Localhost refers to your own computer acting as a server. When you set up WordPress on localhost, you are essentially installing and running WordPress locally on your machine instead of a live web server.
This creates a private development environment that is only accessible to you. It is commonly used by developers and store owners to build, test, or experiment with a WordPress site before pushing it live.
To run WordPress on localhost, you need a local server environment that replicates how a web server works. Tools like XAMPP, WAMP, MAMP, and LocalWP are commonly used for this purpose. These tools install Apache, MySQL, and PHP on your computer, which are the core components WordPress needs to function.
Why use WordPress Localhost?
Setting up WordPress on localhost allows you to test new plugins, themes, or WooCommerce configurations without affecting your live store. Any changes you make stay local until you are ready to migrate them to your production site.
It is also a cost-effective way to develop a WordPress site from scratch. Since everything runs on your machine, there is no need for a hosting plan during the development phase.
Once your site is ready, you can migrate it from localhost to a live server using plugins or by manually transferring the files and database.