Most installation problems come from the same four things: the PHP version, the document root, the storage link and the cron job. Here is how to get each one right.

Shared hosting with cPanel can run a modern Laravel application well. Most of the support questions we get are not bugs. They come from the same few setup steps. Check these four and your installation will almost always work first time.

1. The PHP version and extensions

Laravel scripts need a recent PHP. Slotara and Matterly need PHP 8.2 or newer, and Quizora needs PHP 8.3. In cPanel, open Select PHP Version (or MultiPHP Manager) and set the version for your domain, not just the server default. While you are there, make sure these extensions are on: pdo_mysql, mbstring, openssl, bcmath, gd, zip, intl and curl.

2. Point the domain at the public folder

A Laravel application keeps its code outside the web root on purpose. Only the public folder should be reachable from the web. In cPanel, set the domain or subdomain's document root to the public folder inside the application. If your host does not let you change it, ask support; it is a common request.

Uploading everything into public_html and visiting the site often "works", but it can expose your configuration file. Do not skip this step.

3. The storage link

Uploaded files such as logos and cover images live in storage/app/public and are served through a link at public/storage. If images upload but do not appear, this link is missing. Our installers create it for you. If your host blocks symbolic links, the installer's finish screen shows the one command to run, or your host can create it.

4. The cron job

This is the one most people miss, and the symptoms are confusing: emails are not sent, reminders never arrive, unpaid bookings never expire, scheduled tasks never run. Laravel needs one cron entry that runs every minute:

* * * * * cd /home/USER/your-app && php artisan schedule:run >> /dev/null 2>&1

In cPanel, open Cron Jobs, choose "Once Per Minute", and paste the command with your real path. Some hosts need the full PHP path, such as /usr/local/bin/php. Slotara's installer shows the exact line for your server on its finish screen, and each of our installation guides includes it.

Then run the installer

Create an empty MySQL database and user in cPanel, then open /install on your domain. The installer checks requirements and permissions, sets up the database and creates your admin account. You do not need Composer, Node.js or SSH access: the download already includes everything.

Still stuck?

If you bought one of our scripts, open a ticket on our help desk with your purchase code and the error message or a screenshot. We answer installation questions ourselves.