# Installing CiviCRM in Drupal, Joomla, and WordPress

> Install CiviCRM, a contact and donor management tool for non-profits, inside your Drupal, Joomla or WordPress website.

Source: https://helpcenter.ruachost.com/apps/manual-installations/installing-civicrm-in-drupal-joomla-and-wordpress/

**CiviCRM** is an open‑source customer relationship management (CRM) application designed primarily for non‑profit organizations. It integrates directly into popular content management systems (CMS) like **Drupal**, **Joomla**, and **WordPress**.

## Why Use CiviCRM?

- Manage contacts, donors, members, and volunteers.
- Track contributions and fundraising campaigns.
- Organize events and registrations.
- Create and manage email marketing campaigns.
- Extensible and integrates seamlessly with your CMS.

## Steps to Install CiviCRM

### 1. Prerequisites

- A working installation of **Drupal**, **Joomla**, or **WordPress** on your **ruachost.com** hosting account.
- Access to **cPanel** for database creation.
- PHP and MySQL enabled on your hosting plan.

### Installing CiviCRM on Drupal

1. Determine your Drupal site’s database settings (`sites/default/settings.php`).
2. In cPanel, create a new MySQL database and user for CiviCRM.
3. Download the latest CiviCRM package for Drupal from <https://sourceforge.net/projects/civicrm/files/civicrm-stable>.
4. Upload and install the module via **Modules → Install new module**.
5. Visit the CiviCRM installer URL:

   ```
   http://example.com/sites/all/modules/civicrm/install/index.php
   ```
6. Enter both Drupal and CiviCRM database credentials.
7. Click **Check Requirements and Install CiviCRM**.
8. Once installed, configure via the **CiviCRM** link in Drupal’s menu.

### Installing CiviCRM on Joomla

1. Download the Joomla package (`civicrm-x.x.x-joomla.zip`) from SourceForge.
2. Upload the `.zip` file to your Joomla `tmp` directory.
3. Extract the contents (creates `com_civicrm`).
4. Log in to Joomla Admin → **Extensions → Extension Manager → Install from Directory**.
5. Enter the path to `com_civicrm` and click **Install**.
6. Once installed, access via **Components → CiviCRM**.

### Installing CiviCRM on WordPress

1. In cPanel, create a MySQL database and user for CiviCRM.
2. Download the WordPress package (`civicrm-x.x.x-wordpress.zip`) from SourceForge.
3. Upload the `.zip` file to the `wp-content/plugins` directory.
4. Extract the contents (creates `civicrm` folder).
5. Create a `files` directory inside `wp-content/plugins/civicrm`.
6. Log in to WordPress Admin → **Plugins → Installed Plugins → Activate CiviCRM**.
7. Go to **Settings → CiviCRM Installer**.
8. Enter database credentials and click **Check Requirements and Install CiviCRM**.
9. Once installed, access via **Dashboard → CiviCRM**.

> **Note:**
- CiviCRM installation packages differ for each CMS, ensure you download the correct one.
- Always use strong database and admin passwords.
- Keep CiviCRM updated to prevent vulnerabilities.
- Consider enabling automatic backups for added protection.