You don't install WordPress by hand on HostBarrel: click Sites, then Add Site, and WordPress, its database and a free subdomain are set up automatically, usually in under a minute.

Before You Begin

Make sure you have an active hosting plan. If you haven't ordered one yet, see our WordPress hosting plans and How to Order a Hosting Plan.

Step 1: Create a New Site

Log in to your HostBarrel dashboard and click Sites in the sidebar. Click the Add Site button to start the process.

Sites page with the Add site button highlighted in the top-right corner

Step 2: Configure Your Site

Fill in the following details:

  • Site Name: A display name for your reference (e.g., "My Blog")
  • Server Location: Choose the region closest to your visitors for the best performance
Add Site form with the site name field and server location dropdown highlighted

Step 3: Automatic Setup

Click Create and HostBarrel will automatically provision your site. This includes installing WordPress, setting up a database, configuring nginx, and assigning a free *.hostbarrel.cloud subdomain. The whole process usually takes under a minute.

Step 4: Access WordPress

Once ready, click on your site to view its details. You'll find your WordPress admin URL there - typically yoursite.hostbarrel.cloud/wp-admin. The quickest way in is the one-click Log in to WordPress button on the site's Info tab, which skips the password entirely.

Site Info tab showing the WordPress admin URL, one-click login button, and SFTP/database credentials

Next Steps

After installation, start customizing your site with themes and plugins. Check out Essential WordPress Plugins for Your New Site and Speed Up Your WordPress Site.