How to Install WordPress on Ubuntu 22.04 with HTTPS (SSL)

Setting up your own WordPress site on a fast, secure, and scalable Ubuntu server? This guide will walk you through the process of installing WordPress using the LAMP stack (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP) with HTTPS enabled via Let's Encrypt and Certbot.

Let’s dive in!

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Prerequisites
Step 1: Install Apache Web Server
Step 2: Install MySQL Database Server
Step 3: Install PHP and Extensions
Step 4: Download and Configure WordPress
Step 5: Configure Apache Virtual Host
Step 6: Configure WordPress
Step 7: Enable HTTPS Using Let’s Encrypt (Certbot)
Step 8: Finish WordPress Installation in Browser
Final Recommendations

Prerequisites

A server running Ubuntu 22.04
A registered domain name pointing to your server
A user with sudo privileges
Apache, MySQL, PHP installed (explained below)

Step 1: Install Apache Web Server

sudo apt update
sudo apt install apache2

Enable Apache and start the service:

sudo systemctl enable apache2
sudo systemctl start apache2

Step 2: Install MySQL Database Server

sudo apt install mysql-server
sudo mysql_secure_installation

Create a database and user for WordPress:

sudo mysql

CREATE DATABASE wordpress DEFAULT CHARACTER SET utf8mb4 COLLATE utf8mb4_unicode_ci;
CREATE USER 'wpuser'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'your_secure_password';
GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON wordpress.* TO 'wpuser'@'localhost';
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
EXIT;

Step 3: Install PHP and Extensions

sudo apt install php php-mysql libapache2-mod-php php-cli php-curl php-gd php-xml php-mbstring php-soap php-intl php-zip

Check version:

php -v

Restart Apache:

sudo systemctl restart apache2

Step 4: Download and Configure WordPress

cd /tmp
curl -O https://wordpress.org/latest.tar.gz
tar xzvf latest.tar.gz
sudo mkdir -p /var/www/wordpress
sudo cp -a /tmp/wordpress/. /var/www/wordpress

Set permissions:

sudo chown -R www-data:www-data /var/www/wordpress
sudo find /var/www/wordpress -type d -exec chmod 755 {} \;
sudo find /var/www/wordpress -type f -exec chmod 644 {} \;

Step 5: Configure Apache Virtual Host

Create config file:

sudo nano /etc/apache2/sites-available/wordpress.conf

Paste:

<VirtualHost *:80>
    ServerName yourdomain.com
    DocumentRoot /var/www/wordpress

    <Directory /var/www/wordpress>
        AllowOverride All
    </Directory>

    ErrorLog ${APACHE_LOG_DIR}/wordpress_error.log
    CustomLog ${APACHE_LOG_DIR}/wordpress_access.log combined
</VirtualHost>

Enable site and modules:

sudo a2ensite wordpress
sudo a2enmod rewrite
sudo systemctl reload apache2

Step 6: Configure WordPress

Create and edit config file:

cd /var/www/wordpress
cp wp-config-sample.php wp-config.php
nano wp-config.php

Update these lines:

define('DB_NAME', 'wordpress');
define('DB_USER', 'wpuser');
define('DB_PASSWORD', 'your_secure_password');
define('DB_HOST', 'localhost');

Add secret keys from: https://api.wordpress.org/secret-key/1.1/salt/

Step 7: Enable HTTPS Using Let’s Encrypt (Certbot)

Install Certbot and Apache plugin:

sudo apt install certbot python3-certbot-apache

Request and install SSL certificate:

sudo certbot --apache

Enter your email
Agree to terms
Select your domain
Choose to redirect HTTP to HTTPS (recommended)

Certbot will automatically update your Apache config and reload it.

To auto-renew certificates:

sudo systemctl status certbot.timer

To test renewal:

sudo certbot renew --dry-run

Step 8: Finish WordPress Installation in Browser

Visit:

https: //yourdomain.com

Follow the setup wizard:

Choose language
Site title
Admin username, password, and email

Click Install WordPress — done!

You now have a fully functional, secure WordPress site with HTTPS, hosted on Ubuntu 22.04! This setup is ideal for blogs, portfolios, and small business websites.

Final Recommendations

Use a caching plugin like LiteSpeed Cache or WP Super Cache
Regularly update WordPress, plugins, and Ubuntu packages
Enable automatic backups

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the best way to install WordPress on Ubuntu?

The best way to install WordPress on Ubuntu is by using the LAMP stack (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP). This setup provides full control, better performance, and flexibility for hosting WordPress on a VPS.

Is Ubuntu good for hosting WordPress?

Yes, Ubuntu is a popular Linux distribution for hosting WordPress websites. It is secure, lightweight, and has excellent community support, making it a reliable choice for web hosting.

How do I enable HTTPS on my WordPress site?

To enable HTTPS on your WordPress site hosted on Ubuntu, use Let's Encrypt with Certbot. It provides a free SSL certificate and automatically configures Apache to serve your site over HTTPS.

What is Certbot and why do I need it?

Certbot is a free, open-source tool from the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) that automates the process of obtaining and installing SSL/TLS certificates from Let’s Encrypt. It helps secure your WordPress site by enabling HTTPS.

Do I need a domain to install WordPress with HTTPS?

Yes, a valid domain name is required to generate a Let's Encrypt SSL certificate using Certbot. The domain should point to your server’s public IP address via DNS.

Can I install WordPress on Ubuntu without a control panel?

Absolutely. This guide shows you how to install WordPress on Ubuntu manually using the command line, without any control panel like cPanel or Plesk.

Is installing WordPress on Ubuntu secure?

Yes, if you follow best practices like creating a strong MySQL password, setting correct file permissions, enabling HTTPS, and keeping software updated, your installation will be secure.

How do I keep my WordPress site updated on Ubuntu?

You can update WordPress from the admin dashboard. For system-level updates (PHP, MySQL, Apache), use the command:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upg	rade