The Loop Log

How to Deploy Dada Mail on a Shared Hosting Environment Using cPanel

Email discussion lists may feel like retro‑tech in the age of algorithmic feeds and short‑form content, but they remain one of the most effective ways to cultivate thoughtful, sustained conversation around a shared topic. In Part 1 of this series, I explored why email lists still matter in 2026. Now we shift from philosophy to practice.

This article walks through the installation and initial configuration of Dada Mail on a shared hosting account using cPanel. Everything here is based on my direct experience setting up a production discussion list on a multi‑domain shared hosting environment.

Official Dada Mail Installation Instructions can be found here.

There is also a video demonstration by the original creator, Justin Simoni (for an older version, but still relevant).

I followed the instructions provided and was able to successfully install Dada Mail with my first attempt. The process was straight-forward. For the sake of this article, I will detail the steps I used, but you should defer to the official documentation, reading through it completely, before you attempt your own install.

Environment Overview

My setup:

• Shared hosting account
• cPanel access (no root access)
• Multiple domains hosted under the same account
• Goal: Install Dada Mail on a dedicated subdomain to keep list activity isolated

Dada Mail is well-suited for shared hosting, and the installation process is entirely web-based once the files are in place.

Pre-Installation Preparation

Before running the installer, I completed a few essential prep steps.

Why I Created a Subdomain

I wanted list activity isolated from the primary domain, so I created a subdomain such as:

lists.mydomain.com

I did this because there are other services running on the primary domain that I did not want to interfere with.

You can skip to the Create a MySQL Database (cPanel) section if you plan on installing Dada Mail to your primary domain, or have another method you use to keep your applications organized so that they don’t interfere with one another or cause conflicts. I simply find it to be a clean and useful method to have a subdomain dedicated completely to list activity and nothing else.

Additionally, the subdomain creation instructions are for GoDaddy shared hosting accounts with access to cPanel. Other host providers might have different ways to create a subdomain. Check with your host if you are not sure how to do that.

How to Create a Subdomain in GoDaddy cPanel

• Log into cPanel.
• Go to Domains – Domains.
• Click Create New Domain.
• Enter your subdomain (e.g., lists.mydomain.com).
• Ensure “Share document root” is unchecked.

Then go to File Manager (in cPanel) and create the directory where you want to install Dada Mail. For example:

/home/username/public_html/lists.mydomain.com

This keeps list-related files neatly separated from other services.

Create the “A Record” for Your Subdomain

If you have created a subdomain in the previous step, you will also need to create what is called an “A Record” for that subdomain. An A Record is a record inserted into the DNS settings on your host that maps a domain name to its corresponding IP address. If you have a site up and running on your primary domain, that means there is an A Record for that domain in your DNS settings already. Since I am using a subdomain for my Dada Mail install, I had to add an A Record for that subdomain.

The following steps are for GoDaddy shared hosting. As with creating a subdomain, if you have a different host provider, check their documentation to confirm how to create an A Record.

Log into your GoDaddy account.
Go to My Products – Domains – Manage – Manage Domain – DNS
Click Add New Record
Choose A from the Type menu.

Enter the following:

• Name: The subdomain prefix only (e.g., lists for lists.yourdomain.com).
• Value: Your hosting account’s IP address (the same IP used by your primary domain).
• TTL: Leave at default (usually 1 hour).

Once saved, DNS propagation typically takes 5–30 minutes, but it can take up to 72 hours. If you are ever unsure, you can use a tool like DNS Lookup where you would enter your domain (or subdomain, if that is what you are checking) and look at the results. Successful results should show:

DNS Record Published 	DNS Record found

Along with showing:

• Type: A
  Domain Name: (with the name of the domain or subdomain you entered)
  IP Address: (showing the corresponding IP Address you set the A Record for)

Create a MySQL Database (cPanel)

Dada Mail requires a database for storing list data, archives, settings, and logs.

To create one:

• In cPanel, open MySQL Databases.
• Create a new database (e.g., username_dada).
• Create a new database user.
• Assign the user to the database with ALL PRIVILEGES.
• Record:
  • Database name
  • Username
  • Password

You’ll need these during installation.

Prepare the Directory Structure

Inside File Manager (in cPanel) for your hosting account, navigate to:

home/username/public_html/lists.mydomain.com/cgi-bin

If cgi-bin doesn’t exist, create it. This is where the installer and Dada Mail files will live.

Download Dada Mail and the Helper Script

The most current stable release at the time of this writing is: v.11_22_0_stable_2023-09-18

The helper script:
uncompress_dada.cgi

Once DNS propagation completes (i.e. a successful DNS Lookup result), the subdomain will resolve and is ready for the Dada Mail installation. You can upload Dada Mail files into:

/home/username/public_html/lists.mydomain.com/cgi-bin

Upload Files via FTP (FileZilla)

Using FileZilla or another FTP client:

• Connect to your hosting account.
• Navigate to:

/home/username/public_html/lists.mydomain.com/cgi-bin

Upload:

• The Dada Mail .tar.gz archive
• The uncompress_dada.cgi script

Set Permissions on the Helper Script

In cPanel’s File Manager:

• Right‑click uncompress_dada.cgi.
• Choose Permissions.
• Set to 755

What 755 means:

• Owner: read/write/execute
• Group: read/execute
• Public: read/execute

This allows the script to run on the server.

Optional but Recommended: Create a Bounce-Handling Email Account

Bounce handling is built into Dada Mail and works best with a dedicated mailbox.

In cPanel:

• Go to Email Accounts.
• Create something like:

bounces@yourdomain.com

Record the password. You’ll configure this during installation.

Running the Installer

With everything uploaded and permissions set, run the helper script by visiting:

https://lists.yourdomain.com/cgi-bin/uncompress_dada.cgi

You should see output similar to:

Found dada_mail-v stable…
Uncompressing…
Success!
Changing permissions…
Enabling installer…

At the bottom, click:

“Continue Installing and Configuring Dada Mail!”

This launches the web‑based installer.

Configuration Sections During Installation

The installer walks you through several configuration screens. Here’s what each section means and how I approached it.

dada_files Directory

I left this on Auto.
Dada Mail correctly placed the directory outside /public_html, which is ideal for security.

Dada Mail Program URL

The installer detected the correct URL automatically.

Support Files Directory

Both the absolute path and URL were correct, so I kept the defaults.

Dada Mail Root Password

This is your super‑admin password.
It grants access to all lists on the installation.

Choose something strong.

Backend MySQL Database

Enter the database details you created earlier:

• Type: MySQL
• Server: usually localhost
• Database name
• Username
• Password
• Port: Auto

Click Test SQL Connection.
You should see a success message before continuing.

Bounce Handler Configuration

If you created a bounce mailbox:

Enter the bounce email address
Mail server usually mail.yourdomain.com
Username
Password

Click Test POP Connection to verify.

Cron Job Setup

After clicking Configure Dada Mail, you’ll see an “Almost Done!” screen with a cron command.

Cron jobs automate Dada Mail’s background tasks.

To set it up in cPanel:

• Go to Advanced – Cron Jobs.
• Choose an interval every five minutes is a good starting point.
• Paste the cron command into the Command field.
• Click Add New Cron Job.

You should now see it listed under “Current Cron Jobs.”

Finalizing Installation

Return to the installer and click:

“Start Working with Dada Mail!”

You’ll be taken to the welcome screen where you:

• Enter your privacy policy
• Agree to the GPL and anti‑spam terms
• Enter your root password
• Create your first mailing list

If all goes well, you should now have Dada Mail installed, configured for bounce handling, have your cron job configured, and are looking at the main control panel inside of Dada Mail.

Up Next: Part 3 – Configuring Dada Mail as an Email Discussion List.

A standard Dada Mail installation is optimized for traditional mailing-list and newsletter use. Because my goal was to run a true email discussion list, I needed to adjust several default settings to enable those features. Part three of this series will walk through the specific configuration choices that transform Dada Mail from a one-way newsletter tool into a fully interactive discussion list platform.