YourWebsite.com” folder will hold all relevant files for the site.
• The “WordPress Core” folder is for the latest WordPress version
• The “Themes” folder is for themes you like
• The “Plugins” folder is for your WordPress plugins
• The “Site Content” folder contains 4 folder inside that will hold content for your site.
• The “Codes & Snippets” folder is for some additional coding snippets I will be giving you to add to your files. Do not copy-n-paste these directly into your WordPress files. You will be pasting them into a plain text file in an organized fashion so you will have them later down the road when you install more WordPress websites! You can use these over and over again.
• The “PreLaunch Core Setup” is for future usage. Here you will have already modified files ready to install. This may seem a little redundent, but it’s such a great time saver, you’ll thank me later!

Now that we have a place to organize all our files, let’s grab what we need.

STEP TWO:

Download WordPress Core - Go to http://wordpress.org and download the latest version of wordpress.
This assumes you will be using your own domain and not using a hosted blogging service (not recommended at all). Download WordPress to the “WordPress Core” folder you created.

STEP THREE:

Download XAMPP or WAMP local server – Go to http://www.apachefriends.org/en/xampp.html for XAMPP or http://www.wampserver.com/en/download.php for WAMP. It is soooo much easier to create your website offline on your computer and test everything then to try and do it live.

If your completely unfamiliar with running a local server, no problem, I’ll be showing you how to install this in another lesson, and how to create your website online if you’d rather not do it local (on your computer). Download XAMPP or WAMP to your desktop.

STEP FOUR:

Download your theme(s) - In a more advanced series we’ll create a custom theme for your wordpress website, but for this series we’ll be using and modifying an existing theme. So, find a theme that’s really close to what you’d like, and download it to the “Themes” folder you created.

STEP FIVE:

Download plugins - WordPress plugins allow you to expand the functionality of your WordPress site with just a few clicks. But WARNING: Don’t go overboard and use every cool plugin you see.
Use only what you need. Too many plugins will slow down your site considerably. So, here are the bare minimum plugins you should be using regardless of the type of website you setup. Download these to your “Plugins” folder.

• All-in-One-SEO-Pack - Plugin URL: http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/all-in-one-seo-pack/
  Search optimization is a must and this plugin has proven itself time and time again.
  Forget the Pro version, you get no extra benefits, just grab the free version.
• Google-Sitemap-Generator - Plugin URL: http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/google-sitemap-generator/
  If you want you site listed faster, and you want to be taken seriously, you need to have sitemaps.
• Robots-Meta - Plugin URL: http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/robots-meta/
  Not essential, but a super plugin for controlling your robots file as well as the ability to assign “nofollow, follow, noindex, index” and more to every page and post.
  You can even edit your robots file and htaccess file in the dashboard.
• WP-Super-Cache - Plugin URL: http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/wp-super-cache/
  This plugin is a fast caching engine that generates static html files and can dramatically speed up you site as your content grows. Not essential to start out, but why not start out the right way from the beginning.

There are tons more plugins to choose from. Exactly what you need will depend on the purpose and function of your website. This plugin list is just the essentials only to get you started.

STEP SIX:

Download an FTP software - To transfer files back and forth from your computer to the hosting server, you’ll need FTP software.

Filezilla is probably the most popular for Free FTP programs, but if you have a few bucks to spend, grab something better. Cute FTP, Smart FTP, Ace FTP, and Transmit (for Mac) are all great paid programs.

If you think we might just install wordpress via the hosting Cpanel, think again. This is a poor way to install WordPress and a security issue. You’ll understand more when we start setting up our files and uploading. Download your chosen FTP software to your desktop and install to your computer.

STEP SEVEN:

Download Text-Code Editor - There are hundreds if not thousands of options but let’s keep it simple.
Use a plain old text editor such as Notepad++ (my choice), PSpad (also free), UltraEdit ($49), TextMate ($59. for Mac) or TextWrangler (Free for Mac). You will not be using any Microsoft product such as Word, NEVER EVER.
Download your chosen text editor to your desktop and install on your computer.

Now We’re Organized and Ready To Roll

OK, so far we’ve setup your organized folder structure, downloaded the latest WordPress version, downloaded your chosen themes(s), downloaded a local server such as XAMPP or WAMP (if you want to do this the right way), downloaded the essential plugins, downloaded and installed FTP software, and downloaded and installed a text/code editor.

Doing all this will take a little time, so in the next lesson of this “Tactical WordPress Series”, we’ll setup a modified configuration and install wordpress both locally and to a live website.

In the mean time, download everything you need and decide on your theme. Put a little thought into your theme choice, don’t just grab the first one that catches your eye.

Don’t stress about the local server setup, I’ll show you exactly step by step how to set this up in the next lesson.

David V

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Wow! It’s been a long time coming, and although the site redesign is not yet complete, we are live and currently available for your design needs.

We have been trying and trying to complete a redesign of this site. It’s funny , you would think it would be easy…..

But, we always put the customer first, so our own site kept getting put to the back burner.

Well, we are back up, and still have a bunch of tweaks to do, but the design is almost there.

We plan to add a bunch of content you can gobble up and use whether your a newbie, or a seasoned web designer.

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