Setting up Mautic using Softaculous for Beginners

This guide is designed for users who have access to cPanel and Softaculous. If your hosting provider does not offer Softaculous, you may request them to enable it for you. Some providers are flexible and may accommodate this request.

This tutorial is aimed at users with minimal technical knowledge, ensuring that each step is clearly explained along with the reasoning behind each choice.

What is Softaculous?

Softaculous is an auto-installer tool integrated into cPanel, which simplifies the installation of various applications, including Mautic. Instead of manually setting up databases and configuring files, Softaculous automates the process, making it quicker and more accessible for everyone.

Mautic recommendations and our thoughts

Although we are presenting this installation method, Mautic explicitly states that using the platform on a shared hosting environment is not ideal. Shared hosting has resource limitations beyond your control, lacks customization options, and many hosting providers restrict email sending due to potential blacklisting risks from high bounce rates.

Our honest opinion: If you have a small number of leads (up to 100), shared hosting might be a temporary solution. However, for medium to long-term use, a more robust setup is recommended. If you plan to send a large volume of emails, consider integrating Amazon SES or another external email service provider.

Installation Guide

1. Create a subdomain

1. Access your cPanel.
2. Navigate to Domains and click Create a New Domain.
3. Instead of using mautic.yourwebsite.com, opt for subdomains like insights.yourwebsite.com, marketing.yourwebsite.com, or mkt.yourwebsite.com.
   • Why? Using a less obvious subdomain improves security.
   • Why a subdomain? It makes managing your Mautic installation easier and prevents conflicts with your main website database.

2. Enable SSL certificate

1. Go to SSL/TLS Status in cPanel.
2. Check if your newly created subdomain has AutoSSL enabled.
3. If not, select it and click Run AutoSSL. This process takes just a few moments.

3. Create a dedicated email account

1. In cPanel, go to Email Accounts.
2. Create an email account using your main domain (e.g., marketing@yourwebsite.com).
3. Save the credentials, as they will be required later.

4. Adjust PHP Settings

1. Search for Select PHP Version or MultiPHP INI Editor.
2. Increase the memory_limit to 512M to allow Mautic to install properly.
   • Why? Mautic requires additional memory during installation. After the setup, you can revert it to 64M.

5. Install Mautic via Softaculous

1. In cPanel, search for Softaculous Apps Installer.
2. Use the search bar to find Mautic (under the Others category).
3. Click the Install button.
4. Configure the installation:
   • Choose Protocol: https://
   • Choose Domain: Select the subdomain you created (e.g., mkt.yourdomain.com).
   • In Directory: Leave this blank (by default, it may suggest /mautic, but remove it).
   • Admin Account: Set a username, a strong password, and use the dedicated email you created earlier.
   • Language: Stick with English since other translations may be incomplete, leading to a mixed-language interface.
   • Database Name & Table Prefix:
     • Change the database name to something more explicit, like mautic.
     • Set the table prefix to mtc_ to keep Mautic’s tables distinguishable.
5. Review your settings and click Install.
6. Once the installation is complete, click the provided URL (mkt.yourdomain.com/s/login) to access Mautic.
7. Log in and check the Keep me logged in box for convenience.

Basic Configuration

1. Restore PHP Memory Limit

After installation, revert the memory_limit setting in PHP to its default value.

2. Configure Email Settings

1. In Mautic, click the cogwheel icon (top-right) and go to Configuration.
2. Navigate to Email Settings.
3. Under Mail Send Settings, update Name to send mail as:
   • Use your company name or a personal-friendly version, such as “John from Company”.

3. Configure SMTP (Email Delivery)

1. In cPanel, go to Email Accounts.
2. Locate the email you created and click Connect Devices.
3. Under Mail Client Manual Settings, copy the details listed under Secure SSL/TLS Settings.
4. Return to Mautic’s Email Settings and enter the following:
   • Host: Usually mail.yourdomain.com (check the MCMS settings).
   • Port: Typically 465, but confirm with your outgoing server settings.
   • User: Your email address.
   • Password: Your email password.
5. Click Save.
6. Run a Send Test Email to confirm the setup. If successful, Mautic is ready to send emails.

Custom Token Messages

Mautic uses dynamic tokens in emails, and customizing them ensures a better brand experience.

1. In Mautic, go to Email Settings > Message Settings.
2. Edit the Text for {webview_text} token (this appears at the top of emails when users have trouble viewing them). A common format is:

   <a href="|URL|">View in browser</a>
   

3. Under Unsubscribe Settings, edit Text for {unsubscribe_text} token (appears at the bottom of emails for users who want to opt out). A common format is:

   <a href="|URL|">Cancel Subscription</a>
   

4. Click Save.

Final Steps

Congratulations! You have successfully set up Mautic using Softaculous. Now, it’s time to start gathering leads and sending emails to promote your company or any other use case you have in mind.

Need Email Templates?

One crucial part of email marketing is having well-designed templates. Crafting.email offers a vast collection of free Mautic email templates to help you improve your email marketing strategies. Check them out!

Happy email marketing!