Local by WP Engine makes local Wordpress Development easy.
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Getting Started With Local WordPress: A Powerful Free Software Environment

Are you a WordPress developer looking for an easier way to test, develop, or simply improve your WordPress skills? Then let’s dive into one of the easiest local WordPress Development tool out there: Local WP, formerly known as Local by Flywheel. The best part of this application? It’s 100% FREE. Even the addons developed for this application are free to use. If you are are looking for more documentation on the platform itself, check out Local’s documentation here. Ready to dive into Local WP?

Why would you use Local WordPress?

When choosing the right development environment is essential to ensure your website runs optimally. Local WP is a popular tool used by web developers and designers to create and manage local WordPress development environments. With its user-friendly design, comprehensive features, and excellent community support, Local WP has become one of the most popular tools for local WordPress development available today. Listed below are some of my favorite reasons why someone might choose to use Local WP:

Simplified Local WordPress Development:

Local WP makes it easy to set up a local WordPress environment on your computer. This can be useful for testing changes, debugging issues, and developing new features for a website without affecting the live site.

Faster Development Workflow:

With Local WP, you can quickly create and test new WordPress sites. You can also easily switch between different versions of PHP and MySQL to test compatibility with different plugins and themes. This can help speed up your development workflow, since you won’t have to rely on remote servers or wait for changes to be deployed to a live site.

Easy Deployment:

Once you’re done developing and testing your WordPress site locally, you can use Local WP to easily deploy it to a live server or hosting platform such as WP Engine or Flywheel. This can save time and reduce the risk of errors when deploying changes. I cover how to import your local site to other hosting providers in this post.

Advanced Features:

Local WP also offers a range of advanced features, such as SSL support, support for popular development tools like WP-CLI and Xdebug, and the ability to create custom environments with specific software versions and settings. To view more features and benefits of Local WP, check out my infographic here or view this post for further in-depth details.

That is all it takes to get started with Local WP! Local WP is a powerful tool for web developers and designers who work with WordPress sites, and it can help streamline your workflow and improve the efficiency and quality of your work.

So if you’re looking for a way to improve your WordPress development workflow and create better, more robust sites, Local WP is definitely worth utilizing. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, Local WP has everything you need to take your WordPress development to the next level.

Blogger wearing WordPress t-shirt

So Local WP is amazing, but what are some key features?

The power of running a local development environment for your website or application, as we’ve seen, is undeniable. With features such as one-click WordPress installation, version control, and auto-ssl encryption, Local WP is an excellent choice for anyone looking to set up their website or application locally. Below, we’ll explore some of the key features that make Local WP a great choice for developers.

Quick and Easy Setup:

Local WP can be downloaded and installed on your local computer in just a few clicks. It is available for both Windows and Mac operating systems, and you can customize your development environment by choosing from a range of pre-configured environments or by creating your own.

Staging and Live Site URLs:

Local WP provides a live link feature that lets you share your local development site with others. This can be useful for testing changes and sharing your work with clients or team members. See how to implement live links on your Local site in this post.

Community Support:

Local WP has a large and active community of users who can offer support and guidance as you work with the software. You can also access online resources and tutorials to learn more about how to use Local WP effectively.

Free Add-Ons and Extensions:

 Local WP has a range of add-ons and extensions that you can use to extend its functionality-which are available absolutely free. These include tools for debugging, version control, image compression, site backups, and more.

Utilizing Local ensures your WordPress site runs smoothly

Alright, So How Do I Get Started?

Ready to get started? Below, I’ll walk you through the steps to install Local WP on your computer, so you can get started with your first locally developed WordPress site in no time. Whether you’re new to the WordPress world or an experienced developer, with Local WP’s easy 3-step process you’ll know how to download and install Local WP, and create your first WordPress site with ease. So, let’s get started!

Get Your Download Link:

Go to the Local by Flywheel website (https://localwp.com/) and click on the “Download for Free” button.

Choose Your Platform:

Choose the version that corresponds to your operating system (Windows or Mac). Once you’ve done that, a form will appear to fill out. Don’t worry, I’ve never been spammed with anything from Local WP and they have never attempted to call or text me. Feel free to use dummy info if that works better for you!

Follow Installer Prompts:

Once the download is complete, open the installer and follow the instructions to install Local WP on your computer.

Overall, the free version of Local WP is a powerful tool for WordPress development that offers many useful features and benefits. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced developer, Local WP can help you streamline your workflow and create better, more efficient WordPress sites.

Blue banner with q and a to introduce FAQ section

Frequently Asked Questions

While Local WP is a popular tool, you may have some questions about how it works and what it can do. In this FAQ section, I’ll answer some of the most common questions about Local WP, including what it is, how it works, and what its benefits are.

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