Author: Jen Swisher

If you run a large or complex website, you likely have lots of pages for visitors to sort through. At times, it may be frustrating and time-consuming for them to find what they’re looking for.

A search bar is a great way to combat this problem, and adding one to WordPress is simple. If you’re a beginner, you can use the Search Block feature or install a plugin. If you’re looking for something a little more advanced, you can add a search icon to your navigation menu, or edit your theme files to include whatever customizations you’d like.

In this post, we’ll take a closer look at the role a search bar plays on your website. Then, we’ll show you five methods to add one in WordPress. 

Why it’s important to include a search bar on your WordPress site

If your website only has a few pages, it’s probably easy for visitors to find the content or information they’re looking for. On the other hand, for growing business sites, complex ecommerce stores, or popular blogs, it can take a long time for visitors to navigate your pages using the menu alone. 

The three-click rule is a principle used by most web designers. This rule suggests that a user should be able to find any desired information on your site using three (or fewer) clicks of the mouse. Otherwise, they can become frustrated and abandon your site.

This means that a search bar is a great way to improve the User Experience (UX).

With this feature, you can serve your audience the content they desire much faster, reducing bounce rates and increasing the amount of time they spend on your website. 

Better yet, you can monitor your site’s search data to keep track of the terms and phrases that visitors use most often. This is a great way to discover gaps between what your guests are looking for and what you’re offering to them. With this knowledge, you can confidently plan new initiatives to serve your visitors and grow your efforts.

Where to place your search bar

It’s important to make sure your search bar is easily accessible. Therefore, you’ll want it to occupy a prime position. But you also don’t want this feature to distract from your main content, like blog posts and product pages.

With that in mind, it’s usually a good idea to place a search bar in your website’s header. This way, it will be one of the first elements your visitors see.

Additionally, this enables you to place your search bar beside your navigation menu. This is effective because it allows you to keep the user’s experience consistent. When they arrive on your site, they’ll know to automatically head to the top of the page.

On the other hand, you might prefer to use your footer or sidebar to accommodate search functionality. These positions are also widely used to support navigation menus, since they don’t interfere too much with the page’s content. If you opt for this approach, it’s best to make sure the search feature is particularly prominent, so it won’t be missed.

How to add a search bar to WordPress (5 ways)

Now, let’s take a look at five ways to add a search bar in WordPress. We’ll start with the simplest approach, and work our way down to more customizable options. It’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with all of these approaches, so you can select the one that best fits your needs and experience.

1. Add a search bar using the Search block

The first way to add a search bar to WordPress is to use the Search block. Since any WordPress user will be familiar with blocks already, this is one of the quickest and simplest options.

There are two ways you can add a Search block to your website. First, you can add the block to a specific page or post. Second, you can add the Search block to a template part (like your header) using the Site Editor. Let’s explore how both of these techniques work.

Add a Search block to a post or page

One way to use the Search block feature is to add it to a specific post or page (like your homepage). To do this, you’ll need to open the relevant post or page for editing, or create a new one. 

Then click on the plus (+) icon to add a new block. Enter “search” and select the Search option.

This will place a search bar directly on your page. Then you can use the toolbar to change the button position, add a button icon, and adjust the alignment.

Plus, you can use the Block Settings at the left of the screen to alter the width of your search bar, change its colors, and even swap out the font selection.

Add a Search block using the Site Editor

If you’re using a block theme, you can also add the Search block to a template part like your header. This way, you can display the search bar across all pages of your site.

First, you’ll need to make sure you have a block theme activated. Otherwise, you won’t be able to access the Site Editor. 

Then, navigate to Appearance → Editor in your WordPress dashboard. Click on Template Parts → Header, and select the pencil icon to edit your current website header.

This will open your header inside the Block Editor, where you can make lots of customizations to your template part.

Choose the plus (+) icon to browse your WordPress blocks for the Search option.

Now, all you need to do is drag the Search block into your header area.

You can use the arrows in the toolbar to move your search bar to the edge of your menu. Then you can access all the same settings as when you add the Search block to a page or post. 

So, you’re able to change the button icon, adjust the position, and toggle the search label from the toolbar. Plus, in the Block Settings, you can alter the width of the block and change the colors and fonts. 

Once you’re happy with your search bar, click on Save. Then visit your website in a browser to view the search bar on the front end.

If you want to make any more changes, you can revisit the Site Editor at any time. You can also use this method to place your search bar elsewhere, such as in your footer.

2. Add a search bar using the widget panel

Another way to add a search bar to WordPress is to use the widget panel. This is a beginner-friendly option that’s best suited to those using classic WordPress themes. 

To add a search bar using the widget panel, you’ll start in your WordPress dashboard. Then head to Appearance → Widgets.

Here, expand the section where you want to add a search widget. And click the + icon at the bottom. This will open up a list of blocks for your site. Search for, “Search.” Select the search block. 

Now, you can style and customize the search block however you’d like and save to add it to that section of your site. 

If you want to change the button, position, or style of your search widget, head back to the Widgets screen and use the toolbar to customize your search bar.

3. Add a search bar using a plugin

If you’re looking for an option that’s more flexible but still simple, you might prefer to use a plugin to add a search bar to WordPress. Using a plugin is quick and requires no special know-how, but gives you more control over your search bar than you’ll get from the default WordPress settings.

Add a search bar with Jetpack Search 

Jetpack Search, for example, lets site owners nudge visitors in the right direction by customizing results and providing easy-to-use filtering options that are intuitive to use. It’s also smart enough to understand what visitors are looking for, even if they misspell a word or type in a complex, multi-faceted search like, “Bulk jars of tangy poultry seasoning for under $50.”

Leading interior designer, Kylie. M. Interiors, uses Jetpack Search to more efficiently navigate visitors to one of more than 3,000 articles and reduce the workload for her and her team. 

Jetpack Search also supports dozens of languages and works lightning fast, providing logical results that update as visitors type. So people can find the right answers before they’re even finished submitting their search. 

It also integrates seamlessly with your WordPress site for brand consistency and provides insights to site owners about what visitors are searching for. 

Perhaps most impressively, all of this power comes with minimal performance impact to your site because it operates on the cloud. So, even if thousands of new visitors are searching for content each day, your server resources won’t suffer. 

You’ll need to start by installing Jetpack Search on your site, and you have two options here:

• Add the Jetpack Search plugin. This adds just the search functionality to your site, and has both free and premium plans available depending on your usage.
• Purchase the Jetpack Complete plan. Jetpack Search is bundled in this plan, alongside additional site features for security, growth, and more. 

In the following steps, let’s say that you choose the Jetpack Search plugin. In the WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins → Add New and search for “Jetpack Search.” Then, click Install now → Activate.

You’ll be prompted to connect to a WordPress.com account, and can purchase a premium plan if you choose to do so. Once the plugin is set up, go to Jetpack → Search in your dashboard. Here, you can enable the feature, turn on instant search, view data about the searches placed on your site, and more.

If you’d like to customize the search experience, click the Customize search results button. This will open a new screen with lots of additional options for styling, included post types, and more. For example, you might choose to highlight search terms in your brand color, show additional information for product results, and exclude media files from results.

Add your search bar to your site

Now, you can add the new Jetpack Search experience anywhere you’d like on your site, just as we did earlier in this article. You’ll simply add a Search block using the Block Editor, Site Editor, or Widget panel depending on your specific situation. Jetpack Search will automatically replace the default WordPress setup with the new, instant search experience.

4. Add a search icon to your header or menu without a block theme

A header or navigation menu is an ideal place for a search icon, since it’s instantly visible to everyone who lands on your website. 

If you’re using a block theme, you can add a search bar to your header using the steps detailed above. If you’re using a classic theme, you’ll need to install a plugin like Ivory Search.

To get started, you’ll need to install and activate Ivory Search in WordPress. Then, go to Ivory Search → Menu Search, and choose the menu where you want to display your search bar.

Click on Save to view all the available settings. For instance, you can select search form styles such as drop-down and full-width.

Further down, use the toggle to display a search form close icon. Then click on Select Color to apply a menu magnifier icon color.

You can also add a menu title to display instead of the search icon. 

Finally, select the search form that will control the menu search functionality. Use the drop-down menu to make your selection.

Then, click on Create New. This will take you to a new screen where you can give your search form a name and configure your searchable content.

Choose Save Form to generate your search form shortcode. Then you can add it to a widget area, like your header.

You can view your site on the front end to see the results:

You should see the search icon in your preferred color. When you click on that icon, a full search bar will appear.

5. Add a search bar manually using custom code

All the methods we’ve looked at so far have been suitable for beginners. However, this next option requires some technical knowledge, since you’ll need to add and edit code in your theme files. You’ll want to make all changes using a child theme, so that when you update your theme down the road, your code won’t be lost.

Before you get started, it’s important to make a backup of your WordPress site. That way, if you enter a wrong line of code, you can easily restore your site to a previous version.

To add a search bar manually, connect to your site via FTP or your hosting provider’s cPanel. Navigate to your website files (typically the public_html folder), then choose /wp-content → /themes → /your-theme. Browse through the files, and find the header.php or footer.php file (depending on where you want to add your search bar).

Once you’ve found the file you want to use, open it and add this function: 

<?php get_search_form(); ?>

This will call the search form from your searchform.php template. If you don’t have this template yet, the function will create one.

Your search bar should now be visible on the front end.

From here, you can continue to tweak your search form via custom code to look and function exactly how you prefer.

How to offer the best search experience to your visitors 

The search experience is a crucial part of your website, since it affects the way customers find and engage with your content. One of the easiest ways to take your search experience to the next level is to use a handy tool like Jetpack Search.

Jetpack Search is a superb solution for large and complex websites. Once installed, you can present instant search results with advanced filtering to help visitors find exactly what they’re looking for. 

There’s a free version that can handle 5,000 records and 500 requests per month. 

The premium version can handle larger sites and a greater search volume, plus you can display an unbranded search bar, so the experience fits in seamlessly with the rest of your site. 

To get started with Jetpack Search, all you need to do is install and activate it. Then go to Jetpack → Search and scroll down to the settings.

Here, you can use the toggle to Enable Jetpack Search. You can also toggle on the instant search experience. This will enable dynamic overlay for searching, sorting, and filtering, without forcing visitors to reload the page. Your changes will update automatically, providing visitors with an advanced search experience right away.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about WordPress search

In case you still have a few questions, let’s look at a few common reader queries regarding search functionality.

Why should I add a search bar in WordPress?

A search bar is an easy way to improve your user experience. Small websites might be able to match visitors with the content they’re looking for pretty quickly. 

However, large and complex sites like ecommerce stores can have hundreds or even thousands of pages. Therefore, visitors might get frustrated trying to find content using the navigation menu alone. 

A search bar can deliver instant results, and point visitors to where they want to be on your site. This way, you can reduce bounce rates and increase time spent on site. 

What is the difference between a search bar and a search box?

‘Search bar’ and ‘search box’ are interchangeable terms. Both describe a field that is placed on your website (usually in your menu or header). Visitors can enter search terms and keywords into this field to discover content on your site.

It’s important to note that a search bar is different from an address bar. An address bar is the field near the top of your browser where you can either type in a specific URL or enter search terms. Then a search engine (like Google) matches you with content in its index. The address bar searches the entire web, while the search bar (or box) is tied to a single website.

How can I improve the WordPress search experience for my visitors?

A search bar is a great way to provide a stellar user experience, but there are also ways to optimize the search experience.

For instance, you can place your search bar somewhere that’s easily accessible, like your header, footer, or sidebar. Additionally, you can improve the WordPress search experience by providing live search suggestions.

Spelling correction is another great tool to make the search experience more accurate. Plus, you might support filtered searches, so customers can find content by searching for specific tags, categories, dates, and more.

Jetpack Search: A powerful and customizable WordPress search plugin

One of the easiest ways to keep visitors on your site is to streamline navigation. A search bar enables you to do this because it quickly connects visitors with the content they seek. Better yet, there are lots of easy ways to add a search bar to your website.

For instance, you can add a search bar to WordPress using the Search block or use custom code and tweak it to meet your needs.

Alternatively, you might prefer to create this feature with a plugin, which can be one of the best ways to implement a powerful search function on your site. With a solution like Jetpack Search, you can implement quick results and powerful filtering to keep visitors on your site.

What’s more, you can enable an instant search experience with a dynamic overlay, to generate results even faster. Check out the plans today to get started!

The WordPress database stores all the information for your site and enables you to make changes to your content. And if you’re new to WordPress, you might not know how to access and use this database. 

Fortunately, it’s not as complicated as you might think. Once you learn the basics, you can secure your database, resolve errors, and perform vital tasks when you don’t have access to the dashboard. 

In this post, we’ll take a closer look at the WordPress database. Then, we’ll show you how to access, create, and secure it. Plus, we’ll cover some common database issues and their fixes. 

What is a WordPress database?

The WordPress database is a collection of your site’s data. This is where you’ll find all the files and tables to create and manage posts, pages, users, comments, and more.

To manage this data, you’ll need access to a special type of software. WordPress uses MySQL and relies on Hypertext Preprocessor (PHP) to store and fetch data from the database. PHP is the programming language that WordPress is built on. 

Why does WordPress require a database?

Every WordPress site requires a database. Even if your site is small, there’s a lot more going on behind the scenes. 

Your website is made up of different kinds of data like pages, user information, comments, settings, plugins, theme data, categories, tags, and more. Therefore, you need a separate place to store this information, as your website wouldn’t be able to accommodate all of it. 

Thanks to the WordPress database, your website can function seamlessly and you (and others) can apply changes. Plus, if you need to switch to a different web host, you can make a copy of the database and move it to the new server, without losing your site’s valuable content. 

How does a WordPress database work?

Now that you know what the WordPress database is, it can be useful to understand how it works. When you install WordPress to create a website, you’ll need to create a database to store important information. 

This process is typically automated, especially when using a managed hosting plan. You can also configure a WordPress database manually, though this requires a fair bit of technical knowledge. 

Once you’ve created a database, it will reside on your host’s server. Therefore, every time a user requests your website, their browser sends the request to your hosting server. Then, the server sends the data required to display your site, dynamically generating HTML pages.

WordPress uses MySQL. This software enables the database to store information and provide access to it. 

Additionally, when data (like comments or posts) needs to be changed or deleted, WordPress sends a MySQL query to the database, instructing the action. It’s important to note that many of these queries work automatically. Therefore, you’ll be completely unaware of this process as you make changes to your site. 

Some advanced users might prefer to access the database and run these queries manually. This way, you can perform tasks that you can’t do through the dashboard, like changing your account’s username and password. Plus, it can be a much faster way to execute certain commands. 

What is inside a WordPress database?

The WordPress database is organized into tables that make it easy to find, view, and edit data on your website. Each table contains a specific type of data. 

You’ll find one table for posts, one for comments, and so on. These tables often start with the wp_ prefix, so your comments table will be named something like wp_comments.

Within WordPress tables, you’ll find columns and fields that contain more specific information. So, if you open the wp_comments table, you’ll see fields like comment_ID, comment_author, and comment_date.

An overview of the tables in a WordPress database

Now that you know what’s inside the WordPress database, let’s take a closer look at the tables that you can access.

1. wp_posts

The wp_posts table contains the data for all content on your site. This isn’t specific to posts. Instead, it extends to pages, products, courses, revisions, custom post types, and any other content on your site.

2. wp_postmeta

As the name suggests, the wp_postmeta table supports all the meta information about your content. You’ll find the template used to display the page, custom fields, SEO information, and more.

3. wp_options

If you open the wp_options table, you can access most of the settings for your WordPress website. You can edit your site URL and admin URL, change the number of posts per page, adjust the time format, and more. Additionally, wp_options is used by some plugins to store the plugin settings.

4. wp_users

The wp_users table is where you’ll find user information like usernames, email addresses, and passwords.

5. wp_usermeta

With wp_users, you’ll find a corresponding wp_usermeta table that contains the meta information about users registered on your site.

6. wp_termeta

If you’re a standard WordPress user, wp_termeta shouldn’t concern you too much. It’s mainly used by developers to store custom metadata for terms under custom taxonomies. For example, WooCommerce uses wp_termeta to store metadata for product attributes and categories.

7. wp_terms

In wp_terms, you’ll find the terms for each of your taxonomies. To help you understand, individual taxonomy items (like tags and categories) are called taxonomies, while each tag and category within the taxonomies are known as terms.

8. wp_term_relationships

The wp_term_relationships table is an important one since it manages the relationship between WordPress post types and terms in the wp_terms table. This helps WordPress determine which category each of your posts is in. 

9. wp_term_taxonomy

The wp_term_taxonomy table defines taxonomies for terms in the wp_terms table. Here, you’ll find all the data that says your term is associated with a taxonomy called category. This way, WordPress can differentiate between which term is a category, which is a tag, and so on.

10. wp_links

Within wp_links, you can access all the information needed to manage blogrolls that were created by earlier versions of WordPress.

11. wp_comments

The wp_comments table stores all data concerning your WordPress comments. Therefore, you can expect to find the user’s name, URL, email address, comment, and more.

12. wp_commentmeta

Lastly, the wp_commentmeta contains meta information about the comments posted on your site. This table consists of four main fields: comment_ID, meta_ID, meta_key, and meta_value. You might come to this table to check on the status of a comment to see whether it’s been approved, is pending approval, or is logged as trash.

How to access the WordPress database

It’s important to note that while you can access the WordPress database, you don’t need to access the database to manage your site. For most users, the WordPress dashboard is sufficient for carrying out the majority of tasks. 

But there are some situations when it can be useful to access your database. If you’re a beginner, you might like to understand more about your site’s structure. 

On the other hand, advanced users can access the database to perform tasks that can’t be done through the dashboard. Plus, the database enables you to troubleshoot common WordPress errors if you get locked out of your dashboard. 

In the next section, we’ll show you two ways to access the WordPress database. Note that, if you’re on a shared hosting plan, you may not have access to the database. Therefore, you might need to ask your web host to make database changes for you.

1. Using phpMyAdmin

As we mentioned earlier, your WordPress database is stored on your host’s server. Therefore, you can access it by logging into your hosting account. This method varies depending on your host, but you’ll likely be using phpMyAdmin. 

Before you get started, it’s important to make a fresh backup of your site in case anything goes wrong. The easiest way to do this is to use a backup plugin like Jetpack VaultPress Backup. If you accidentally delete an important site file, you can replace it with the one stored in your backup. If at all possible, you should use a staging website or development environment when making changes to a database.

To access phpMyAdmin, you’ll normally need to log into cPanel through your hosting account. Then, look for the Databases section and you should see an option for phpMyAdmin.

You might need to enter your database username and password to access the software. These should be different from the credentials you use to access cPanel.

The phpMyAdmin interface should look something like this:

Next, click on Databases and choose your website from the menu. Now, you should see all the tables within your WordPress database.

Here, you can click on any of the tables to add, change, or delete data. If you’re making a change to a field, you’ll need to click on Browse. Then, find the exact row that you want to edit, and use the Edit link to do so.

Once you’re done editing, click on Go to apply the changes.

2. Using a WordPress plugin

If you don’t want to use phpMyAdmin to access the WordPress database, you can use a plugin instead. For example, you might not be comfortable using the interface and would prefer to remain in the WordPress dashboard.

WP Data Access enables you to perform database tasks without leaving your website. Once you’ve installed and activated the plugin, navigate to WP Data Access in your WordPress dashboard and use the Database dropdown to select your database.

Here, you can view all the tables within your database. These are presented similarly to posts and pages in WordPress, so you won’t need to learn a complex layout like phpMyAdmin.  

When you hover over a table, you’ll see two options: Manage and Explore. If you click on Manage, you’ll be able to control all data on your site. 

You can rename, copy, or export data. Meanwhile, the ALTER link enables you to edit the table directly.

If you click on Explore, you’ll find details about the table and where it’s used on your site. Note that some tables won’t display any options when clicked.

How to create a WordPress database

Now that you know how to access the WordPress database, let’s take a look at two ways to create one for your site. 

1. Create a database with cPanel

The easiest way to create a WordPress database is to use cPanel. To get started, log into your hosting account and then the cPanel.

Now, look for the Databases section and select the MySQL Database Wizard.

In the Create Database Users area, enter the database name and click on Next Step.

Then, find Create Database Users and create the database username and password. To keep your database secure, make sure that you create a unique and strong password.

Now, click on Create User. 

In Add User to Database, check the All Privileges checkbox and proceed by selecting Next Step. Here, it’s important to take note of the hostname, username, and database name so that you remember them for future reference. 

2. Create a database with phpMyAdmin

The next way to create a WordPress database is to use phpMyAdmin. This can be slightly more complicated, but it’s a great solution for users that don’t have access to cPanel.

To get started, open phpMyAdmin from your hosting account. Then, click on the Database tab at the top of the screen.

Here, click on Create database and enter a database name. Then, choose the best configuration option for language and encoding. 

Now, select phpMyAdmin to return to the main page and navigate to Users. This is where you can create users for your database.

Click on Add User and enter a name in the User field. Then, create a strong and unique password for the user. 

You’ll want to leave the options under Global privileges as they are. When you’re ready, select Go and return to the Users screen. 

Next, you’ll need to configure the correct permissions for each user with access to your database. Click on the Edit privileges icon. In the Database-specific privileges, select the new database under the Add privileges to the Server.localhost database dropdown. Then, click on Go.

The importance of backing up your database

Now that you have created a database for your WordPress website, let’s take a look at some of the best backup practices to keep your data secure. 

1. Schedule regular backups

Making a backup of your database is great, but it’s important to remember that this isn’t a one-time thing. You must make backups at regular intervals so that you always have a recent copy of your WordPress data.

The easiest way to schedule regular backups is to use an automated plugin like Jetpack VaultPress Backup.

Once activated, the plugin will perform a backup of your site. Then, you can navigate to Jetpack → VaultPress Backup to see your backups in the cloud or view your most recent restore point.

Jetpack VaultPress Backup will automatically save your website in real-time, so every single change made on your site — updated pages, new blog posts, customer orders, etc. — will always be available if you need it. The best part? You can restore a backup even if your site is completely down.

2. Securely store your backups off-site

It’s important to store backups offsite to keep your database copies safe. If your backups are stored on the same server as your site, they can be just as susceptible to online attacks and malware infections. 

For this reason, you’ll want to choose a secure location to store your backups. You could download backups to your computer or save them to the cloud. 

VaultPress Backup is, again, an ideal solution for this as it uses the same secure, off-site servers trusted by Automattic, the people behind WordPress.com.

3. Have a disaster recovery plan in place

Having a solid disaster recovery plan can help reduce the time needed to resolve a problem. Otherwise, you might waste precious time troubleshooting the problem. 

Plus, if something goes wrong, your website might be offline and inaccessible to the public. Not only will you lose traffic and revenue, but this can also damage your reputation.

Jetpack VaultPress Backup offers one-click restores that are available even if you can’t access your dashboard. Plus, with the app, you can restore from nearly anywhere in the world.

The importance of securing your database

While backups are a must-have in case something goes wrong, you should also be mindful of preventative measures to make your database more secure. Let’s look at some of them. 

1. Use strong passwords

One of the easiest ways to secure any aspect of your website is to use strong passwords. This goes for your WordPress dashboard, your hosting account, and your database.

It’s important to use a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols in your passwords. You’ll also want to make them long, using at least eight characters. 

You can use a password generator to handle the process for you. If you’re worried about forgetting your passwords, you can store them with a password management tool.

2. Limit access to the database

Another way to secure the WordPress database is to limit the number of individuals that can use it. Only users that you trust should have access to your site’s data. 

Additionally, you’ll want to make sure that they understand how to use it. The last thing you want is for a new user to find their way into the database and accidentally delete vital WordPress tables. 

If you’re using a plugin to access your database, users with certain roles will have the ability to make database changes that could harm your site. 

For this reason, and for general security-best practices, it’s always a good idea to regularly review your user roles and permissions, making sure that the correct privileges are assigned to the right people. You can do this from your WordPress dashboard by going to Users → All Users. Then, click on Edit and scroll down to Role.

Here, use the dropdown to select the correct role for each user registered on your site. Typically, only administrators will have complete access to the database. 

The same advice goes for any accounts on your cPanel or hosting provider’s dashboard.

3. Keep software up-to-date

Updating software can increase security on your WordPress site. This includes plugins, themes, and WordPress Core. 

When you have outdated tools on your site, hackers might exploit vulnerabilities in the software to gain entry. Updates typically contain patches for these security flaws, so you’ll want to run them as soon as they’re released. 

4. Monitor database logs for suspicious activity

Another way to secure the WordPress database is to monitor logs for suspicious activity. Database logs enable you to track all user activity so that you can see all actions taken on your site, all requests made, and all errors encountered. 

Typically, you can view your logs through cPanel. Here, you’ll find a Log Viewer where you can monitor these activities:

If you use a plugin like VaultPress Backup, you’ll also get access to an activity log that lets you see everything that happens on your website. Note that it will not, however, log changes made directly in the database, but can be an excellent indication of suspicious activity and a handy tool when troubleshooting common WordPress errors. 

5. Consider an enterprise security plugin like Jetpack Security

One of the best solutions for protecting your WordPress database is to use an enterprise security plugin like Jetpack Security. With this tool, you’ll get a suite of advanced features in one installation.

This includes Jetpack’s Web Application Firewall (WAF), which blocks malicious traffic from reaching your website. Plus, the plugin provides complete comment and spam protection, and conducts automatic malware scans.

With Jetpack Security, you’ll also get an activity log for your site. This way, you can view every action and find the cause of any issue that arises. 

The plugin also comes with VaultPress Backup, enabling you to make real-time backups of your website, database tables, WooCommerce data, and more. Better yet, with the mobile app, you can restore your site from any location. 

How to optimize your database

Over time, your database performance starts to slow down. This typically happens because the database has grown in size since you first launched your site. Therefore, the query execution time will get slower as your memory overheads increase.

Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to optimize your WordPress database. One of the quickest methods is to run a MySQL command.

To get started, open phpMyAdmin and click on your database to see the list of WordPress tables. Then, select the Check All option below the tables and use the With Selected dropdown menu to choose Optimize table.

This will defragment the selected tables, making queries run a bit faster. Plus, it will slightly reduce the size of the database.

How to migrate your database to a new server or hosting provider

You might find yourself in a situation where you need to migrate your database. For instance, you might want to move your site to a new server or hosting provider.

First, you’ll need to navigate to phpMyAdmin in your current hosting account and select your database in the list on the left-hand side. Then, click the Export tab. 

You can either choose a Quick export, which is plenty for most websites, or a Custom export, which allows you to configure settings for the database export. Then, click Go, and the file will download to your computer.

Now, navigate to your new hosting provider, where you’ll need to create a new database user. This will vary depending on your host, but if you’re using cPanel, you’ll take the following steps:

Under Databases, select MySQL Databases. Create a database name and click Create Database.

Scroll down and find the Add New User section. Create a new user here, keeping in mind security best practices for the password you generate. Click Create User.

Scroll to the Add User to Database section. In the User dropdown, choose your new user. In the Database dropdown, choose your new database. Click Add. A new screen will appear, allowing you to set permissions for the new user. Check the box next to All Privileges, then click Make Changes.

Now, navigate to phpMyAdmin in cPanel and select the new database you created in the left-hand list. Click the Import tab at the top. Upload the database file you saved earlier, then click Go.

And your database is migrated! Your final step will be to tell your site on the new host that it should use the new database. Note that this step assumes that you’ve already migrated your website files to your new hosting provider.

Navigate to your File Manager, find your website’s folder (typically public_html) and open the wp-config.php file. Find the following block of code:

/** MySQL database username */

define('DB_USER', ‘sample_username’);

/** MySQL database password */

define('DB_PASSWORD', ‘27839hafgdl’);

Replace the username and password with the ones you created for your new database, being sure to keep the quotation marks in place. In the example above, you’d replace ‘sample_username’ with ‘new_username’ and ‘27839hafgdl’ with ‘newpassword’. And that’s it! 

If you’re looking for a simpler solution, you can use a plugin like Duplicator to export and import databases between sites.

Common database uses

At this point, you might be wondering how to utilize the WordPress database. Let’s look at four common use cases. 

1. Edit post or page content

One of the most popular ways to use phpMyAdmin is to edit post or page content from the interface. All you need to do is open phpMyAdmin from your hosting account. Then, click on Databases and select the database for your website.

Next, locate the wp_posts table. This is where WordPress stores all content like posts, pages, custom post types, and more.

Here, you’ll see a list of all content items on your site. You can also see information like the post status and comment status for each of your pages and posts.

Once you find the post that you want to modify, click on the Edit link. Then, you can change the post content, post title, comment status, post excerpt, and more.

Once you have finished making changes to the post, click on Go at the bottom of the screen to save your work.

2. Change user information

You might also find it useful to change user information from the phpMyAdmin interface. For instance, you might wish to reset your WordPress password.

To do this, launch phpMyAdmin and select your database. Then, locate the wp_users table and click on Browse. 

Now, you’ll see a list of all the users registered on your site. Click on Edit next to the user account that you need to change.

Here, you’ll see all the user fields that you can edit, like the username, email, password, and more.

To change the password for your user, you’ll need to delete the value in the user_pass field and enter a new one. Under the Function column, select MD5. Then, click on Go to save the changes.

3. Update WordPress settings

As we mentioned earlier, the wp_options table contains most of your site-wide settings. You can access this table via phpMyAdmin to update settings like the time format, site URL, plugin configuration, and more.

To get started, launch phpMyAdmin and select your database. Then, open wp_options and locate the row you need to change.

You’ll see plenty of fields here, like admin email, site URL, posts per RSS, and more.

Click on Edit next to the setting you want to change. Then, enter a new value into the field and click on Go.

4. Delete plugins or themes

There are times when it might be necessary to delete a plugin or theme from your website via phpMyAdmin. This is often the case if you’ve encountered a WordPress error (caused by a problematic plugin), leaving you without access to your WordPress dashboard.

Additionally, even when you delete themes and plugins from your dashboard, some tools leave behind rows and tables in your database. Over time, this data can mount up and start to affect your site’s performance.

In this instance, you can launch phpMyAdmin and find your WordPress database. Depending on the plugin, there can be traces of it in multiple database tables. That’s why the best method to delete plugins in phpMyAdmin is to use the Search feature.

For instance, if you want to delete the WooCommerce plugin from your site, enter “woocommerce” into the search bar. Under Find, check the option that says all the words. Then, select Go.

Here, you’ll see a list of all the fields and tables where the plugin stores data on your site.

As you can see, there are traces of WooCommerce in tables like wp_posts, wp_users, and wp_options.  

Click on Browse to open the table. Then, you’ll want to filter the table to find every instance of WooCommerce. Enter “woocommerce” where it says Filter rows.

Select all the relevant rows and click on the Delete link. Then, you can go through all the other tables where the plugin stores data and repeat the same steps. 

Common database issues and their causes

When accessing and editing your WordPress site, you might run into some issues. Typically, you’ll know if it’s a database issue because you’ll see the following error message: “Error establishing database connection”.

Other signs of a database issue are:

• Images missing from your site
• Content missing from your site
• The “No update required your WordPress database is already up-to-date” error

Meanwhile, some common causes of database issues include:

• Incorrect database access credentials
• Connection errors
• Corrupt database tables
• A hacked database 

It’s a good idea to work your way through the list and eliminate each of the potential problems. You can check your connection on your operating system and make sure you’re running the latest version of your browser. It’s also useful to double-check your database credentials in your hosting account. 

As we mentioned earlier, you might also want to optimize your database using a simple MySQL command to ensure faster performance.

Frequently asked questions about the WordPress database

Although we’ve tried to provide a complete guide to the WordPress database, you might still have some questions. Let’s answer some of them. 

Where is the WordPress database stored?

The WordPress database is stored on your web host’s server. Therefore, you can access it through cPanel. If your host does not provide access to cPanel, you might be able to use a plugin to access it. It’s important to note that the WordPress database is sometimes inaccessible to those on shared hosting plans.

Can my WordPress database be stored on a separate server?

Yes, but you’ll need to make sure that the MySQL server allows the database to be accessed by an external server. You can export the current database and create a new one on another server.

Then, in wp-config.php, find define (‘DB_HOST’’localhost’) and add the IP address of the server instead of localhost.

Can I export my WordPress database to use on another website?

Yes, there are various ways to export the WordPress database. The easiest option is to use the built-in export tool in your dashboard. To access the tool, go to Tools → Export.

Then, select the content that you want to export and download your export file.

You can also use a plugin like Duplicator to export your WordPress database. For advanced users, you can export your database manually using phpMyAdmin.

What happens if I accidentally delete a record from the WordPress database?

If you delete a row like wp_posts, you’ll lose all the content on your site. Meanwhile, if you delete a row like wp_options, you’ll lose your site settings. This can have a negative impact on your search engine rankings. Plus, your website may suffer downtime as you repair the issue.

That’s why it’s important that you assign the correct permissions to users on your site. That way, only those with technical knowledge can access and edit your database.

On top of that, it’s a good idea to install a backup recovery plugin like Jetpack VaultPress Backup. Then, even if you accidentally delete a record from the database, you can easily restore your site to an earlier version. 

What are the best practices for backing up the WordPress database?

One of the best ways to secure your website is to make frequent backups. With a plugin like Jetpack VaultPress Backup, you can also back up your entire database. 

You’ll also want to store your database backup in a different location than your server. You might download it to your computer, or save it in a remote location like the cloud.

It’s important to make sure that you can restore your site quickly should something go wrong. Otherwise, you can lose out on traffic and revenue. 

With VaultPress Backup, you can restore your site in just one click. Plus, if you use the Jetpack mobile app, you can even get your site up and running again from almost anywhere. 

How can I ensure the security of my WordPress database?

It’s important to maintain top levels of security for your WordPress database since this is where vital information is stored. For instance, anyone with database access can edit content on your site, change user passwords, and delete entire tables.

Therefore, consider limiting the number of people with access to your database. In fact, you should make sure that only those you trust have these privileges. Additionally, you can educate them on how to interact with the interface to reduce the likelihood of accidents.

You’ll also want to enforce strong passwords on your site. Ideally, they should contain a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters. 

Finally, you’ll need to make sure that software, like plugins and themes, is kept up-to-date. This will help protect your database against cyberattacks. 

WordPress database: The power of independence at your fingertips 

While you don’t need to understand how the WordPress database works to run your website, this knowledge can come in handy. For instance, you might need to edit user information, troubleshoot common errors, or perform certain actions when you can’t access your dashboard. 

Your database is stored on your web host’s server, and you can access it via phpMyAdmin. You can also create a new database in phpMyAdmin and perform tasks like configuring site-wide settings. 

Protect your WordPress site

After all the hard work you’ve put into learning how to work with your site’s database, building the perfect site, and developing a strong flow of visitors and users, you don’t want anything to stop your progress. 

Jetpack’s top-tier WordPress security plugin not only provides a best-in-class, real-time, cloud-based backup solution, but also features that prevent most issues and resolve many others in just a few clicks. 

From malware scanning to spam prevention, downtime monitoring, brute force attack protection and more — Jetpack’s got your back.

Don’t risk losing your hard work — get Jetpack Security today. 

 

Utilizing a localhost for your WordPress site enables you to run updates, test plugins, or build your site in private. This means you can make changes without affecting the user experience (UX) or worrying about mistakes that could disrupt operations. 

Sounds pretty great, right? Even better is that most moderately-experienced developers will find it straightforward to get started. 

By following this step-by-step guide, you should be able to download the localhost software, add WordPress files, and create a database without any issues.

In this post, we’ll take a closer look at WordPress localhost and its benefits. Then, we’ll show you how to configure WordPress on localhost and run through some common errors.

What is localhost, and why is it useful for WordPress?

When you create a WordPress site, you typically purchase a domain name and choose a web hosting provider. Your site resides on your web host’s server and is accessible to anybody with the correct URL. 

With localhost, you can run a website from your own operating system like a PC. This means it will have a different hardware configuration than a live website. Plus, your site won’t be available online.

You’ll create a private and remote environment, using your PC storage as the host. Then, you’ll download third-party software like XAMPP to install WordPress.

There are many reasons why you might want to use localhost. First, it enables you to create a development site that you can use for testing and experimentation. 

In this instance, WordPress will function as a staging site. This is a popular option for designers and developers since you can detect issues before you launch your live application. Better yet, localhost enables you to work on your website even if you don’t have an internet connection. 

Additionally, a local website provides a safe environment for trying new things. This can prevent downtime on your live website in the event that a change introduced breaks something.

Localhost can also be a safer way to test new software or run updates. You won’t need to worry about breaking your site. If something goes wrong, your live site will remain completely unaffected.

Can you install WordPress locally on any operating system?

There are many platforms that enable you to install WordPress locally, but XAMPP tends to be the most user-friendly. 

What’s more, XAMPP is open-source and free, and it supports all operating systems including Mac, Windows, and Linux. When you visit the official XAMPP website, you’ll see all the different versions of the software. Then, you can download the version that’s compatible with your operating system. 

What are the requirements to install WordPress on localhost?

To install WordPress on localhost, you’ll need a fully-functioning operating system like a PC to store your website files. This will work as a virtual server, which is equivalent to a web host’s server that you’d use for a live site.

You’ll also need to download software like XAMPP. There are plenty of tools that enable you to create a local environment. WAMP, MAMP, LAMP, and Vagrant are other popular options. 

XAMPP tends to be an excellent choice for WordPress, since it’s free and open-source. Plus, it works on a variety of systems including Windows, OS X, and Linux.

Once you’ve downloaded the XAMPP software, you can install it along with WordPress. You’ll also need to make sure to select three modules from the control panel. These are Apache, MySQL, and PHP.

How to install WordPress on localhost

Now that you know a bit more about localhost, let’s take a look at how to install WordPress on Localhost using XAMPP. 

Step 1: Download XAMPP 

The first step is to download the XAMPP software from Apache Friends. You can access XAMPP for Windows, Linux, or OS X.

Choose the version that matches your operating system. The download will start automatically and may take a few minutes.

Once downloaded, run the file to launch the XAMPP importer. If you have an antivirus program installed, you might see a warning, but you can proceed with the installation.

You might also get a warning about User Account Control (UAC). In most cases, you should just continue through that prompt and any others that come up. 

Then, you should see the installer screen. Here, click on Next.

Now choose which components you want to install. It’s important to note that you don’t need all the components for WordPress. Instead, you’ll need the required ones plus MySQL and phpMyAdmin.

You can install additional components. For instance, you might want email-related features if you plan to send or debug transactional emails. So, go ahead and uncheck everything you don’t need. Then, hit Next.

Now, choose which folder to install XAMPP into and select your preferred language.

You’ll be notified that you can opt to install Bitnami for XAMPP. This is not needed for WordPress, but it can make the process slightly simpler. 

If you continue without Bitnami, click on Next to run the installation.

When this is complete, you can launch the control panel and start working with XAMPP.

Step 2: Run the modules

To install XAMPP and WordPress, you’ll need three specific modules:

• Apache (the web server that XAMPP relies on)
• MySQL (the database that WordPress uses)
• PHP (the programming language that WordPress is built on)

You can start these modules from the XAMPP control panel. The status of each one should turn green once it’s launched.

Then, test to see that the local server is working properly by going to http://localhost in a web browser.

If it was successful, you’ll now have a functioning XAMPP server on your operating system.

Step 3: Add the WordPress files

Now that you’ve downloaded XAMPP and run the modules, it’s time to install WordPress. To do this, navigate to the official WordPress website and download the latest version of the software by clicking on Get WordPress.

You’ll see that there’s an option to get set up with a hosting provider. This only concerns users who want to create a live WordPress site. 

Since you want to install WordPress on localhost, click on Download WordPress 6.2.

At this point, WordPress will download to your computer. 

Now, on your computer, head to the folder where you installed XAMPP. This might be named something like C://xampp. 

Open the folder and locate the htdocs subfolder:

In htdocs, create a new folder for your site. The name of this folder will become the sub-name used to access your site. You might name the folder “testsite” if you’re using WordPress localhost as a staging site. 

Then, you would access your site by going to http://localhost/testsite. When you’ve created the folder, extract the WordPress zip file that you downloaded at the start of this step.

Step 4: Create your database 

At this point, you’ve downloaded XAMPP, run the modules, and downloaded WordPress. Now, it’s time to create a MySQL database for your WordPress installation. 

First, you’ll need to launch phpMyAdmin from your XAMPP control panel. To do this, click on the Admin button for MySQL.

Inside phpMyAdmin, select the Databases tab.

Then, enter a name for your database and select Create.

That’s it! You can now move on to the last step.

Step 5: Complete the WordPress installation

The final step only requires a few tasks to complete the WordPress installation. First, visit your local website, where you should see the normal WordPress installer. You can find your website by typing http://localhost/url into the address bar. 

Everything is the same as it would be for any other WordPress site except for the database details. Instead, you’ll need to enter the database details like this:

• Database name: name of the database you created in phpMyAdmin (you set this up in Step 4 of this guide)
• Username: “root”
• Password: leave blank

Complete the rest of the process. Now, you should see a fresh WordPress install running on your localhost.

How to move WordPress from localhost to a live server

To move WordPress from localhost to a live server, you can use a WordPress migration plugin like Duplicator. This will export your files from the local installation. Then, you’ll need to create a database on your live server and copy over your files using an SFTP client like FileZilla. 

How to transfer WordPress localhost to another computer

You can transfer WordPress localhost to another computer by exporting your website and database to another system. There are plenty of plugins to help you do this, like All-in-One WP Migration.

You can also use the built-in WordPress import and export tools. You can find these in your WordPress dashboard by going to Tools → Export.

If you’re an experienced WordPress user, you can also transfer WordPress localhost to another computer using phpMyAdmin. This process requires you to export your old database and create a new one on the new PC.

How to uninstall WordPress on localhost

Once you’ve completed your tests, updates, or experiments in the local environment, you might want to uninstall XAMPP. To do this on Windows, open the Control Panel and navigate to Programs and Features. Then, locate the XAMPP app and right-click on it to delete it.

Now, navigate to the C:/xampp folder (or whichever folder you used for XAMPP) and delete any remaining files and folders on your computer. 

Common WordPress localhost issues and how to resolve them

So far, we’ve tried to provide as much detail as possible to help you install and configure WordPress on localhost. But there are some WordPress localhost issues that you might encounter. 

So, in this section, we’ll discuss some of the most common issues and show you how to fix them.

1. Installation failed: Could not create directory

The first WordPress localhost issue that you may encounter is when the installation fails. There are three situations when you might see this error:

• You install a theme or plugin in the WordPress dashboard.
• You update a plugin or theme.
• You upload files directly to the wp-content folder.

Typically, the “installation failed” error occurs on new WordPress sites. You might be seeing the message because the permission settings are incorrect. Or, you might not have enough free space on your system. 

Therefore, you can clear the error by checking your file permissions. In your WordPress dashboard, go to Tools → Site Health. Then, click on the Info tab and scroll down to Filesystem permissions.

Ideally, all the files will be listed as “Writable.”

If they say “Not Writable,” your permissions aren’t configured correctly. 

Fortunately, you can change the permissions by accessing your site files. To do this, you can connect to your site via FTP. Then, go to public_html and locate the following folders: 

• wp_content 
• wp_includes 
• wp_admin

Right-click on each of the folders (one at a time) and choose File Permissions.

Check that the options are set to the following values:

• Owner permissions: Read, Write, Execute
• Group permissions: Read, Execute
• Public permissions: Read, Execute
• Numeric value: 755
• Recurse into subdirectories
• Apply to directories only

Click on OK and return to your site to see if the error has cleared.

2. Login not working

Another common WordPress localhost issue is that the login procedure doesn’t work. In this case, you’ll need to navigate to phpMyAdmin to resolve it. 

First, it’s important to make a backup of your website since this might require you to edit important site files. Therefore, if you make a mistake, you won’t need to worry about losing your work.

The easiest way to create a backup of your site is to use a reliable plugin like Jetpack VaultPress Backup.

VaultPress Backup makes real-time backups that are stored securely in the cloud. The tool will store your backups for 30 days, and you can restore your site to a previous version in just one click. 

Not only does VaultPress backup save your website, but it also secures all your database tables. Plus, the plugin also saves a copy of all WooCommerce customer and order data. 

Once you’ve installed and activated your backup plugin, open phpMyAdmin and find the config.inc.php file. Here, you can check your login details. Then, return to the login screen and enter the values. 

3. This site can’t be reached

If you see an error message that reads “This site can’t be reached,” it means there’s something stopping the browser from accessing the website. For example, you might be lacking an internet connection, or you might be facing DNS (Domain Name System) issues.

First, you’ll need to temporarily disable any antivirus software, firewall, or proxy service, since this can interrupt the connection. Then, you can check your internet connection and clear your browser cache. 

In Google Chrome, click on the three dots in the top-right corner. Then, choose More Tools → Clear Browsing Data.

If this doesn’t work, it can be useful to flush your DNS settings. To do this, check out Error 6: error_err_connection_refused further down. 

Alternatively, you might simply need to change your DNS provider. Google Public DNS tends to be a safe solution.

The method for doing this varies depending on which operating system you use. For Mac users, you can change your DNS provider by going to System Preferences.

Then, click on Network → Advanced.

Open the DNS tab and click on +.

Now, type in the numbers for the public server you want to use. Click on OK → Apply to change the settings.

4. Error establishing a database connection

When you install and configure WordPress on localhost, you can often run into database connection issues. This usually indicates that there’s incorrect database information in your WordPress settings or an unresponsive database server.

To resolve this error, you can check your database credentials. These are stored in your wp-config.php file, so you can access the file through SFTP. 

Once you’ve opened the file, make sure that the following credentials are correct:

• Database name
• Username
• Password
• Database host 

You can also check your database credentials using phpMyAdmin. Once you’ve opened phpMyAdmin, click on wp_users.

Then, find the user listing and click on the Edit link. Here, you can see the user ID, password, and more for each user on the site. 

If these values aren’t correct, you can change them here. Simply delete the existing values and enter new ones. Then, click on Go to apply your changes.

You can also reboot your server. To do this, all you need to do is start and stop the server from your XAMPP control panel. 

5. Error err_ssl_protocol_error

The err_ssl_protocol_error can present itself in a number of different ways. For instance, you might be told that your site can’t provide a secure connection or that localhost sent an invalid response.

Sometimes this issue can be easily resolved by clearing your browser cache. To do this in Google Chrome, see Error 3: This site can’t be reached. 

You can also try using your site’s DNS entry instead of the URL. So, in this case, you’d type something like: http://127.0.0.1:8080 into your browser instead of http://localhost:8080. 

6. Error err_connection_refused

The err_connection_refused error is another common localhost issue. It’s likely due to a misconfigured port. It might also indicate incorrect permissions or alert you to the fact that the Apache web server is not running properly.

If it’s an issue with WordPress permissions, see Error 1: Installation failed. If you want to change the port number, go to Error 13: XAMPP Apache shutdown unexpectedly. You can also disable your firewall or antivirus program since this might be blocking the connection.

The next solution is to flush your DNS, since this can fail if it’s storing too many records. To do this, open the command prompt by typing “cmd” in the search bar next to the start menu. 

Now, enter the following command: ipconfig/flushdns

You can also make sure that Apache is definitely running. Go to the XAMPP control panel. If it says Start then the server must have stopped running and was likely the cause of the err_connection_refused error.

7. 404 page not found error

If you see the 404 page not found error when you try to install and configure WordPress on localhost, it means that the requested page can’t be found on the web server. Typically, this indicates that another program is on the port (port 80).

Fortunately, you can clear the error by changing the port number. To do this, see Error 13: XAMPP Apache shutdown unexpectedly. 

If you’ve already tried this solution, and you’re still seeing the 404 page not found error, the problem may be that you’re not adding the port number to every URL that you type in the browser. For example, you might need to enter: http://localhost:8080 instead of just http://localhost.

8. WordPress localhost asking for FTP credentials

Another common issue with WordPress localhost is that your site might start asking for your FTP credentials. Typically, this occurs when you try to run an update or install a new theme or plugin.

It’s generally the result of WordPress having insufficient permissions. Therefore, you can try changing the permissions. To do this, see Error 1: Installation failed. 

You can also try to force WordPress to use the direct PHP method for updates (rather than using FTP). You can do this through your wp-config.php file, using SFTP. 

Once you’ve opened the wp-config.php file, add the following line of code: 

define(‘FS_METHOD’,’direct’);

Make sure to save your changes. Then, head back to WordPress to see if the error has cleared. 

9. Images not showing

Whether you’re using WordPress on localhost or a live WordPress site, you might encounter an error that prevents images from showing. This means that the path toward the images is broken. 

The first step is to check that your WordPress Address (URL) and Site Address (URL) match. All you need to do is go to your WordPress dashboard and click on Settings → General.

Then, check to see whether the name of the folder where your images are stored is added to the URL. This folder might be named uploads or images.

Now, navigate to Settings → Permalinks.

Here, you can select Post name for the permalink structure. Then, save the changes and see whether your images are now showing. 

10. WordPress localhost is very slow

Your WordPress localhost website may be slow if you have too many plugins or poor code on your site. Therefore, it’s a good idea to make sure you only have the resources you need. 

Slow websites and poor code can leave your website more susceptible to security threats. The best way to stay ahead of these issues is to use a plugin like Jetpack Protect. 

Once installed, you’ll get access to automated security and malware scans to keep your website safe. Better yet, the plugin can pick up vulnerabilities in the core software and any plugins and themes on your site. 

If you want even more protection, check out the Security bundle available with Jetpack. It comes with all the benefits of Jetpack Protect, plus real-time backups and additional features. 

If WordPress localhost is running very slow, you can also try using the raw IP address for localhost. This can be effective as some systems (like Windows) don’t directly support the type of connection that MySQL uses when localhost is specified.

To get started, you’ll need to access your wp-config.php file. Here, make sure DB_HOST is not set to localhost. 

Instead, change it to define(‘DB_HOST’,’127.0.0.1’);

Then, save the changes and return to your site to see if the problem has been resolved. 

11. XAMPP maximum PHP execution time exceeded

The “XAMPP maximum PHP execution time exceeded” error is quite easy to fix. You’ll just need to edit a line of code in one of the XAMPP configuration files.

Open the XAMPP control panel and click on the Config button next to Apache. In the dropdown list, choose the option for PHP (php.ini).

This will open the php.ini file where you can search for the following line: 

Max_execution_time

The value should be set to 120. To clear the error, you can increase the value.You might try doubling it to 240. 

12. XAMPP maximum file size exceeded

Another common XAMPP localhost issue is the “XAMPP maximum file size exceeded” error. You might see this error when you try to upload a file to the local WordPress site that you created with XAMPP. 

Again, you’ll need to find the php.ini file within your XAMPP configuration file. But this time, search for the following line: upload_max_filesize 

Typically, this is set to 40M. To resolve the error, you can try increasing this value. It’s also important to note that when you edit the php.ini file, you’ll also want to make the same change to the post_max_size number.

13. XAMPP Apache shutdown unexpectedly

When you see the “XAMPP Apache shutdown unexpectedly” error, the likelihood is that something has gone wrong with Apache, causing it to crash. Apache is the web server that XAMPP relies on, so this error will mean that your local site will also stop working.

This error suggests that another program might be using the same port as XAMPP. Since ports only support one program at a time, Apache will stop working. 

Skype is one program that uses the same default port as XAMPP. The good news is that the error is easy to fix as long as you have access to your XAMPP dashboard. 

First, you’ll need to launch XAMPP. Then, go to Apache → Config. Here, choose the option Apache (httpd:conf).

The default port for XAMPP is 80 (this is used for most HTTP programs), so you can redirect Apache to port 8080. In the Apache file, press Ctrl + F and enter “80” to search for every instance of 80.

Then, change the following values:

• Port 80 to Port 8080
• Listen 80 to Listen 8080
• Change servername localhost: 80 to servername localhost: 8080

Now, go back to your XAMPP control panel and revisit Apache → Config. This time, select the file Apache (httpd-ssl.conf). 

Open the file and press Ctrl + F to search for 443. Port 443 is typically used for secure web transactions, but Apache also needs it. 

In this file, you need to change two instances of 443:

• Listen 443 to Listen 4433
• <VirtuaHost_default_:443> to <VirtualHost_default_:4433>

Then, restart Apache by clicking on the Stop and Start buttons in XAMPP.

14. XAMPP 403 access forbidden error

The final WordPress localhost issue to discuss is the XAMPP 403 access forbidden error. Typically, this occurs when you try to access your database using phpMyAdmin. 

One of the most common causes of the 403 forbidden error is a misconfiguration in one of the XAMPP configuration files. So, to resolve the issue, you’ll need to open your XAMPP control panel. Then, click on Apache → Config.

From the dropdown list, select httpd-xampp.config file.

Once you’ve opened the file, look out for the following line of code that starts with: Alias/phpmyadmin

Within that code block, you should see a line that reads: Require local

Now, change that line to say: Require all granted

At this point, the 403 access forbidden error should clear, giving you access to phpMyAdmin.

Frequently asked questions about configuring WordPress on localhost

Although we’ve tried to cover the basics of how to install and configure WordPress on localhost, you might still have some questions. Let’s take a look at the most common ones. 

Is localhost a web server?

Localhost is the hostname or computer that runs the program. In this instance, the computer becomes the virtual server for your application. This virtual server is offline and stores your site data the same way that a web host’s server would if you were running a live website. 

Can someone access your localhost?

You can share your web server with someone else, but they’d need to have your IP address or your hostname. You can find this information on Windows with ipconfig/all on a command line.

WordPress localhost vs live server: what are the main differences?

Localhost is a virtual server that can be stored on your computer. Plus, it’s kept offline, so it isn’t accessible to the public. 

On the other hand, a live server generally requires a web host that stores your website’s data. Meanwhile, you’ll need to purchase a domain name. This way, anyone on the internet can find your site by typing the URL into the browser. 

What are the benefits of using localhost for WordPress development?

There are many benefits to using localhost for WordPress development. Since the website is kept offline, it creates a private space for you to test out functionality or experiment with new features. 

What’s more, any changes that you make in localhost will leave your live website completely unaffected. Therefore, you can experiment freely without worrying about things going wrong. Then, once you’ve verified that updates or plugins are working (and safe), you can easily push them to your live website. 

This enables you to preserve your UX. So, while you get creative in your local environment, people can still visit and interact with your live website.

How do you access WordPress on localhost?

To access WordPress on localhost, you’ll need to have a local server like XAMPP set up on your computer. Then, you can install the WordPress files. For full details, check out the tutorial above. 

Once you’ve successfully installed and configured WordPress on localhost, open a web browser and enter this address: http://localhost/filename.

In this case, “filename” refers to the directory of your local server where you installed WordPress. Here, you should see the WordPress login page where you can enter your username and password to access your site.

How do you log into WordPress on localhost?

You can log into WordPress on localhost in the same way that you’d log into a live WordPress website. All you need to do is enter the correct URL into the browser. 

Usually, it looks something like this: http://localhost/yoursitename. Then, add the login page suffix like /admin or wp-login.php at the end of the address. 

How do you reset a localhost WordPress password?

You can’t reset your localhost WordPress password by email (unless you’ve enabled the mail function on your server). This is because the mail function is turned off by default on local servers.

Therefore, to reset your password, you’ll need to open phpMyAdmin by typing the following URL: http://localhost/phpmyadmin. Then, you’ll need to provide your MySQL password and username. Generally, the username is “root” and no password. 

Then, select your WordPress database and find the wp-users table. Here, click on the Edit link next to the username of the administrator.

This opens a form where you can edit the information for that user.

Scroll down to user_pass and type a new password in the value column. Then, select MD5 in the Function column and click on Go to save your changes.

Can you send an email from WordPress on localhost?

By default, the mail function is disabled in localhost, so you can’t send an email from WordPress. But you can enable emails by installing a plugin like WP Mail SMTP.

In this instance, the plugin will take over the default email delivery function and route emails through an SMTP provider. You’ll need to choose an SMTP provider like Sendinblue, which works particularly well for WordPress websites. Then, you can follow the installation wizard in the WP Mail SMTP to set this up successfully.  

Can you access WordPress localhost from another computer?

Yes, you can access WordPress localhost from another computer, but you’ll need the local IP address and the port number. So, instead of simply entering the website’s address, it will look something like this: http://192.168.0.4:80/wordpress.&nbsp;

Is XAMPP safe?

Yes. XAMPP is open-source, free, and safe to use as a local server for your WordPress website. 

Does XAMPP install PHP?

XAMPP is one of the most popular PHP development environments. It’s an Apache distribution containing PHP, Pearl, and MariaDB so yes, it does install PHP. But you’ll still need to install WordPress separately to set up WordPress on localhost. 

Can you run multiple local WordPress sites under XAMPP?

Multisite is a network of more than one website that operates off the same WordPress installation. Even if you run your website on a local computer under XAMPP, you can install WordPress Multisite. 

You’ll need to have a standard WordPress installation running first. Then, you can add more sites under a subdomain or a subdirectory. 

Localhost: A powerful tool for WordPress developers

WordPress on localhost is a great tool for designers and developers since it enables you to create a safe, private environment to test out new features and functionality. Better yet, the live website will still be available for visitors and remains completely unaffected by the changes you make in the local environment. 

What’s more, it’s simple to install and configure WordPress on localhost when you use software like XAMPP. Once you’ve installed XAMPP, you can run the necessary modules and then download the latest version of WordPress. Then, you’re ready to add the WordPress files and create your database. 

For most developers, it’s also important to find a reliable backup plugin like Jetpack VaultPress Backup so that it’s easy to restore your website in case anything goes wrong. Plus, you can use Jetpack Protect to access a powerful security and malware scanner.

Another useful tool is the Jetpack Agency Program.

This is an all-in-one platform that enables you to manage site security, plugins, and licenses. Additionally, you can get your very own Jetpack partner manager to help you grow your business. Meanwhile, you can access your websites from any location using the user-friendly mobile app. 

Get started with localhost for WordPress 

WordPress on localhost is an ideal solution for designers and developers to experiment with new software. It’s also handy for new website owners who want to build their websites offline. While it’s slightly more complex, you can install and configure WordPress on localhost fairly easily.

To recap, here are five steps to install and configure WordPress on localhost:

1. Download XAMPP.
2. Run the modules.
3. Add the WordPress files.
4. Create your database.
5. Complete the WordPress installation.

Jetpack for Agencies is another useful development tool. You can monitor every action on your site with an activity log, access your websites from the mobile app, and get your own Jetpack partner manager. Get started today!