Overview

At Arannel Hosting, we make it simple for developers and businesses to launch powerful web applications quickly. One of the most popular frameworks for building modern web applications is Laravel, and with our cPanel hosting, you can install Laravel with just a few clicks using Softaculous.

This guide will walk you through the complete process of installing Laravel on your Arannel Hosting cPanel account.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure you have:

• An active hosting account with Arannel Hosting
• Access to your cPanel login credentials
• A domain name pointed to your hosting account
• Basic understanding of web applications (recommended but not required)

System Requirements

Laravel requires:

• PHP 8.1 or higher
• Composer (included with Softaculous installation)
• MySQL 5.7+ or MariaDB 10.3+
• Various PHP extensions (automatically configured by Softaculous)

Don't worry—Arannel Hosting's servers are pre-configured to meet all Laravel requirements.

Installation Methods

Arannel Hosting supports two methods for installing Laravel:

1. Softaculous Auto-Installer (Recommended for beginners)
2. Manual Installation via SSH (For advanced users)

This guide focuses on the Softaculous method, which is the fastest and most user-friendly option.

Step-by-Step Installation Guide

Step 1: Log into cPanel

1. Navigate to your Arannel Hosting client area
2. Locate your hosting service and click "Login to cPanel"
3. Alternatively, access cPanel directly at: yourdomain.com/cpanel

Step 2: Locate Softaculous

1. Once logged into cPanel, scroll down to the Software section
2. Click on the Softaculous Apps Installer icon
3. The Softaculous interface will open in a new window or panel

Step 3: Find Laravel in Softaculous

1. In the Softaculous dashboard, use the search bar at the top
2. Type "Laravel" and press Enter
3. Click on the Laravel icon from the search results
4. Alternatively, navigate to Frameworks → Laravel from the left sidebar

Step 4: Configure Your Laravel Installation

Click the Install Now button and fill in the following details:

Software Setup

• Choose Protocol: Select https:// if you have an SSL certificate installed (recommended), otherwise select http://
• Choose Domain: Select the domain where you want to install Laravel
• In Directory: Leave blank to install in the root directory, or enter a folder name (e.g., "app" for yourdomain.com/app)

Site Settings

• Site Name: Enter your application name (e.g., "My Laravel App")
• Site Description: Brief description of your application (optional)

Admin Account

• Admin Username: Choose a username for the Laravel admin
• Admin Password: Create a strong password
• Admin Email: Enter your email address for notifications

Database Settings

Softaculous will automatically create a database for you. You can:

• Accept the default database name, or
• Customize the database name and user credentials

Advanced Options (Optional)

• Auto Upgrade: Choose whether to enable automatic Laravel updates
• Backup Location: Specify where to store automated backups
• Email Installation Details: Check this box to receive installation details via email

Step 5: Complete the Installation

1. Review all your settings carefully
2. Click the Install button at the bottom of the page
3. Wait for the installation to complete (typically 1-2 minutes)
4. You'll see a success message with your installation details

Step 6: Access Your Laravel Application

Once installation is complete, you'll receive:

• Application URL: The web address of your Laravel site
• Admin URL: The backend/admin panel URL
• Database Details: Database name, username, and password
• Admin Credentials: Your admin username and password

Click on the application URL to view your new Laravel installation!

Post-Installation Steps

Configure Environment Variables

1. Navigate to File Manager in cPanel
2. Locate your Laravel installation directory
3. Find the .env file and click Edit
4. Update the following settings as needed:
   • APP_NAME: Your application name
   • APP_ENV: Set to production for live sites
   • APP_DEBUG: Set to false for production
   • APP_URL: Your full domain URL
   • Database credentials (if different from auto-generated)

Set Proper Permissions

Ensure the following directories have write permissions:

• storage/
• bootstrap/cache/

Softaculous typically handles this automatically, but you can verify in File Manager.

Enable SSL Certificate

If you haven't already:

1. Go to cPanel Security section
2. Click SSL/TLS Status
3. Enable AutoSSL for your domain
4. Update your .env file to use https:// in APP_URL

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

500 Internal Server Error

Solution: Check file permissions on the storage and bootstrap/cache directories. They should be set to 775.

Database Connection Error

Solution: Verify your database credentials in the .env file match those provided during installation.

Blank White Page

Solution: Enable error reporting temporarily by setting APP_DEBUG=true in your .env file to see the actual error.

.htaccess Issues

Solution: Ensure mod_rewrite is enabled on your server (it is by default at Arannel Hosting). Check that your .htaccess file exists in the public directory.

Managing Your Laravel Installation

Accessing Laravel Files

Use cPanel's File Manager to:

• Edit configuration files
• Upload custom code
• Manage application assets
• View log files in storage/logs/

Database Management

Access your Laravel database through phpMyAdmin in cPanel:

1. Click phpMyAdmin in the Databases section
2. Select your Laravel database from the left sidebar
3. Run queries, import/export data, or manage tables

Updating Laravel

To update Laravel via Softaculous:

1. Return to Softaculous in cPanel
2. Click All Installations in the left sidebar
3. Find your Laravel installation
4. Click the Update icon if an update is available

Best Practices

1. Regular Backups: Use cPanel's backup feature or Softaculous automatic backups
2. Keep Updated: Regularly update Laravel for security patches
3. Use Version Control: Consider setting up Git for your Laravel project
4. Monitor Resources: Check your hosting resource usage in cPanel to ensure your application runs smoothly
5. Secure Your Installation: Always use strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication where possible

Need Help?

If you encounter any issues during installation or have questions:

• Submit a Support Ticket: Through your Arannel Hosting client area
• Live Chat: Available 24/7 for immediate assistance
• Knowledge Base: Browse our extensive documentation library
• Email Support: support@arannel.com