How to Install Joomla 2.5x Print

We used Joomla 2.5 beta 2 for this tutorial. Beta versions are NOT to be used for public live websites due to potential issues and security holes. We'll update this once the final version is released.

We used Joomla 2.5 beta 2 for this tutorial. While this tutorial should be mostly accurate, things may look and work slightly different in the final release of Joomla! 2.5

Needs:
 

• A hosting account or web server that is running Apache, MySQL, and Cpanel. Click here for the specific Joomla technical requirements.
• A copy of the latest version of Joomla 2.5 in .zip format from www.joomla.org/download.html

Let's get started.

  Step One: Create a New Empty Database Using Cpanel

1. The first thing you'll need to do is create a database for your new Joomla website. If you're hosting account is running Cpanel, you can log into it and easily create a database using the simple database creator. Once you're logged into your Cpanel, click on the MySQL Databases icon.
   
   
    
2. In the new database box, type in a unique name of the database you want to create, the more non-descript the better, for example:  jdb25  and then click the "Create Database" button. 
   
   
   
   On shared hosting accounts, the database will be the name of your Cpanel account plus the name of the database you entered, for example:  hostname_jdb25. Remember or write down the name of your database, we'll need it later. Click on the "Go Back" button:
   
   
    
3. Scroll down to the "MySQL Users" section and type in a user name and password, enter the password twice and click the "Create User" button. Note: For security, pick a strong password.
   
   
   
   Remember or write down the username and password, we'll need them later.
   
   Click the "Go Back" button:
   
   
   
   See, we told you to use a strong password...
   
    
4. Next we need to add the user account we've created to the database, so scroll down to the "Add User to Database" section
   
    
   
   In the "User" drop down, choose the user name you created and in the "Database" drop down, choose the database you want to add this user to and click the "Add" button.
   
    
5. Click on the "All Privileges" check box and then click the "Make Changes" button. This will assign the user we created to the database and give that user account permission to be able to add, edit and work with data in our database.
   
   
   
   We're done creating the database.

Step Two: Upload & Extract The Joomla! Files

 

1. Upload the Joomla zip file using Cpanel's file manager:
   
    
   • From your main Cpanel control panel, click on the "File Manager" icon
     
     
     
      
   • Choose "Web Root" and then click the "Go" button:
     
     
     
      
   • Be sure you're in the correct folder on your server. Most of the time you'll want to upload your files into the public_html folder. This is the "root" folder and will automatically display this installation of Joomla! when someone types in your domain name, e.g. www.mydomain.com. If you want to install Joomla in a sub-directory, just create a new folder inside the public_html folder and copy your files there. e.g. www.mydomain.com/joomla
     
     Click on the "public_html" folder icon on the left to make sure you're in the proper directory:
     
      
   • In the top row of icons, click the "Upload" icon:
     
     
     
      
   • Click the "Choose File" or "Browse" button and navigate to the location you downloaded the Joomla zip to on your computer.
     
     
     
     The upload should start automatically.
     
      
   • Click the "Back" link once the Joomla zip file has completely finished uploading and you'll be taken back to the root (main) folder for your hosting account.
   
   
    
2. Extract the Files from the Joomla Zip File in Cpanel
   
    
   • Click one time on the Joomla! zip file name to highlight/select the Joomla zip file and then click the "Extract" button at the top of the file manager:
     
     
     
     
      
   • Click on the "Extract File(s)" button and the zip file will be uncompressed and all of Joomla's files will be placed where they need to be:
     
     
     
      
   • Delete the zip file by clicking on the file name and then click the "Delete" icon at the top of the screen and then confirm it by clicking the "Delete File(s)" button.
     
     
     
      

Step Three: Run the Joomla Installer

1. In the address bar of your web browser, type in the following:  www.YOURDOMAIN.com/installation
2. Choose your language and click the "Next" button at the top right:
   
3. Joomla will run a pre-installation check to make sure your server is configured correctly. You'll need to fix any outstanding issues prior to continuing. Contact your hosting provider if you need help.
   
    
    
4. Read the license agreement and click the "Next" button at the top right
5. Enter the database information that you entered from step one and click the "Next" button at the top right:
   
   
   
   
6. On the FTP configuration screen, you can skip this step by clicking the "Next" button at the top right:
   
    
   
   
    
7. Enter the requested information on the Main Configuration screen and press the "Next" button at the top right:
   
    
   
   
    
8. IMPORTANT STEP! Click the "Remove Installation Folder" button to remove the files needed to install Joomla!. You cannot proceed without performing this step!
   
   
9. Click on the "Administrator" button at the top right to access the administrative area for your site

That's it! You've installed Joomla and you're up and running with the default Joomla template on the front end. From here, you'll need to:

 

• Lock down your Joomla installation for security to help prevent your site from being hacked into by hackers
  
   
• Install and create a good backup plan should things go wrong. We recommend using Akeeba Backup, an amazing backup program by Nicholas Dionysopoulos
  
   
• Either build your own or purchase a website template for the front end of your website.