This article covers two ways to install Drupal on your HOSTDOG hosting account: the one-click method via Softaculous (recommended for most users) and the manual installation method for those who need full control over the setup. HOSTDOG supports all current Drupal versions — 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11.
Before you begin
- An active HOSTDOG hosting account (Personal or Business)
- A domain pointed to your hosting, or a subdomain ready to use
- Access to your hosting control panel
Method 1: One-click install via Softaculous
Softaculous is the application installer included with all HOSTDOG hosting plans. It handles the database creation, file extraction, and initial configuration automatically. This is the fastest way to get Drupal running.
Navigate to the HOSTDOG homepage and click the Log in button in the top right corner of the page. From your client area, click the cPanel button next to your hosting account to open your control panel.
In your control panel, scroll to the Software section and click Softaculous Apps Installer. Alternatively, look for the Softaculous icon directly on the dashboard.
In Softaculous, use the search box to find Drupal, or browse to the CMS category. Click on Drupal from the results, then click the Install button.
Fill in the installation details:
- Choose Protocol: Select
https://(recommended — your HOSTDOG hosting includes free SSL) - Choose Domain: Select the domain or subdomain where Drupal will be installed
- In Directory: Leave blank to install at the root (e.g.,
yourdomain.com), or enter a folder name (e.g.,drupal) to install at a subdirectory - Site Name: Enter your site's name
- Admin Username / Password: Choose a strong, unique password for your Drupal admin account
- Admin Email: Enter a valid email address for your administrator account
Scroll down and click Install. Softaculous will extract files, create the database, and configure Drupal. When complete, you'll see a confirmation with your site URL and admin login URL.
yourdomain.com/user/login) immediately after installation.
Method 2: Manual installation
Manual installation gives you full control over file placement, database naming, and configuration. Use this method if you need a specific Drupal version, want to use an existing codebase, or prefer to manage dependencies with Composer.
In your control panel, open MySQL Databases. Create a new database, a new database user, and assign the user to the database with All Privileges. Note the database name, username, and password — you'll need them during setup. See how to create a MySQL database for detailed steps.
Go to drupal.org/download and download the latest stable release as a .tar.gz or .zip archive. For Drupal 9, 10, or 11, using Composer is the recommended approach — see how to manage Drupal with Composer.
Extract the Drupal archive on your local machine, then upload the contents to your public_html directory (or a subdirectory) using FTP, SFTP, or the File Manager in your control panel. The main Drupal files (including index.php) should sit directly inside the target directory.
Visit your domain in a browser. Drupal's installation wizard will load automatically. Choose your installation profile (Standard is recommended for most sites), select your language, and enter the database credentials you created in Step 1. Drupal will build the database schema and create your site.
At the end of the installer, you'll be prompted to create an administrator account. Choose a strong password, enter a valid email address, and click Save and continue. Your Drupal site is now live.
sites/default/files directory (755) and protect sites/default/settings.php by setting it to read-only (444).
Troubleshooting
Double-check the database name, username, and password you entered. On shared hosting, the database hostname is typically localhost. Also confirm that the database user has been assigned to the database with All Privileges in your control panel's MySQL Databases section.
Check that your hosting account is running a PHP version compatible with your Drupal version. Drupal 10 and 11 require PHP 8.1 or higher. You can change your PHP version from your control panel's PHP Selector. See how to change your PHP version.
Ensure the target directory is empty before attempting a Softaculous install. If the directory already contains files, Softaculous may fail. You can use the File Manager in your control panel to clear the directory, or choose a different installation path.