This guide walks you through each step of installing Joomla 5 on a domain that is already pointed to your hosting.
If you don't have a domain or hosting yet, no worries. You can create a virtual server to practice on your computer. Check out the following articles to learn how to Install Joomla 5 on a Virtual Server Using XAMPP
Preparing Your Domain and Hosting
This guide is designed to help you set up a website using a real domain and hosting. You will need to purchase a domain and also buy hosting to use for your website.
Setting Up the Connection Between Your Domain and Hosting
First, obtain the IP address of your hosting. Then, go to your domain management page (this is the control panel provided by your domain registrar when you purchased the domain). Add a DNS record to connect your domain to the hosting's IP. If you have trouble connecting your domain to your hosting, reach out to your hosting provider for assistance.
This section doesn't cover how to configure the connection between your domain and hosting. To proceed with the next steps, make sure your hosting is working and properly connected to your domain.
Download Joomla 5 Source Code, Upload to Hosting, and Extract Files
Go to the official Joomla website and download the latest Joomla 5 source code package. This will be a zip file. After downloading, open your hosting control panel and upload the zip file to your hosting account.
Once the zip file is uploaded, extract it to unpack the entire Joomla 5 source code on your hosting. You can refer to the video clip for instructions on where to upload and extract the files
Access Your Domain and Run the Joomla 5 Installation Process
Open Chrome and type in your domain name. Since you’ve already set up the IP connection for your domain, it will now connect to your hosting.
At this point, the Joomla 5 source code you uploaded is running on your hosting, so you will see the Joomla 5 installation page. Essentially, this is a website. The PHP code in the Joomla source recognizes that instead of displaying a regular website, it shows the installation page for you.
Next, you’ll need to fill in the required information to set up your website.
Add Site Name
Create a Super User Account to Access Your System
You will need to enter your information to create a login account for yourself. This account will be used to log in to the system once your Joomla website is set up. The account you create will be a Super User account, which has the highest level of access and permissions to manage and control everything on your website.
Enter Database Connection Information
The database is part of your hosting system and is already available. To create a database, use your hosting management tools. You can refer to the tutorial on how to create a database and manage files using cPanel, or you can watch the video guide where the process of creating a database in cPanel is demonstrated.
Once you've created the database name and username, and set the appropriate permissions, use these details to fill in the necessary fields during the Joomla 5 installation process.
Once you've filled in the details, click Install Joomla. When you see the Congratulations! message, your Joomla 5 website has been successfully installed.
To access the admin dashboard, click Open Administrator.
6. Installation Complete: Accessing the Backend and Frontend
Backend (Administrator dashboard)
After installation, you’ll see a login form. Use the Super User account you created during setup to log in.
The Backend (Administrator Dashboard) is your private control center for managing, customizing, and building your website. Only admin users have access to this area.
Joomla’s Backend (Administrator Dashboard) provides all the tools you need to manage your site and build the Frontend.
As a website administrator, you’ll frequently log into the Backend to manage your site.
To access the admin panel, add /administrator/ to your website’s URL. For example:
👉 http://yourdomain.com/administrator/
Frontend - Your Website’s Public View
The Frontend is the actual website that visitors will see. This is where you'll design and structure your content.
At first, the site will be empty since no content has been added yet. Through practice and customization, you'll gradually build and shape your website step by step.
Dustin Dzung
Dustin Dzung with 15 years of experience in using and developing websites with Joomla!, from the first version of Mambo to Joomla! 1.0 and up to the present Joomla! 5.x.