How to Install PrestaShop on Windows VPS

Introduction

PrestaShop is an open-source e-commerce platform that allows you to create and manage online stores. Installing PrestaShop on a Windows VPS is a great way to have full control over your store while ensuring better performance and scalability. In this guide, we will walk you through the steps to install PrestaShop on your Windows VPS, configure the database, and get your store up and running.

Prerequisites

Before proceeding with the installation, make sure you have the following:

• A Windows VPS with administrative privileges.
• Access to your server via Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP).
• PHP, MySQL, and a web server (Apache or Nginx) installed (we will use XAMPP in this guide).
• Access to a domain name (optional, for live websites).

Step 1: Install XAMPP on Your Windows VPS

XAMPP is a free and easy-to-install Apache distribution that includes MySQL, PHP, and Perl. Here’s how to install XAMPP on your Windows VPS:

1. Download XAMPP from the official website: Apache Friends.
2. Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to install XAMPP on your server.
3. Once installed, open the XAMPP Control Panel and start the Apache and MySQL services.
4. Make sure that both Apache (web server) and MySQL (database server) are running, which you can confirm in the XAMPP Control Panel.

Step 2: Create a Database for PrestaShop

PrestaShop requires a MySQL database to store your store’s data. Here’s how to create a database:

1. Open your browser and go to http://localhost/phpmyadmin.
2. Log in to phpMyAdmin with the default MySQL username root (no password).
3. Click on the “Databases” tab.
4. Enter a name for your new database (e.g., prestashop_db) and click “Create”.
5. Note the name of your database as you will need it during the PrestaShop installation.

Step 3: Download and Install PrestaShop

Next, we will download PrestaShop and install it on your Windows VPS:

1. Download the latest version of PrestaShop from the official website: PrestaShop Download.
2. Extract the downloaded PrestaShop zip file to the htdocs directory of your XAMPP installation (typically located at C:\xampp\htdocs\).
3. Rename the extracted folder to something like prestashop for easy identification.

Step 4: Configure PrestaShop

Now, we need to configure PrestaShop to connect to the database:

1. Open your web browser and navigate to: http://localhost/prestashop.
2. Choose your language and click “Next”.
3. PrestaShop will now ask for your database details. Enter the following:
• Database Host: localhost
• Database Name: The name of the database you created earlier (e.g., prestashop_db).
• Database Username: root
• Database Password: Leave this field empty (unless you have set a password for the MySQL root user).
• Table Prefix: Leave the default value (ps_) or change it for security purposes.
4. Click “Test Connection” to verify that PrestaShop can connect to the database.
5. If the connection is successful, click “Next”.

Step 5: Complete the Installation

Once PrestaShop is connected to the database, you will be asked to provide some basic information:

• Shop Name: Enter the name of your online store.
• Shop Activity: Select the activity that best represents your business.
• Country: Choose the country where your business is located.
• Admin Email: Enter an email address for your admin account.
• Admin Username: Choose a username for the admin panel.
• Admin Password: Choose a secure password for the admin account.

Click “Next” to complete the installation.

Step 6: Access Your PrestaShop Admin Panel

After the installation, you can access your PrestaShop store by going to the following URL: http://localhost/prestashop.

To access the admin panel, go to: http://localhost/prestashop/admin, and log in using the admin credentials you created.

Step 7: Configure Your PrestaShop Store

Once logged in, you can start configuring your store by adding products, selecting themes, and setting up payment gateways. You can also add additional modules to enhance your store’s functionality.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have successfully installed PrestaShop on your Windows VPS. You can now begin customizing your online store and adding products. Make sure to keep PrestaShop up to date to ensure security and performance improvements.