How to install Joomla?

Before you start installing Joomla you will be needing a hosting account which supports PHP and MySQL. There are plenty of web hosting companies where you can host your web site. For example godaddy.com. Also do not forget to get your domain name (e.g. www.example.com).

Once you get your domain name and hosting account next step is downloading Joomla instalation package from official site www.joomla.org.

After you have downloaded the package unzip the archive on your desktop and upload it to your host. Once all files are transfered open your favourite browser and type in address bar name of your domain name followed by /index.php (www.example.com/index.php). If you have done everything as described in section above you should see in your browser window welcome screen.

In upper right corner click "Next" button. Next step is very important. In this step you should enter name of your localhost (usually you should write "localhost"), database username, database password and finally name of the database you wish to use (you need to create database in you phpAdmin interface).
Do not forget to check the checkbox to populate your database with demo data. This way it will be easier to learn how to use Joomla.

Click "Next" button in upper right corner.

Next screen gives you a information about your installation. In this step you only need to enter your email address and password for administration.

Click "Next" button.

In this screen enter your site name and click "Next".

Last screen prints your username and password and informs you that you need to delete installation folder before you can see your site. Delete installation folder on your host using FTP.

After that type the name of your domain in address bar and you should see default Joomla site.

What is Joomla?

Joomla is Content Managment System (CMS).  With this software you 
can have your own web page in matter of minutes and best of all it is 
completly free. To run your site in on web using Joomla you need hosting account with PHP and MySql support.

If you want to find more about this software please visit 
www.joomla.org where you can download Joomla CMS and read 
more about it.

In next few articles I will explain all tips nad tricks on how to 
use Joomla either for your personal sites or business sites.