Magento is a powerful e-commerce platform used by thousands of professional webshops worldwide. It offers a range of features and capabilities that make it ideal for both small and large businesses. In this comprehensive guide, we will explain step by step how to install Magento via Installatron in DirectAdmin, and provide extra tips and examples to help you get started.

Before You Begin

Check System Requirements

Before you start the installation of Magento, it is crucial to check whether your server meets the specific system requirements. This prevents issues during or after the installation. Check in advance:

  • PHP: Version 8.1 or higher (for Magento 2.4.6+)
  • Database: MySQL 8.0 or MariaDB 10.6
  • RAM: At least 2GB (4GB recommended for better performance)
  • Disk Space: Sufficient disk space (at least 2GB free)

For more detailed information about the system requirements, see also: Magento system requirements.

Create Database

One of the first steps in the installation process is to create a database. This is essential because Magento needs a database to store data. Follow these steps:

  1. Go to MySQL Management in DirectAdmin.
  2. Click on Create Database.
  3. Give the database a name (e.g., magento).
  4. Note the database name, user, and password for later use.

Installing Magento via Installatron

Step 1: Open Installatron

  1. Log in to DirectAdmin.
  2. Go to Installatron Applications Installer.
  3. Search for "Magento" in the application list.
  4. Click on Magento Open Source.

Step 2: Configure Installation

Fill in the installation details. This is a crucial step, as the correct configuration ensures that your webshop runs smoothly.

Location

  • Domain: Select your domain.
  • Directory: Leave blank for the main domain, or fill in a subfolder (e.g., "shop").

Version

  • Select the latest stable version (Magento 2.4.x).
  • Older versions only if you have specific reasons, such as compatibility with existing extensions.

Database

  • Database: Select the previously created database.
  • Username: The database user.
  • Password: The database password.
  • Table Prefix: Leave blank or fill in "mage_" (this helps prevent conflicts with other installations).

Admin Account

  • Admin Username: Choose a unique username (do not use default names like "admin").
  • Admin Password: Choose a strong password, at least 12 characters, with a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols.
  • Admin Email: Your email address for notifications and password recovery.

Store Settings

  • Store Name: Your store name.
  • Store Email: Contact email for the store.
  • Default Currency: EUR.
  • Default Language: Dutch.

Step 3: Start Installation

  1. Carefully check all settings.
  2. Click on Install.
  3. Wait for the installation to complete (this may take 5-15 minutes, depending on server speed).
  4. You will receive a confirmation with login details.

After Installation

Admin Panel Access

  1. Go to: yoursite.nl/admin or the indicated admin URL.
  2. Log in with the chosen admin credentials.
  3. Go through the setup wizard if shown; this helps you configure the basic settings.

First Configuration Steps

After installation, there are some important configuration steps you need to go through to get your webshop operational:

  1. Store configuration: Set basic store information, such as address and contact details.
  2. Shipping methods: Configure shipping options such as standard shipping costs and shipping methods (e.g., DHL, PostNL).
  3. Payment methods: Link payment providers such as PayPal, iDEAL, or credit card processing.
  4. Tax: Set VAT rates based on your location and legislation.
  5. First products: Add test products to check if everything works well.

Install Sample Data (Optional)

For a demo environment, you can install sample data to get an idea of how your webshop might look:

  1. Go to Admin > System > Tools > Sample Data.
  2. Or install via command line with bin/magento sampledata:deploy.

Common Issues

Installation Fails

If the installation fails, there can be various causes:

  • Memory limit: Ask support to increase the PHP memory_limit to 2G.
  • Timeout: Ask support to increase the max_execution_time.
  • Permissions: Check if all folders are writable (755).

Admin Panel Does Not Load

If the admin panel does not load, try the following:

  • Clear the cache with bin/magento cache:clean.
  • Check if the admin URL is correct.
  • Check the error logs for specific error messages.

"Out of Memory" Errors

Magento requires a lot of memory. Here are some solutions:

  1. Ask support to increase the memory_limit.
  2. Consider a larger hosting package with more resources.
  3. Optimize the Magento configuration by removing unnecessary extensions.

Slow Installation

A slow installation is normal for Magento, so patience is required. Do not interrupt the installation prematurely. If you get a timeout, restart the installation.

Performance Tips After Installation

To optimize the performance of your Magento webshop, here are some tips:

  1. Enable Cache: Go to Admin > System > Cache Management and ensure all caches are enabled.
  2. Flat Catalogs: Consider flat catalog tables for large shops to improve loading time.
  3. Configure Cron: Set up cron jobs for automatic tasks such as sending emails and generating reports. See: Set up cron jobs.
  4. Production Mode: Set Magento to production mode with bin/magento deploy:mode:set production to improve performance.

Manual Installation (Alternative)

If Installatron is not available, you can also install Magento manually:

  1. Download Magento from magento.com.
  2. Upload the files via FTP to the public_html folder.
  3. Extract the archive.
  4. Navigate to your domain in the browser.
  5. Follow the installation wizard.

Need Help?

We are here for you! Are you facing any issues or have questions? Our support team is happy to assist you personally. Send us a message via the ticket system - we usually respond within a few hours and are happy to help you.