How to Install WordPress on Localhost Using Laragon (Step-by-Step for Beginners)

Want to build a website but worried about the cost of domains and hosting? Don't worry! You can start for free with WordPress on localhost before taking it online. One of the easiest ways to set up WordPress on localhost is by using Laragon. While you may have heard of XAMPP or WAMP, Laragon is a lighter, faster alternative that requires minimal setup. With just a few clicks, you can have your own local server and install WordPress effortlessly. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the step-by-step installation of WordPress using Laragon, complete with images and easy-to-understand explanations. No worries if this is your first time using Laragon—I’ll briefly explain what it is and how to install it my article "Laragon Installation Guide: The Best Local Server for Developers"

Why WordPress ?

Easy to use 

You don't need to be a coding expert because everything can be done with a user-friendly interface

Wide selection of themes & plugins

You can customize the design and add functionalities effortlessly

SEO-friendly

Your website can easily rank on Google if it is set up correctly.

Suitable for all types of websites

You can create blogs, portfolios, e-commerce, or landing pages- you name it!

Benefits for users

WordPress is the best choice for freelancers in web development, content writing, graphic design, or digital marketing because it allows them to create their own portfolio and showcase their work easily to potential clients. It also provides opportunities to generate income through blogs, advertisements, or by selling services directly from their website. Additionally, WordPress is a cost-effective option as there are no platform fees, giving freelancers full control over their sites. Moreover, many clients specifically request WordPress websites, making it easier for freelancers to secure jobs and meet industry demands. Beyond freelancers, WordPress also benefits small business owners who want a professional website to promote their products or services, bloggers looking to publish content and monetize their work, and e-commerce store owners who need a user-friendly platform to manage online sales. Organizations, NGOs, and educational institutions can leverage WordPress to build informative websites, accept donations, and engage with their communities. Even corporate users find WordPress useful for internal portals and employee resources. Its versatility and ease of use make it an ideal solution for anyone looking to establish an online presence, regardless of their technical expertise.

Step 1: Download and Install WordPress on Laragon

Quick Method: Install WordPress with One Click

Laragon has a "Quick App" feature that lets you install WordPress in just one click:

a. Open Laragon and make sure Apache & MySQL services are running

 b. Right-click on the Laragon window → Select Quick App → Click WordPress.

 c. Enter the project folder name (e.g., mywebsite).

 d. Wait for a few moments—Laragon will automatically download and install WordPress.

 e. Once completed, open your browser and type http://mywebsite.test or click on the pretty URL to visit the site.

 f. Follow the WordPress installation steps by selecting your preferred language.

 g. Create an admin account for WordPress.

 h. After successfully creating the account, click “Log In” to access the WordPress dashboard.

Step 2: Loggin into the WordPress Dashboard

Now that WordPress is installed, here’s how to log in to your dashboard:

a. Open your browser and enter:

• http://mywebsite.test/wp-admin
• http://localhost/mywebsite/wp-admin
• Or click "Log In" from the installation page.

Then, enter the username & password you created earlier.

b. Clik Log In

If successful, you’ll enter the WordPress dashboard, where you can manage your website.

Step 3: Testing & Configuring WordPress – Essential Setup After Installation

Before you start building your website, some key configurations are needed:
✅ Change the theme to improve the design.
✅ Install essential plugins for added functionality.
✅ Modify permalinks to make URLs SEO-friendly.

 

Changing the WordPress Theme

Your theme determines the appearance of your website. WordPress offers free themes, but you can change them to match your style

a. Go to Appearance → Themes.

 b. Click Add New to browse available themes.

We can choose from the free themes that are provided.

 c. Choose a theme → Click Install → Click Activate.

 

Recommended Free & Lightweight Themes:

• Astra – Fast and lightweight, great for blogs.

• GeneratePress – Focuses on speed and SEO.

• Kadence – Beautiful and easy to customize.

For premium themes, you can purchase from ThemeForest

 

Installing Essential Plugins

Plugins act like apps that add extra features to your WordPress site.

a. Go to Plugins → Add New.

b. Search for the plugin name.

c. Click Install Now → Click Activate.

 

Recommended Essential Plugins:

• Yoast SEO – Helps optimize your site for Google.

• WPForms – Easily create contact forms.

• Smush – Compresses images for faster loading speeds.

• Elementor – A drag-and-drop page builder with no coding needed.

Avoid installing too many plugins to keep your website fast.

Modifying Permalinks for Better SEO

By default, WordPress uses unfriendly URL structures like:
http://mywebsite.test/?p=123

We want something cleaner and more SEO-friendly, like:
http://mywebsite.test/how-to-install-wordpress

         How to Change Permalinks:

a. Go to Settings → Permalinks.

 b. Select Post Name for a cleaner URL format and click Save Changes.

 

Why Change It?

✅ Makes URLs look more professional.
✅ Easier for users to read and remember.
✅ Improves SEO ranking on Google.

Final Step: Start Creating Content

Now that your site is set up, it’s time to start adding content.

Pages (Static Content)

• Used for permanent information that rarely changes.
• Examples: About Me, Contact, Services, Privacy Policy.
• Not organized by date, and doesn’t have categories or tags.
• Best for static pages that don’t require frequent updates.

How to create a new page:

Go to Pages → Add New, write your content, design the layout, and click Publish.

 

 

Posts (Blog & News Articles)

• Used for dynamic content like blogs or news.
• Organized by date and can have categories & tags.
• Best for articles, updates, and news.

    Quick Summary:

    Pages = Permanent content (e.g., company profile, contact info).
    Posts = Regularly updated content (e.g., blog articles, news updates).

How to create a new post:

Go to Posts → Add New, write your article, add categories/tags, and click Publish.

 

 

Notes: Make sure each page has a professional and responsive design.

 

Conclusion

Right now, your website is still on the localhost, which means it can only be accessed from your own computer. If you want to make it publicly available, you need to upload WordPress to a hosting provider so it can be accessed from anywhere. This process involves choosing a hosting provider, transferring files, and configuring the domain. Don’t worry! I’ll guide you through the steps in my next article: "How to Upload WordPress to Hosting" (coming soon!).

Now that you have successfully installed WordPress on localhost using Laragon, selected an attractive theme, added essential plugins for additional functionality, customized permalinks for better SEO, and used pages and posts for static and dynamic content, you’re on the right track.

The journey of building a website is just beginning! Keep learning, experimenting, and creating high-quality content. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask.