How to Install & Setup Blesta billing

If you run a hosting business or sell online services, Blesta is one of the best billing, automation, and client management platforms available. While many assume it requires a VPS or dedicated server, you can successfully install Blesta on shared hosting if your plan meets the right requirements.

This guide walks you through the process, from downloading Blesta to launching it for your customers.

1. Verify Hosting Requirements

Before installing, ensure your hosting account supports Blesta. Most reliable shared hosting plans already have these, but it’s worth confirming:

• PHP 8.1 or later

• MySQL 5.7+ or MariaDB 10.3+

• Required PHP extensions: cURL, GD, ionCube Loader

• PHP memory_limit: at least 256MB (512MB preferred)

• HTTPS enabled for secure access (recommended)

If you’re not sure, contact your hosting provider’s support team to confirm these details.

2. Download the Latest Blesta Version

1. Log in to your account at the official Blesta website.

2. Go to your Client Area and download the latest stable release as a .zip file.

3. Save the file to your computer for the upload step.

3. Upload Blesta to Your Hosting Account

There are two common ways to upload the installation files:

Option A – cPanel File Manager

• Log in to cPanel.

• Go to File Manager and navigate to your target folder (e.g., /public_html or /public_html/billing).

• Click Upload and select the Blesta .zip file.

• Once uploaded, click Extract to unpack the files.

Option B – FTP Client

• Use FileZilla or another FTP program to connect to your hosting account.

• Upload the Blesta .zip file and extract it in cPanel, or extract locally and upload the extracted files directly.

4. Create a MySQL Database for Blesta

• In cPanel, open MySQL Databases.

• Create a new database and name it (e.g., myuser_blesta).

• Create a database user and assign a strong password.

• Link the user to the database and give ALL PRIVILEGES.

Keep your database name, username, and password safe — you’ll need them in the next step.

5. Run the Blesta Installation Wizard

1. Visit your installation folder in your browser (e.g., https://yourdomain.com/billing).

2. Follow the on-screen setup wizard.

3. Enter the database details you created earlier.

4. Create your admin login credentials.

5. Finish the installation.

6. Secure Your Installation

After installation:

• Delete the /install directory from the Blesta folder.

• Double-check file permissions (configuration files should not be publicly writable).

• Make sure HTTPS is active to protect customer data.

7. Configure Blesta for Your Business

Log in to your Blesta admin panel and:

• Add your company details and logo.

• Configure currency, tax, and payment gateways (PayPal, Stripe, etc.).

• Set up hosting packages or services.

• Test a customer registration to ensure everything works.

Why Install Blesta on Shared Hosting?

Installing Blesta on shared hosting is a cost-effective way to start without the expense of a VPS. As your business grows, you can easily migrate to a more powerful server. This approach lets you take advantage of Blesta’s automation and billing features right away, even on a small budget.