How to Install OpenCart: Complete Guide for Beginners

When it comes to creating a , it is a platform worth trying. Many well-known companies use it to create a website that can respond to an audience of any size.

Also, the OpenCart installation process does not require the . You can do it yourself with the help of a good guide tutorial.

This article will teach you how to install OpenCart step by step, regardless of the operating system you have or the web hosting you use.

What is OpenCart?

OpenCart is a content management system () designed to create online stores. It is open source and free to use and offers enough advanced features to support both small businesses and large enterprises.

With OpenCart, it’s quick and easy. The admin control panel is very intuitive and has many pre-built and highly customizable themes to choose from.

It also allows users to upload an unlimited number of products, set up conveniences, add a multi-store and manage discounts and affiliates. Furthermore, the functionality of the platform can be extended with PHP modules.

It is important to note that OpenCart is self-hosted, which means that you will need hosting and a domain name for your online store to be accessible on the Internet.

Likewise, you will be fully responsible for the development and maintenance of your OpenCart store. Be sure to check out his if you need help. In addition, you can contract the plan from $99 per month.

What are the installation requirements for OpenCart?

These are the installation requirements that you must take into account:

Software:

MySQL version 5 or higher
PHP version 7.3 or higher

Web server:

Microsoft: IIS 7, or
Apache 2.x, or
Nginx 1.0

Disc space:

Make sure your hosting account meets the mentioned system requirements for a smooth OpenCart installation.

If you’re still looking for the best web hosting solution, and plans come with ample resources and enough storage to get your online store up and running.

3 ways to install OpenCart

Now that we’ve covered the requirements, it’s time to examine the different methods for installing OpenCart.

How to install OpenCart with automatic installer?

One of the easiest and fastest ways to install OpenCart is by using a one-click installer. Most hosting providers come with this feature built in.

In this tutorial, we will walk you through the process of installing OpenCart with ‘s hPanel.

1. Create a MySQL database

Enter the hPanel. go to Databases -> MySQL Databases.
In Create new MySQL database and database userfill in the database details:
– MySQL database name
– MySQL username
– Password
click on To create.

2. Install OpenCart with Auto Installer

From your hPanel control panellook for the section Website and click self installer.
Choose Other. Write OpenCart in the search bar and tap Select.
Fill in the required fields and click Install.
go to tutienda.com/admin. Enter the Username and the password and you will be taken to the OpenCart control panel interface.

How to install OpenCart manually?

If the automatic installer is not available, you can install OpenCart manually. For this tutorial, we will use and the FTP client.

1. Create a MySQL database

Sign in to your cPanel. go to Databases -> MySQL Database Wizard.
Name the new database, then enter a Username and one password before clicking Create User.
check the box ALL PRIVILEGES and press Next step.

2. Download the OpenCart installation files

Visit the official one and choose the latest version of OpenCart.

3. Extract the compressed file

if you use Windowsjust do right click mouse on the ZIP file and select Extract to opencart-3.xxx.
If you are a user of Mac, double-click the ZIP file and it will automatically extract to a new folder with the same name. Accede to opencart-3.xxx and then to the folder upload.
change the file config-dist.php for only config.php.
Access the folder admin and repeat the above action.

4. Upload the files through an FTP client

For this step, download and install if you haven’t already.
Opens FileZilla and click File -> Site Manager.
Press new site and enter your web server information. Where says Serverwrite your domain name.
Choose Protocol in FTP – File Transfer Protocol and let Access mode as usual.
Enter the Username and the password of your hosting account provided by your hosting provider. Then click Connect.
Once connected, access the folder public_html and create a new folder for the OpenCart files.
go back to the folder opencart-3.xxx and select all files and folders stored in upload. Proceed to drag and drop them into the Empty directory listing. Then wait for the transfer process to complete.

5. Proceed to the installation

Once everything is loaded, go to tutienda.com/install and you will see the OpenCart installation wizard.
Don’t hesitate to read the License agreement before pressing Continue.
On the pre-install page, make sure the column Status is green and click Continue.
Fill in the database and administration details with the MySQL information you created earlier.
Next, type in a username and password. They will be used to access the OpenCart back-end administration. Enter your email address and click Continue.
Installation is complete. You should soon get a prompt to delete the installation directory.
Go back to FileZillanavigate to opencart directory and delete the installation folder.

Now you can access your OpenCart website. Just enter the URL tutienda.com/admin in your web browser and sign in.

How to install OpenCart on a VPS?

For those who use a VPS hosting, we will only show the general steps to follow. Settings may be slightly different depending on the operating system and control panel you are using.

As an example, some of the operating system and control panel options available for plans include:

CentOS 7 64bit with CentOS Panel.
Debian 8 64bit with Webmin.
Ubuntu 18.04 64bit with VestaCP Control Panel.

Do not hesitate to consult the for more details.

Before proceeding with the installation, make sure you are a non-root user and have sudo privileges. Then follow the steps below using the appropriate commands:

Updates the server’s package repository.
Install the latest version of .
Install or any other open source database application. Then create a
new database and a user for OpenCart.
Install the , as it will be the scripting language for your OpenCart website.
Download the OpenCart files and unzip them.
Copy the OpenCart configuration files.
Modifies directory ownership.
Enables the rewrite module.
Visit tutienda.com/opencart to finish the setup.

conclusion

OpenCart is a great option if you’re looking for a CMS designed explicitly for an eCommerce store. It’s free, highly customizable, and relatively easy to use.

Make sure your hosting plan meets the requirements before downloading OpenCart. Then, depending on the type of hosting account you have, choose one of the following three methods to install OpenCart:

Install OpenCart on – one of the fastest ways since it uses an automatic installer.
Manual installation of OpenCart – files are uploaded through Filezilla to your hosting account.
Installing OpenCart on a VPS – the steps are similar to installing OpenCart manually but through commands. Note that the commands may be different depending on the operating system and control panel you are using.

We hope you enjoy your newly installed OpenCart and good luck with your online store.

Deyi is a digital marketing enthusiast, with a background in web design, content creation, copywriting, and SEO. She is part of ‘s SEO & Localization team. In her free time, she likes to develop projects, read a book or watch a good movie.