Joomla

This page explains the Joomla one-click installer in GoAdmio. It lets you install a complete Joomla site on a domain in a single step — no manual file upload, no database setup, no configuration.

Location: Admin Panel → Scripts → Joomla
Location (User Panel): Scripts → Joomla (if enabled for the account)

Overview

Joomla is a free, open-source content management system (CMS) used by millions of websites — from small blogs to large enterprise portals. It is known for its flexibility, multilingual support, and strong user-management features.

GoAdmio's one-click installer handles the entire setup:

• Downloads the latest Joomla release
• Creates the database and database user
• Configures Joomla's configuration.php with the correct credentials
• Installs Joomla in the chosen directory
• Runs the installation wizard (site name, admin user, admin password)

> Note: The one-click installer is for new installations. For migrating an existing Joomla site, use Backup Wizard or restore from a Joomla backup. For changing an existing Joomla admin password, use the Joomla admin or database directly — see MySQL Databases.

What the Page Shows

| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Domain | The domain to install Joomla on (e.g., example.com) |
| Directory | The installation path (e.g., /home/example.com/www) |
| Version | The Joomla version to install (e.g., Latest Version) |
| Database Name | The database to use — prefixed with the account username |
| Database Username | The database user — prefixed with the account username |
| Database Password | The password for the database user — you must enter a new password |
| Install | Run the installation |

> Important: The Database Password field does not auto-generate. You must enter a new password for the new database. Choose a strong password and store it securely — you will need it if you ever manage the database directly.

Prerequisites

Before installing Joomla:

1. A domain is set up on the account — see Create New Account or Addon Domains.
2. DNS points to the server — the domain resolves to the GoAdmio server. See DNS Manager and Track DNS.
3. The document root exists — usually www/<domain> — see Change Document Root.
4. The domain is not suspended — see Suspend Account.
5. The account has disk space and database limits — see Show Accounts Over Quota and Add/Modify Packages.
6. PHP and MySQL are running — see Service Status.

How to Install Joomla

Step 1 — Open the installer

1. Log in to the GoAdmio Admin Panel (or User Panel).
2. Navigate to Scripts → Joomla.

Step 2 — Select the domain

1. Choose the Domain from the dropdown.
2. The Directory field auto-fills with the account's document root.
3. Adjust the directory if you want Joomla in a subdirectory (e.g., /home/example.com/www/joomla).

Step 3 — Choose the version

1. Select the Version — usually Latest Version.
2. If other versions are available, choose the one you need.

Step 4 — Configure the database

1. The Database Name and Database Username are pre-filled with the account's username prefix.
2. Add a suffix if you want a specific name (e.g., joomla), or leave the default.
3. Enter a new password in the Database Password field.

> Warning: The database password is not auto-generated. If you leave it blank or use a weak password, the database is at risk. Use a strong password and save it immediately.

Step 5 — Install

1. Click Install.
2. GoAdmio downloads Joomla, creates the database, configures configuration.php, and installs the files.
3. The installation may take a minute or two.
4. When complete, GoAdmio shows the Joomla installation wizard or a link to it.

Step 6 — Complete the Joomla setup

1. Open the installation wizard at https://<domain>/installation/ (or the URL shown).
2. Fill in:

1. Click Install Joomla.
2. When prompted, remove the installation directory — the wizard usually does this automatically.
3. Log in at https://<domain>/administrator/ with the credentials you set.

What the Installer Creates

| Item | Created? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Joomla files | ✅ Yes | In the chosen directory |
| Database | ✅ Yes | With the account's username prefix |
| Database user | ✅ Yes | With the account's username prefix |
| configuration.php | ✅ Yes | With the database credentials |
| Joomla admin user | ⚠️ Via the wizard | You set it in step 6 |
| Site name | ⚠️ Via the wizard | You set it in step 6 |
| SSL certificate | ❌ No | Install separately — see Install Free SSL Certificate |
| Caching | ❌ No | Joomla has built-in caching — enable it in Global Configuration |
| Security extension | ❌ No | Recommended: Admin Tools, jHackGuard |

> Note: The installer creates a working site, but a production Joomla site also benefits from:
> - SSL — see Install Free SSL Certificate
> - Caching — Joomla's built-in cache, or a plugin
> - Security extensions — for hardening
> - Backups — see Backup Wizard

After Installing

| Task | Why |
|---|---|
| Complete the Joomla wizard | Set site name, admin user, and admin email |
| Remove the installation directory | Security — the installer should not remain |
| Log in to /administrator/ | Confirm the site works |
| Install an SSL certificate | HTTPS is essential — see Install Free SSL Certificate |
| Redirect HTTP to HTTPS | See Redirect HTTP to HTTPS |
| Enable Joomla caching | Global Configuration → Cache |
| Install a security extension | Harden the site against attacks |
| Set up backups | Joomla sites need regular backups — see Backup Wizard |
| Update Joomla, templates, and extensions | Security and performance |
| Configure SEF URLs | SEO-friendly URLs — Global Configuration → SEO |

> Warning: The installation directory must be removed after installation. Leaving it in place is a serious security risk — an attacker can reinstall Joomla and take over the site.

Common Scenarios

"The installation succeeded but the site does not load"

1. Check DNS — does the domain resolve to the server? See Track DNS.
2. Check the document root — is Joomla in the right directory? See File Manager.
3. Check the web server — is it running? See Service Status.
4. Check the SSL certificate — if HTTPS is enforced but no certificate, the site will not load.

"The installation fails with a database error"

1. Check the database password — it must be filled in.
2. Check the database limit — the account may have reached its database quota. See Add/Modify Packages.
3. Check MySQL — is it running? See Service Status.
4. Check disk space — the account may be over quota. See Show Accounts Over Quota.

"The installation directory was not removed"

If the installer did not remove it:

1. Open File Manager.
2. Navigate to the Joomla directory.
3. Delete the installation folder.

"I want Joomla in a subdirectory (e.g., /joomla)"

1. In the Directory field, append /joomla to the document root.
2. Complete the installation.
3. The site is now at https://example.com/joomla/.

"The customer's Joomla site was compromised"

1. Reset the Joomla admin password via the Joomla admin or database.
2. Review the Joomla users list for unauthorized admins.
3. Scan for malware — see ClamAV Antivirus.
4. Update Joomla, templates, and extensions — the most common compromise vector.
5. Check configuration.php for injected code.
6. Review logs — see FTP Logs and Apache Status.
7. Consider restoring from a clean backup — see Restore Full Backup.

Security Recommendations

| Practice | Why |
|---|---|
| Remove the installation directory | Critical — otherwise the site can be reinstalled |
| Use a strong admin username | admin is the most targeted username |
| Use a strong admin password | Admin accounts are brute-force targets |
| Enable Joomla's built-in 2FA | Joomla 4+ includes two-factor authentication |
| Keep Joomla updated | Outdated versions are the top compromise vector |
| Keep templates and extensions updated | Same reason |
| Remove unused extensions | Every extension is a potential vulnerability |
| Use a security extension | Admin Tools, jHackGuard, etc. |
| Install SSL | HTTPS protects login credentials |
| Back up regularly | Joomla sites are frequent targets — see Backup Wizard |
| Limit admin users | Fewer admins means fewer targets |
| Use file permissions | See Fix Permissions |
| Enable Joomla's cache | Performance and reduced load |

> Warning: A newly installed Joomla site is not automatically secure. The installation directory, default admin credentials, and outdated extensions are common compromise vectors. Follow the recommendations above to harden the site.

Related Commands

| Command | Purpose |
|---|---|
| /go/conf | Rebuild web server config |
| /go/ssl domain.com | Install SSL for the site |
| /go/repair | Repair the Joomla database if needed |

See Command Reference for the full CLI list.

Related Pages

• Scripts — other one-click installers (WordPress, Drupal, etc.)
• MySQL Databases — manage the Joomla database
• Install Free SSL Certificate — HTTPS for the site
• Redirect HTTP to HTTPS — force HTTPS
• File Manager — inspect Joomla files
• Backup Wizard — back up the site
• ClamAV Antivirus — scan for malware
• Cache Website — full-page caching for performance
• MultiPHP Manager — PHP version for the site
• PHP Disable Functions — restrict dangerous functions
• Fix Permissions — repair file ownership
• Change Document Root — if Joomla is in a subdirectory

Troubleshooting

| Problem | Likely cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Installation fails with "database error" | Wrong password, database limit reached, or MySQL down | Verify the password; check limits; check Service Status |
| Site does not load after install | DNS not pointing to the server, or wrong document root | Check Track DNS; verify the directory |
| "Error displaying the error page" | Database connection error | Check configuration.php; verify the database in MySQL Databases |
| Joomla wizard does not appear | Installation incomplete, or wrong URL | Check the install log; try https://domain/installation/ |
| Cannot log in to /administrator/ | Wrong credentials, or the user was not created | Reset the password via the database; see MySQL Databases |
| Site shows a blank page | PHP error suppressed | Enable display_errors temporarily in PHP Configuration; check the error log |
| "installation directory still exists" | Joomla did not remove it automatically | Delete it manually via File Manager |
| Extensions cannot be installed | File permissions, or PHP limits | Check Fix Permissions and PHP Configuration |
| Site is slow | No caching, or PHP version too old | Enable Joomla cache; use PHP 8.x — see MultiPHP Manager |
| Joomla is in the wrong directory | Installation path was set incorrectly | Delete and reinstall in the correct directory |

Best Practices

| Practice | Why |
|---|---|
| Use the latest Joomla version | Security and performance |
| Remove the installation directory | Critical security step |
| Install SSL immediately | Protect login credentials |
| Use a non-default admin username | admin is the most targeted |
| Use a strong admin password | Brute-force protection |
| Enable Joomla's 2FA | Adds a layer beyond the password |
| Install a security extension | Harden the site |
| Enable Joomla caching | Improve performance |
| Set up regular backups | Joomla sites are frequent targets |
| Keep everything updated | Outdated extensions are the top compromise vector |
| Remove unused extensions | Every extension is a potential vulnerability |
| Configure SEF URLs early | Changing them later breaks existing links |
| Store the database password securely | You will need it for direct database access |
| Monitor the site | Use a security extension or external monitoring |