Table of Contents

  1. Introduction

  2. Why Install Dolibarr on cPanel?

  3. Prerequisites Before Installation

  4. Step 1: Downloading the Latest Dolibarr Package

  5. Step 2: Uploading Dolibarr to Your cPanel Account

  6. Step 3: Creating a MySQL Database via cPanel

  7. Step 4: Setting Correct File Permissions

  8. Step 5: Running the Dolibarr Installer

  9. Step 6: Post-Installation Configuration

  10. Step 7: Securing Your Dolibarr Instance

  11. Step 8: Installing Additional Modules

  12. Step 9: Automating Backups and Updates

  13. Common Errors and How to Resolve Them

  14. Final Thoughts


1. Introduction

Dolibarr ERP & CRM is an open-source, web-based software suite that helps businesses manage everything from invoicing and accounting to stock control, HR, and customer relationships. It’s particularly appreciated for its modular structure, ease of use, and adaptability for SMEs, freelancers, and NGOs.

If you're looking to install Dolibarr on cPanel hosting—one of the most common and accessible types of web hosting platforms—this guide will walk you through every step of the process in clear, non-technical terms.

This tutorial assumes zero developer knowledge but is comprehensive enough to support more advanced users who want to optimize and secure their Dolibarr deployment.


2. Why Install Dolibarr on cPanel?

cPanel is a widely used web hosting control panel that simplifies server management via a web-based interface. It is commonly offered by shared hosting providers and includes built-in tools for file management, database creation, domain control, and software deployment.

Advantages of using cPanel for Dolibarr:

  • No need for command-line expertise

  • Easy file upload and database setup

  • Affordable hosting plans

  • Centralized access to emails, backups, and domains

  • Compatibility with PHP and MySQL (Dolibarr’s core technologies)

Installing Dolibarr on cPanel is an excellent choice for startups, small businesses, and consultants who want to host their ERP system affordably and reliably without renting a VPS or managing a cloud server.


3. Prerequisites Before Installation

Before beginning, you’ll need the following:

  • Access to a cPanel hosting account

  • PHP version 7.4 or higher (Dolibarr 15+ requires PHP 7.4+, newer versions require PHP 8.0+)

  • MySQL or MariaDB database support

  • File Manager or FTP access

  • Basic understanding of how to use cPanel tools

Recommended PHP Extensions:

Ensure your cPanel server has these PHP extensions enabled:

  • gd

  • mbstring

  • curl

  • intl

  • zip

  • pdo_mysql

  • xml

  • json

  • fileinfo

You can check and enable these via cPanel > Select PHP Version > Extensions (varies depending on host).


4. Step 1: Downloading the Latest Dolibarr Package

Start by downloading the latest stable version of Dolibarr from the official website:

👉 https://www.dolibarr.org/downloads/

Choose the “.zip” archive for installation on cPanel.

Save the file to your computer.

Tip: Always use the official source to avoid corrupted or malicious files.


5. Step 2: Uploading Dolibarr to Your cPanel Account

Option 1: Using the File Manager

  1. Login to your cPanel dashboard.

  2. Navigate to File Manager.

  3. Go to the folder where you want Dolibarr to be installed (usually public_html or a subfolder like public_html/erp/).

  4. Click Upload, select the .zip file you downloaded.

  5. After upload, right-click the ZIP file and choose Extract.

This will create a directory (e.g., dolibarr-xx.x.x). You can rename this folder to something cleaner like dolibarr or erp.

Option 2: Using FTP (FileZilla)

If you prefer FTP, connect to your hosting account and upload the unzipped Dolibarr folder manually into the desired directory.


6. Step 3: Creating a MySQL Database via cPanel

  1. Go back to the main cPanel dashboard.

  2. Click on MySQL® Databases.

  3. Under “Create New Database,” enter a name and click Create Database.

  4. Scroll down to “MySQL Users.” Create a new user and set a secure password.

  5. Under “Add User To Database,” select your user and database, and click Add.

  6. On the next screen, check All Privileges, then click Make Changes.

Take note of:

  • Database Name

  • Database User

  • Password

You’ll need these in the next step.


7. Step 4: Setting Correct File Permissions

Proper permissions ensure Dolibarr can write to necessary directories:

  1. In File Manager, right-click the following directories and set permissions to 755:

  • /documents/

  • /conf/

  • /htdocs/custom/ (if you plan to use custom modules)

  1. If the install wizard later complains about write permissions, temporarily set them to 775, then revert to 755 after setup.


8. Step 5: Running the Dolibarr Installer

  1. Open your browser and go to the URL where you uploaded Dolibarr. For example:

plaintext

https://yourdomain.com/erp/install/
  1. The installer will check your server environment.

  2. Click Start or Next Step, depending on your version.

  3. Enter the database details you created in Step 3.

  4. Set up the main administrator account (this is your ERP superuser):

  • Username

  • Password

  • Email

  1. Click through to complete installation. Dolibarr will:

  • Create the required database tables

  • Set default parameters

  • Finalize your instance

  1. Once finished, the system will suggest deleting or renaming the /install/ folder. Use File Manager to delete or rename it to prevent reinstallation.

9. Step 6: Post-Installation Configuration

Once Dolibarr is installed, you’ll be redirected to the ERP dashboard after login. Before you begin using the system, it’s important to carry out several initial configuration steps.

Set the Default Language and Region

Navigate to:
Home > Setup > Display > Languages
Choose your preferred language (e.g., English, French, Arabic) and activate it.

Then go to:
Home > Setup > Miscellaneous > Regional Settings
Set your:

  • Country

  • Time zone

  • Date format

  • Number formatting (decimal/thousand separators)

Configure the Company Profile

Set your business information in:
Home > Setup > Company/Organization

Fill in:

  • Legal name

  • VAT number

  • Logo

  • Registered address

  • Fiscal year start

This information will appear on all official documents such as invoices, proposals, and reports.


10. Step 7: Securing Your Dolibarr Instance

Security is essential, especially on shared hosting platforms like cPanel. Here are critical steps to secure your Dolibarr ERP.

Delete the Installation Directory

Go to File Manager and permanently delete the /install/ directory from your Dolibarr folder.

Restrict Access to the /documents/ Folder

Create an .htaccess file inside /documents/ with the following:

apache

<IfModule mod_rewrite.c> RewriteEngine on RewriteRule ^ - [F] </IfModule>

This prevents direct web access to uploaded documents.

Enable HTTPS

Use cPanel’s Let’s Encrypt SSL tool to install an SSL certificate for your domain.

Update Dolibarr’s conf.php to use HTTPS URLs if necessary. This prevents cookie and session hijacking.

Set File Permissions Correctly

After installation, ensure sensitive directories like /conf/ are set to chmod 755 or stricter. Don’t leave them with write permissions.

Update PHP Settings

Via cPanel > Select PHP Version > Options, consider the following:

  • memory_limit = 256M

  • post_max_size = 32M

  • upload_max_filesize = 32M

  • max_execution_time = 120

These will ensure that heavy operations like PDF generation and large file uploads don’t fail.


11. Step 8: Installing Additional Modules

Dolibarr’s power comes from its modular architecture. You can install additional modules to enable features like:

  • HR and Payroll

  • Inventory Management

  • Project Tracking

  • Advanced CRM

  • Localized Invoicing

Installing Modules from a ZIP File

  1. Download the module from a trusted source (e.g., Dolistore).

  2. Go to cPanel > File Manager > /htdocs/custom/

  3. Upload and extract the module ZIP file here.

  4. In Dolibarr, go to Home > Setup > Modules/Applications

  5. Find your new module in the list and click Activate

Make sure any third-party module is compatible with your Dolibarr version and PHP setup.


12. Step 9: Automating Backups and Updates

Automated Backups in cPanel

Use cPanel > Backup Wizard or set up cron jobs to automate database and file backups.

You can also:

  • Download the /htdocs/conf/ and /documents/ folders

  • Export the MySQL database using phpMyAdmin

Update Dolibarr Safely

When a new version of Dolibarr is released:

  1. Backup everything

  2. Review module compatibility

  3. Follow the upgrade documentation

  4. Replace core files and run the upgrade script

Don’t overwrite the /documents/ or /conf/ folders during upgrades. Always test in a staging environment if possible.


13. Common Errors and How to Resolve Them

Even with the best setup, errors can happen. Here are common issues and their solutions.

Blank Screen on Login

Cause: PHP error, likely due to missing extensions.
Fix: Check error_log in cPanel or enable error reporting in conf.php.

php

ini_set('display_errors', 1); error_reporting(E_ALL);

Cannot Connect to Database

Cause: Incorrect DB credentials or wrong hostname.
Fix: Double-check database name, user, password in conf.php.


Module Not Showing After Upload

Cause: Wrong folder path or invalid module structure.
Fix: Ensure the module folder is correctly placed under /htdocs/custom/ and contains a valid mod*.php file.


PDFs Not Generating

Cause: Missing PHP extensions (e.g., gd, mbstring) or permissions issue.
Fix: Enable required extensions in cPanel and set correct permissions for /documents/.


403 Forbidden on /documents/

Cause: Access to sensitive folder blocked (which is good).
Fix: If internal functions can’t write to it, adjust permissions (755) or ownership (e.g., nobody, www-data) via your host’s support team.


14. Final Thoughts

Installing Dolibarr on cPanel is a practical and accessible solution for businesses that want full control over their ERP without needing a dedicated server or advanced Linux knowledge. With the steps outlined in this guide, you can have a fully operational, secure, and scalable Dolibarr instance running in just a few hours.

Here’s what you gain with this setup:

  • An open-source ERP tailored to your exact needs

  • Affordable infrastructure using shared hosting

  • Flexibility to expand features through certified modules

  • Secure access with full data control

  • Compatibility with standard tools like phpMyAdmin, FTP, SSL, and cron jobs

Whether you're a small company starting out, an established SME digitizing processes, or a consultant deploying ERP for clients, cPanel + Dolibarr offers a stable and scalable foundation for growth.