Introduction

Creating a website can feel overwhelming for beginners, especially when you’re not ready to buy a domain or hosting yet. Fortunately, you can build your WordPress website on localhost, that is, on your personal computer—without spending a single rupee. In this step-by-step guide, you’ll learn how to make your WordPress website on localhost using free tools, even if you have no prior experience.

Make your website on WordPress

What is “localhost” in WordPress?

Localhost refers to running a website on your own computer rather than on the internet. It’s like having your own private server for development and testing. Only you can see it—unless you decide to go live later.

This method is ideal for:

  • Learning WordPress
  • Testing themes and plugins
  • Developing sites without internet access
  • Building client sites before launching

Tools You’ll Need

To create a WordPress website locally, you need three main things:

  1. A local server environment (like XAMPP or LocalWP)
  2. The latest version of WordPress
  3. A web browser (like Chrome or Firefox)

Let’s walk through each step together.

Step-by-Step: How to Make Your WordPress Website on Localhost

Install XAMPP (or LocalWP)

XAMPP is free and open-source software that creates a local web server on your PC.

How to Install XAMPP:

  1. Visit https://www.apachefriends.org
  2. Download XAMPP for your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux)
  3. Open the installer and follow the setup instructions
  4. After installation, open the XAMPP Control Panel
  5. Start Apache and MySQL modules (they should turn green)

If you prefer an easier, beginner-friendly option, try LocalWP:
https://localwp.com

It’s designed especially for WordPress users and requires almost no setup.

Download WordPress

  1. Visit the official WordPress site: https://wordpress.org
  2. Click the Download WordPress button
  3. Extract the ZIP file after downloading
  4. Rename the extracted folder to your project name (e.g., mywebsite)

Move WordPress to XAMPP’s htdocs Folder

  1. Go to where XAMPP is installed on your PC (usually C:/xampp)
  2. Open the htdocs folder
  3. Copy and paste your mywebsite folder (from Step 2) into htdocs

Now your site files are placed inside your local server’s directory.

Create a MySQL Database

You need a database for your WordPress site to store posts, pages, and settings.

  1. Open your browser and go to:
    http://localhost/phpmyadmin
  2. Click on Databases tab at the top
  3. Enter a database name (e.g., mywebsite_db) and click Create

You don’t need to create tables—WordPress will handle that automatically.

Install WordPress Locally

  1. In your browser, go to:
    http://localhost/mywebsite
  2. You’ll see the WordPress installation screen. Choose your language and click Continue
  3. Click Let’s Go on the next screen
  4. Fill in your database details:
    • Database Name: mywebsite_db
    • Username: root
    • Password: (leave blank)
    • Database Host: localhost
    • Table Prefix: wp_ (or customize it)
  5. Click Submit, then Run the Installation
  6. Set your site title, username, password, and email address
  7. Click Install WordPress

Congratulations! You now have WordPress running on localhost.

How to Access Your Local WordPress Site

  • Admin Panel: http://localhost/mywebsite/wp-admin
  • Frontend View: http://localhost/mywebsite

Use the credentials you created to log in and start customizing your site.

Tips for Beginners

  1. Use themes and plugins safely: Since this is a local environment, feel free to test and experiment.
  2. Don’t forget backups: Even local sites can break—copy your WordPress folder and database regularly.
  3. No internet is needed: You can use your site offline.
  4. Ready to go live? You can migrate to your site using plugins like All-in-One WP Migration or Duplicator.

Why Build WordPress on Localhost?

  • Faster development: No internet lag.
  • No hosting fees: Perfect for learning or client previews.
  • Private: Your site isn’t exposed to the public.
  • Safe testing: Try new themes or plugins without risk.

Conclusion

Now you know how to make your WordPress website on localhost, step by step. It’s the safest and most cost-effective way to learn WordPress, test features, and build websites before going live. Whether you’re a beginner or an aspiring developer, creating a local WordPress site gives you complete control over your project—without any cost.

Ready to dive in? Start building your WordPress site on localhost today and take your first steps into the world of website creation!

 

Related Videos and Articles

Step-By-Step Tutorial on Making Websites using WordPress

Build your Website in Five easy steps

How to Make a WordPress Website in 2025 (Ultimate Guide)