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Get started with PrestaShop

PrestaShop is free, open-source software for running an online store. It handles your product catalog, customer accounts, checkout, orders and stock, and it can be extended with modules and themes. It suits shops of many sizes, including stores with lots of products and product variations. This guide covers installing PrestaShop and the steps to take before you accept real orders.

Install PrestaShop​

If your host offers a one-click installer for PrestaShop, use it. Otherwise, install it with the official web installer:

  1. Download PrestaShop from the official PrestaShop website.
  2. Upload the package to your site's web folder over SFTP and extract it, following the instructions included in the download. See Upload files with SFTP.
  3. Create a database and a database user in your hosting control panel. See Databases explained.
  4. Open your domain in a browser and follow the installer: choose the language, enter your store details, the database details and your administrator account.

Secure the installation​

Two folders need attention straight after installing:

  • The install folder: delete it once the installation is complete. PrestaShop asks you to do this, and leaving it in place is a security risk.
  • The admin folder: PrestaShop renames the back office folder to a unique name, such as admin followed by random characters. That name is part of your back office address, for example https://example.com/admin123abc. Bookmark the address and store it in your password manager, and do not share it publicly. If your folder is still called admin, rename it.

Use a long, unique password for every employee account in the back office, and give each person only the permissions they need.

Set up the store​

Payment modules​

PrestaShop takes payments through payment modules. Install the official module for your payment provider from the back office module catalog or from the provider, then connect it to your account. Most providers have a test mode (also called sandbox mode) that processes fake payments; use it while you set up.

Shipping​

Create your carriers (delivery methods), with the zones they cover and their prices by weight or order total. Check that every country you sell to has a carrier, or customers there cannot finish checkout.

Set your tax rules, store address, currency and order emails. Add the pages your customers expect, such as terms of sale, shipping and returns, and a privacy policy. Rules differ by country, so check what applies to your business.

Place test orders​

Before opening the store, place several test orders with the payment provider in test mode: one for each payment method and carrier, plus a cancelled or refunded order. Check that order confirmation emails arrive, stock decreases and the order appears correctly in the back office. Switch the payment module to live mode only when everything works, and use maintenance mode to hide the store from visitors until then.

Keep PrestaShop updated and backed up​

Updates fix security issues in PrestaShop and its modules, so install them promptly.

  1. Back up the files and the database. See Backups and restores.
  2. Update modules from the back office, one at a time for important ones such as payment modules.
  3. Update PrestaShop itself with the official upgrade tool described in the PrestaShop documentation.
  4. Place a test order after each update.

Do major updates at a quiet time, and try them on a copy of the store first when you can. Your database holds orders and customer data, so back it up often and keep the backups private.

At DomainPilot

You can choose PrestaShop when you order DomainPilot web hosting so it is installed when your account is set up. DomainPilot also offers dedicated PrestaShop hosting.

Where to get help​

  • The official documentation at docs.prestashop-project.org covers installation, configuration and upgrades.
  • The PrestaShop community forums are the place for questions from other store owners.
  • For a module or theme you bought, contact its developer.

Large catalogs and busy stores can outgrow shared hosting. See Web hosting, VPS or cloud.

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