A Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up an eCommerce Site with PrestaShop

If you are looking for a reliable eCommerce platform to turn your business idea into an online store, PrestaShop is an excellent choice. In this article, we will guide you step-by-step on how to set up an eCommerce site using PrestaShop, whether you choose the manual or auto-installation method. We will cover topics such as why you should use PrestaShop, how to install PrestaShop, setting up your site, adding products, configuring payment methods, adding languages, installing themes, adding an SSL certificate, setting up currencies, resetting the admin password, and changing the domain name. By the end of this guide, you will have a fully functional eCommerce site up and running with PrestaShop.

Why Use PrestaShop?

PrestaShop is known for its easy installation and user-friendly interface. It provides all the essential eCommerce infrastructure, such as payment methods and store management tools, and offers customization for nearly every aspect of the website. Some of the key strengths of PrestaShop include:

Built-in inventory management system
Thousands of customizable themes and templates
Thousands of modules to extend functionality
Robust marketing features
Wide range of payment gateways
Completely free to download and install

PrestaShop is one of the most popular eCommerce platforms in Europe and is among the top six global favorite eCommerce platforms to migrate to.

How to Install PrestaShop (Tutorial)

There are two ways to install PrestaShop – using an auto-installer or doing it manually. If you use Hostinger as your hosting provider, we will guide you through the process of using the auto-installer. If you prefer manual installation, we will provide detailed instructions on how to do it as well.

Auto-Installation Method

Log in to your hosting control panel and navigate to the Auto-Installer section.
Search for PrestaShop and select it as the application to install.
Fill in the required fields, such as the administrator username, password, email, and website title.
Choose to create a new database.
Click Install and wait for the installation to complete.
Access the PrestaShop login page using the provided admin URL.

Manual Installation Method

Download the latest version of PrestaShop from the official website.
Extract the installation package.
Upload the extracted files to your server using a file manager or FTP client.
Create a new database for PrestaShop.
Run the installation script by accessing the PrestaShop URL.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

How to Set Up a PrestaShop Site

Once you have installed PrestaShop, it’s time to set up your eCommerce site. This section will guide you through the process of setting up new pages, installing themes, configuring payment methods, adding languages, adding products, adding an SSL certificate, setting up currencies, resetting the admin password, and changing the domain name.

Set Up New Pages

Creating new custom pages helps improve SEO and provides easier navigation for your customers. To create a new page:

Go to the Pages section in the PrestaShop dashboard.
Click the Add new page button.
Customize the new page by filling in the necessary details, such as the page title, meta title, meta description, friendly URL, and page content.
Save the page and link it to the menu bar.

Install Themes

PrestaShop offers a wide range of themes to choose from to give your eCommerce site a professional and appealing look. To install a new theme:

Go to the Theme Catalog in the PrestaShop admin panel.
Browse through the available themes and choose the one you like.
Add the theme to your cart and proceed to checkout.
Activate the theme in the Theme & Logo section.

Set Up Payment Methods

PrestaShop comes with basic payment methods such as bank transfer and check payment. You can also install payment modules to offer more payment options to your customers. To configure payment methods:

Go to the Payment Methods section in the PrestaShop admin panel.
Configure the already active payment methods by filling in the necessary details.
Install payment modules for additional payment gateways.

Add Languages

PrestaShop allows you to add multiple languages to your eCommerce site to reach a wider audience. To add a new language:

Go to the Translations section in the PrestaShop admin panel.
Add a new language by selecting it from the drop-down menu and clicking Add or update a language.
Set the new language as the default if desired.

Add Products

Adding products is essential for any eCommerce site. To add a product:

Go to the Products section in the PrestaShop admin panel.
Click the New product button.
Fill in the necessary details for the product, such as the name, description, images, pricing, shipping, and SEO information.
Save the product and repeat the process for each product you want to add.

Add an SSL Certificate

Adding an SSL certificate to your PrestaShop site is important to ensure secure connections and protect customer data. To add an SSL certificate:

Go to the Shop Parameters section in the PrestaShop admin panel.
Check if your shop supports HTTPS.
If supported, enable SSL and SSL on all pages.

Set Up Currencies

Allow customers to pay in their local currencies by setting up multiple currencies in your PrestaShop site. To set up currencies:

Go to the Localization section in the PrestaShop admin panel.
Add new currencies by specifying the currency and exchange rate.
Set a new default currency if desired.

Reset the Admin Password

If you forget the admin password for your PrestaShop site, you can reset it using the password reminder function on the login panel. If you don’t have access to your email, you can reset it manually using phpMyAdmin. To reset the admin password:

Reset your password from the login panel if you have access to your email.
Reset your password manually via phpMyAdmin if you don’t have access to your email.

Change PrestaShop Domain Name

If you need to change your PrestaShop domain name, you can do it through the admin panel or via the hosting control panel. To change the domain name:

Change your domain name through the admin panel by updating the shop URL settings.
Change your domain name through the hosting control panel using phpMyAdmin.

By following these steps, you will have a fully functional eCommerce site set up with PrestaShop. Good luck with your new online store!

👉
Start your website with Hostinger – get fast, secure hosting here 👈

🔗 Read more from MinimaDesk:

🎁 Download free premium WordPress tools from our Starter Tools page.