Installing Joomla is one of the simplest tasks that you can do. First we require web space, for this reason we provide Joomla hosting packages that enables you to install Joomla and build a website that you are able to use for your Internet presence.

Our main 'How To' area will be located at the following address

Step One - Adding the files to your web space

You will need to download the latest version of Joomla. Once you have downloaded the '.zip' file you will need to unzip the contents (somewhere that you can get to easily, your Desk-Top may be best). Then log in via FTP (using a FTP client such as FileZilla) and upload the extracted files to your web space. Make sure all files successfully made it to your web space.

Step Two - How To Install Joomla Part 1

Once the files have successfully made it to the server we then need to browse to your domain name to complete the part of the installation process. When you first visit your domain you will see the first step of the Joomla installation guide. To complete step 1 of the install Joomla process you need to select your chosen language, English (United States) is selected by default. Once you have chosen your preferred language click the 'Next' button located in the top right corner of your screen.

Click here to see stage 1 of the installation process

Step Three - How To Install Joomla

This screen outlines all of the Joomla's pre-installation requirements. The first section is all about what Joomla requires in order to function properly, if any requirement states 'No' then you need to take immediate actions (speak with your hosting provider). The second section relates to Joomla's recommended setting, these settings can be either 'Yes' or 'No' without affecting Joomla itself. Click the 'Next' button located within the top right corner of your screen once you have addressed any issues presented.

Click here to see stage 2 of the installation process

Step Four - How To Install Joomla

This section relates to the GNU General Public License, in order to use Joomla as your Content Management System you will need to read and agree to the GNU General Public License. Once you have read the GNU General Public License click the 'Next' button located at the top right corner of your screen.

Click here to see stage 3 of the installation process

Step Five - How To Install Joomla

For this section you will need to log in to your Hosting Control Panel to gain the required information, please note that may also need to create a database if you haven't already.

The information that you will need

• Host Name - Usually 'localhost' but some hosting providers use an IP address or URL address
• Username - This is the database username (usually the same as the 'Database Name' on shared hosting accounts)
• Password - This is the password for the database
• Database Name - The name of the database that you will have created
• Table Prefix - This consists of random letters which is used within the database (must end with an underscore '_')
• Old Database Process - If the database was used for you have the option to 'Backup' the old data or to 'Remove' the database tables, leave as 'Backup' if you are unsure

Once you have inputted the settings need for the database hit the 'Next' button located within the top right corner of your screen. If for some reason the database information that you entered is incorrect an error message will appear stating that the information you entered is incorrect, you will need to amend the database details in order to proceed to the next step.

Click here to see stage 4 of the installation process

Step Six - How To Install Joomla

This section relates to the FTP layer within Joomla, as a security measure we recommend skipping this section by clicking the 'Next' button located in the top right corner of your screen. For this reason we are skipping any information related to this section.

Click here to see stage 5 of the installation process

Step Seven - How To Install Joomla

This is the Main Configuration screen where you enter your 'Site Name', create your 'Super Administrator' Joomla log in account and install sample data (if you choose).

For our Joomla How To website we entered the following details

• Site Name: Joomla How To
• Email: Classified
• Admin Username: Classified
• Admin Password: Classified
• Confirm Admin Password: Classified
• Sample Data: No - we didn't click the button

The is also an additional screen that relates to your websites 'Meta Description','Meta Keywords' and 'Site Offline'.

• Meta Description - You should enter a description that sums up your website, this can be used as a snippet within search engines
• Meta Keywords - You should enter some keywords that represent your website, we use keywords like 'joomla support, joomla help, government website builds' etc
• Site Offline - For development reason you should set you site as offline so search engines and bots can't crawl your website while you are working on it

Click here to see stage 6 of the installation process

Step 6 additional settings dialog

Step Eight - How To Install Joomla

Now that you have completed the Joomla Install process the only thing left to do is remove the installation directory. For ease of use you are able to click the 'Remove Installation Folder' button within your browser, we decide to rename the folder within FileZilla just in case.

You will also notice the 'Site' and 'Administrator' buttons in the top right of your screen, by clicking any of the buttons you will be taken to the respective website view once the 'installation' folder has been removed or renamed.

Step 7 of the installation process

Renamed 'installation' folder via FileZilla

Clicking the 'Site' Button
Front-end website view

Clicking the 'Administrator' Button
Administrator area view

All Done - How To Install Joomla

You have now successfully installed the Joomla Content Management System within your web space. If you receive any issues or need help with installing Joomla please don't hesitate to get in touch.