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By Liam Cottam
• 7 articles

Introduction to Your Hosting Control Panel

Welcome to your upgraded hosting experience! We’ve recently moved to a new, faster, and more flexible hosting control panel. As part of this upgrade, we’ve introduced powerful new tools to help you get the most out of your website, with no extra logins, and everything accessible straight from the client area. 🔐 Accessing the Hosting Control Panel To keep things simple, you don’t need any separate credentials. Just: 1. Log in to the client area 2. Choose the hosting package or domain you want to manage 3. Click “Manage Hosting” 4. You’ll be taken directly to your hosting control panel 🚀 What’s New? Here’s what’s been added to your hosting environment with this upgrade: ⚡ LiteSpeed Web Server + LSCache Enjoy faster page loads and improved performance, especially for dynamic sites like WordPress. LSCache is built-in and ready to be activated with just a few clicks. 🧰 WordPress Manager (via Softaculous) Manage all your WordPress installations in one place. You can: - Install WordPress with one click - Clone, stage, or back up your sites - Change admin passwords or manage plugins/themes Perfect for beginners and power users alike. 🗃 JetBackup Take full control of your backups: - Browse and restore individual files or databases - Restore your entire account from a previous backup - Schedule automated daily backups with ease 🔁 Redis Support Improve performance for database-driven websites by enabling Redis caching — great for content-heavy or high-traffic sites. 🔧 Git Integration Deploy code directly from your Git repositories. Perfect for developers using GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket. 🔍 PHP X-Ray Troubleshooting slow sites? Use PHP X-Ray to identify performance bottlenecks in your site’s scripts, plugins, or database calls. 🔢 PHP Version Selector (CloudLinux) Easily switch between multiple PHP versions and manage individual extensions to match your site’s requirements. 🐍 Node.js & Python Support Build and host modern applications with native support for Node.js and Python. 🛡 Advanced Security Suite (cpGuard) Your hosting now comes with industry-leading protection against malware, phishing, and other threats — with active monitoring and automated scans. 🧭 Other Key Features - File Manager for direct website edits - FTP Access and Database Management - One-click installs for dozens of apps - Free SSL certificates for all domains - Cron job setup and error log access

Last updated on Jul 31, 2025

Navigating the Hosting Control Panel: Key Features

Once you've accessed your hosting through the client area, you'll be taken directly to your hosting control panel — the central place to manage your website, domains, files, databases, and more. This guide walks you through the key areas, so you can get comfortable with the tools available and start managing your hosting confidently. ✅ What You’ll Find in the Hosting Control Panel Your control panel is organised into clear sections, each offering powerful tools designed to be easy to use — whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned site owner. 📁 Files & Site Content These tools help you upload and manage your website files: - File Manager – Browse, upload, and edit files directly in your browser - FTP Accounts – Set up and manage access for FTP clients like FileZilla - Backups – Use JetBackup to download or restore backups of files, databases, or your entire account 🌐 Domains & DNS Manage everything related to your domain names: - Domain Management – Add or manage domains and subdomains - DNS Settings – Update DNS records like A, MX, TXT, and CNAME - Redirects – Set up URL or domain-level redirects easily 🗃 Databases Most modern websites (like WordPress) require a database. Here you can: - Create MySQL Databases and Users - Access phpMyAdmin – A visual tool to manage database content, export/import data, and run queries 📧 Email Tools Email is managed entirely through your separate Email Control Panel, which is accessible directly from the client area. From there, you can: - Create and manage mailboxes - Set up email forwarders and autoresponders - Adjust spam filtering settings - Access Webmail 🔐 Note: The hosting control panel does not handle email functions — please use the Email Control Panel for anything related to your email setup. ⚙️ Advanced & Developer Tools These features offer greater control and performance options: - PHP Selector – Choose your preferred PHP version and enable/disable extensions - Node.js & Python Support – Run apps using your preferred language - Git Integration – Connect to Git repositories and deploy code - Cron Jobs – Automate scripts and scheduled tasks - Redis – Enable object caching for improved performance 🚀 Performance & Optimisation Your hosting comes with several tools to boost your site’s speed and efficiency: - LSCache – A high-performance caching engine built into the server - WordPress Manager – Install, manage, back up, or clone your WordPress sites with ease - PHP X-Ray – Identify what’s slowing down your PHP-based site 🔐 Security Tools Protect your site and data with built-in security features: - Free SSL Certificates – Enable HTTPS for your websites - Password-Protected Directories – Restrict access to specific areas of your site - cpGuard Security Suite – Automatically scan for malware and security threats, with advanced protection included as standard ⭐ Tip: Only Use What You Need Don’t worry if you don’t recognise every tool right away — many features are optional and designed for more advanced users. You can safely ignore anything you're not using.

Last updated on Jul 31, 2025

What’s New Compared to Your Previous Hosting Panel

As part of our commitment to providing you with the best hosting experience, we've upgraded our hosting control panel. This new platform offers enhanced performance, greater flexibility, and a suite of powerful tools to help you manage your website more effectively. Here's an overview of the key improvements:​ 🚀 Enhanced Performance and Speed - LiteSpeed Web Server with LSCache: Experience faster page load times and improved website performance, especially beneficial for dynamic sites like WordPress.​ - Redis Caching Support: Optimize your database-driven websites with Redis, reducing latency and improving scalability.​ 🛠️ Advanced Development Tools - Git Integration: Deploy and manage your code directly from Git repositories, streamlining your development workflow.​ - Node.js and Python Support: Run modern applications with native support for Node.js and Python environments.​ - PHP X-Ray: Identify and troubleshoot PHP performance bottlenecks with detailed insights into script execution.​ 🧰 Improved Application Management - WordPress Manager via Softaculous: Easily install, update, and manage your WordPress sites with a user-friendly interface.​ - Softaculous App Installer: Access a wide range of applications for quick installation, expanding your website's functionality.​ 🔐 Robust Security Features - cpGuard Security Suite: Benefit from enhanced protection against malware, phishing, and other threats with active monitoring and automated scans.​ - Free SSL Certificates: Secure your websites with HTTPS using complimentary SSL certificates.​ 📂 Flexible File and Backup Management - JetBackup Integration: Take full control of your backups, allowing you to restore individual files, databases, or your entire account with ease.​ - Advanced File Manager: Manage your website files directly from your browser, offering greater flexibility and control.​ ⚙️ Customizable PHP Environment - PHP Version Selector: Choose from multiple PHP versions and manage individual extensions to match your site's requirements, powered by CloudLinux.​ 📧 Dedicated Email Management Please note that email services are now managed through our separate Email Control Panel. This dedicated platform offers a streamlined experience for managing your email accounts, forwarders, spam filters, and more.​ We're excited for you to experience the enhanced capabilities of our new hosting control panel. If you have any questions or need assistance, our support team is here to help.

Last updated on Jul 31, 2025

Creating and Managing Your Website

Your hosting account is ready for you to build and manage your website — whether you’re uploading a custom-built site, installing WordPress, or starting fresh with a website builder. This guide walks you through the main options and tools available for getting your site online quickly and easily. 🛠️ Getting Started: Choose How You Want to Build There are a few different ways to get started, depending on your experience and goals: ✅ Option 1: Install WordPress (Recommended for Most Users) WordPress is the most popular website platform in the world — ideal for blogs, portfolios, business websites, and online stores. To install WordPress: 1. Log in to the client area 2. Click “Manage Hosting” on the relevant domain 3. Open WordPress Manager 4. Click Install, choose your settings, and launch your new website in minutes You can also manage plugins, themes, and backups right from the WordPress Manager — no need to log into WordPress separately. ✅ Option 2: Upload Your Own Website Files If you’ve already built your website elsewhere (using HTML, a website builder, or an agency), you can upload the files directly. To upload your site: 1. Go to the File Manager in your hosting control panel 2. Navigate to the public_html folder (this is your website’s main directory) 3. Upload your files using the upload button — or use an FTP client like FileZilla if you prefer Make sure your homepage is named index.html or index.php so it loads automatically. ✅ Option 3: Use Another App (Like Joomla, Drupal, etc.) You can install other platforms like Joomla, PrestaShop, or Magento using the App Installer tool in your control panel (powered by Softaculous). To install an app: - Go to App Installer - Select the platform you want - Follow the step-by-step install process 🔄 Managing Your Website Once your website is up and running, you can manage it using tools in the hosting control panel: - File Manager – Edit, rename, or delete website files - FTP Accounts – Set up remote access for developers or designers - Database Tools – Manage data-driven sites using MySQL and phpMyAdmin - Backups (JetBackup) – Restore your site to a previous state if needed - PHP Selector – Change PHP versions or enable specific extensions 🔐 Security Essentials Make sure your site is secure and trusted: - Enable SSL – Use the SSL Certificates tool to activate HTTPS on your domain (free of charge) - Use cpGuard – Automatically scan for malware or threats - Set Permissions Carefully – Especially for uploaded files and folders 💬 Need Help? If you're unsure which option is right for you or need assistance at any step, our friendly support team is just a message away. Visit your client area to open a support ticket or browse our help centre for more guides.

Last updated on Jul 31, 2025

Troubleshooting SSL Certificate Installation Errors for Your Website

Troubleshooting SSL Certificate Installation Errors for Your Website Description: This step-by-step guide will help you resolve common SSL certificate installation issues on your hosting account. Learn how to verify installation, regenerate certificates, check DNS and browser compatibility, and ensure your website is secure. Before You Begin You’ll need to access your hosting control panel (DirectAdmin) to manage SSL certificates. If you’re unsure how to log in, see our guide: How to Access Your Web Hosting Control Panel Common SSL Installation Issues & Solutions 1. Certificate Not Issued or Installation Failed Possible Causes: - Your domain is not pointed to the correct nameservers or the correct IP - DNS records haven’t propagated yet - There’s a mismatch with existing certificate keys Steps to Resolve: 1. Check Domain DNS: - Make sure your domain is pointed to our servers. - For instructions: Pointing Your Domain - Use online tools like Is It Down Right Now or Pingdom Tools to check DNS. 2. Wait for DNS Propagation: - DNS changes can take up to 24 hours. If you’ve just updated records, please wait and try again later. 3. Retry Certificate Installation: - In DirectAdmin, go to SSL Certificates - Select Get automatic certificate from ACME Provider (recommended: Let’s Encrypt) - Tick the domains/subdomains you wish to secure - Click Save to request a new certificate 4. Resolve Key Mismatch: - If you see a message about a key mismatch, tick “Find matching key if mismatch” before saving. 2. Certificate Installed But Site Not Showing Secure (HTTPS) Possible Causes: - Your browser is caching old data - Mixed content (HTTP resources on HTTPS page) - SSL not forced Steps to Resolve: 1. Clear Browser Cache: - Clear your browser’s cache, or try loading your site in a private/incognito window. 2. Force HTTPS Redirect: - In DirectAdmin, open SSL Certificates - Tick "Force SSL with https redirect" - Click Save This ensures all visitors are redirected to https:// automatically. 3. Check for Mixed Content: - Use your browser's developer tools (F12 > Console tab) to check for insecure HTTP resources. - Update all URLs in your site content, CSS, and scripts to use https://. Example (HTML): <!-- Change this --> <img src="http://yourdomain.com/image.jpg"> <!-- To this --> <img src="https://yourdomain.com/image.jpg"> 3. Browser Shows Invalid Certificate Warning Possible Causes: - Certificate not installed for all subdomains (e.g., www, mail) - Certificate expired - Old certificate cached by browser Steps to Resolve: 1. Check Certificate Coverage: - In DirectAdmin, go to SSL Certificates - Scroll to Automated SSL Certificates Information - Make sure all needed domains (including www.yourdomain.com) are listed and active 2. Renew Certificate: - Certificates renew automatically, but if you see an expiry warning, click Save to force a renewal. 3. Clear Browser SSL State: - In Chrome: Go to settings > Privacy and security > Security > Manage certificates > Clear SSL state 4. Certificate Regeneration/Removal If you need to regenerate or remove an SSL certificate: 1. Regenerate: - In SSL Certificates, select your domains and click Save again to reissue. 2. Remove: - Untick the domains, save settings, and then re-add them to generate a fresh certificate. Troubleshooting Tools & Tips - File Manager: Use DirectAdmin’s File Manager to update code/files for mixed content issues. - SSL Checker: Use an online SSL checker (e.g., SSL Labs) to verify your certificate’s status. - phpMyAdmin: Update any hard-coded URLs in your database for CMS sites (like WordPress). Practical Example: Forcing HTTPS in .htaccess If you use a CMS or custom code and HTTPS is not forced, add this to your .htaccess file in File Manager: RewriteEngine On RewriteCond %{HTTPS} !=on RewriteRule ^ https://%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [L,R=301] ❓ Still Stuck? If you’ve tried these steps and your SSL issue persists, please raise a support ticket via the client area. Include: - Your domain name - The exact error message - Steps you’ve already tried We’re here to help you get your site secure and running smoothly!

Last updated on Jul 31, 2025