Getting Started
8 QuestionsWhat is HostItBro and what services do you offer?
HostItBro is an Indian web hosting company established in 2019. We provide affordable, high-performance hosting solutions including Shared Web Hosting, VPS Hosting, Dedicated Servers, Free SSL Certificates, and Domain Registration — all powered by NVMe SSD technology with cPanel included. Our goal is simple: give you the best hosting at a price that doesn't burn your pocket.
I'm a complete beginner. Where should I start?
Starting a website is simpler than you think! Here's the basic path:
- Step 1: Buy a domain name (your website address like yourname.com)
- Step 2: Choose a hosting plan (Starter is perfect for beginners)
- Step 3: Install WordPress with 1-Click from cPanel — no coding needed
- Step 4: Pick a free theme and start adding your content
- Step 5: Your website is live!
Our 24/7 support team is always ready to guide you through every step.
What do I actually need to start a website?
You need just two things:
- A Domain Name — your website's address on the internet (e.g., yourshop.in)
- A Hosting Plan — the server where your website files live
Everything else — Free SSL, cPanel, email accounts — all comes included with HostItBro plans. No hidden extras to buy!
How long does it take to get my website live?
Once your payment is confirmed, your hosting account is activated instantly — usually within a few minutes. You can install WordPress in under 60 seconds using our 1-Click Installer.
DNS propagation (linking your domain to hosting) takes anywhere from 15 minutes to 24 hours, but most users see their site live within 1–2 hours.
Do I need technical knowledge to use HostItBro?
Absolutely not! HostItBro is designed for everyone — from students to small business owners. Our cPanel control panel makes it easy to manage everything with point-and-click. Features like 1-Click WordPress Installer, Website Builder, and File Manager mean you don't need to write a single line of code.
What is cPanel and do I need it?
cPanel is the world's most popular web hosting control panel. Think of it as the dashboard for your hosting account — from it you can manage files, create email accounts, install WordPress, create databases, view traffic stats, and much more.
You don't need to be a technical expert to use it. cPanel's interface is clean and beginner-friendly, and all HostItBro plans include cPanel for free.
Can HostItBro help me build my website?
Yes! HostItBro includes a free Website Builder in cPanel that lets you create a professional website using drag-and-drop — no coding needed. You can also use WordPress which has thousands of free themes and plugins to build any type of website — blog, business, portfolio, or online store.
What makes HostItBro different from other hosting companies?
A few things make us stand out:
- Same Renewal Price — we never hike your price at renewal. What you pay today, you pay next year too.
- NVMe SSD Storage — our servers use the fastest storage technology, making your site load under 2 seconds.
- cPanel Included Free — many providers charge extra for cPanel; we don't.
- 24/7 Expert Support — real humans, available around the clock.
- India-focused Pricing — plans start at just ₹69/month.
Domain Names
10 QuestionsWhat is a domain name?
A domain name is your website's address on the internet — just like a physical shop has a street address, your website has a domain name. For example, hostitbro.in is our domain name. When someone types it into a browser, they land on our website.
Domain names are made of two parts: the name (e.g., hostitbro) and the extension (e.g., .in, .com, .net).
How do I register a domain with HostItBro?
It's super simple:
- Go to hostitbro.in/domain
- Search for your desired domain name
- If it's available, add it to cart and complete payment
- Your domain is registered instantly after payment
You can also register a domain together with a hosting plan in one checkout — which is the most popular option.
Can I transfer my existing domain to HostItBro?
Yes! You can transfer your domain from any registrar (GoDaddy, Bigrock, Namecheap, etc.) to HostItBro. You'll need the EPP/Auth code from your current registrar. The transfer usually completes within 5–7 days and also extends your domain registration by 1 year.
During transfer, your website and email will continue to work normally — no downtime.
What happens if my domain expires?
If you don't renew your domain on time, here's what happens:
- Grace Period (0–30 days after expiry): Domain is suspended but you can still renew at normal price
- Redemption Period (30–60 days): Domain can be recovered but at a higher redemption fee
- Release (after ~75 days): Domain is released to the public and anyone can register it
Tip: Always renew your domain at least 30 days before expiry. We send email reminders to help you stay on time.
What is DNS and how do I manage it?
DNS (Domain Name System) is the internet's address book. It translates your domain name into the IP address of your server, so browsers know where to load your website from.
You can manage DNS records directly from your HostItBro cPanel or domain management panel. Common records include:
- A Record — points your domain to a server IP
- MX Record — handles your email routing
- CNAME — creates aliases (e.g., www → yourdomain.com)
- TXT Record — used for domain verification and email security
What is a subdomain?
A subdomain is a prefix added to your main domain to create a separate section of your website. For example: blog.yoursite.com or shop.yoursite.com.
You can create unlimited subdomains for free from cPanel. Subdomains are commonly used for blogs, stores, app portals, staging environments, etc.
Can I buy just a domain without a hosting plan?
Yes, absolutely! You can register a domain name without buying hosting. Many people do this to reserve their name before building a website. You can always add hosting later when you're ready to launch.
What is domain privacy / WHOIS protection?
When you register a domain, your name, email, and phone number are stored in a public database called WHOIS. Domain Privacy Protection hides your personal information from this public database, replacing it with generic contact details — protecting you from spam, unwanted calls, and identity theft.
Which domain extensions (.com, .in, .net) are available?
HostItBro offers a wide range of domain extensions, including:
- .com — most popular globally
- .in — ideal for Indian businesses
- .net, .org, .info, .biz — generic alternatives
- .co.in, .net.in, .org.in — Indian variants
- .store, .online, .tech, .site — modern new extensions
Visit our domain page to check current pricing and availability.
How do I point my domain to HostItBro hosting?
If your domain is registered elsewhere (GoDaddy, Bigrock, etc.), you need to update the Nameservers at your domain registrar to point to HostItBro's servers. Our nameservers are provided in your welcome email after purchasing hosting.
Steps: Login to your registrar → Find Domain DNS / Nameserver settings → Replace existing nameservers with HostItBro's nameservers → Save. Changes take 2–24 hours to propagate globally.
Web Hosting
14 QuestionsWhat is web hosting?
Web hosting is a service that stores your website's files on a server connected to the internet. When someone visits your website, their browser downloads those files from the server and displays your website.
Think of it like this: your domain name is your shop's name on the signboard, and web hosting is the actual physical shop space where everything is kept.
What is shared hosting and is it right for me?
In shared hosting, multiple websites share the same server resources (CPU, RAM). It's like sharing an apartment — affordable, but you share common areas.
Shared hosting is perfect for:
- New websites and blogs
- Small business websites
- Portfolio or personal websites
- Students learning web development
- Websites with moderate traffic
HostItBro's shared hosting uses CloudLinux to isolate each account, ensuring one website cannot affect another.
What is the difference between Starter, Business, and Ultimate plans?
Here's a quick comparison:
- Starter (₹69/mo): 3 Websites, 30 GB NVMe SSD, 1X Processing Power — ideal for beginners
- Business (₹144/mo): 10 Websites, Unmetered NVMe SSD, 2X Processing Power — best for growing businesses
- Ultimate (₹284/mo): Unlimited Websites, Unmetered NVMe SSD, 4X Processing Power — best for agencies and power users
All plans include free SSL, cPanel, and 30-day money back.
What is NVMe SSD hosting? How is it faster than regular hosting?
NVMe SSD (Non-Volatile Memory Express Solid State Drive) is the latest and fastest storage technology available for servers. Here's how it compares:
- NVMe SSD — up to 7,000 MB/s read speed
- Regular SSD — around 500–600 MB/s
- HDD (old hard disk) — around 100–150 MB/s
This means your website files load up to 10x faster, resulting in better user experience and improved Google rankings.
What does "unmetered bandwidth" mean?
Bandwidth is the amount of data transferred between your website and its visitors. Unmetered bandwidth means we don't put a fixed cap on how much data your site can transfer — your visitors can load your pages without you worrying about hitting a monthly limit.
Note: "Unmetered" doesn't mean truly unlimited — it means we don't restrict normal usage. Unusually high or abusive traffic (like DDoS) is still managed to protect all users.
What is a 99.95% uptime guarantee?
Uptime is the percentage of time your website is online and accessible. 99.95% uptime means your website can be down for at most ~4.4 hours per year — which is extremely reliable.
Our servers are monitored 24/7 by a dedicated team of engineers. We use redundant infrastructure to minimize any downtime risk.
What is LiteSpeed server and how does it help my website?
LiteSpeed is a high-performance web server software — a modern replacement for Apache. It's known for handling significantly more traffic with less resources. Key benefits:
- Up to 6x faster page loading compared to Apache
- Built-in LiteSpeed Cache for WordPress sites
- Better handling of traffic spikes
- Lower server resource usage
How do I install WordPress on my HostItBro hosting?
Installing WordPress takes under 60 seconds with HostItBro's 1-Click Installer:
- Login to your cPanel
- Find and click Softaculous Apps Installer
- Search for WordPress and click Install Now
- Fill in your site name and admin credentials
- Click Install — WordPress is live in seconds!
Can I upgrade my hosting plan later?
Yes! You can upgrade from Starter → Business → Ultimate at any time from your Client Area. The upgrade is processed instantly and you only pay the pro-rated difference for the remaining period. Your website, emails, and data are all preserved — no migration needed.
What is CloudLinux and why does it matter?
CloudLinux is a specialized operating system used on our shared hosting servers. It creates an isolated environment (CageFS) for each hosting account, meaning:
- Your account is completely isolated from other users
- If another site on the server gets high traffic, your site is unaffected
- Better security — one compromised account can't affect others
How do I migrate my existing website to HostItBro?
There are two easy ways to migrate:
- Option 1 — Free Migration: Contact our support team with your current hosting credentials. We'll migrate your website for free.
- Option 2 — Self Migration: Use cPanel's built-in backup feature to download your site from the old host, then restore it on HostItBro using cPanel.
We also support migration plugins for WordPress. Migration is done with zero downtime.
What is the "same renewal price" guarantee?
Many hosting companies offer a very low introductory price but then charge 2x or 3x more at renewal. HostItBro is different — we promise that your renewal price will be the same as your original purchase price. No surprise bills. No hidden hikes. What you pay today, you pay forever.
What is the difference between Shared Hosting and VPS?
The main difference is resource allocation:
- Shared Hosting: Multiple websites share one server. More affordable, great for small to medium websites.
- VPS (Virtual Private Server): You get a dedicated portion of server resources. Better performance, more control — ideal for high-traffic websites, custom software, or developer projects.
Start with shared hosting. Upgrade to VPS when your traffic grows.
Does HostItBro offer automatic backups?
Yes! HostItBro performs regular automated backups of your hosting account. You can also create manual backups anytime from cPanel → Backup. We strongly recommend keeping a local copy of your website data as well — better safe than sorry!
SSL Certificate
8 QuestionsWhat is an SSL certificate?
An SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate is a security technology that encrypts the connection between your visitor's browser and your server. It's what makes your website show HTTPS (with the padlock icon 🔒) in the browser.
Without SSL, data sent between visitor and server is in plain text — easily readable by hackers. With SSL, it's scrambled and secure.
Is SSL certificate free with HostItBro hosting plans?
Yes! 100% free. Every HostItBro hosting plan includes a Free SSL Certificate powered by Let's Encrypt. You don't need to buy, configure, or install it manually — it's activated automatically for your domain. No credit card required for SSL separately.
What is the difference between HTTP and HTTPS?
HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) — the standard way browsers communicate with servers. Data is sent as plain text. Not secure.
HTTPS (HTTP Secure) — same protocol but with SSL encryption added. Data is encrypted before transmission. Visitors see a padlock 🔒 in their browser.
HTTPS is now mandatory for all websites — Google marks HTTP sites as "Not Secure" which hurts trust and SEO rankings.
How do I activate my free SSL on HostItBro?
For most plans, SSL is activated automatically once your domain's DNS points to our servers. If you need to manually activate:
- Login to cPanel
- Go to SSL/TLS section
- Click AutoSSL and run it for your domain
- SSL is installed within minutes
After installation, force HTTPS in WordPress Settings → General, or add a redirect in your .htaccess file.
What is Let's Encrypt SSL? Is it trusted?
Let's Encrypt is a free, automated, and open Certificate Authority backed by major companies like Mozilla, Google, Cisco, and Facebook. It issues Domain Validated (DV) SSL certificates that are trusted by all modern browsers.
It provides the same level of encryption as paid SSL certificates — the only difference is it doesn't show your company name in the certificate (that requires an OV or EV SSL, which is separate). For most websites, Let's Encrypt is more than sufficient.
How long is the SSL certificate valid? Does it auto-renew?
Let's Encrypt SSL certificates are valid for 90 days. However, HostItBro's cPanel automatically renews the SSL certificate before it expires — you don't have to do anything manually. Your HTTPS will always remain active as long as your hosting account is active.
Will having SSL improve my Google search ranking?
Yes! Google officially confirmed that HTTPS is a ranking signal. Websites with SSL tend to rank higher than HTTP sites. Plus, Google Chrome shows a "Not Secure" warning for HTTP sites, which reduces visitor trust and increases bounce rate — both of which hurt your rankings indirectly. Having SSL is essential for SEO and trust.
What is a Wildcard SSL certificate?
A Wildcard SSL certificate secures your main domain AND all its subdomains with a single certificate. For example, a wildcard SSL for *.yourdomain.com would cover blog.yourdomain.com, shop.yourdomain.com, app.yourdomain.com — unlimited subdomains.
HostItBro's free Let's Encrypt SSL covers your main domain and the www subdomain. For a full wildcard, contact our support team.
Email Hosting
7 QuestionsDoes HostItBro provide professional email hosting?
Yes! All HostItBro hosting plans include professional email hosting at no extra cost. You can create email accounts like [email protected], [email protected] — making your business look more professional than using Gmail or Yahoo.
How do I create a professional email address?
Creating a professional email is easy from cPanel:
- Login to cPanel
- Click Email Accounts under the Email section
- Click Create
- Enter your desired username (e.g., info, support, contact)
- Set a strong password
- Click Create Account — done in under a minute!
How do I access my email? What is Webmail?
You can access your emails in two ways:
- Webmail: Visit yourdomain.com/webmail or access it from cPanel. It's a browser-based email client — no setup needed. Options include Horde, Roundcube, and SquirrelMail.
- Email Client (Outlook, Phone): Configure your email app using the IMAP/POP3 settings provided in cPanel. This lets you access email from any device.
What email protocols are supported — SMTP, POP3, IMAP?
All three protocols are supported:
- SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) — for sending emails
- IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) — syncs emails across all devices; changes made on phone reflect on laptop too. Recommended.
- POP3 (Post Office Protocol) — downloads emails to one device and optionally removes from server. Good for offline access.
How many email accounts can I create?
HostItBro allows you to create unlimited email accounts with your hosting plan. You can have as many addresses as you need — info@, sales@, support@, hr@ — all on your own domain, completely free.
Why are my emails going to spam?
Emails land in spam for a few common reasons:
- Missing SPF record: Add an SPF record in your DNS to tell receivers that your server is authorized to send email for your domain
- Missing DKIM: Enable DKIM in cPanel → Email Authentication for email signing
- Missing DMARC: Add a DMARC TXT record for email authentication policy
- Spam content: Avoid spam trigger words, ALL CAPS, and excessive exclamation marks in subject lines
Our support team can help you set up all email authentication records correctly.
How do I set up my email on mobile (Android/iPhone) or Outlook?
You'll need the following settings (found in cPanel → Email Accounts → Connect Devices):
- Incoming Mail (IMAP): mail.yourdomain.com, Port 993 (SSL)
- Outgoing Mail (SMTP): mail.yourdomain.com, Port 465 (SSL)
- Username: your full email address
- Password: email account password set in cPanel
Open your mail app → Add Account → Other/Manual Setup → enter the above details.
Technical Questions
12 QuestionsWhich PHP versions are supported?
HostItBro supports multiple PHP versions — including PHP 7.4, PHP 8.0, PHP 8.1, PHP 8.2, and PHP 8.3. You can switch between versions anytime from cPanel → PHP Version (MultiPHP Manager) without any downtime. This is important for running older or newer web applications seamlessly.
How do I create a MySQL database?
Steps to create a MySQL database in cPanel:
- Login to cPanel
- Click MySQL Databases
- Enter a database name and click Create Database
- Scroll down, create a database user with a strong password
- Add the user to the database with All Privileges
- Note down the database name, username, and password for use in your app
How do I access phpMyAdmin?
phpMyAdmin is a browser-based interface to manage your MySQL databases — run queries, import/export data, edit tables, etc. To access it:
- Login to cPanel
- Scroll to the Databases section
- Click phpMyAdmin
- Select your database from the left panel and start managing it
What is FTP and how do I use it to upload files?
FTP (File Transfer Protocol) lets you upload, download, and manage files on your hosting server using an FTP client like FileZilla. Your FTP credentials are in cPanel → FTP Accounts.
Connection details: Host: ftp.yourdomain.com, Port: 21 (or 22 for SFTP).
Tip: Use SFTP (Secure FTP) instead of plain FTP for encrypted, secure file transfers.
How do I set up CronJobs?
Cron Jobs are scheduled tasks that run automatically at defined intervals — like sending automated emails, clearing cache, or running database cleanup scripts. To set up a cron job:
- Login to cPanel → Cron Jobs
- Select frequency (every minute, hourly, daily, weekly, monthly)
- Enter the command to run (e.g.,
php /home/user/public_html/cron.php) - Click Add New Cron Job
How do I view my website's error logs?
Error logs help you debug website issues. You can find them in multiple places:
- cPanel → Errors — shows recent PHP and Apache errors
- cPanel → File Manager → navigate to your domain folder → look for error_log file
- WordPress: Enable WP_DEBUG in wp-config.php to see errors directly on screen or in a log file
What is a .htaccess file and what can I do with it?
The .htaccess file is a powerful Apache configuration file in your website's root folder. It lets you:
- Redirect HTTP → HTTPS (force SSL)
- Redirect www → non-www (or vice versa)
- Create custom error pages (404, 500)
- Block specific IPs or countries
- Password protect directories
- URL rewrites and SEO-friendly URLs
Edit it from cPanel → File Manager. Always keep a backup before editing!
How do I enable Cloudflare for my website?
Cloudflare is a CDN (Content Delivery Network) and security service that makes your website faster and safer. To enable it:
- Create a free account at cloudflare.com
- Add your domain and follow the setup wizard
- Update your domain's nameservers to Cloudflare's nameservers
- Enable features like Auto Minify, Brotli compression, and DDoS protection
Cloudflare's free plan is excellent for most websites and is fully compatible with HostItBro hosting.
How do I change my PHP version in cPanel?
Changing PHP version takes just a few clicks:
- Login to cPanel
- Go to MultiPHP Manager (in the Software section)
- Select your domain
- Choose your desired PHP version from the dropdown
- Click Apply
Tip: Use PHP 8.1 or 8.2 for best WordPress performance.
How do I restore a backup in cPanel?
To restore a backup:
- Login to cPanel → Backup Wizard
- Click Restore
- Choose what to restore: Full Account, Home Directory, MySQL Database, or Email Forwarders
- Upload your backup file and click Restore
You can also contact our support team to restore from our server-side backups if you don't have a personal backup.
How do I set up a 301 redirect?
A 301 redirect permanently redirects one URL to another — useful for SEO when you change page URLs. Two ways to set one up:
- cPanel → Redirects: Easy point-and-click redirect manager — no coding needed
- .htaccess: Add
Redirect 301 /old-page https://yourdomain.com/new-page - WordPress: Use a plugin like Redirection for easy management
What is Remote MySQL and how do I use it?
Remote MySQL allows external applications (like a desktop app or another server) to connect to your hosting's MySQL database. By default, only your hosting server can access the database. To allow remote access:
- Go to cPanel → Remote MySQL
- Add the IP address of the server/machine that needs access
- Click Add Host
Security Note: Only add trusted IPs. Never add 0.0.0.0 (all IPs) unless absolutely necessary.
Billing & Payments
10 QuestionsWhat payment methods do you accept?
HostItBro accepts a wide range of Indian payment options:
- UPI — GPay, PhonePe, Paytm UPI, BHIM
- Net Banking — all major Indian banks
- Debit/Credit Cards — Visa, Mastercard, RuPay
- Paytm Wallet
- EMI — available on select credit cards
All payments are processed through 100% secure, encrypted gateways.
Can I pay in Indian Rupees (INR)?
Yes! All HostItBro prices are in Indian Rupees (₹). No currency conversion, no foreign transaction fees. Our plans are specifically priced for the Indian market — starting at just ₹69/month. What you see is what you pay.
Are there any hidden charges or setup fees?
Absolutely no hidden fees. The price you see on our website is the complete price — no setup fees, no activation charges, no configuration fees. What's included in your plan (cPanel, SSL, email, etc.) is all yours without paying extra.
We believe in full transparency in pricing.
How does the 30-day money-back guarantee work?
HostItBro offers a worry-free 30-day money-back guarantee on all hosting plans. If you're not satisfied for any reason within the first 30 days of your purchase, just contact our support team and we'll process a full refund — no questions asked.
Note: Domain registrations and SSL add-ons are non-refundable as these are third-party costs.
How do I request a refund?
To request a refund (within 30 days of purchase):
- Login to your Client Area
- Submit a support ticket with subject: "Refund Request"
- Our team will verify and process the refund within 3–5 business days
- Refund is credited to your original payment method
Do you offer discounts for annual or multi-year plans?
Yes! HostItBro offers significant savings when you pay annually instead of monthly. You can currently save up to 55% off on our shared hosting plans. The longer the billing cycle, the more you save. Check our pricing page for current offers.
Will my renewal price increase after the first year?
No! This is one of HostItBro's proudest promises — the Same Renewal Price Guarantee. Unlike most hosting companies that double or triple their price at renewal, we charge you the exact same price every single year. No surprises. No tricks.
How do I upgrade my hosting plan?
Upgrading is simple and instant:
- Login to your Client Area
- Go to My Services → select your hosting plan
- Click Upgrade/Downgrade
- Choose your new plan and pay the pro-rated difference
- Your plan is upgraded immediately — no data loss
I was charged incorrectly. What should I do?
First, don't worry! Contact our support team immediately:
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: +91 9888-7888-13
- Or submit a ticket from your Client Area
Attach your invoice/payment screenshot. We'll review and resolve billing issues within 24 hours.
Can I get a GST invoice for my purchase?
Yes! HostItBro provides GST-compliant invoices for all purchases. Your invoice is automatically generated and sent to your email after payment. You can also download invoices anytime from your Client Area → Billing → Invoices. Provide your GSTIN during order if you need it included on the invoice.
Support
6 QuestionsHow do I contact HostItBro support?
We offer multiple ways to reach us:
- Live Chat: Click the chat button on our website for instant help
- Support Ticket: Submit a ticket for detailed technical issues
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: +91 9888-7888-13
Is customer support available 24/7?
Yes! HostItBro offers 24/7/365 support — day, night, weekends, and holidays. Our team of hosting experts is always online to help you with any issue, from setup questions to server emergencies. You'll never be left waiting in the dark.
How do I submit a support ticket?
Submitting a ticket is easy:
- Login to your Client Area
- Click Support → Submit New Ticket
- Choose the appropriate department
- Describe your issue clearly (attach screenshots if needed)
- Submit — our team will respond within 1–2 hours
Where can I find tutorials and guides for HostItBro?
We have a growing library of easy-to-follow tutorials:
- HostItBro Blog: hostitbro.in/blog — helpful articles on hosting, WordPress, and web development
- cPanel Tutorials: Available within cPanel itself — click on any feature to see usage instructions
- YouTube: Search "HostItBro tutorials" for video walkthroughs
What is the average response time for support?
Our response times depend on the channel:
- Live Chat: Instant — usually under 2 minutes
- Support Ticket: Within 1–2 hours
- Email: Within 4–8 hours
- Phone: Immediate during business hours
For urgent issues (site down, server error), always use Live Chat for the fastest response.
Do you offer free website migration support?
Yes, for free! If you're switching from another hosting provider, our technical team will migrate your entire website — files, databases, emails — to HostItBro at no extra cost. Just submit a ticket with your current hosting credentials and we'll handle the rest with zero downtime.