What are PrestaShop and Softaculous?
PrestaShop is free software for building an online shop. Softaculous is an installer in your control panel. It works like an app store and sets up PrestaShop for you. Ask Hostvento support if Softaculous is on your plan.
Before you start
- Point your domain to your hosting.
- Pick a strong admin password.
- Have an email address ready that you can open.
Steps
- Log in to your hosting control panel. Your welcome email has the details.
- Open Softaculous Apps Installer.
- Search for PrestaShop.
- Click the PrestaShop icon.
- Click Install Now.
- In Choose Protocol, pick
https://if you have an SSL certificate. An SSL certificate makes your site safe for shoppers. - Pick the domain under Choose Domain.
- Empty the In Directory box to install on your main address.
- Type a Shop Name.
- Enter your Admin Username, Admin Password and Admin Email.
- Choose your language and country if asked.
- Click Install.
- Wait until the install finishes. It may take a few minutes.
You then see a link to your shop and a link to the admin area. PrestaShop admin links often end in a long random folder name. Copy the link exactly.
Tip: Save the admin link in your browser bookmarks. It is hard to remember.
First steps in the shop
- Open the admin link and log in.
- Go to Catalog and then Products to add an item.
- Go to Shop Parameters to set up your store details.
If the install fails
- Make sure the folder is empty.
- Check that you have free disk space.
- Open a support ticket if the error stays.
Quick recap
- Open Softaculous and search for PrestaShop.
- Click Install Now.
- Fill in domain, shop name and admin details.
- Click Install and save your admin link.