By installing web-apps, website owners are able to add more functions and features to their sites. There are tons of scripts and web-apps available but it can become time-consuming individually installing them all. That’s where Softaculous came in and changed the game completely, making it possible for you to install its over 400+ apps in just one click.
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What is Softaculous?
Softaculous an extremely popular free auto app installer application that comes integrated with your cPanel web hosting service. Softaculous offers access to hundreds of scripts and apps with just a 1-click application installation technique. By clicking on the Softaculous icon, you will find hundreds of pre-installed applications (apps). These apps include content management systems (CMS), shopping carts, social networking and image galleries. All of these can be installed in record time, with just a few clicks. It also manages the installation, backup and updates for you.
All these features make softaculous perfect for installing your web-apps. But first, what are web-apps and what are their benefits.
What is a web-app?
A Web application or web app for short refers to any computer programme that uses a web browser as its client to perform a specific function. It can be as simple as a contact form on your website or as complex as a multi-player mobile gaming app on your phone.
What Are the Benefits of Using Web Applications?
Web-apps make it possible for anyone to use an app as long as they have access to the internet. Essentially, a web-app is a computer programme that uses web technology and web browsers to complete tasks over the internet. Web-apps are compatible with all users making it possible for you to access and use the same version of the app regardless of the platform you are using.
Web-apps are important because they make it possible for businesses to reduce costs, increase efficiency and streamline their operations. These online apps include word processors, spreadsheets and word processors, which function the same as the desktop versions. The greater advantage of web-apps is that they give businesses and individuals the ability to work across multiple platforms, create a greater reach and are accessible from anywhere in the world with an internet connection.
Now that we understand web-apps and how important they are, let’s look at how Softaculous makes it easy to install them.
How Does Softaculous Help?
Having a user-friendly Content Management System (CMS) is crucial and is the saving grace for persons who don’t know the first thing about building a website, but need one. Armed with a CMS, like WordPress, Joomla or Drupal even a beginner can create a stunning and professional website. Without a CMS ensure you are great at coding and understanding computer languages such as HTML. Why are we talking about CMS now? Well, CMS is one of the many web-apps that you can gain access to with Softaculous.
Softaculous makes installing CMS and a ton of other types of web applications, (both open source and commercial) simple and hassle-free. From your cPanel, you can execute all with a one-click applicaton installation.
You can easily find Softaculous within the cPanel and use it to help you install applications including CMS, blogs, portals, forums and e-commerce among others.
Here is how to locate Softaculous in cPanel:
- First, log into your cPanel.
- Go to the Software/Services section.
- Then click the Softaculous icon and easily install the web-apps you want.
Now that you know exactly how and where to find Softaculous on your cPanel, how do you actually install a web-app?
How to Use Softaculous to Install Web-Apps
Installing an app is easy and straightforward with Softaculous. To install an application from the Softaculous Apps Installer, you can either search for the specific app from the search box on the left or click on the category with the app you want. Once you see the app you want, click on it to install it. And Voila, with just that one click you’ve installed the web-app.
While in your cPanel follow the Softaculous link in the Software/Services tab. This will take you to the Softaculous home page. On the home page, you will find several sections allowing you to check out the latest Softaculous news and access demo versions for all the apps. The available apps are on the left menu.
Since Softaculous has over 400 apps and scripts, they are all grouped into categories. Some of these categories include:
- E-commerce: These apps include OpenCart, PrestaShop, and Megento.
- Social Networking: Including Oxwall, pH7CMS, Dolphin, and Jcow.
- Email Management: Some apps available here include WebMail Lite, Roundcube, phpList, and SquirrelMail.
- Analytics Tools: Such as LittlePoll, Matomo, LimeSurvey, and phpESP.
How to Create Backup of any Application with Softaculous
In a quick and simple way create a backup of your app using the one-click Application Installer so you can restore it in your account later.
- Go to the list with all installations of your Softaculous Apps Installer.
- Click on the icon at the top of the navigation bar that opens All Installations.
- Once you are in ‘All Installations’, go to the list of applications that were installed by the Softaculous Apps Installer.
- Click on the Backup icon. This creates an automatic backup of the whole application installation. The backup includes all the files, database and configuration of the application.
- To restore the application, click on the Backup and Restore icon that’s at the top of the navigation tool.
How to Upgrade an App with Softaculous
To upgrade your apps with Softaculous, simply follow the steps below:
- Start by logging into your cPanel. Once there click the Softaculous icon.
- Then click on the “Application Installs” icon.
- Select the upgrade icon next to the programme you want to upgrade.
- Softaculous will ask if you’d like to create a backup of your application. It’s a good idea to go ahead and click ‘yes.
- Finally, Click Upgrade.
How to Uninstall an App with Softaculous
To uninstall an app simply do the following:
- Log into your cPanel interface, select the Softaculous icon.
- Select the “All Installations” icon.
- Click the remove icon that’s beside the app you want to uninstall.
- Then click on the “Remove Installation” button
Other Softaculous Features
Softaculous is designed to provide the best experience for all its users. It has a system that rates its scripts and apps, which is open and accessible to everyone who may want to participate. This system gives users the ability to make better decisions about the software they choose with the help of reviews from fellow users.
Additionally, this app installer provides email reminders so you know when to update applications you used it to install. Since there are always hackers and malware attacks on websites it is important to ensure you keep your software up to date. You also can control your Softaculous email reminders. To schedule your email reminders, go to the checkboxes for backups and uninstalls.
This 1-click application installation software also comes along a synchronisation feature. You can sync your scripts or web-apps without any hassle. All it takes is just a couple of clicks.
WHMCS comes highly recommended for those of you looking for a complete billing and support solution for your online business. This business automation tool allows you to have greater control over your online business on a daily basis. Softaculous will have WHMCS installed and up and running within minutes.
Conclusion
Whether your goal is to sell a product and/or service online or host a blog, Softaculous can help you to get started within minutes. Softaculous makes it so easy to install all the necessary apps to help your website run smoothly and professionally.
If you are ready to create you website and take advantage of the benefits of Softaculous, let’s get you started! Softaculous is already integrated into cPanel and all our website hosting services are backed by cPanel. By selecting one of our affordable website hosting services you’ll be a step closer to having your dream website and web-apps with just a click.
