How to Install the Joomla Content Management System

Joomla is an open source content management system (CMS) designed for websites of various types and sizes. Joomla can be used to create corporate websites, community portals and blogging environments. The core Joomla software allows for the efficient management of numerous content types, and the open source community continuously develops modules and themes to enhance Joomla's functionality.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Active website
• Fully configured and running Web server such as Apache or IIS
• PHP 4.2 and higher
• MySQL Database 3.2.3 and higher with an available configured database

1. Download the Joomla installation file. Navigate to the Joomla organization website and go to the download site. Download the most recent stable installation file. Decompress the files to a folder.
2. Upload the Joomla files. Using your Internet service provider's (ISP's) file management tool or an FTP client, place all of the files underneath the "Joomla!_X" (where "X" is the version information) folder into the "html" folder on your website.
3. Begin the Joomla installation. Go to your website's URL. Review the installation information that the Joomla installation program has pulled from your Web server. Ensure that required components are available and settings are correct. Make any required adjustments to your Web server. Once certain that the configuration is correct, click "Next." Accept the license by clicking "Next."
4. Configure the Joomla database. Enter the database "Host Name," which is usually "localhost." Provide a username and password for Joomla to use in accessing the database. Enter the database name, and select whether any existing tables should be dropped or backed up. Keep the "Install Sample Data" selected to have live data to work with when using your Joomla website.
5. Name your Joomla site. Enter a name for your site into the field. Make sure the name is meaningful and related to your Internet address. It will be used in all email sent from your Joomla website. When finished, click "Next."
6. Confirm the Joomla configuration. Ensure that the website address and the path to the Joomla installation are correct. Enter an email for administrative messages and select an administrator password. Keep the "File Permissions" and "Directory Permissions" at their defaults unless you are certain that different permissions are required. When finished, click "Next."
7. Finalize the installation. The Joomla Installation program will indicate that the installation is complete. For security reasons, follow the instructions and delete the "Installation" directory under "html" folder on your Web site. Confirm the administrative login information, and then click "Administration" to configure the site or "View Site" to go directly to the default Joomla installation.