Your welcome email has everything you need to get started: your cPanel username and password, the server hostname and the nameservers for your domain. This guide takes you through the first steps, from pointing your domain to putting your website online.
In this guide
Your welcome email
We send your welcome email as soon as your account is set up. Keep it somewhere safe. It contains:
- your cPanel username and password
- the server hostname, which you use to log in to cPanel and to connect with FTP
- the nameservers to use for your domain
- the server's IP address
If you can't find it, check your spam folder. Your account also keeps a copy of every email we send you, under Email History.
First steps
- Point your domain. Change your domain's nameservers to the ones in your welcome email. See How to point your domain to GHost Cloud.
- Log in to cPanel. Use the username and password from your welcome email. See How to log in to cPanel.
- Create your mailboxes. See How to create and manage email accounts in cPanel.
- Put your website online. Upload your files with File Manager or FTP. If your site is with another host, we move it for you. See How to move your website to GHost Cloud.
- Check your SSL certificate. cPanel issues a free certificate once your domain points to us. See How to install and manage SSL certificates.
- Keep your own backups. Download a full backup from cPanel from time to time, and before big changes. See How to back up and restore your WordPress site.
Your account
Your account is where you pay invoices, manage your services and domains, and open support tickets. You log in with your email address and the password you chose when you signed up. This login is separate from your cPanel login.
To open cPanel without typing a password, go to Services, choose your hosting plan and use the cPanel login button.
Common questions in the first week
How do I get to my website's files?
In cPanel, open File Manager and go to the public_html folder. Everything in public_html is on your website. You can also connect with FTP.
My domain doesn't show my site yet. Why?
Nameserver changes can take up to 48 hours to reach every network. Check that your domain uses the nameservers in your welcome email, and that your files are in public_html.
How do I create an email address?
In cPanel, go to Email Accounts. See How to create and manage email accounts in cPanel.
How do I upgrade my plan?
In your account, open your plan under Services and choose to upgrade. You see the price before you confirm.
How do I get help?
Open a ticket from your account. A person reads every ticket, and the people who run the servers answer it.
Related guides
- How to log in to cPanel
- How to point your domain to GHost Cloud
- cPanel overview: a beginner's guide
- Your hosting plan: resources and limits
- How to move your website to GHost Cloud
Stuck? Open a ticket and a person will reply.
