How to Install PrestaShop Manually via FTP — Online Store

Want to launch an online store with PrestaShop? It's one of Europe's most popular open-source e-commerce platforms — catalog, cart, payments, shipping, and back office in one system.

This guide covers manual FTP installation on your Battlehorns hosting: download PrestaShop, upload files, create a database, and finish setup in your browser.

Already have FTP set up? See our How to Use FTP with FileZilla tutorial.

Minimum requirements

• PHP 8.1+ (8.2 or 8.3 recommended)
• MySQL 5.7+ or MariaDB 10.2+
• PHP extensions: cURL, GD, Intl, Zip, OpenSSL, Mbstring, DOM
• 512 MB+ PHP memory (1 GB+ recommended for large catalogs)
• ~250 MB disk space (more for images and modules)
• FTP/SFTP access and panel access to create a database

Overview (7 steps)

1. Download PrestaShop from prestashop.com
2. Create a MySQL database in your panel
3. Extract the package on your PC
4. Upload files via FTP to public_html
5. Open your domain in the browser — installation wizard
6. Configure store, language, currency, and admin account
7. Delete the /install folder for security

Step 1 — Download PrestaShop

1. Go to prestashop.com/en/download
2. Download the latest version (.zip file)
3. Extract it on your computer
4. You'll see files like index.php, prestashop.zip, and installer files

Note: on recent versions, you upload the full package (including the .zip) — the installer unpacks it on the server during setup.

Step 2 — Create the MySQL database

In your Battlehorns hosting panel:

1. Create a database (e.g. shop_ps)
2. Create a MySQL user with a strong password
3. Grant full privileges on that database
4. Write down: database name, username, password, host (usually localhost)

Step 3 — Upload files via FTP

Connect with FileZilla. On the server, open public_html (or www).

Store at domain root

1. Select all files from the extracted folder
2. Drag them into public_html
3. Wait for the full upload (can take several minutes)

Store in a subfolder (e.g. yourdomain.com/shop)

1. Create a shop folder in public_html
2. Upload files into that folder

Step 4 — Launch the installation wizard

Open in your browser:

• Root: https://yourdomain.com
• Subfolder: https://yourdomain.com/shop

Step 5 — Follow the wizard

License and compatibility

• Accept the license terms
• The installer checks PHP, extensions, and permissions
• If folders fail checks, set var, cache, img, upload to writable permissions

Store information

• Store name
• Main activity
• Country, timezone, and currency
• Store email
• Admin account (email, name, strong password)

Database

• Server: localhost
• Database name, user, password
• Table prefix: ps_ (default is fine)

Step 6 — Mandatory security after install

Critical: delete the /install folder via FTP. Otherwise anyone could reinstall or compromise your store.

1. Connect with FileZilla
2. Delete the install folder
3. Rename /admin to a unique name (e.g. admin_x7k2m9)

Step 7 — First store setup

1. Log in to back office: https://yourdomain.com/admin_xxxxx
2. Confirm shop parameters (name, email, country, currency)
3. Create your first test product
4. Enable payment and shipping modules
5. Choose a theme
6. Enable SSL (HTTPS)
7. Disable maintenance mode when ready to go live

Common problems

Folder permission errors

Folders var, cache, img, upload need write access. Use 755 for folders, 644 for files.

Database connection error

Double-check host, database name, user, password, and privileges.

Blank page or 500 error

Increase PHP memory_limit (min 256M, ideal 512M) and confirm PHP 8.1+ with required extensions.

PrestaShop hosting on Battlehorns

Your online store needs stable