Once you've placed your hosting order, here's what to do next to get your website live.
1. Check your welcome email
Within a few minutes of ordering, you'll receive a welcome email with:
- Your client portal login details
- Server/hosting account information
- Initial password for FTP or file access (if applicable)
Keep this email in a safe place—you'll need the login credentials.
2. Log in to your client portal
Visit your client portal/billing area and sign in with the credentials from the welcome email. You can use this to:
- Manage billing and invoices
- Update contact details
- Access support resources
- View your hosting account status
3. Point your domain to your new host
If you're transferring an existing domain, you need to update its nameservers to point to your new hosting provider. If you just registered a domain with us, this is usually already done.
Where to make the change:
- Log in to your domain registrar (the company where you originally registered yourdomain.com)
- Find the DNS or Nameserver settings
- Update the nameservers to match those provided in your welcome email or client portal
Typical nameserver format:
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Check your welcome email or portal for your exact nameserver addresses—they vary by provider.
DNS changes can take 24–48 hours to propagate across the internet, so don't panic if your site doesn't appear immediately.
4. Upload your website files
You have two main ways to get your files onto the hosting account:
Option A: FTP / SFTP
- Use an FTP client like FileZilla or Cyberduck
- Enter the FTP credentials from your welcome email
- Upload your website files to the public_html or www folder
Option B: File Manager in your control panel
- Log in to your hosting control panel (usually cPanel or similar)
- Use the File Manager tool to upload files directly through your web browser
- Upload to the same root directory
5. Create your database (if needed)
If your website uses a database (WordPress, Drupal, custom application), you'll need to:
- Log in to your hosting control panel
- Find the MySQL or Database section
- Create a new database and database user
- Note the database name, username, and password—you'll need these during setup
6. Install or configure your site
For WordPress or other CMS:
- Download the latest version from the official website
- Upload the files to your hosting account
- Run the installation wizard and point it to your new database credentials
- Log in and configure your site
For a static site or custom application:
- Ensure all files and folders are in the correct directories
- If you're migrating from another host, double-check that relative links and asset paths still work
- Test in a browser once DNS has propagated
7. Test and verify
Once DNS has updated (can take up to 48 hours):
- Visit yourdomain.com in your browser—you should see your site
- Check that all pages, images, and links load correctly
- Test any forms or interactive features
- Verify email functionality if your site sends automated messages
8. Set up SSL (HTTPS)
Your hosting plan likely includes a free SSL certificate. To enable it:
- Log in to your control panel
- Find the SSL/TLS or Let's Encrypt section
- Install a certificate for yourdomain.com
- Configure your site to use HTTPS by default (usually an automatic redirect)
Your site should now load with a padlock icon in the address bar.
Next steps
- Back up your site regularly via your control panel or an automated backup service
- Keep your passwords secure and stored safely
- Review your hosting plan's features—many include email accounts, subdomains, and other tools
- Contact support if anything isn't working after 48 hours
Your new hosting is ready—get your site live and start serving visitors!