Software Installation Guide: Using Softaculous in cPanel
Softaculous is an auto-installer that simplifies the process of installing hundreds of popular web applications, such as WordPress, Joomla, and various e-commerce platforms, directly within your cPanel account. This guide walks you through the standard installation steps.
Part 1: Accessing Softaculous
- Log in to your cPanel interface using your credentials.
- Scroll down to the Software section of the cPanel dashboard.
- Click on the Softaculous Apps Installer link. This will open the Softaculous dashboard in a new tab or window, where all available scripts are listed.
Part 2: Configuring the Installation
- Locate the application you wish to install (for example, WordPress) using the search bar or the category listings, and then click the Install button next to it.
- Review the installation form under the Software Setup heading:
- Choose Installation URL: Select the domain and, optionally, the directory. If you want the app to load directly from your main domain (yourdomain.com), leave the In Directory field blank. If you want it in a folder (yourdomain.com/blog), enter the folder name (e.g., blog).
- Choose the Protocol: Usually, you should select https:// or https://www. depending on your SSL certificate setup.
- Under the Database Settings, it is usually best to leave the automatically generated database name and table prefix as they are.
- Under the Admin Account section, set a strong Admin Username and Password. Record these credentials carefully, as you will use them to log in to the application's administrative backend later. Enter a valid Admin Email address.
- Review any remaining configuration options, such as language selection or theme choices, then click the Install button located at the bottom of the page.
Part 3: Troubleshooting and Advice
Softaculous installations are usually straightforward, but errors can occur. Here is some advice to ensure a smooth deployment:
- Directory Already Exists Error: If you see an error stating that the chosen installation directory already exists, it means the folder is not empty. If you are certain the folder is old and contains no important files, you must delete the folder manually via the cPanel File Manager before running Softaculous again.
- SSL Certificate Warning: If your installation URL defaults to http:// instead of https://, check that your SSL certificate is fully installed and active on the chosen domain in cPanel's SSL/TLS Status area before attempting the install. An application installed without an SSL certificate will likely show a security warning to visitors.
- Security Best Practice: Always change the automatically generated database prefix from the default (e.g., wp_) to a random value (e.g., w8r9_) during installation. This is a basic but effective security measure against common database attacks.
- Post-Installation Access: Softaculous provides direct links to your new site and the administrative area (like wp-admin for WordPress) upon completion. Bookmark these links immediately and verify you can log in using the Admin Account credentials you created.
The application is now installed and ready to be configured.
