How to Install Joomla at HostGator

The 3 most popular methods of installing Joomla at HostGator:

• Standard Joomla Installer (Default built-in installer, this page)
• QuickInstall (HostGator's custom one-click installer)
• Fantastico (cPanel one-click installer)

Standard Install -- This method is the default method that comes with the Joomla package. Upload the package (.zip) file then extract to the server. Then follow the installation procedure at yourdomain.com/installation. Continue below to learn more about this standard install method.

QuickInstall, HostGator's custom Joomla Installer -- HostGator has created an software install manager. You may find that their custom installer is better maintained then a 3rd party installer. Although there is little control when installing, it is a very robust system. Read our full install Joomla using Hostgator QuickInstall guide.

Fantastico cPanel 1-click installer -- This is a one-click installer that makes installing Joomla a breeze. Enter user information and this installer will create a database and database user for you. A great option for beginners. Read our full guide on installing Joomla using Fantastico.

If you find this install guide helpful, please return the favor by leaving a helpful and honest review for others to learn from. Leave a HostGator Review.

Step 1: Download Joomla

1. Download the Joomla install 'full package' (.zip) The package is available here: http://Joomla.org/download

Step 2: Login to your cPanel at HostGator

1. Go to http://YOURDOMAIN.COM/CPANEL and login with your cPanel Username and Password.

Step 3: Go to File Manager

1. Click "File Manager" which is under the "Files" section (Select "Web Root" in the dialogue box).

 

Step 4: Use "File Manager" to upload Joomla Package

1. Verify you are in the "public_html" folder (This is the top level folder).
2. Click Upload. In the upload window, click 'Choose File' or 'Browse'. Select the Joomla Install Package (The '.ZIP' Joomla package) that was downloaded from Joomla.org, and click 'Open'. (Not Pictured)
3. Highlight uploaded Joomla Package (back in the File Manager after using the upload window).
4. Click ‘Extract’ (There should not be ANY files EXCEPT the ‘cgi bin’ folder in the directory you install to. Some files will mess up Joomla). *Optional - You can also upload the .Zip of Joomla already extracted via FTP. We recommend Filezilla FTP client for this.

Step 5: Go to MySQL Database Creation Screen

1. Click on ‘MySQL Databases’ after scrolling down to the "Databases" section in the main cPanel menu.

Step 6: Create MySQL Database and User

1. Create a New Database by entering 3-4 (Where we have x’s in the example) characters where it says ‘New Database: YOURUNIQUEID_XXXX’ (For droplinemenu.com our database is called ‘frame_JOOMLA’), then click ‘Create Database’.
2. Create a New User by entering 3-4 characters where it says ‘Username: YOURUNIQUEID_XXXX’ (For droplinemenu.com our username is ‘frame_JOOMLAUSER'), create a strong password, then click ‘Create User’.
3. Add the USER to the DATABASE by selecting ‘User: YOURUNIQUEID_XXXX’ to ‘Database: YOURUNIQUEID_XXXX’ (For droplinemenu.com it is ‘User: frame_JOOMLAUSER’ to ‘Database: frame_JOOMLA’) and click ‘Add’. *Note - We just added a ‘1’ after our username.
4. Check ‘All Privileges’ and click, ‘Make Changes’ (Not Pictured). WRITE DOWN YOUR DATABASE, USERNAME AND PASSWORD!

Step 7: Start the Joomla Install

1. Visit http://YOURDOMAIN.com/installation/ (For us it is http://droplinemenu.com/installation) to start the web-installation.
2. Choose the preferred language.
3. Click 'Next'.

Step 8: Joomla 'Pre-Installation Check'

1. Joomla Performs a pre-installation check. All areas need to say, ‘Yes’ in green ("Recommended Settings" are not required to be green, but they are recommended for a reason). If any of these settings say 'No' in red, consult Joomla.org’s help section for more information.
2. Click ‘Next’.

Step 9: Joomla 'License'

1. Read and agree to Joomla's GNU Public License.
2. Click ‘Next’.

Step 9: Joomla 'Database Configuration'

1. MySQLi (Most common. It should work for you.)
2. Host Name: localhost (Joomla defaults to this)
3. Username: YOURUNIQUEID_XXXX (Ours is frame_JOOMLAUSER)
4. Password: YOURPASSWORD (Ours is 123456)
5. Database Name: YOURUNIQUEID_XXXX (Ours is frame_JOOMLA) *Note - Skip over ‘Table Prefix’ and/or ‘Old Database Process’ unless you know what you're doing.
6. Click ‘Next’.

Step 10: Joomla 'FTP Config (Skip)'

1. Don't touch this section unless you know what to do (Refer to Joomla.org for more information).
2. Click ‘Next’.

Step 11: Joomla 'Main Configuration'

1. Enter the desired website name into ‘Site Name’ (Ours is Dropline Menu).
2. Enter the email you plan to use with Joomla.
3. Enter preferred Joomla login information.
4. Choose if you want Sample Data
5. Click ‘Next’

Step 12: Joomla 'Finish'

1. Make sure to click ‘Remove Installation Folder’.
2. Visit your site to see the installation
3. Login to Joomla to start making you're website

Step 13: Verify Your New Site Displays

1. Visit the "Frontend" of the site to make sure it is working properly by visiting it at YOURDOMAIN.COM ours was DROPLINEMENU.COM

Step 14: Congrats! You're Done!

1. Get started by visiting YOURDOMAIN.COM/ADMINISTRATOR for us it's DROPLINEMENU.COM/ADMINISTRATOR. Congratulations! You are ready to start using Joomla to develop your website! Just have your login information handy and you are set.