This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Pawinphat Charoenrat
When people first start building a website, they often run into the same wall: Where do I even begin? Writing code from scratch feels intimidating, but relying on a website builder can feel limiting. Many end up stuck in between—the desire to create something online versus the technical hurdles that seem to block the way.
This is where WordPress changes the game. It began as a simple blogging platform, but over time it has grown into one of the most powerful and flexible website-building tools in the world. Today, more than 40% of all websites on the internet are powered by WordPress.
But what if you want to experiment with WordPress without spending money on real hosting or risking mistakes on a live site? That’s where LocalWP comes in. It lets you set up WordPress locally on your own computer—safe, fast, and surprisingly fun.
Install LocalWP
1. Download LocalWP from Localwp
2. Install it on your computer
3. After Installing
4. LocalWP Dashboard
Basic Setup of LocalWP
1. Go to your Profile
2. Select Preferences
3. Configure the settings as desired in Appearance and Behavior
4. Select “Log in to Local”
5. After selecting “Log in to Local,” the application will open your browser. If this is your first time, choose “Create an Account.” If you already have an account, you can simply log in.
6. Fill in all the required information and click “Create Your Account.”
Creating a New Site
1. Click “Create a New Site” or press the plus (+) button
2. Insert your site’s name and click Continue
3. Select your preferred environment and click Continue
4. Set up WordPress and click “Add Site.” It’s recommended to open the Advanced Options and choose your preferred language as well.
5. The system is installing
6. Once the site has been created, this window will appear
Deleting a Site
Right-click on the site name, scroll down, and click Delete.
A confirmation dialog will appear
Launch LocalWP & Start Building with WordPress
1. Open the app named Local
2. The LocalWP app has the following overview:
2.1 Number 1: The site name you want to develop with WordPress
2.2 Number 2: Access the WordPress Admin panel via your browser
2.3 Number 3: Open the site in your browser
2.4 Number 4: Start the site
2.5 Number 5: Site host
3. Once the site is started, you can notice that it’s running as shown in the image.
4. Try opening WordPress by clicking on Number 3 or by typing the URL from Number 5 into your browser’s address bar.
And that’s a wrap on getting started with LocalWP! You now have a safe, local playground to experiment with WordPress without worrying about breaking anything online.
In Part 2, we’ll dive into WordPress itself—exploring themes, plugins, and tips to help you build your very first fully functional website. Stay tuned, because this is where the fun really begins!
This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Pawinphat Charoenrat