How To Install Bludit CMS on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS

In this tutorial, we will show you how to install Bludit CMS on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS.  Bludit is a powerful and lightweight Content Management System (CMS) that allows users to create and manage websites effortlessly. Combined with the robustness of Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, Bludit offers a seamless experience for developers and website owners seeking a reliable and efficient platform. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of installing Bludit on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, ensuring a smooth setup and optimal performance.

What is Bludit?

Bludit is an open-source flat-file CMS written in PHP, designed for simplicity and speed. Unlike traditional CMS platforms that rely on databases, Bludit stores all content in plain JSON files, making it highly portable and easy to manage. Key features of Bludit include:

• Flat-File Architecture: No need for a database server, reducing complexity and enhancing portability.
• Extensive Plugin Support: Over 100 plugins available to extend functionality, including contact forms, galleries, and basic e-commerce capabilities.
• Customizable Themes: More than 50 free themes available, allowing users to tailor the appearance of their websites.
• SEO-Friendly: Built-in features and optimization options to enhance search engine visibility.
• GDPR Compliant: Adheres to data protection regulations, ensuring user data is handled securely.

Bludit is ideal for personal blogs, small business websites, and any project that requires a lightweight and easy-to-use CMS without the overhead of a database-driven system.

Prerequisites

Before diving into the installation process, ensure that your system meets the necessary requirements and that you have the appropriate permissions. Here are the prerequisites:

• Ubuntu 24.04 LTS Server: A fresh installation of Ubuntu 24.04 LTS is recommended for compatibility and security.
• Non-Root Sudo User: Access to a non-root user with sudo privileges to execute administrative commands.
• Web Server: Install either Apache or Nginx as your web server to handle HTTP requests.
• PHP: PHP must be installed along with necessary extensions to support Bludit’s functionality.
• Internet Connection: Required to download Bludit and its dependencies during installation.

Having these prerequisites in place will ensure a smooth installation process and optimal performance of your Bludit CMS.

Step-by-Step Guide to Installing Bludit on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS

Follow this detailed step-by-step guide to install Bludit CMS on your Ubuntu 24.04 LTS system. This process covers updating your system, installing necessary software, configuring the web server, and setting up Bludit.

Step 1: Update and Prepare the System

Start by updating your system’s package repositories and upgrading existing packages to ensure you have the latest software versions and security patches.

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Next, install essential tools like wget and unzip, which will be used to download and extract Bludit files.

sudo apt install wget unzip -y

Step 2: Install a Web Server (Apache or Nginx)

Bludit requires a web server to handle HTTP requests. You can choose between Apache and Nginx based on your preference.

Option A: Installing Apache

Apache is a widely-used web server known for its flexibility and extensive documentation.

sudo apt install apache2 -y

After installation, enable and start the Apache service:

sudo systemctl enable apache2
sudo systemctl start apache2

Verify that Apache is running by accessing your server’s IP address in a web browser. You should see the default Apache welcome page.

Option B: Installing Nginx

Nginx is renowned for its high performance and low resource consumption, making it an excellent choice for handling high traffic.

sudo apt install nginx -y

Enable and start the Nginx service:

sudo systemctl enable nginx
sudo systemctl start nginx

Confirm installation by navigating to your server’s IP address. The Nginx welcome page should be displayed.

Step 3: Install PHP and Required Extensions

Bludit is built with PHP, so installing PHP along with the necessary extensions is crucial.

sudo apt install php php-cli php-common php-mbstring php-gd php-xml php-json -y

Verify the PHP installation by checking the version:

php -v

This command should display the installed PHP version, confirming a successful installation.

Step 4: Download and Extract Bludit Files

Create a directory where Bludit will reside. For Apache, the default web root is /var/www/html, while for Nginx, it’s typically /var/www.

• For Apache:

  sudo mkdir -p /var/www/bludit

• For Nginx:

  sudo mkdir -p /var/www/bludit

Change the ownership of the Bludit directory to your user to allow file modifications:

sudo chown -R $USER:$USER /var/www/bludit

Navigate to the Bludit directory:

cd /var/www/bludit

Download the latest version of Bludit from the official website using wget. Ensure you check for the latest release before downloading.

wget https://www.bludit.com/releases/bludit-3-16-2.zip

Extract the downloaded ZIP file:

unzip bludit-3.16.2.zip

Remove the ZIP file after extraction:

rm bludit-3.16.2.zip

Move the extracted files to the current directory:

mv bludit-3.16.2/* . && mv bludit-3.16.2/.* .

Remove the now-empty directory:

rmdir bludit-3.16.2

Set the appropriate ownership to the web server user:

sudo chown -R www-data:www-data /var/www/bludit

Step 5: Configure File Permissions

Proper file permissions are essential for the security and functionality of your Bludit installation.

• Set read and write permissions for necessary directories:

sudo chmod -R 755 /var/www/bludit

This command ensures that the web server can read and execute files while maintaining security.

Step 6: Configure the Web Server for Bludit

Depending on your chosen web server, you’ll need to create a virtual host configuration to serve your Bludit site.

For Apache

Create a new virtual host file:

sudo nano /etc/apache2/sites-available/bludit.conf

Add the following configuration:

<VirtualHost *:80>
    ServerAdmin admin@example.com
    DocumentRoot /var/www/bludit
    ServerName example.com

 <Directory /var/www/bludit/>
Options Indexes FollowSymLinks
AllowOverride All
Require all granted
</Directory>
    ErrorLog ${APACHE_LOG_DIR}/bludit_error.log
    CustomLog ${APACHE_LOG_DIR}/bludit_access.log combined
</VirtualHost>

Enable the new virtual host and the rewrite module:

sudo a2ensite bludit.conf
sudo a2enmod rewrite

Test the Apache configuration for syntax errors:

sudo apache2ctl configtest

If the syntax is correct, reload Apache to apply the changes:

sudo systemctl reload apache2

For Nginx

Create a new server block for Bludit:

sudo nano /etc/nginx/sites-available/bludit.conf

Add the following configuration:

server {
    listen 80;
    server_name example.com;

    root /var/www/bludit;
    index index.php index.html index.htm;

    location / {
        try_files $uri $uri/ /index.php?$args;
    }

    location ~ \.php$ {
        include snippets/fastcgi-php.conf;
        fastcgi_pass unix:/var/run/php/php7.4-fpm.sock;
    }

    location ~ /\.ht {
        deny all;
    }

    # Security enhancements
    location ^~ /bl-content/tmp/ { deny all; }
    location ^~ /bl-content/pages/ { deny all; }
    location ^~ /bl-content/databases/ { deny all; }
}

Enable the server block by creating a symbolic link:

sudo ln -s /etc/nginx/sites-available/bludit.conf /etc/nginx/sites-enabled/

Test the Nginx configuration:

sudo nginx -t

If the test is successful, reload Nginx to apply the changes:

sudo systemctl reload nginx

Step 7: Accessing the Bludit Setup Wizard

With the web server configured, you can now complete the Bludit installation through the web interface.

• Open your web browser and navigate to http://your-server-ip or http://example.com.
• Select your preferred language and click Next.
• Create a strong password for the admin account.
• Complete the setup wizard by following the on-screen instructions.

Upon successful installation, you will see a confirmation message indicating that Bludit has been installed correctly. You can now log in using the admin account and start building your website.

Post-installation Configuration Tips

After installing Bludit, it’s essential to perform additional configurations to secure and optimize your website.

Securing Your Installation

• Enable HTTPS: Secure your website by installing SSL/TLS certificates using services like Let’s Encrypt.
• Update Admin Credentials: Change default usernames and use strong passwords to enhance security.

Customizing Your Site

• Install Themes and Plugins: Access the admin panel to browse and install various themes and plugins to extend functionality.
• Configure SEO Settings: Optimize your site for search engines by configuring meta tags, URLs, and other SEO-related settings within Bludit.

Regular Maintenance Tips

• Backup Your Site: Regularly back up your Bludit files and configurations to prevent data loss.
• Update Software: Keep Bludit, PHP, and your web server up to date with the latest security patches and features.

Troubleshooting Common Issues During Installation

During the installation of Bludit on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, you might encounter some common issues. Here are solutions to address them:

403 Forbidden Error

Cause: Incorrect file permissions or misconfigured web server settings.

Solution:

• Ensure that the web server user has the appropriate permissions to access the Bludit directory:

sudo chown -R www-data:www-data /var/www/bludit
sudo chmod -R 755 /var/www/bludit

PHP Not Found

Cause: PHP is not installed or not properly configured with the web server.

Solution:

• Verify the PHP installation:

php -v

• If PHP is not installed, install it along with necessary extensions:

sudo apt install php php-cli php-common php-mbstring php-gd php-xml php-json -y

Note: Restart the web server after installing PHP.

Unable to Access Bludit Setup Wizard

Cause: Web server not properly configured or DNS issues.

Solution:

• Check the web server configuration files for any syntax errors.
• Ensure that the server is listening on the correct ports and that firewall settings allow HTTP/HTTPS traffic.
• Verify DNS settings if using a domain name.

Congratulations! You have successfully installed Bludit. Thanks for using this tutorial for installing the Bludit Content Management System (CMS) on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS system. For additional help or useful information, we recommend you check the official Bludit website.