Documentation Menu
1. Hosting Packages Comparison
SillyHost offers several hosting tiers to suit different needs, from a single personal website to a portfolio of business sites.
| Feature | Starter | Business | Enterprise |
|---|---|---|---|
| Websites | 1 | 10 | Unlimited |
| Storage | 5 GB SSD | 25 GB SSD | 100 GB SSD |
| Bandwidth | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Email Accounts | 5 | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Free SSL | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| SSH Access | No | Yes | Yes |
See our pricing page for current prices and full feature lists.
2. Setting Up Your Hosting Account
After purchasing a hosting plan, your account is provisioned automatically. Here is what happens:
Account provisioned
Your hosting account is created on our servers within seconds of payment.
Login credentials sent
You will receive an email with your DirectAdmin login details. You can also access DirectAdmin directly from your SillyHost dashboard.
Domain linked
If your domain is registered with SillyHost, DNS records are configured automatically. External domains may require nameserver changes.
3. Using DirectAdmin Control Panel
DirectAdmin is your hosting control panel where you manage everything about your website's server environment. Access it from Dashboard > Hosting > Manage.
Key features available in DirectAdmin:
- File Manager -- browse, upload, edit, and delete files directly in your browser
- MySQL Databases -- create and manage databases for your applications
- Email Accounts -- set up professional email addresses on your domain
- SSL Certificates -- install and manage Let's Encrypt SSL
- Cron Jobs -- schedule automated tasks
- PHP Settings -- change PHP versions and configuration
4. File Management (FTP & File Manager)
You have two main ways to manage files on your hosting account:
DirectAdmin File Manager
The built-in file manager lets you upload, download, edit, and delete files directly in your browser. Navigate to DirectAdmin > File Manager. Your website files go in the public_html directory.
FTP Access
For bulk uploads, use an FTP client like FileZilla. Here are your FTP connection settings:
Host: ftp.yourdomain.co.uk
Port: 21 (FTP) or 22 (SFTP)
Username: your DirectAdmin username
Password: your DirectAdmin password
Tip: Always use SFTP (port 22) instead of plain FTP when available, as it encrypts your connection. SFTP is available on Business and Enterprise plans.
5. Database Management (MySQL/MariaDB)
Most web applications (WordPress, Joomla, etc.) require a database. SillyHost uses MariaDB, which is fully compatible with MySQL.
Create a database
In DirectAdmin, go to MySQL Management and click "Create New Database".
Create a database user
Create a user and assign it to the database with appropriate permissions.
Manage with phpMyAdmin
Use phpMyAdmin (linked from DirectAdmin) to browse tables, run queries, and import/export data.
6. SSL Certificates (Free with Let's Encrypt)
Every SillyHost hosting plan includes free SSL certificates powered by Let's Encrypt. SSL encrypts the connection between your visitors and your website, showing the padlock icon in the browser.
SSL certificates are installed automatically when you add a domain to your hosting. If you need to manually install or renew:
- Go to DirectAdmin > SSL Certificates
- Select Free & automatic certificate from Let's Encrypt
- Tick the domain and any subdomains you want covered
- Click Save -- the certificate is issued within minutes
Info: Let's Encrypt certificates auto-renew every 90 days. You do not need to do anything manually.
7. PHP Version Management
SillyHost supports multiple PHP versions. You can switch between them at any time without contacting support.
To change your PHP version:
- Go to DirectAdmin > PHP Version (or Domain Setup)
- Select the PHP version you need (we support PHP 7.4, 8.0, 8.1, 8.2, 8.3)
- Save your changes -- the switch takes effect immediately
Warning: Changing PHP versions can break older applications. Always test your website after switching. WordPress generally requires PHP 7.4 or higher.
8. Cron Jobs
Cron jobs let you schedule tasks to run automatically at specified intervals (e.g., sending email newsletters, cleaning temporary files, running backups).
To set up a cron job:
- Go to DirectAdmin > Cron Jobs
- Set the schedule (minute, hour, day, month, day of week)
- Enter the command to run
- Save the cron job
Example -- run a PHP script every hour:
0 * * * * /usr/local/bin/php /home/username/domains/yourdomain.co.uk/public_html/cron.php
9. .htaccess Basics
The .htaccess file controls how the Apache web server handles requests for your website. Common uses include:
Redirect HTTP to HTTPS
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [L,R=301]
Redirect www to non-www
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} ^www\.(.*)$ [NC]
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://%1/$1 [R=301,L]
Custom error pages
ErrorDocument 404 /404.html
ErrorDocument 500 /500.html
Warning: A misconfigured .htaccess file can make your entire website inaccessible. Always keep a backup before making changes. If your site goes down, rename or delete the .htaccess file via the File Manager to restore access.