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Building a website is one of the first steps for anyone entering web development, blogging, e-commerce, digital marketing, or even WordPress customization. However, many beginners hesitate because they believe that creating a website requires a domain name and web hosting, which involve recurring costs.

But here is the good news:

👉 You can build a complete website on your own computer—FREE—using a tool called XAMPP.
No domain.
No hosting.
No payments.
Just your PC or laptop.

In this detailed guide, you will learn how to develop a local website on your PC using XAMPP and why it is the most popular choice for PHP developers, WordPress users, and students learning web design.

This article covers everything—from installation, setup, folder structure, database creation, and running your website successfully on localhost.

⭐ What Is a Local Website?

A local website is a complete website stored and run on your computer instead of a web server.
When you visit a website online, it is hosted on external servers. But for development and learning, you don’t need these servers.

A local website runs through a software that converts your computer into a local server, allowing you to test, edit, and view your site offline.

For example:

Everything works the same—HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, databases, forms, APIs—just like a real website.

⭐ Why Build a Website Locally? (Top Benefits)

Developers, students, and designers prefer local websites because of the following advantages:

1. Completely Free Setup

You don’t need:
❌ Domain
❌ Hosting
❌ Server subscription

Everything runs offline.

2. Faster Development

Local websites load instantly because they don’t rely on the internet.
Coding, testing, and debugging become significantly quicker.

3. Safe Environment

You can experiment freely without risking errors on a live website.

4. Perfect for WordPress

WordPress runs best on local servers during development.
You can install themes, plugins, WooCommerce, and entire websites locally.

5. Learn and Practice

Beginners use XAMPP to practice:

  • PHP

  • MySQL

  • WordPress

  • HTML/CSS

  • Web design

  • Database operations

6. Offline Availability

You can work on your website even without internet connectivity.

⭐ What Is XAMPP? (Explained Simply)

XAMPP is a free, open-source software package that helps you create a local server on your computer.

The name XAMPP comes from:

  • X = Cross-platform (Windows, Mac, Linux)

  • A = Apache Server

  • M = MySQL Database

  • P = PHP

  • P = Perl

In simple terms:

👉 XAMPP allows your PC to run websites that normally require a web hosting server.

Once installed, you can create databases, run PHP code, install WordPress, and test complete projects without paying for hosting.

⭐ Downloading and Installing XAMPP on Your PC

Follow this step-by-step installation guide:

Step 1: Download XAMPP

Go to Google and search:
“XAMPP Apache Friends”

Visit the official website:
apachefriends.org

Choose the version based on your operating system:

  • Windows

  • macOS

  • Linux

Click Download and wait for the file.

Step 2: Start the Installer

Run the downloaded setup file.
Click Next to continue.

Step 3: Select Components

Keep these selected (recommended):

  • Apache

  • MySQL

  • PHP

  • phpMyAdmin

Optional:

  • Perl

  • FileZilla FTP Server

  • Tomcat

Click Next.

Step 4: Choose Installation Folder

Default:

 
C:/xampp/

Do not change it unless necessary.

Click Next.

Step 5: Complete Installation

Click Install and let the setup complete.

Once done, launch the XAMPP Control Panel.

⭐ Using XAMPP Control Panel (Understanding the Interface)

The XAMPP Control Panel includes modules like:

  • Apache → To run PHP-based websites

  • MySQL → To run databases

  • phpMyAdmin → For database management

  • FileZilla → For FTP

  • Tomcat → For Java

Start Apache and MySQL

Click Start next to:

  • Apache

  • MySQL

Both should turn green, meaning your local server is active.

⭐ Understanding the htdocs Folder (Where Your Website Lives)

In XAMPP, all websites are stored inside the htdocs folder.

Path:

 
C:/xampp/htdocs/

Inside this folder, create a new folder for your project, such as:

 
C:/xampp/htdocs/mywebsite/

Place your website files here:

  • index.html / index.php

  • CSS files

  • Images

  • PHP scripts

  • Databases

This becomes your root directory.

⭐ Running Your Local Website in Browser

Once your files are inside htdocs, open any browser and type:

 
http://localhost/mywebsite

Or if your main file is index.php:

 
http://localhost/mywebsite/index.php

Your website will load instantly.

⭐ Creating Databases Using phpMyAdmin

If your website uses a database (WordPress, PHP apps, login systems), follow these steps:

Step 1: Open phpMyAdmin

Type in browser:

 
http://localhost/phpmyadmin

Step 2: Create a New Database

Click New → Database Name → Create

Use this database name in your PHP or WordPress configuration.

⭐ Installing WordPress on XAMPP (Bonus Section)

If you want to run WordPress locally:

1. Download WordPress

From the official WordPress website.

2. Extract into htdocs

Place the extracted folder inside:

 
C:/xampp/htdocs/wordpress/

3. Create Database

Open phpMyAdmin → Create Database
Example:

 
wordpress_db

4. Run WordPress Installer

Visit:

 
http://localhost/wordpress

Enter:

  • Database name

  • Username: root

  • Password: (leave blank)

WordPress will be ready to use locally.

⭐ Common Issues and Quick Fixes

1. Apache Not Starting

  • Port 80 or 443 is in use.

  • Skype, IIS, or VMware might be using the port.

Solution:

  • Change Apache ports in XAMPP settings.

2. MySQL Stopped Working

  • Database corruption

  • Port conflict

Solution:

  • Rename ibdata1 file

  • Restart MySQL

3. Unable to Access phpMyAdmin

Check:

 
http://localhost/phpmyadmin

Restart Apache & MySQL.

⭐ Best Practices for Developing Local Websites

✔ Organize your project folders

Create separate folders for each project:

 
htdocs/project1 htdocs/project2

✔ Use a code editor

Recommended editors:

  • Visual Studio Code

  • Sublime Text

  • Notepad++

✔ Make regular backups

Copy your project folder + database exports.

✔ When ready, upload to hosting

Move your project to a live server using:

  • FTP

  • cPanel

  • phpMyAdmin import

⭐ When Should You Move to Live Hosting?

Once the website is:

  • Fully designed

  • Tested

  • Optimized

  • Debugged

Then you can purchase:

  • Domain name

  • Hosting plan

Use hosting cPanel to upload your project and import your database.

⭐ Conclusion

Developing a website on your PC without buying a domain or hosting is the smartest way to start your web development journey. With XAMPP, you can transform your computer into a fully functional local server environment where you can:

  • Build any type of website

  • Learn PHP and MySQL

  • Practice WordPress

  • Test applications offline

  • Create professional projects without spending money

Whether you are a student, beginner, freelancer, or developer, XAMPP gives you everything you need to build advanced websites—completely FREE.

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