This tutorial is all about making your joomla site and I do explain some tips and tweaks. You can also install joomla from cpanel by using softaculous. But to install joomla in localhost for testing purpose, or suppose you have a custom rocket launcher or clone installer package ,manual installing of joomla is required. 1. What is joomla? The best quote from wikipedia. 2.Where to get that? Here you go, always download the latest version. http://www.joomla.org/download.html Code (markup): 3.Well i have downloaded , what now? Great.! Now all you have to do is find a good hosting You can use free hosting site www.byethost.com Code (markup): or Many members here sell good hosting, you can get a good host from them. 4. Before i install joomla on the host , i need to test. Well, its obvious that every one needs to get practised or to check themselves. You can install PHP, mysql in your PC and you can test. Infact this is the safe method to check before you install any new plugins on the productive site. Install any of this, a) Wamp http://www.wampserver.com/en/download.php Code (markup): B) Xampp http://www.apachefriends.org/en/xampp-windows.html Code (markup): 5.Well, now what? Now,after installing xampp or wamp,extract the joomla you have downloaded in your htdocs directory in xampp or in www diretory in wamp.Its best to make a new directory in that htdocs or www directory and then extract it. step 1: Now start your xampp or wamp service. Xampp is similar to wamp. In my opinion i prefer xampp over wamp. You choose what ever you like. Here in this tut from now onwards i explain with xampp. step 2 : Point your browser to this : http://localhost/xampp/ Creating a mysql database in your cpanel is different. Please read this for how to make that. In this tut i have explained how to do in localhost only. step 3 : Choose your language.Then on the upcoming page , click phpmyadmin. This is where you need to create your MySql database. step 4 : When you are in the phpmyadmin window,in the create new database box, enter your database name and click create. While working in localhost its not necessary to put password for the database.But its must to put a strong password in your host cpanel. 5.Ok,now point your browser to the path of your joomla folder where you extracted. step a: Select your language. step b: Next is pre-installation check, It checks whether your system meets the requirements of joomla. Just click next button. step c: Read the GNU General Public License and click next button. step d: This is the most important step, If u do anything wrong,joomla cannot access the mysql database and hence you cant access the site. So just be careful while filling this. Legend : 1. Host name : This is generally localhost but if u choose any free hosting sites it will differ. You can always see the host name in your cpanel.( I mean only in the vista panels). 2.Username : In localhost its root . But in the cpanel, its the name that when you gave for the mysql username. 3.Password : Leave blank ( Only in localhost) . In cpanel, enter your mysql username password. 4. Database name: Enter your database name that you gave in phpmyadmin. Click next button. 6. Just click Next button. 7. Enter your site name,Email,admin password., The install sample button will install the default contents that comes with the joomla package. Its best to click install sample data.Click next button. 8. Then before you proceed to access your site, remove the installation directory from the joomla folder in your htdocs directory. You cant proceed unless you do that. 9. Great, your joomla site is UP now. Lets move on to the admin panel of your joomla site. Usually it can be accessed by suffixing /administrator to your site URL. How to install extensions? Navigate to the Extensions tab and just click the install/uninstall button.There you ll find a option to install additional extensions. Some Tips: 1. Anyone can find the login page of your joomla site by suffixing /administrator to your site URL. Its like a gateway to hackers. So its always best to hide your joomla admin panel URL. For that you need to buy an extension called Jsecure authentication. More details here http://extensions.joomla.org/extensions/access-a-security/site-security/login-protection/12254 Code (markup): Get that , install. It will be installed as a component. Give the suffix for the admin panel url. It must be alphanumeric. Then you can access the site admin panel page by always suffxing /administrator/?your alpha numeric key for example: www.yoursite.com/administrator/?f7g8fd 2.Making your site SEO friendly. In default joolma URL's aren't SEO friendly. You have to install a extension for that. some choices, a) JoomSEF Free - Non-commercial extension. http://extensions.joomla.org/extensions/site-management/sef/1063 Code (markup): b ) sh404SEF - Commercial (but its worth of buying) http://extensions.joomla.org/extensions/site-management/sef/10134 Code (markup): It has inbuilt Google analytics tracking too.It also provides your site from flooding, spambots,etc., 3.JoomlaStats - Non-commercial. Its an awesome extension that shows your site statistics like who and where from they came and they accessed what in your site and lot more. http://extensions.joomla.org/extensions/site-management/site-traffic-statistics/122 Code (markup): 4. JCE editor- Non-commercial The default editor in the joomla does not have many features. JCE contains lots of features. View its screenshots and download at http://extensions.joomla.org/extensions/edition/editors/88 Code (markup): 5. Akeeba backup - Non-commercial The most important of any site is backup. Backup must be taken regularly. Suppose your site is crashed, you can import this backup and make the site UP again in a few minutes. And with Akeeba backup, its so easy. Screenshots,usage,download at http://extensions.joomla.org/extensions/access-a-security/site-security/backup/1606 Code (markup): 6. Update Manager for Joomla!- Non-commercial Updating the joomla when new version releases is must. You can do that by simply installing this extension. http://extensions.joomla.org/extensions/core-enhancements/installers/9332 Code (markup): 7.Block Password Reset-Non-commercial Suppose your email gets hacked and the hacker uses your email id to recover your joomla admin password by forgot my password option in the frontend. In that way he can easily get the admin password of your site . In order to prevent that,disable the admin and mod password recovery option in frontend. Download at http://extensions.joomla.org/extensions/access-a-security/site-security/login-protection/10798 Code (markup): Well these are the general needs of any site. All these are best findings i have did regarding joomla extensions. There are tons of extension available in http://extensions.joomla.org Code (markup): You can download/buy whichever and what ever that suits with your purpose. Before you do any modfication or when trying to install any new plugins in your site , test in localhost and when you are satisfied , then use that plugins in your host.