Anyone reasonably comfortable with the concept of performing installations can install WordPress in a matter of around five minutes following these simple steps:

• Download/ unzip the latest WordPress (WP) version
• Create a WP database on your server
• Create a MySQL user with all access/ modification privileges
• Change the file name ‘wp-config-sample.php’ to read as such: ‘wp-config.php’
• Use a text editor to open the renamed file and enter database details to generate/ use the secret key password
• Upload WP files to the desired server location

Files may be uploaded to either the domain (like http://mysite.com/, for example) root (by moving/ uploading all of the unzipped WP directory’s files – excluding the actual directory – into the server’s root directory) or a sub-directory. The latter is done by creating the sub-directory (this may look like this: http://mysite.com/myblog/) on the server and then uploading the files via FTP.

It should be noted that if the FTP client offers the option to convert the names of files into lower case, this should be disabled.

Finally, use your browser to access the wp-admin/install.php for WP and run the installation script. The location you uploaded the files to will determine where you will find this script. If stored in the domain’s root directory, it should be found at (to stay with the above examples) http://mysite.com/wp-admin/install.php, while storing the files in a subdirectory will place the script at http://mysite.com/myblog/wp-admin/install.php.

All being well, the installation should now be complete. In case you are not well versed/ used to performing installations like this, you will perhaps be served better by following somewhat more detailed instructions designed to guide you step by step through the entire process.

The vast majority of Web hosting companies offer useful tools – like Fantastico, for instance – that automatically install WordPress for users, making the process as easy as a click of the mouse. If you choose to install WP yourself, however, there are a few things you should know, have and do before proceeding with the installation.

To begin with, you will need access to your site, as well as its software and directory. This means you will need:

• FTP or shell access to your server
• FTP client
• Text editor
• Web browser of your choice

Before doing anything, you will also need to make sure that both your host and your computer fulfil the minimum requirements for running WP. Next, the latest version of WP needs to be downloaded and unzipped into a folder on your computer’s hard drive.

As you will be required to provide a secure password for what the programme calls ‘your secret key’ during the installation process, it also helps to determine a suitable password and have it ready at hand when beginning the installation, for which you are now ready.

Thus prepared and providing you have a little experience in installing programmes in this fashion, the installation can be completed within as little as five minutes or so.

Powering 14.7 per cent of the world’s top Websites (and 22 per cent of all new sites), WordPress (WP) is hailed as the best publishing platform/ open source content management system (CMS) currently available by Web developers, designers and end users alike. So what is it that makes this CMS so popular?

For starters, WP is exceptionally user friendly and easy to use. Even individuals with little to no experience/ knowledge in programming can easily create and use attractive and functional Websites and blogs.

A host of useful, easy to install plug-ins enables users to make changes in the appearance and functionality of their site/ blog with just a click or two – without the need to enter the mysterious (well, for some of us, anyhow) world of source codes.

For those savvy in the use of source codes, the fact that WordPress is an open source CMS – enabling users to freely access and work with underlying codes – provides the opportunity to customise a site to any specific requirement.

This makes WP intensely versatile, allowing it to be used not only as a basis for blogs, but for all sorts of different Websites, including business and personal sites; classified ad and job boards, and more.

In addition, WP is – thanks to its well written core codes – found easily by search engines, making it a vital part of marketing strategies. Because the CMS is so incredibly versatile, it also removes the need to have a customised version created, making it a highly cost-effective solution for users with any requirements.