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3 easy ways to install Joomla 4 on your web server

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Joomla 4 is a robust and open-source content management system (CMS) that allows you to create and manage websites efficiently. Released in 2021, Joomla 4 offers numerous enhancements and improvements over its predecessor, Joomla 3. With its intuitive interface and extensive customization options, Joomla 4 is suitable for both beginners and experienced web developers. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the step-by-step process of installing Joomla 4 on both a server and localhost, as well as through an App Installer.

Technical Requirements

Before installing Joomla 4, it's essential to ensure that your system meets the necessary technical requirements. These requirements include the recommended and minimum software versions, supported databases, and web servers. Here are the technical requirements for Joomla 4:

Software Recommended Minimum
PHP 8.0 7.2.4
Supported Databases MySQL 5.6+ 5.6
  PostgreSQL 11.0+ 11.0
Supported Web Servers Apache 2.4+ 2.4
  Nginx 1.18+ 1.10
  Microsoft IIS 10+ 8

Downloading Joomla! 4

To begin the installation process, you need to download the Joomla 4 package. Follow these steps to download Joomla 4:

  1. Visit the official Joomla 4 download page
  2. Click on the "View Files" button of the latest release.
  3. Click the "Download" button to initiate the download.

Installing Joomla! 4 on a Server Manually

To install Joomla 4 on a server manually, you'll need to follow the steps outlined below:

Step 1: Upload Joomla! 4 to Your Server

There are two ways to upload Joomla 4 to your server: via an FTP client or through the cPanel file manager. Here's how to do it using each method:

FTP Client

  1. Download and install an FTP client, such as FileZilla.
  2. Connect to your server using the FTP details provided by your hosting provider.
  3. Upload the Joomla 4 package to your server.

cPanel File Manager

  1. Log in to your cPanel account.
  2. Navigate to the "File Manager" section.
  3. Locate the root folder of your website.
  4. Upload the Joomla 4 package to the root folder.

Step 2: Create a Database

To create a database for Joomla 4, follow these steps:

  1. Log in to your cPanel account.
  2. Navigate to the "MySQL Databases" section.
  3. Create a new database and assign a user to it.

Step 3: Start the Installation Process

Once you've uploaded Joomla 4 to your server and created a database, navigate to the Joomla 4 installation folder using a web browser. Follow the instructions provided by the installation wizard to complete the installation process.

Step 4: Configure Your Site

After completing the installation process, you'll need to configure your Joomla 4 site. This involves setting up your site title, admin username, password, and other essential details. Follow the instructions provided by the wizard to complete the site configuration process.

Step 5: Log in to the Admin Panel

Once you've completed the site configuration process, you can log in to the Joomla 4 administrator panel. From there, you can start customizing your site, adding content, and managing your website.

Note: The specific steps may vary depending on your hosting provider and server environment. Refer to your hosting provider's documentation for more information.

Installing Joomla! 4 on Localhost

To install Joomla 4 on your localhost, follow these steps:

Step 1: Download and Install a Local Server Software

To set up a local web server environment, you'll need to download and install local server software, such as XAMPP, MAMP, or WAMP. Here's what you need to do:

  1. Download and install the local server software of your choice.
  2. Locate the document root folder (e.g., htdocs for XAMPP or MAMP).
  3. Place the Joomla 4 installation zip file into the document root folder.
  4. Unzip the Joomla 4 installation zip file within the document root folder, pay attention to choose "Extract Here", or files will be extracted under a "Sub folder".

Step 2: Create a Database

To create a database for Joomla 4 on localhost, follow these steps:

  1. Access the local server software's database management tool (e.g., phpMyAdmin).
  2. Create a new database and set up a database user.

Step 3: Start the Installation Process

Once you've extracted the Joomla 4 package and created a database, navigate to the Joomla 4 installation folder using a web browser. Follow the instructions provided by the installation wizard to complete the installation process.

Step 4: Configure Your Site

After completing the installation process, you'll need to configure your Joomla 4 site. This involves setting up your site title, admin username, password, and other essential details. Follow the instructions provided by the wizard to complete the site configuration process.

Step 5: Log in to the Admin Panel

Once you've completed the site configuration process, you can log in to the Joomla 4 administrator panel. From there, you can start customizing your site, adding content, and managing your website.

Installing Joomla! 4 with cPanel App Installer

If you have access to cPanel, you can use the App Installer to install Joomla 4. Here's how:

Step 1: Log in to cPanel

Log in to your cPanel account using the login credentials provided by your web hosting provider. Locate the "Softaculous Apps Installer" section and click on it. Scroll down the list of available applications until you find the Joomla 4 option. Click on it to start the installation process.

Step 2: Select the Domain

Choose the domain on which you want to install Joomla 4. If you only have one domain, it should be pre-selected for you.

Step 3: Configure the Joomla 4 Installation

Fill in the required fields, such as the site name, admin username, password, and email address.

Step 4: Create a Database

If you don't have a database yet, cPanel will prompt you to create one. Fill in the required fields and click the "Create Database" button.

Step 5: Start the Installation Process

Once you've configured the Joomla 4 installation and created a database, click the "Install" button to start the installation process.

Step 6: Check the Installation Results

After the installation process is complete, cPanel will display the results. If the installation was successful, you'll see a message indicating that Joomla 4 has been installed successfully.

Step 7: Log in to the Admin Panel

After the installation process is complete, you can log in to the Joomla 4 administrator panel using the admin username and password you specified during the installation process.

Note: The installation steps may vary depending on the version of cPanel and your web hosting provider. Refer to your web hosting provider's documentation for more information.

Recommended Extensions: Chronoforms and Akeeba Admin Tools

Once you have Joomla 4 installed, there are several extensions you can consider to enhance your website's functionality and security. Two popular extensions are Chronoforms and Akeeba Admin Tools.

Chronoforms

Chronoforms is a powerful form builder extension for Joomla, allowing you to create custom forms with ease. Whether you need simple contact forms or complex multi-page forms, Chronoforms provides a user-friendly interface and a wide range of features. You can customize form layouts, add validation rules, and integrate with third-party services. Installing Chronoforms is a great option for building dynamic and interactive forms on your Joomla 4 website.

Akeeba Admin Tools

Akeeba Admin Tools is a must-have extension for Joomla 4. It provides a comprehensive set of security features to protect your website from malicious attacks. With Akeeba Admin Tools, you can implement security measures such as web application firewall (WAF), two-factor authentication (2FA), and IP blocking. The extension also includes backup and restoration functionalities, ensuring that your website's data is safe. Installing Akeeba Admin Tools will help you safeguard your Joomla 4 website and enhance its overall security.

Wrap Up

Installing Joomla 4 is a straightforward process that requires careful execution and attention to detail. Whether you're installing Joomla 4 on a server, localhost, or using an App Installer, following the step-by-step instructions outlined in this comprehensive guide will enable you to set up Joomla 4 successfully. With its user-friendly interface, extensive customization options, and a wide range of extensions available, Joomla 4 is an excellent choice for creating and managing dynamic websites. Remember to consider installing recommended extensions like Chronoforms and Akeeba Admin Tools to further enhance your Joomla 4 website's functionality and security. Start building your Joomla 4 website today and unlock the full potential of this powerful content management system.