PrestaShop is a popular open-source e-commerce platform. Softaculous can install it in a few clicks, but a manual install gives you control over the version and paths. This guide shows how to install PrestaShop on cPanel hosting by hand.
Before you start
- A cPanel account with a domain pointing to it and free SSL active (AutoSSL).
- The PrestaShop release ZIP from the official site, and its system requirements (supported PHP versions differ between PrestaShop 1.7, 8 and 9).
- Enough disk space and a plan sized for a shop (stores use more CPU and RAM than a blog).
Set the PHP version and extensions
- Open cPanel → Software → Select PHP Version (or MultiPHP Manager) and pick a version supported by your PrestaShop release.
- Enable extensions:
curl,gd,intl,mbstring,pdo_mysql,zip,xml,fileinfo,json,opcache. - Under Options, set
memory_limitto 256M or more,max_execution_timeto 300, andupload_max_filesizeto at least 16M.
Create the database
- Open cPanel → Databases → Manage My Databases.
- Create a database, then a user with a strong password.
- Add the user to the database with ALL PRIVILEGES. Note the full names (they include your cPanel username prefix).
Upload the files
- In cPanel → Files → File Manager, open
public_html(or the domain's document root). - Upload the PrestaShop ZIP and extract it. Recent releases contain an inner
prestashop.zipplus anindex.phpinstaller; leave them together and open the domain, which unpacks the inner archive automatically.
Run the installer
- Browse to
https://example.com. Choose the language and accept the licence. - The compatibility check lists any missing PHP settings; fix them in cPanel and refresh.
- Enter shop details and the admin account (use a unique email and a strong password).
- Enter database details: server
localhost, the database name, user and password. Keep or change the table prefix, then click Test your database connection. - Finish the installation. It can take a few minutes.
Secure the installation
- Delete the
installfolder if it still exists (PrestaShop requires it before you can log in to the back office). - The admin folder is renamed to a random name (e.g.
admin123abc); bookmark that URL and keep it private. - Enable SSL everywhere: Shop Parameters → General → enable SSL and SSL on all pages.
- Keep PrestaShop and modules updated, and remove modules you do not use.
Post-install settings
- Performance (Advanced Parameters → Performance): turn off debug mode, enable caching, and set template compilation to recompile only when files change.
- Cron jobs: some modules (currency rates, feeds, newsletters) need cron URLs; add them under cPanel → Advanced → Cron Jobs.
- Email: set SMTP in Advanced Parameters → E-mail using a mailbox from your cPanel account.
- Friendly URLs: enable them in Shop Parameters → Traffic & SEO; PrestaShop writes the needed
.htaccessrules.
Troubleshooting
- 500 error after install: check the domain's
error_log; usually a PHP version mismatch or missing extension. Enable debug mode temporarily inconfig/defines.inc.php(_PS_MODE_DEV_) to see the error. - Database connection failed: wrong full database or user name (missing cPanel prefix) or the user was not added to the database.
- Back office login loops: clear browser cookies, check SSL settings match the URL you use, and clear the
var/cachefolder. - Slow pages: enable caching and consider LiteSpeed Cache's PrestaShop module on LiteSpeed servers.
PrestaShop FAQ
Softaculous or manual install?
Softaculous is faster and handles updates and backups; manual installs suit specific versions or custom setups.
How much hosting does PrestaShop need?
A small shop runs well on good shared hosting; larger catalogues and traffic benefit from a VPS.
Can I migrate an existing shop?
Yes: copy files and the database, then update the domain in the ps_shop_url table and clear the cache.