Docs

1Create an account

1. Open the sign-up page.
2. Enter your name, contact details and address. You can also say what you're interested in and which location you prefer.
3. We email you a confirmation link. Open it and choose your password.

2Set up two-step sign-in

Two-step sign-in is required on every account. You'll need an authenticator app on your phone.

1. Sign in to the console and open Security.
2. Scan the QR code with your authenticator app.
3. Enter the 6-digit code the app shows.

From now on, each sign-in asks for your password and a fresh code from the app.

3Order a server

1. In the console, open Deploy.
2. Choose a location: California or Texas.
3. Choose a virtual server plan, or a dedicated machine or colocation space.
4. Select Continue and finish the order.

4Set the root password

1. Open your server in the console.
2. Use Reset root password and save the new password somewhere safe.

The same page shows your server's status and lets you power it on and off.

5Connect over SSH

From a terminal on your computer, connect as root to your server's IP address:

$ ssh [email protected]

Replace 203.0.113.10 with your server's IP address. Enter the root password from step 4. Once you're in, bring the system up to date. On Ubuntu or Debian:

# apt update && apt upgrade

On AlmaLinux or Rocky Linux:

# dnf upgrade

Outbound email on port 25 is blocked by default. If you need it, write to [email protected].

1Install WordPress

WordPress is free on any virtual server running Ubuntu 24.04 or Debian 12.

1. When you order, choose Ubuntu 24.04 or Debian 12 and tick Install WordPress on it. Or, on a server you've just built or reinstalled, open the WordPress tab and select Install WordPress.
2. Wait 5 to 15 minutes. The tab shows each step as it goes.
3. Select Show the password and save the admin user name and password somewhere safe.

The password is shown once and then deleted from our side. If you lose it, use Reset admin password on the same tab.

2Set your domain

1. At your DNS provider, point your domain's A record at the server's IPv4 address. If you add an AAAA record, it must be the server's IPv6 address.
2. On the WordPress tab, enter the domain and select Set domain.
3. We check the DNS, get a free certificate and move the site to https. It takes about a minute and the certificate renews by itself.

3Turn on Managed

Managed costs the same as the server, at least $8 a month. Backups are included. See Managed for prices.

1. When you order a virtual server, tick Add Managed. Or open an existing server, go to the Managed tab and select Turn on Managed.
2. Automatic security updates start that night. You can switch them off on the same tab.

4Checks, reports and moving help

• The Health tab shows the latest check and the last 7 days. If a check fails twice in a row, we email the account owner and technical contacts.
• The care report arrives by email at the start of each month.
• To move a site here, open the Managed tab and select Ask for help. Tell us where it is now and what to move.