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How to Set Up, Use, and Build Your Website
Follow these simple steps to get your Shared Hosting account up and running, explore the tools included, and learn how to start building your website.
The domain name you choose when purchasing your shared hosting package will be assigned to your account as the main domain. If you registered a new domain with Namecheap when purchasing hosting, good news! Everything is already set up for you.
Skip to Step 2 →
If you happen to be using a domain name that you’ve registered before, you will need to connect it to your new hosting package. You can do this by simply updating your DNS (Domain Name Servers or nameservers as they're often referred to).
The existing DNS settings will not be transferred to our DNS. If you have some custom service already set up for your domain, for example email, you will need to re-create the corresponding DNS records.
Need assistance before switching DNS?
Log in to your account and click on the Domains tab. This will show the domain(s) you currently have registered with Namecheap.
Select Manage next to the domain name you would like to navigate to your site.
Scroll to the Nameservers section and select Namecheap Web Hosting DNS from the drop-down menu. Please ensure that you save any changes you have made by selecting the tick icon.
Once the nameservers are set, it can take up to 24 - 48 hours for everything to update. Don't worry, though — you can start building your website before this process is complete.
Learn here how to check the content status of your website before DNS settings take effect.
Did you know?
In your Shared Hosting Account, you can also learn how to add more domains or create a subdomain.
If your domain name is registered with another registrar, please update the DNS, in the respective management tool, to the following:
Once the nameservers are set, it can take up to 48 hours for everything to update. Don't worry, though — you can start building your website before this process is complete.
To help you easily manage all the great services your Shared Hosting account offers, we have a handy feature in place called cPanel (control panel). It allows you to build and manage your website as well as manage webmail, SSL certificates and more. You can easily log in to cPanel directly from your Namecheap Account Panel.
To do so, select Domain List with "All Products" view, hover over the Hosting icon, select "Manage" from the drop-down menu, and click "Go to cPanel."
It may take up to 30 minutes for your new hosting account to be activated. Therefore, don’t worry if you see "Alert" near your hosting plan icon in your Namecheap account; it should be activated soon.
Once you have logged in to your cPanel, feel free to explore the various tools that are included in your Shared Hosting plan:
Gives you the freedom to build your website, without any technical knowledge needed. Featuring a visual editing interface with simple drag-and-drop solutions, it’s easy to add such elements as images, text, and videos. The result? An aesthetically-pleasing, easy-to-use website (or even an online shop) that can be published in minutes.
How to use:
Website Builder
Log in to cPanel from your Namecheap Account Panel. Then locate the Website Builder icon from your cPanel selection.
Once you have clicked through, you should see the domain name linked to your hosting package. Click on it.
From here, you’ll be able to select from a wide variety of fully-equipped templates and start building your website.
Need more help with Website Builder?
For further help on how to use these templates, we’ve put together Website Builder Handy Tips so you can get started right away.
Gives you access to such applications as WordPress for blogs, Magento and OpenCart for e-commerce, as well as other apps for forums, wikis, education, etc. Ideal for those who have some prior technical knowledge, this tool helps you get started with just a few clicks, without worrying about installation, backups, or restoring applications.
Softaculous
Log in to cPanel from your Namecheap Account Panel. Click on the Softaculous icon from your cPanel selection.
Using WordPress installation as an example, select the WordPress icon and click "Install Now."
You will then be prompted to fill in a few details. Our recommendation? Complete your Site Settings section and WordPress Admin Dashboard credentials.
For increased security, set custom Table Prefix and Database Name during the installation process, in the expanded Advanced Options section.
After you have filled in your details, scroll down and click Install. Once your installation is successful, you will receive a message.
Need more help with Softaculous?
Check all the Content Management Systems (CMS) available with Softaculous. Working with this tool is even easier when you visit our helpful article.
Short for File Transfer Protocol, this allows you to upload existing files to your Shared Hosting account. Ideal for those who have strong technical skills and can code a website from a scratch. Log in with the details provided in your Welcome Email with the subject "Your Hosting Account Details for yourdomain.com," which was sent to you when you first purchased your Shared Hosting package.
FTP/SFTP
Log in to cPanel from your Namecheap Account Panel.
Access your FTP/SFTP via 1) File Manager or 2) FTP client (e.g. FileZilla). Check our illustrated guide on How to use FileZilla.
Need more help with FTP?
To give access to selected users, you can also create new FTP accounts (without giving them your login details). For each additional FTP account you create, you can give each user different levels of access by assigning that user to a specific directory. Learn how to create new FTP accounts. If your website contains a database, you can grant an access to the individual database following this guide.
Enable SSL
Known as the standardized form of encryption for websites, SSL certificates keep your data secure between servers, even helping your Google SEO ranking. All our Shared Hosting customers receive a full year of up to 50 PositiveSSL certificates free for their primary domain, subdomains, and additional domains. Learn more about SSL for cPanel.
Choose Your Password Wisely
To protect your cPanel account and its data, it’s very important to choose a strong password. Learn how to change your cPanel password.
Consider Two-Factor Authorization (2FA)
Enhance the overall security of your data and prevent any potential hacking by enabling Two-Factor Authorization.
Explore Your Shared Hosting Account
Setting up your cPanel username
Do you prefer a different cPanel username than the one generated by us? Just contact our 24/7 Customer Support to set up a new one.
Creating an email account in your cPanel
Did you know that your Shared Hosting package also includes email services? Start creating multiple email accounts, easily managed through webmail interface or other email clients. Learn how to set up your email with Outlook, Thunderbird, Mac Mail, or mobile.
Optimizing your website for SEO purposes
Would you like to rank higher in Google? Learn how to make your website more recognizable by search engines.
Need help? We're always here for you.
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