How to Install OsCommerce to Your Web Host

OsCommerce is an open source content management system used specifically for ecommerce store management. It will work on most web browsers and provides unparalleled support for store management. With it, you can set up shop online with a fully functionally shopping cart that costs you nothing. It is written in PHP format, making it compatible with MySQL databases.

OsCommerce is comparable to the Virtuemart component of Joomla as it contains very similar features such as multilingual support, tax inclusion, multiple shipping options, an unlimited amount of products and categories, and multiple payment methods such as PayPal, 2Checkout, Authorize.net, and credit cards. OsCommerce may even be considered to be more powerful than Virtuemart because of its many features such as integration with UPS shipping options.

Installing OsCommerce is a relatively simple process, relative to the installation of other content management systems. Here's how.

What You Need
You will need a web-hosting server with an integrated control panel such as cPanel. SiteGround is a very good web hosting service because it offers several website management features and an easy-to-use interface.

Step #1
To begin the installation process, you need to download the OsCommerce installation package. Here's the link:
www.oscommerce.com/solutions/downloads

Step #2
Once you have downloaded the package, you can now login to your cPanel account and click on the Fantastico link.

Step #3
On the next page, click OsCommerce under the E-Commerce link. You will be prompted to fill out a form before you finally install OsCommerce.

You have a choice of installing OsCommerce on your domain or on a directory.
*If you plan to install OsCommerce on your the domain, enter your domain name under the Install on Domain field.
*If you plan to install OsCommerce in the root directory, you need to leave the Install on Directory field blank.

Step #4
Under the Admin Access Data section you need to input information such as username, password, shop name, email address and owner's (your) name.

Under the When Clients Register section, indicate whether you want to use SSL encryption and if you want your prices to include taxes. You can determine whether customers will need to fill out their birth date, gender, company name, suburb, and state. All of these options can be changed later.

Step #5
With all the required information entered, you can now click Install. The next page is the Confirm information page. Make sure that all of your information is correct and click Finish Installation.

OsCommerce is installed. You can now start building your store!