Getting a local WordPress server up and running is surprisingly complicated. If you're a seasoned developer, it makes sense to set up a local server with XAMPP or WAMP. But if you're a beginner who just wants to mess around with a self-hosted WordPress installation (which is different from wordpress.com), to see what a customized WordPress site would look like, you're usually out of luck.

So I recommend you skip this tedious process. Instead, create a free virtual WordPress installation on a Cloud9 server space. There's no coding required. No need to download specialized software. You'll be tinkering with a WordPress installation -- customizing themes and adding plugins -- in just a couple of minutes.

What Is Cloud9?

Cloud9 is a cloud-based development environment. It lets you code in more than 40 languages on servers hosted by the website. What's relevant is the fact that Cloud9 lets you create basic workspaces for free. They come with 1 CPU, 512 MB of RAM, and 2 GB hard drive space, which is more than enough for our endeavor. Plus, installing WordPress on a workspace is just a one-click affair.

How to Install WordPress on Cloud9

Step 1: Visit Cloud9's website and click on Sign in at the top toolbar.

install wordpress on cloud 9 1

Step 2: On the next page, sign up.

install wordpress on cloud 9 4

Step 3: Once you're signed up, you'll see your Workspaces on your account page. Click on Create a new workspace.

install wordpress on cloud 9 6

Step 4: Give your workspace a name and select the team (if any). You can make a workspace Private (for free, you can only do this once). Now in the template section, click on WordPress. Then select Create Workspace.

install wordpress on cloud 9 5

Step 5: Wait while Cloud9 whips up a new virtual server out of thin air. Take this time to appreciate the wonders of technology.

install wordpress on cloud 9 11

Step 6: You'll now land in what's called an IDE. Feel free to ignore all the code. Just click on the Run Project from the top toolbar.

install wordpress on cloud 9 7

Step 7: The server is now running. Click on Preview and select Preview Running Application.

install wordpress on cloud 9 8

Step 8: Your WordPress installation is now running inside the IDE. You can see the setup screen here. Let's take this up to a new tab entirely by clicking the Pop Out into New Window button that's highlighted in the screenshot below.

install wordpress on cloud 9 9

Setting Up Your WordPress Install

Step 1: Now that we're in the full-screen view, select the language of your choice and click on Continue.

install wordpress on cloud 9 2

Step 2: On the Welcome screen, give the site a title, provide the username, password, and your email before clicking Install WordPress.

install wordpress on cloud 9 3

Step 3: And there's your WordPress dashboard. You can install themes, customize them, write blog posts, and more.

install wordpress on cloud 9 10

As long as your Cloud9 workspace is live, so is the WordPress install. Yes, this is not a live site, but it's fully equipped for all your experimentation.

Now Level Up Your WordPress Game

A virtual installation is a good playing ground. But as this is WordPress, you'll be able to easily export your customizations from the Cloud9 space and import it into a real, live self-hosted WordPress installation on a host like Bluehost for just $2.95/month or any of our recommended web hosts.

What do you think of WordPress? Are you looking into a self-hosted WordPress site or blog? Share with us in the comments below.

Image Credits: Maksym Povozniuk/Shutterstock