Getting Perch up and running on your server is really simple following the few steps below.

If you prefer you can watch a video of the install process.

Before starting ensure that you have run the Perch Server Compatibility Test on your server and that it passed. Make a note of the database details that you used to pass the test as you will need these during install.

Step 1: Extract the Perch zip

After purchasing Perch you will be able to download the software. Save the zip file somewhere on your computer and unzip it. Inside you will find a file called example.php (which shows you how to add Perch to a page), a default search page (search.php), and a folder named perch which is the Perch software.

Step 2: Put the perch folder into your website home directory

Copy the perch folder into your home directory. If you are setting Perch up directly on your hosting company server then FTP the entire folder to the home directory there. If you are going to try Perch out on your own computer you will need to place it into your site.

Step 3: Visit the setup page

Visit /perch/setup in a web browser. You will see a form.

• The license key is the one from your account for this site.
• Your details will create the first admin account in Perch.
• The install location is the location of perch in your site. If you just copied the perch folder into the root of your site then /perch is correct. If you renamed the Perch folder or put it into a subdirectory you need to update this.
• The final section is database settings – use the database location, name, username and password that worked for the Server Compatibility Test.

After completing this form, hit submit and Perch will display a block of configuration code on screen.

Copy this code to your clipboard, then open the perch directory that you copied into your site earlier, then open the config folder and the file config.php.

Paste the code into config.php using a plain text editor and save it.

Back in your browser click ‘I’ve done that’ and Perch will install.

Final Steps

You should now be able to log into Perch using the username and password you entered in the previous step.

Delete the setup folder from inside the Perch folder.

Make the /perch/resources folder writable by your webserver in order that files and images can be uploaded through Perch. Check with your host how to do this.