Installing Joomla and checking the first setup

Choose a currently supported Joomla branch and verify that the required extensions and template support it. Review the PHP and database requirements of that branch before installation.

Use the project's current supported release information and the requirements shown for the package you select. If Softaculous offers an older or unsuitable build, follow the current vendor installation process or ask us to confirm a suitable environment. Do not enable an unsupported PHP runtime simply to reproduce an old tutorial.

1. Back up any existing site at the destination. Choose an empty directory or a separate staging hostname for a new installation; never approve overwriting a working site without a migration plan.
2. Open Softaculous where your hosting service includes it. In cPanel, search for Softaculous Apps Installer. In SiteWorx, use Hosting Features > Softaculous where that integration is enabled.
3. Find Joomla and review the package and requirements before selecting Install. Select the correct HTTPS domain. Leave In Directory empty only when the empty domain root is the intended destination.
4. Complete the application-specific fields and a strong administrator credential stored in a password manager. Supply a reachable administrative email where requested. Review database, backup and update choices instead of accepting unsuitable defaults.
5. Start installation once and wait for the completion result. Record the public and administration URLs. Where this application needs the publisher's own deployment process, complete that process instead of forcing an outdated installer package.

Create the initial site structure with a test article and a menu link. Review user groups and access levels. Configure mail sending and update notifications, then apply the platform security settings appropriate for the selected release.

Use a temporary article called Our services to test the complete path from editing to navigation. A published article and a correctly configured menu link are separate parts of the visitor experience.

1. Create the article with a short paragraph and a test image using the authorised content tools.
2. Set its category, visibility and publication state deliberately.
3. Create a menu item that targets this article using the menu structure supported by your selected Joomla version.
4. Open the public menu as a guest and verify the page, image and intended URL.
5. Sign in as the limited editor and confirm the permitted editing action works without granting site-wide administrative access.

If the page exists but the menu opens something else, inspect the menu target and access settings before reinstalling Joomla. Remove the temporary content or replace it with approved business copy once the test passes.

Open the menu link as a visitor, sign in as a limited editor, upload a test image and send a test email. Confirm the administrator area is accessible only to authorised users.

A blank page after adding an extension needs a log and compatibility review. Restore the last working backup or disable the affected extension through a supported method; do not repeatedly overwrite the whole site.

Keep files and data together in your recovery plan, test application updates in a copy when practical, and review logs after deployment. If installation fails, record the exact error, selected application/PHP versions and destination path before retrying.

• Choosing and managing applications with Softaculous
• Opening Softaculous and finding your installations in cPanel
• Changing PHP versions, extensions and application limits
• Creating Web Hosting backups and planning a restore
• Installing WonderCMS and checking the first setup

• Softaculous installation workflow
• Softaculous cms catalogue