A smooth laravel script installation is easier than most beginners expect. If you have bought a Laravel-based script and have cPanel hosting, you can usually have it running in under an hour by following a clear set of steps.
This guide walks you through the whole process on cPanel: checking requirements, uploading files, creating a database, editing the .env file and fixing the errors people hit most often.
Before You Start: What You Need
Preparation saves the most time. Gather these items before you touch any files:
- A hosting account with cPanel that supports the PHP version your script needs.
- A domain name pointed to your hosting.
- The script's ZIP file and its documentation.
- Your purchase or license code, if the script asks for one.
If you do not have hosting or a domain yet, you can look at the web hosting plans and check a name with the domain search tool.
Step 1: Check the Server Requirements
Every Laravel script lists a minimum PHP version and a set of PHP extensions. Read this part of the documentation first. Modern Laravel releases need a recent PHP version, so an old default setting is a common cause of failure.
Select the right PHP version
In cPanel, open Select PHP Version (or MultiPHP Manager) and choose the version the script requires for your domain.
Enable required extensions
In the same area, tick the extensions mentioned in the docs. Typical ones include mbstring, openssl, pdo_mysql, fileinfo, curl, zip, xml and gd. Save your changes before moving on.
Step 2: Upload and Extract the Files
Open File Manager in cPanel and upload the script ZIP. Where you put it matters for security.
- Create a folder for the app outside public_html, for example myapp.
- Upload the ZIP into that folder and extract it.
- Make sure the vendor folder is included. If it is not, you will need to run Composer through SSH or ask the seller how to proceed.
Laravel is designed so that only the public folder is reachable from the web. Keeping the rest of the app outside the public area protects files such as .env.
Step 3: Point Your Domain to the Public Folder
You have two common options.
Option A: Change the document root
If cPanel lets you edit the document root for your domain, set it to myapp/public. This is the cleanest setup and what we recommend.
Option B: Move the public contents
If you cannot change the document root, copy the contents of the public folder into public_html. Then edit index.php so the paths to vendor/autoload.php and bootstrap/app.php point to your app folder. Follow your script's documentation, since some scripts include a ready-made guide for this.
Step 4: Create the Database
Most scripts store data in MySQL. In cPanel:
- Open MySQL Databases and create a new database.
- Create a database user with a strong password.
- Add the user to the database and grant All Privileges.
- Write down the database name, username and password. cPanel usually adds a prefix to each.
If the script includes an SQL file, import it through phpMyAdmin. Otherwise the web installer or a migration command will build the tables for you.
Step 5: Configure the .env File
The .env file holds your settings. If only .env.example exists, copy it and rename the copy to .env. Then update the key values:
- APP_URL: your full domain, such as https://yourdomain.com.
- APP_ENV and APP_DEBUG: use production and false on a live site.
- DB_DATABASE, DB_USERNAME, DB_PASSWORD: the details from the previous step.
- MAIL settings: your SMTP details so emails can be sent.
Never leave debug mode on for a live site, because error pages can reveal sensitive information.
Step 6: Set Permissions and Run the Installer
Laravel must be able to write to two folders: storage and bootstrap/cache. Set them to a writable permission such as 755, or 775 if your host requires it. Avoid 777 where possible.
Next, open your domain in the browser. Many scripts show a web installer that asks for database details and creates an admin account. Follow the prompts. If your script has no installer and you have SSH, the usual commands are php artisan key:generate and php artisan migrate, but always follow the script's own instructions.
Common Problems and Quick Fixes
- 500 Internal Server Error: check permissions, the .env file and the PHP version, then read storage/logs/laravel.log.
- 404 on every page except home: the .htaccess file in the public folder is missing or not being read.
- Blank white page: a missing PHP extension is likely. Enable it in Select PHP Version.
- Images or CSS not loading: check APP_URL and make sure the storage link exists if the script requires it.
- Database connection error: confirm the prefixed database name and user, and that the user has privileges.
After Installation: Security Basics
Once your site loads, switch on SSL, set APP_DEBUG to false, remove any installer files the docs say to delete and back up your database. Regular updates and backups are easy to forget, so consider a maintenance and support plan if you would rather not manage them yourself.
Prefer Not to Do It Yourself?
Not everyone enjoys editing config files. Our Script Installation & Customization service installs PHP and Laravel scripts on your server and can adjust them to your brand. You can also browse our scripts and apps if you are still choosing what to launch.
Ready to go live? Let our team handle your laravel script installation so you can focus on your business. Get started with our installation service today.
Frequently asked questions
Can I install a Laravel script on shared hosting?
Yes. Most Laravel scripts run on cPanel shared hosting as long as the server meets the required PHP version and extensions listed in the script's documentation.
Why do I see a 500 error after installing Laravel?
The most common causes are wrong folder permissions on storage and bootstrap/cache, a missing or incorrect .env file, or an unsupported PHP version. Check the Laravel log in storage/logs for the exact reason.
Should the public folder be my web root?
Yes, that is the safest setup. Point your domain to the public folder, or keep the app outside public_html and place only the public contents there with adjusted paths.
Do I need SSH access to install a Laravel script?
Not always. Many scripts ship with vendor files and a web installer, so you can use File Manager and phpMyAdmin. SSH just makes commands like migrations easier.
Can someone install the script for me?
Yes. Anow IT Solution offers a script installation and customization service where the team installs a PHP or Laravel script on your server.
