How to Install Zen Cart with Softaculous

What are Zen Cart and Softaculous?

Zen Cart is free shop software. It lets you list products, take orders and manage customers on your website.

Softaculous is an auto-installer. It is a tool inside your control panel that installs apps for you with a few clicks. It does the hard setup work. Ask Hostvento support if Softaculous is on your plan.

Warning: Do not install into a folder that already holds a website. The installer may overwrite files. Take a backup first.

Steps

1. Log in to the client area.
2. Open Services, then My Services, and choose your hosting plan.
3. Click the button to log in to cPanel. cPanel is the control panel for your hosting.
4. Find Softaculous Apps Installer. Click it. You may also see a list of apps on the page.
5. Use the search box and type Zen Cart.
6. Click Zen Cart, then click Install Now.
7. Under Choose Protocol, pick https:// if your domain has an SSL certificate. SSL keeps the connection safe.
8. Pick your domain in Choose Domain.
9. Leave In Directory empty to install on the main address. Or type a folder name, like shop, to use yourdomain.com/shop.
10. Fill in the Admin Username, Admin Password and Admin Email. Choose a strong password. Write it down in a safe place.
11. Pick your language and shop name if the form asks.
12. Scroll down and click Install.
13. Wait until the page shows the success message and two links.

After the install

1. Open the first link to see your new shop.
2. Open the admin link and log in with your admin details.
3. Add categories and products.
4. Set up your payment and shipping options.

If the install fails, open a support ticket.

Quick recap

• Zen Cart is free shop software.
• Softaculous installs it with a few clicks from cPanel.
• Search for Zen Cart, press Install Now and fill the form.
• Back up first if the folder already has files.
• Log in to the admin area and add products.