Which Hosting Do I Need to Deploy My Website or Web App? (Mwongozo wa Kuchagua)

Not sure where your site or app should live? Use this quick guide, then follow the step-by-step article for your case.

1. Which one are you deploying?

• A website built with HTML, PHP or WordPress — use Shared Hosting (Start-Up, Swala, Sungura, Faru) or WordPress Hosting. Upload your files with cPanel File Manager or FTP. Guide: How to Upload Your Website in cPanel.
• A Node.js, Next.js, React or API app — shared hosting plans are built for PHP/static sites. Use Web App Hosting, which runs your app on cPanel's Application Manager (Passenger). Guide: How to Deploy a Node.js Application on Shared/Reseller Hosting (cPanel).
• A Django (Python) app — runs on cPanel Application Manager with Python 3.9 and Django 4.2 LTS. Guide: How to Deploy a Django (Python) App on cPanel Hosting. Need Django 5+? Use a VPS.
• Something that needs full server control (custom services, background workers, databases other than MySQL) — use a VPS. See our VPS deployment guide with PM2.

2. Before you start

• Your hosting service must be Active in your client area.
• Point your domain to us (nameservers or A record) so it resolves to your hosting.
• For Node apps: make sure your entry file is app.js and your package.json lists all dependencies.

3. If something goes wrong

• Raw "Index of /" page: your app path doesn't match where your files are, or the app isn't enabled/restarted. See the checklist at the end of the Node.js guide.
• Can't find the app tool in cPanel: it is called Application Manager (not "Site Software"). If it is missing, contact support.

Kwa Kiswahili (muhtasari)

• Tovuti ya HTML, PHP au WordPress: tumia Shared Hosting, pakia mafaili kupitia cPanel File Manager au FTP. Mwongozo: How to Upload Your Website in cPanel.
• App ya Node.js, Next.js au React: tumia Web App Hosting. Sajili app yako kwenye Application Manager ndani ya cPanel, kisha fuata mwongozo huu: Deploy Node.js on cPanel.
• App ya Django (Python): mwongozo: Deploy Django on cPanel.
• Unahitaji udhibiti kamili wa server: chagua VPS.
• Ukikwama, wasiliana na support yetu na utuambie domain yako na jina la mtumiaji wa cPanel.