How to Install PrestaShop Step by Step on Your Hosting

Introduction

PrestaShop is one of the most widely used online store platforms in the world. Unlike WooCommerce, PrestaShop is a system designed specifically for e-commerce from its foundation, which makes it especially powerful for large catalogs and professional stores.

In this article you’ll see how to install PrestaShop on your hosting in two ways: with the Softaculous automatic installer (the fastest) and manually. It’s designed so you can follow it without technical knowledge.

Server requirements for PrestaShop

Before installing PrestaShop, make sure your hosting meets the requirements:

• PHP 7.4 or higher (PHP 8.1 or 8.2 recommended).
• MySQL 5.6 or higher, or MariaDB 10 or higher.
• Active SSL certificate.
• Write permissions on the installation folders.
• PHP extensions: Curl, GD, Mbstring, Zip, OpenSSL.

[Imagen sugerida: screenshot of PrestaShop server requirements]

At miHosting all professional hosting plans more than meet PrestaShop requirements. They include PHP 8.x, MySQL/MariaDB, free SSL and Curl enabled.

Method 1: Install PrestaShop with Softaculous (recommended)

This is the fastest and easiest way. Softaculous is an automatic application installer included in cPanel.

Step 1: Access Softaculous

1. Log in to your control panel (cPanel).
2. Find the Softaculous Apps Installer section.
3. Click the PrestaShop icon.

[Imagen sugerida: screenshot of the PrestaShop icon in Softaculous]

Step 2: Start the installation

1. Click Install Now.

2. Fill in the installation details:

   Field	What to enter
   Choose Protocol	https:// (if you have SSL)
   Choose Domain	The domain where you want the store
   In Directory	Empty if you want the store in the root, or a folder like shop
   Store Name	Your store name
   Admin Username	Your admin username
   Admin Password	A secure password
   Admin Email	Your email

3. In Database Settings, leave the default name or change it if you prefer.

4. Select the store’s language.

5. Click Install.

[Imagen sugerida: screenshot of the PrestaShop installation form in Softaculous]

The installation takes less than two minutes. When finished, Softaculous shows you the two important addresses:

• Store URL: https://yourdomain.com
• Admin panel URL: https://yourdomain.com/adminXXXX (the folder has a suffix for security).

Write down the admin panel address and your credentials carefully. You’ll need them to manage the store.

Method 2: Install PrestaShop manually

If you prefer to install it manually or your hosting doesn’t have Softaculous, follow these steps.

Step 1: Download PrestaShop

1. Go to the official PrestaShop website (prestashop.com).
2. Download the latest stable version in ZIP format.

Step 2: Upload the files to your hosting

1. Log in to cPanel or connect via FTP with FileZilla.
2. Go to the public_html folder (or the folder where you want to install the store).
3. Upload the PrestaShop ZIP file.
4. Unzip the file inside the folder.

[Imagen sugerida: screenshot of uploading and unzipping the PrestaShop ZIP via FTP or cPanel]

Step 3: Create the database

1. In cPanel, go to MySQL Databases.
2. Create a new database, for example user_prestashop.
3. Create a database user with a secure password.
4. Assign the user to the database with all privileges.

[Imagen sugerida: screenshot of database creation in cPanel]

Write down these details: database name, username and password. You’ll need them in the installation wizard.

Step 4: Run the installation wizard

1. Open your browser and go to https://yourdomain.com.

2. The PrestaShop installation wizard will open automatically.

3. Follow the wizard steps:

   • Welcome: select the language.
   • License: accept the terms.
   • System compatibility: the wizard checks the requirements. If everything is green, continue.
   • Store information: name, activity, country, admin name and password.
   • Database configuration: enter the database details you created.
   • Installation: wait for it to finish.

[Imagen sugerida: screenshot of the PrestaShop installation wizard]

Step 5: Remove the installation folder

For security, PrestaShop will ask you to delete the install folder after installing.

1. Connect via FTP or cPanel to your hosting.
2. Delete the install folder.
3. Rename the admin folder to include a suffix, for example admin7k3. This adds a layer of security.

This step is important. If you don’t delete the install folder, anyone could reinstall your store.

Initial configuration after installation

Once PrestaShop is installed, there are several settings worth making before adding products:

1. Activate the SSL certificate. Go to Shop Parameters → Traffic & SEO and enable the HTTPS option.
2. Configure the zone and currency. In Localization, select your country and currency.
3. Review taxes. Import your country’s tax rules.
4. Configure emails. In Advanced Parameters → Email, check that emails are being sent correctly.
5. Enable maintenance mode if you’re still preparing the store.

If you want to see how to enable and disable maintenance mode in PrestaShop 8, we have a specific guide for that.

Useful tips

• Use Softaculous if you can. It’s faster and avoids manual errors.
• Always install over HTTPS. Never over HTTP. A store without SSL generates security warnings and loses sales.
• Store your credentials safely. Admin username, password and panel URL.
• Back up after installation. This way you have a clean starting point in case something fails later.
• Don’t install too many modules at first. Start with the essentials and add modules as you need them.

Common problems

The installation wizard shows permission errors

Folder permissions must allow writing. Via FTP, set folders to 755 and files to 644. If the error continues, contact your hosting.

The screen appears blank after installing

Enable PrestaShop’s debug mode. Edit the config/defines.inc.php file and change _PS_MODE_DEV_ to true. This will show the real error.

I can’t access the admin panel

Check the panel URL (include the security suffix). If you forgot the password, use the email recovery option.

The store is very slow

PrestaShop needs resources. Enable cache under Advanced Parameters → Performance and check that your hosting plan has enough memory. For stores with many products, a higher plan is advisable.

Order emails don’t arrive

Review the email configuration under Advanced Parameters → Email. Try SMTP instead of PHP’s mail function.

Frequently asked questions

Is PrestaShop free?

Yes, the PrestaShop software is free and open source. What may have a cost are the additional modules and themes you install from their marketplace.

Do I need to know programming to use PrestaShop?

No. PrestaShop is managed from a visual panel. If you can handle a control panel, you can handle PrestaShop.

How much does it cost to install PrestaShop?

The software is free. The costs are: domain, hosting and SSL certificate (free at miHosting). If you hire a professional for design, add that cost.

Can I install PrestaShop on a subdomain?

Yes. You can install it on shop.yourdomain.com or in a folder like yourdomain.com/shop.

Does Softaculous install the most recent version of PrestaShop?

Softaculous keeps versions updated. Check that version 8.x is installed, which is the most recent and secure.

Your PrestaShop store is ready to start

Installing PrestaShop is a quick process if you use Softaculous: in less than five minutes the store is ready to configure. If you do it manually, the wizard guides you step by step without complications.

Once installed, spend time on the initial configuration: SSL, localization, taxes and emails. These prior settings prevent problems when you start selling.

If you need suitable hosting for PrestaShop, at miHosting we have plans with PHP 8.x, free SSL, MariaDB and support from real technicians. You can also commission us to design your complete store from €350. Open a ticket from your client panel and we’ll help with any installation step.