by EmilyHow to Deploy a Laravel Application on Shared Hosting
Deploying a Laravel application can seem overwhelming—especially for beginners or freelancers working with budget-conscious clients. While many developers use VPS or cloud platforms, shared hosting is still a popular and economical choice. On freelancerbridge, where practicality meets professional development, this guide will show you the right way to deploy your Laravel project on shared hosting, step-by-step, and without any code. Whether you're a freelancer working on a client’s project or launching your own web app, this article will equip you with the key knowledge needed to go live successfully.
✅ Long Description
🌐 1. Why Choose Shared Hosting for Laravel Deployment?
Cost-effective: Ideal for startups, individuals, or clients with a limited budget.
User-friendly: Many shared hosts offer cPanel or similar GUI, simplifying deployment.
Widely available: Shared hosting is accessible and doesn’t require DevOps expertise.
Beginner-friendly: Great for new freelancers or developers learning deployment basics.
🧠 2. Key Considerations Before Deployment
Before uploading your Laravel app, it’s important to plan and ensure compatibility:
✅ PHP Version Compatibility: Make sure the host supports Laravel’s required PHP version (e.g., 8.1+ for Laravel 10).
✅ Composer Access: Some shared hosts restrict SSH/Composer access. Know your options.
✅ Database Requirements: Confirm MySQL/MariaDB compatibility with your Laravel setup.
✅ Folder Structure: Laravel's public directory must be properly configured as the root.
📂 3. Preparing Your Laravel Project for Shared Hosting
Deploying Laravel on shared hosting requires adjusting the folder and file structure:
Move all Laravel files (except the public folder) one level above the root.
Update paths in index.php to reflect this new structure.
Prepare .env file with the correct database, URL, and mail settings.
Even though we won’t cover the code, understanding these structural steps is critical for deployment.
🔒 4. Secure Your Laravel Application
Security is a major concern on shared hosting, where server resources are shared:
Protect .env file: It should never be publicly accessible.
Disable debug mode in production to prevent data leaks (APP_DEBUG=false).
Secure storage folder if you're using file uploads or caching.
These practices help avoid common vulnerabilities and maintain app integrity.
📁 5. File Manager vs. FTP: Choosing the Right Upload Method
Two popular options to transfer your Laravel files:
File Manager (via cPanel):
Quick and direct.
Useful for editing .env, .htaccess, or config files after upload.
FTP/SFTP (e.g., FileZilla):
Better for large file transfers.
Offers more flexibility and control.
Freelancers often use both—upload via FTP, tweak via File Manager.
🧭 6. Updating .env for the Hosting Environment
Once deployed, you need to configure Laravel's environment:
Set the correct database name, user, and password.
Point APP_URL to your domain.
Adjust mail settings for contact forms or notifications.
Set APP_ENV=production and APP_DEBUG=false for live environments.
This environment-specific config helps your Laravel app run smoothly on shared hosting.
🗂️ 7. Setting Public Directory as Root
Laravel stores index files in the /public folder, but shared hosts often point to /.
To fix this:
Move the contents of /public to the root folder.
Adjust paths in the index.php file to reference the correct Laravel folders.
This step is critical and often where beginners get stuck during deployment.
🧰 8. Using Laravel Without SSH or Composer
Most shared hosting doesn’t support full SSH or Composer. Here's what to consider:
Install dependencies locally on your machine before uploading.
Run migrations, seeders, or builds locally, then deploy the final state.
Freelancers can maintain flexibility by handling complex steps before pushing to hosting.
This saves time and works well with limited hosting features.
📊 9. Database Setup from cPanel
Creating a new database and importing tables:
Use MySQL Database Wizard in cPanel to create the database.
Upload your local .sql file using phpMyAdmin.
Connect Laravel via updated .env database settings.
Pro tip: Always back up your local and remote database before changes.
🛠️ 10. Common Deployment Issues and Fixes
❌ White screen after deployment? → Likely a permissions or path issue.
❌ 404 errors? → Check .htaccess rules and base folder structure.
❌ Cannot connect to DB? → Double-check .env and hosting DB credentials.
Having a checklist of common errors ensures a faster troubleshooting process.
🧾 11. Maintenance Mode and SEO Impacts
Laravel includes a maintenance mode (artisan down), but on shared hosting, manual approaches are required.
Use a temporary index.html page while uploading or fixing the app.
Make sure search engines don't index your under-construction site, by adding a robots.txt directive.
This protects SEO rankings and prevents Google from indexing errors or incomplete content.
👨💻 12. Freelancing Tip: Impress Clients with Clean Deployment
Clients love a fast, functional, and professional deployment. Tips:
Provide them with a custom admin login post-deployment.
Send a brief deployment report outlining steps and credentials.
Offer ongoing maintenance packages to keep the site secure and updated.
It adds extra value to your freelance service and builds trust.
📈 13. Performance Optimization After Deployment
Even on shared hosting, you can boost performance:
Enable Laravel caching (config, routes, views) locally before upload.
Compress images and assets before deployment.
Minimize unnecessary packages or unused files.
Better performance improves SEO, user experience, and reduces bounce rate.
🏁 14. Final Thoughts on Shared Hosting and Laravel
Deploying Laravel on shared hosting is totally achievable with the right planning. As a Laravel freelancer or web developer, mastering this process gives you an edge—allowing you to serve clients with tight budgets while maintaining a high-quality output. Keep optimizing, stay secure, and make deployment an effortless part of your Laravel development workflow.
