Local: The Easiest Way to Set Up a Local WordPress Site
What Is Local?
When building a WordPress site, testing changes directly on a live website can be risky. That’s where Local comes in—a free local development tool that lets you create and manage WordPress sites on your own computer.
With Local, you don’t need a hosting plan to set up WordPress. It’s designed for developers, designers, and even beginners who want to test themes, plugins, or custom code before making their site public.
Key Benefits of Local:
✅ Easy setup – No manual database or server configuration
✅ Fast & lightweight – Runs smoothly on Windows, Mac, and Linux
✅ Works offline – No internet connection required
✅ Free to use – No hidden costs
Why Use a Local Development Environment?
Developing a WordPress site locally has multiple advantages over working on a live website:
Test Without Risk
A local setup allows you to experiment freely—try out new themes, plugins, or settings without affecting your actual website.
No Need for Hosting
Since everything runs on your own machine, you don’t have to pay for hosting until you’re ready to launch.
Speed Up Your Workflow
Unlike working with an online server, local development reduces delays caused by internet speed or server response time.
Work Anytime, Anywhere
Local development works even when you’re offline, making it perfect for working on the go.
How to Install & Set Up Local (Step-by-step guide with screenshots)
Setting up Local is incredibly easy. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get started.
Step 1: Download & Install Local
- Visit Local website and download the installer for your operating system.
- affiliate link: Local
- non-affiliate link: https://localwp.com/
- Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions.
Step 2: Create a New WordPress Site
- Open Local and click “Create a New Site”.
- Choose a site name (e.g., “MyTestSite”).
- Select “Preferred” for the default environment settings or “Custom” to choose specific PHP, MySQL, and web server versions.
- Click “Continue” and enter your WordPress admin username & password.
- Wait a few seconds—your local WordPress site is now ready!
Step 3: Access Your Site & Admin Panel
- Click “Open Site” to see your site in the browser.
- Click “WP Admin” to access the WordPress dashboard.
Useful Features of Local
1. One-Click WordPress Installation
No need to set up databases, configure servers, or install WordPress manually—Local does it all for you.
2. Live Links (Share Your Local Site)
Want to show your local site to a client or friend? Live Links generate a temporary URL so others can preview your site without needing to install Local.
3. Built-in SSL Support
Test your site with HTTPS without needing an actual SSL certificate.
4. Easy Site Backups & Cloning
Local lets you quickly create backups and duplicate sites for testing.
5. Integration With & WP Engine
If you host your site with Local or WP Engine, you can push your local site to a live server with one click.
Alternatives to Local (Optional section)
While Local is one of the best local WordPress tools, there are other options:
🔹 XAMPP – A general-purpose local server for WordPress and other PHP applications.
🔹 MAMP – A simple local server mainly for macOS users.
🔹 DevKinsta – A WordPress-specific tool from Kinsta.
🔹 WordPress Studio – A WordPress-specific tool from WordPress.
Each tool has its pros and cons, but Local stands out because of its ease of use and beginner-friendly setup.
Conclusion: Is Local the Right Choice for You?
If you want a fast, easy, and free way to create a local WordPress environment, Local is an excellent choice. Whether you’re testing themes, developing plugins, or just learning WordPress, it simplifies the process and saves you time.
✅ Use Local if: You want a simple, no-hassle way to develop WordPress sites locally.
❌ Consider alternatives if: You need a local server for non-WordPress projects.