Going live checklist

This guide covers the steps to take a new hosting account from activation to a working website with HTTPS, in the right order.

Before you begin

An active hosting plan. See Order status and activation.
Access to the Hosting and Reseller Panel, using the details from your activation.
A domain you own, or one you have registered through APNCloud. See Register a domain.
The website files you want to publish.

Connect your domain. Point the domain's DNS at your hosting. Follow Connect a domain to hosting.
Add the domain to your hosting account, if your panel asks for it. See Domains and subdomains.
Upload your files into the public web folder using the File manager. Upload the main page, such as index.html or index.php.
Create a database if your site needs one, such as WordPress. See Databases. Save the database details securely.
Turn on HTTPS. Use free SSL if your plan supports it, or install your purchased certificate. Check HTTPS works before enabling a redirect. See SSL and HTTPS settings.
Test the site in a browser at https://yourdomain.com. Check the pages, forms and links.
Set up email, if your plan includes it. See Create mailboxes.
Confirm backups. If your plan offers backups, make one now and check that it appears in the backup list. See Website backups.

Your site opens over HTTPS, the pages load, and any email accounts you created can send and receive.

The site does not open. Read Website not opening.
The browser shows an insecure connection. Read Browser insecure connection.
You see a 403, 404 or 500 error. Check the file permissions and the main page name, then read File permission problems.

2026-10-28