How to Host a Website Using XAMPP on Your Local PC

You can build and test your website on your own computer without paying for hosting. 

This is useful when you want to practice, learn, or fix your site before going live. 

Many beginners struggle because the web hosting xampp setup looks hard or they see strange error messages. 

Do not worry. This guide shows every step in clear and simple English.

We will use XAMPP. It is a free tool that turns your computer into a small server. 

You can use it to test WordPress, practice PHP, or build any website. It works without the internet once installed.

Here is what you will learn:

• Why XAMPP is good for local testing
  
• What you need before installing
  
• How to download and install XAMPP
  
• How to start and configure services
  
• How to create a database
  
• How to host your files
  
• How to test your site
  
• How to fix common issues
  
• How to move your site to online hosting
  

Let us begin.

I. What Is XAMPP

XAMPP is a free package that includes Apache, MySQL, PHP, and phpMyAdmin. 

These tools help you build and run websites. Apache shows your pages, MySQL stores your data, and PHP handles your code. 

You can install XAMPP on Windows, macOS, or Linux.

With XAMPP you can:

• Build websites without internet
  
• Test themes and plugins safely
  
• Learn web development at no cost
  
• Make changes quickly because pages load faster on your computer
  

Why Use XAMPP for Local Development

1. Fast speed: Pages load very fast because everything runs on your computer.
   
2. Save money: You do not need to pay for hosting while learning or testing.
   
3. Safe testing: You can test risky plugins or updates without damaging your live site.

Keep in mind XAMPP is for local work. It is not safe for public use. When ready to go online, use real hosting.

II. Prerequisites For Web Hosting XAMPP

Before you install XAMPP, your computer must meet a few basic needs. 

This helps XAMPP run smoothly and prevents errors during setup. 

Here is everything you should check first.

1) Check Your Operating System

XAMPP works on three main systems:

• Windows: Works best with Windows 10 or Windows 11.
  
• macOS: Use macOS Ventura or a newer version.
  
• Linux: Use Ubuntu 22 or newer.
  

Older systems may still run XAMPP but can be slow or cause errors. If possible, update your system first.

2) Check Your Computer Hardware

You do not need a powerful computer, but these minimum levels help XAMPP run without freezing:

• RAM: At least 4GB. If you have 8GB or more, XAMPP will run smoother.
  
• Storage space: At least 2GB free for XAMPP and your website files.
  
• Processor: Any modern dual-core processor works.
  

If your computer is slow, close other apps while running XAMPP.

3) Make Sure You Have Internet for the Download

You only need internet to download the installer. The file is about 150–160 MB, which takes a few minutes on a normal home connection.

After installing XAMPP, you can work offline.

4) Choose a Good Browser for Testing

Use a modern browser because it loads local sites correctly:

• Google Chrome
  
• Mozilla Firefox
  

These browsers also work well with phpMyAdmin and WordPress installers.

5) Check for Software That May Block XAMPP

Some programs can stop Apache or MySQL from starting. Check these before installing:

Antivirus Software
Antivirus tools sometimes block XAMPP files by mistake.
Pause your antivirus during installation, then turn it back on later.

Apps Using Port 80 or 443
Apache uses port 80 and 443. Some apps use these ports too, such as:

• Skype
  
• Zoom
  
• IIS (Internet Information Services)
  
• Some VMware tools
  

Close them before installation to avoid errors.

6) Windows Users: Turn Off User Account Control (UAC) Temporarily

On Windows, UAC can block parts of XAMPP during installation.
To avoid this:

1. Open the Start Menu.
   
2. Search for “User Account Control”.
   
3. Open the settings.
   
4. Move the slider to the lowest level.
   
5. Turn it back on after installing XAMPP.
   

7) Make Sure Your Firewall Will Not Block Apache

Windows Defender may block Apache the first time it tries to run.

You will see a pop-up asking if you want to allow Apache.
Click Allow for private networks (for home or office Wi-Fi).

8) Quick Summary Table

Item	Why You Need It	Tip
OS	XAMPP requires a modern system	Windows 10 or 11 works well
RAM & Storage	Smooth performance	Close other apps
Browser	For testing your site	Use Chrome
Internet	To download installer	Turn off other downloads
Ports	Required for Apache	Free port 80 and 443
Antivirus	May block files	Pause during install

III. Downloading and Installing XAMPP

Follow these steps to install XAMPP correctly.

Step 1: Download XAMPP

Go to the official website apachefriends.org. Download the version for your system. 

Most users should choose the Windows installer with PHP 8.2 because it supports modern themes and plugins.

Step 2: Install XAMPP

1. Open the downloaded file.
   
2. Click Next on the setup screens.
   
3. Choose Apache, MySQL, PHP, and phpMyAdmin.
   
4. Use the default installation folder (C:\xampp).
   
5. Wait for the installation to finish.
   

Step 3: Complete the Setup

XAMPP may ask for firewall permissions. Allow Apache on private networks so it can run. 

After installation, open the XAMPP Control Panel. If Apache and MySQL show green, you are ready to continue.

Typical installation times:

OS	File Type	Time Needed
Windows	exe	5 to 7 minutes
macOS	dmg	4 to 6 minutes
Linux	run	6 to 8 minutes

IV. Starting and Configuring XAMPP Services

XAMPP uses modules to run your local server. The main ones are Apache and MySQL.

Step 1: Open Control Panel

Open XAMPP Control Panel from your desktop or start menu.

Step 2: Start Apache and MySQL

Click Start next to Apache. Then click Start next to MySQL. When they turn green, they are running.

If you see errors, do not panic. It is usually a port issue.

Step 3: Fix Port Problems

If Apache fails to start, another program may be using port 80. Try the following:

1. Close Skype, Zoom, or any program using ports.
   
2. Change the Apache port from 80 to 8080 in the httpd.conf file.
   
3. Restart Apache.
   

To test, open your browser and visit:

• http://localhost
  or
  
• http://localhost:8080 (if you changed the port)
  

Step 4: Set Simple Settings

• Turn on SSL if needed.
  
• Allow MySQL to start with your computer.
  
• Set a MySQL root password such as xampp2025.
  

V. Setting Up a Database

Most dynamic sites like WordPress or online shops need a database.

Step 1: Open phpMyAdmin

Visit http://localhost/phpmyadmin. This is where you create and manage your databases.

Step 2: Create a Database

1. Click Databases.
   
2. Enter a name such as mysite or wp_local.
   
3. Choose utf8mb4_unicode_ci.
   
4. Click Create.
   

This format supports many languages, including Swahili, Kikuyu, and Somali.

Database Use Cases

Type	Use	Example
MySQL	WordPress	Blog or store
MariaDB	E-commerce	Inventory data
None	Static sites	Portfolio

VI. Hosting Your Website Files

Your website files go inside the htdocs folder.

Step 1: Open htdocs

In the Control Panel, click Explorer and open the htdocs folder. This is the root folder for your websites.

Step 2: Add Your Website

Create a new folder. For example, name it myshop. Add your HTML, CSS, JS, or PHP files inside this folder.

WordPress Setup Steps

1. Download the latest WordPress ZIP file.
   
2. Extract it inside htdocs/myshop.
   
3. Copy wp-config-sample.php and rename it to wp-config.php.
   
4. Add your database name, username, and password.
   

Example settings:

define(‘DB_NAME’, ‘myshop’);

define(‘DB_USER’, ‘root’);

define(‘DB_PASSWORD’, ”);

define(‘DB_HOST’, ‘localhost’);

$table_prefix = ‘wp_’;

Step 3: View Your Site

Visit:
http://localhost/myshop

If you changed your Apache port, visit:
http://localhost:8080/myshop

WordPress will ask you to complete the setup. Follow the steps and create an admin account.

VII. Testing Your Local Website

Testing helps you confirm that everything works well.

Basic Test for PHP

Create a file named test.php inside your folder:

<?php echo “Hello from XAMPP”; ?>

Visit http://localhost/myshop/test.php. If you see the message, PHP works.

Testing WordPress

1. Login at /wp-admin
   
2. Create a test post
   
3. Upload an image
   
4. Install a plugin
   
5. Check if your site loads on your phone while connected to the same network
   

VIII. Troubleshooting Common Issues

Here are common problems and fixes.

Apache or MySQL Not Starting

Check port usage:

• Close programs using port 80
  
• Change Apache to port 8080
  
• Add Apache to Windows Defender allow list
  

403 Forbidden Error

Make sure your folder permissions allow access. Update httpd-xampp.conf if needed.

Upload File Too Large

Open php.ini and increase:

• upload_max_filesize
  
• max_execution_time
  

Restart Apache.

Website Crashes After Plugin Installation

Check WordPress logs in wp-content/debug.log. Remove the plugin folder inside wp-content/plugins if the site breaks.

IX. Best Practices and Going Live

Once your website works well on XAMPP, you can follow these best practices to keep everything clean, fast, and ready for real hosting.

Improve Performance

Good performance makes your local website load faster and helps you work without delays. Here are simple ways to do that:

1) Turn On Gzip Compression in Apache

Gzip compression makes your pages smaller. This helps them load faster in your browser.

To enable it:

1. Open the Apache “httpd.conf” file from the XAMPP Control Panel.
   
2. Search for the line that says “mod_deflate”.
   
3. Make sure it is not disabled.
   
4. Save the file, then restart Apache.
   

This is very helpful when testing large themes or images.

2) Keep Your Folders Organized

Create clear folders for each project in your htdocs directory.

This makes it easier to manage files and avoid mistakes.

For example:

• htdocs/myshop
  
• htdocs/blog
  
• htdocs/portfolio
  

Avoid mixing files from different websites.

3) Use Simple File Names

Use short and clean names so your site loads without issues.
Good examples:

• index.php
  
• about.html
  
• shop.css
  

Avoid names with spaces or symbols.

Moving Your Site Online

After testing on XAMPP, you can move your site to real hosting so people can see it online. 

This process is called migration. Here is a simple step-by-step path.

Steps to Move Your Site

Step	What to Do	Tool
1	Export your database	phpMyAdmin
2	Upload your website files	FTP or File Manager
3	Import the database to your hosting	Hosting phpMyAdmin
4	Update your wp-config settings	Edit database details
5	Update all URLs from localhost to your domain	Search and replace plugin

Why Use a Hosting Provider

Real hosting helps your website load faster for users. It also gives you a real domain name and full security. 

At Truehost we offer fast servers, easy setup, and local support, which makes the move from XAMPP much smoother.

Conclusion

You now know how to host a website using XAMPP on your local PC. 

You learned how to install XAMPP, set up Apache and MySQL, create a database, add your files, test your site, fix common issues, and move your site online.

XAMPP gives you a safe and free space to learn and improve before going live. 

When ready, choose a reliable hosting plan and publish your site for the world to see.