How to Install Magento on Google Cloud Server

This post shows students and new users steps to install Magento 2 on Google Cloud servers running Ubuntu Linux.

We have gone through a series of posts, starting with registering a domain name, setting up a Google Cloud server, and installing software and packages to help us build a functional product store online.

We’re now ready to install Magento to help us build our first dynamic, professional eCommerce store online and begin selling our products and services.

Magento is an open-source eCommerce platform written in PHP, used by thousands of businesses, and paired with a MySQL or MariaDB database. With Magento, one can create online eCommerce product stores using free templates, plugins, and a support base to help you throughout the process.

This is the seventh post in this series, which can be used as a beginner’s guide to learning how to create a website domain, set up a Google Cloud server with Ubuntu Linux, and install software and packages to build and run a website online.

In this series:

• How to create a website domain
• How to set up a Google Cloud server with Ubuntu Linux
• How to install Apache on a Google Cloud server (alternative to Nginx)
• How to install Nginx on Google Cloud server (alternative to Apache)
• How to install PHP on a Google Cloud server
• How to install MySQL or MariaDB database server

Now that you’ve learned how to create a website domain, set up a Google Cloud server, and install Apache, Nginx, PHP, MySQL, or MariaDB, you can continue below to tie it all together with Magento.

When we started this series, we said a web server allows content to be published and served to web clients and audiences browsing your website. A PHP or server-side scripting language allows for a dynamic and more functional website. A database server will enable you to store your website content efficiently.

Other software and packages may also be needed to enhance the functionality of a website. Below, we’ll show you how to install these tools with Magento.

In our first post, we also said that it can’t be used after creating a domain name until it is forwarded or pointed to a server. The second post showed you how to point a domain to a server we created. Then, we showed you how to install software and packages to help us run a website online.

We’re ready to connect to our Google Cloud server and install Magento by tying the software and packages installed in our previous posts.

How to connect to Google Cloud servers

Google Cloud server (Compute Engine) allows users to connect using SSH from the browser window to their virtual machine (VM) instance within the Google Cloud Console. 

SSH from the browser supports the following:

• Web browsers
  • The latest version of Google Chrome
  • Firefox
  • Microsoft Edge
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 11 and later
  • Safari 8 and later. Note that Safari is not supported in private browser mode.
• Virtual machine configurations
  • All Linux VM images are natively available in Google Cloud.

No additional software or browser extensions are needed. Simply login to Google Cloud Console and go to Menu ==> Compute Engine ==> VM instances.

In the list of virtual machine instances, click SSH in the row of the instance that you want to connect to.

Alternatively, you can open an SSH connection to an instance by clicking its name and SSH from the instance details page.

An SSH terminal window with the Ubuntu Linux instance created in the series’s second post will open.

You should now be able to run commands in Ubuntu Linux created on the Google Cloud server.

Install Magento on Google Cloud Servers

Installing and managing a Magento website on Ubuntu Linux is no different, whether on Google Cloud servers or a local VM instance.

Once you have installed all required packages, Magento can be set up directly from your browser by browsing the server hostname or IP address.

Below is a detailed post to help you install Magento on Ubuntu Linux with Apache or Nginx. Click on it to learn more about installing and managing Magento on Ubuntu Linux.

How to install Magento on Ubuntu Linux with Apache

How to install Magento on Ubuntu Linux with Nginx

Each link above will show you all the steps we performed in our previous posts to get here. You also will learn how to secure your Magento website with free Let’s Encrypt SSL certificates.

Following the links above and performing all the steps, you can create an online store using Magento.

Conclusion:

Installing Magento 2 on Google Cloud servers running Ubuntu is a straightforward process if you follow the steps outlined in this guide. Here are the key takeaways:

• Ensure you have registered a domain name and set up your Google Cloud server before proceeding.
• Install essential software packages, including Apache or Nginx, PHP, and a MySQL or MariaDB database.
• Connect to your Google Cloud server using SSH for a seamless experience.
• Access the Magento installation through your web browser to complete the setup.
• Secure your Magento site with free Let’s Encrypt SSL certificates.
• Utilize the resources provided in this series to deepen your understanding of each component involved in creating your eCommerce store.

By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to launching your dynamic eCommerce store with Magento.