Learn Opencart 3

Opencart is an E-Commerce platform with a great focus on usability and scalability!

• Last Updated: 04/03/2020
• ( 7 minutes reading )

How to Install OpenCart 3 via Softaculous Auto Installer

Introduction

OpenCart is a powerful and flexible open-source e-commerce platform. In this tutorial, we will guide you on how to install OpenCart 3 via Softaculous Auto-Installer. By completing these few easy steps you will have your own Online Store up and running.

 

Getting Started

The first step we will need you to take is to log in to your cPanel account. You can do that by clicking on the purple “cP” button available under the Home Page of your Client Area with HostArmada.

 

Accessing cPanel

 

Once you are logged in to your cPanel account, please navigate to the “Software” directory where you will be able to locate the “Softaculous Apps Installer” icon.

 

Accessing Softaculous

 

After you access the Softaculous dashboard, please use the search bar positioned on the left-hand side in order to locate the OpenCart application.

 

Locating OpenCart

 

Please select the application from the search results list and then you will be redirected to the OpenCart overview page where you will start the installation process.

 

Installation

Now that you have accessed the application page, please click on the “Install Now” button.

 

Install Now button

 

On the following screen, you will need to specify the configuration details required for the installation. In order to keep it consistent, we will review each of the sections one by one starting with the first “Software Setup” section.

 

Software Setup Section

 

The first thing you need to do is to select the desired installation version. At this point, Softaculous supports OpenCart 1.5, 2, and 3. We strongly recommend you to choose the latest available version unless you strickly require another one.

Next, you will need to configure your website URL settings:

  • Choose Protocol - From this dropdown menu you will need to determine the protocol for the installation. Please note that in order for the secure HTTPS protocol to function properly it requires a valid SSL certificate installed on your domain name.
  • Choose Domain - From this dropdown menu you will need to select the domain name you would like the installation to be performed onto.
  • In Directory - In this field, you can specify the directory path where the installation to be performed. If you would like the installation to be performed directly under the domain name’s root folder ( i.e. https://yourdomain.com), please make sure to leave this field blank. Alternatively, if you wish OpenCart to be installed under a subdirectory (e.g.. https://yourdomain.com/onlinestore), please make sure to specify the subdirectory under this field.

The “Data Directory” field determines the directory where OpenCart data will be stored. Please note that OpenCart requires the data to be stored in a folder without public access, i.e. the folder will be automatically created in your home directory.

From the following “Store Settings” section you will be able to enter the store details entirely depending on your preferences. These details will not affect the installation in any way and you will be able to customize them anytime in the future.

 

Store Settings Section

 

  • Store Name - This determines the name of your store as it will be displayed in the browser title bar.
  • Store Description - In this field, you can enter a short custom description of your store.
  • Store Owner - Determines the name of the store owner.
  • Store Address - In this field, you can enter the physical address of your store.

In the following two “Admin Account” and “Choose Language” sections you will need to specify the admin login credentials and the default store language.

 

Admin Account section

 

Please make sure to change the default username and select a strong password as using insecure login credentials may influence your website security and make it vulnerable for various attacks. You can use the password generator (“Key” icon) to create a strong password for your admin account. Afterward, select an administrative email address which will be used for all update notifications, password reset requests, etc.

Lastly, please select the desired language from the “Select Admin Language” dropdown menu.

The last “Advanced Option” section is optional, it will allow you to customize the database assigned to your OpenCart store.

You will be able to give your database a custom “Database Name” and change the database “Table Prefix”. You can disable the update notifications sent via email by ticking the checkbox. You can control the “Backup Location”, the frequency of the Softaculous “Automated Backups” and the “Backup Rotation”. Please note that these backups will be stored under your hosting account and they will demand available free space. If you are using one of our shared hosting solutions HostArmada is already backing up your data and storing it on remote servers for enhanced security.

 

Advanced Options

 

Once you are have entered all the details, please click on the “Install” button in order to initiate the process and allow it with a few moments to be completed. After it is finalized, you will be provided with your store and admin dashboard URL addresses.

 

Installation completed screen

 

Please, go ahead and double-check if everything is properly working. Once you ensure everything functions as expected - you are all set!

 

Congratulations! You have made the very first step into creating your own Online Store. Now you are ready to put your creative thinking in work and develop a beautiful and successful store. We hope you have found our guide useful and easy to follow and we would like to welcome you to contact our Support Team in case you have run into any difficulties.

 

 

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Sebahat
Content Marketing Specialist

Sebahat is a young and bright woman who has become an invaluable part of our team. She started as a Customer Care Representative, mastering that role and, along the way, growing into a tech-savvy individual who is well acquainted with every support layer of the company. Driven by her aim to improve our customers’ experience constantly, she is committed to enhancing the extraordinary support we deliver.

Learn more about Opencart 3 in the other tutorials that we have: