How to Set Up Your App Store in 2025: Complete Step‑by‑Step Guide

Want to launch your own app store site without stress? This guide walks you through the full setup, from uploading the files to logging into your admin dashboard. You will see how to use your hosting panel, create a database, import the SQL file, edit the config, and go live. Whether you are building a simple app hub or a full digital product store, you will get a clean, working setup by the end. Grab the template, follow along, and get your app store online today.

Getting Started: Overview of the Setup Process

You will build a working app store similar to the demo shown in the video, using a packaged software zip and a database. Everything happens in your hosting panel. If you have used cPanel before, the steps will feel familiar. If not, do not worry, each phase is short and clear.

• You will upload the app store zip to public_html.
• You will create a database and user, then grant all privileges.
• You will import the SQL file with phpMyAdmin.
• You will extract files in File Manager.
• You will edit your config file with your database and email details.
• You will visit your domain to confirm the site works, then log in to the admin dashboard.

Prerequisites:

• A web hosting account with cPanel access.
• The software package zip file.
• A domain pointed to your hosting.

If you need the files, get them here: Download the App Store Template on WhatsApp.

What You’ll Need Before You Begin

• Web hosting with cPanel, or a similar hosting panel with File Manager and phpMyAdmin.
• The app store software zip file, downloaded and easy to find on your device. You can request it via the template download link on WhatsApp.
• Basic file handling skills. No coding needed.

Tip: If you are new to hosting, log in and look around. Find File Manager, MySQL Databases, and phpMyAdmin.

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Step 1: Uploading Your App Store Files

The upload happens inside File Manager. This puts your site files into your web root so your domain can load them.

1. Log in to your hosting and open File Manager.
2. Open the public_html folder. This is where your main website lives.
3. Click Upload, then select your software zip file from your computer or phone.
4. Wait for the upload to finish. If your connection is slow, give it time.
5. Leave this tab open. You will come back after the database step.

If you want a quick refresher on the interface, the official guide explains the basics well in File Manager documentation from cPanel.

If the upload is slow, check your connection or try again with a smaller browser tab set.

Follow along on your own hosting while you read. By the end, you will have the same working app store shown in the video.

Common Upload Tips for Beginners

• Use Drag and Drop if your browser supports it, it is usually faster.
• On Android, make sure the zip is saved in Downloads or a folder you can access.
• After the upload completes, refresh File Manager to confirm the zip appears in public_html.
• Do not upload to the wrong folder, keep everything inside public_html unless you plan to use a subfolder.

If you need another walkthrough, this guide from Namecheap is handy: How to use File Manager in cPanel.

Step 2: Creating and Setting Up Your Database

Your app store needs a database to store content and settings. You will create a database, a user, and connect them.

1. In cPanel, open MySQL Databases or MySQL Database Wizard.
2. Create a new database. Example: “labapp”. If that name is taken, try a variation.
3. Create a database user. Set a strong password and copy it somewhere safe.
4. Add the user to the database.
5. Select All Privileges. Confirm changes so the user is fully linked.

Checklist for the privileges step:

• Select all boxes under Add User to Database.
• Click Make Changes or Save to finalize.

Copy the database name, username, and password. You will paste them into your config file later.
If you get stuck and want help, you can ask for setup support through this contact: Get help on WhatsApp.

Why the Database Matters for Your App Store

The database powers your site content. It holds key data like apps, settings, and user submissions. Without it, your app store cannot load or save anything. You will connect your site to this database in the config step.

Step 3: Importing the SQL File via phpMyAdmin

The SQL file sets up the database tables and starter data for the app store. You will import it into the database you just made.

1. In cPanel, open phpMyAdmin.
2. Select your new database from the left sidebar. Example: “labapp”.
3. Click the Import tab. If you see a small menu icon, open it to find Import.
4. Click Choose File, then select the SQL file from your software package.
5. Click Import. Wait for the success message.

The SQL file comes inside the zip you uploaded. If you have not extracted the zip yet, you can do that next in File Manager, then download the SQL file to your device and upload it via phpMyAdmin. When the import finishes, you should see a confirmation.

If your phpMyAdmin interface looks different, look for the Import option near the top. It may be inside a dropdown or hidden by a menu icon.

Extracting Files After Import

Now return to File Manager and extract the site files so the app can load.

• In public_html, right-click the zip and choose Extract.
• Extract into public_html or into a subfolder if you want the site to live at yourdomain.com/lab.
• Refresh File Manager to see the extracted folders and files.

If you moved the zip earlier, be sure you extract into the exact folder you plan to use for hosting.

Step 4: Configuring the Database and Email Settings

Next, edit the site’s config file. In many setups this is an .env file, the video refers to a “MAV” file in the app folder. The goal is the same: paste your database details and email settings so the site can connect.

1. In File Manager, open the folder where you extracted the app. For example, public_html/lab.
2. Locate the config file. It is often named .env or similar. Download it or open it in the built‑in editor.
3. On desktop, double‑click to open in the editor. On Android, switch the editor to legacy mode before editing.
4. Update the database fields with the exact values you created:
   • DB_NAME: your database name, for example labapp
   • DB_USER: your database username
   • DB_PASSWORD: the password you generated
   • DB_HOST: often localhost, keep the default unless your host says otherwise
5. Add your email settings for notifications if the file includes those fields:
   • MAIL_USERNAME: your sending email
   • MAIL_PASSWORD: your email or app password
   • MAIL_HOST, MAIL_PORT, and MAIL_ENCRYPTION if present, based on your email provider
6. Look for an admin URL setting. The tutorial suggests keeping the default. Do not change it unless you have a specific reason.
7. Save the file. If you downloaded it to edit, upload it back and overwrite the existing one.

On mobile, switch to the legacy editor before saving. The standard editor can break the file on some phones.
Use a strong password and keep a backup of your .env or config content in a safe place.

Mobile vs. Desktop Editing Differences

Editing is easier on a computer, but you can do it on Android as shown.

Editing Method	What to Do	Common Pitfall
Desktop (PC/Mac)	Open File Manager, double‑click the config file, edit, save	Forgetting to save or overwriting changes by re‑uploading the old file
Android (mobile)	Open File Manager editor, switch to legacy editor, edit carefully, save	Using the default editor, which can break formatting

Step 5: Launching and Accessing Your App Store

Time to see your site live.

1. Close File Manager and open your browser.
2. Type your domain, for example yourdomain.com, or yourdomain.com/lab if you used a subfolder.
3. The app store should load with the demo layout. Check that pages open and images load.

Users can submit their apps on the site. You can also add customer apps yourself through the admin dashboard. To access the admin area, go to yourdomain.com/admin.

Default admin login shown in the tutorial:

• Email: admin@site.com
• Password: admin123

After logging in, confirm you can access settings and content. If the login does not work, check your database import and config values again. When everything connects, it feels like everything is “popping perfect.”

Managing Your Admin Dashboard

Inside the dashboard you can:

• Create or delete apps.
• Edit site settings like the name and colors.
• Manage user submissions and content.

Explore each section to understand how your app store content is organized. If you serve clients, you can submit their apps directly from the admin side.

Final Tips for Success

• Keep a record of your database name, username, and password.
• Do not change the admin URL unless you know why.
• If you edit on mobile, always switch to the legacy editor first.
• Back up your config file and database once the site is running.

If you want the same file set used in the tutorial, request it here: Download the App Store Template on WhatsApp. For future tutorials and updates, follow the Trusted Paddy WhatsApp Channel, or connect on Trusted Paddy Global’s Facebook page. If you prefer a host’s step guide to uploading, this article is helpful: How to upload files to cPanel for your website.

If you get stuck, reach out. Setup gets simple when you take it one step at a time.

Conclusion

You now have a clear path to install, connect, and launch your app store on standard shared hosting. You uploaded the files, built the database, imported the SQL, edited your config, and logged into the admin area. Keep your credentials safe, make small changes, and test often. Want the same template or some setup help? Use the links above and keep building. Thanks for reading, and good luck with your launch.