Getting started with web hosting at Fortress Server is straightforward and designed to help you launch your website quickly. Follow these steps to begin:

1. Choose a Hosting Plan: Visit our website (www.fortressserver.com) and explore our hosting plans—Shared Hosting, Dedicated Hosting, or Email Hosting powered by Proton Mail. Select the plan that best suits your needs based on your website’s purpose, expected traffic, and technical requirements (see “What Kind of Web Hosting Do I Need?” below for guidance).
2. Register a Domain: If you don’t already have a domain name, you can purchase one through Fortress Server or a third-party registrar like Namecheap or GoDaddy. A domain name is your website’s address (e.g., yourbusiness.com). Alternatively, we offer a free subdomain (e.g., yourbusiness.fortressserver.com) with select plans for those starting out.
3. Create an Account: Sign up for a Fortress Server account by providing your contact and billing information. Ensure your details are accurate to comply with our Terms and Conditions.
4. Set Up Your Hosting: Once your account is active, log in to our control panel (powered by cPanel or a similar platform) to configure your hosting environment. You can:
   • Upload your website files using FTP or the File Manager.

   • Install popular platforms like WordPress with one-click installers.

   • Set up email accounts (if included in your plan).
   • Configure DNS settings if using a custom domain.
5. Launch Your Website: After uploading your content and configuring settings, test your website to ensure it’s accessible. Our 24/7 support team is available at [email protected] to assist with setup or troubleshooting.

6. Optional Email Setup: If you’ve chosen our Email Hosting plan powered by Proton Mail, follow the instructions in your account dashboard to link your custom domain and create secure email addresses (e.g., [email protected]). See “What Is the Difference for Each Plan?” for details on Proton Mail integration.

Tips for Beginners:

• Start with our Shared Hosting plan if you’re new to web hosting—it’s cost-effective and beginner-friendly.

• Use our free website builder (included with select plans) for easy site creation without coding.

• Contact our support team for step-by-step guidance or to request free website migration if you’re transferring from another host.

Fortress Server offers three primary plans to meet diverse needs: Shared Hosting, Dedicated Hosting, and Email Hosting powered by Proton Mail. Here’s a detailed comparison:

Shared Hosting

Description: Your website shares server resources (CPU, RAM, bandwidth) with other websites on the same server. This is a cost-effective option ideal for small businesses, personal sites, or blogs with moderate traffic.

Key Features:

• Affordable pricing, starting at $19/month.
• 2GB NVMe storage, bandwidth, and email accounts for most plans.
• One-click WordPress installation and access to 125+ apps via cPanel.
• 99.9% uptime guarantee and 24/7 support.
• Free SSL certificate for basic security.
• This service is best suited for beginners, small businesses, or websites that experience low to medium traffic, such as portfolios, blogs, or small e-commerce sites.

Limitations: Performance may be affected by other websites on the same server. Limited control over server configurations.

Dedicated Hosting

Description: You get an entire physical server dedicated to your website, providing exclusive access to all server resources. This ensures high performance, reliability, and customization.

Key Features:

• Enhanced bandwidth, storage, and processing power for high-traffic sites.
• Full control over server settings, software, and security configurations.
• Free SSL certificate, advanced firewalls, and DDoS protection.
• 99.9% uptime and priority 24/7 support.
• Optional managed services for server maintenance.
• Best For: Large businesses, high-traffic websites, e-commerce platforms, or applications requiring robust performance and security.

Limitations: Higher cost compared to Shared Hosting. Requires technical expertise unless managed services are selected.

Email Hosting Powered by Proton Mail

Description: A secure email hosting service powered by Proton Mail, offering end-to-end encrypted email accounts under your custom domain (e.g., [email protected]). This plan focuses solely on email services and does not include web hosting.

Key Features:

• End-to-end and zero-access encryption for maximum privacy.
• Custom domain support (requires a paid Proton Mail plan like Mail Plus or Proton Unlimited).
• PhishGuard, two-factor authentication (2FA), and Proton Sentinel for advanced security.
• Integration with email clients like Outlook via Proton Mail Bridge (paid plans).
• 15 GB storage and up to 10 email addresses per user (Essentials plan) or 1 TB with advanced features (Business plan).
• Best For: Businesses or individuals prioritizing secure, professional email communication without needing web hosting.

Limitations: Requires a separate web hosting plan if you want a website. No free tier for custom domains; Proton Mail’s free plan uses @proton.me addresses.

Key Differences:

Scope: Shared and Dedicated Hosting include web hosting; Email Hosting is exclusively for email services.

Performance: Dedicated Hosting offers superior performance due to exclusive resources, while Shared Hosting is more affordable but shares resources. Email Hosting focuses on email security and functionality.

Cost: Shared Hosting is the most budget-friendly, followed by Email Hosting. Dedicated Hosting is the most expensive due to its premium resources.

Security: Email Hosting with Proton Mail provides advanced encryption, ideal for sensitive communications. Both web hosting plans include SSL and basic security, with Dedicated Hosting offering more robust options.

Choosing the right web hosting plan depends on your website’s purpose, traffic, technical requirements, and budget. Here’s a guide to help you decide:

Shared Hosting:

When to Choose: Ideal for startups, small businesses, personal blogs, or portfolios with low to moderate traffic (e.g., up to 10,000 monthly visitors). Suitable if you’re new to web hosting or have a limited budget.

Why: Affordable, easy to manage with cPanel, and includes features like unlimited storage, bandwidth, and email accounts. Perfect for WordPress sites or simple HTML/CSS pages.

Example Use Cases: Personal blogs, small business websites, or landing pages.

Dedicated Hosting:

When to Choose: Best for high-traffic websites, e-commerce platforms, or applications requiring high performance, security, and customization (e.g., 50,000+ monthly visitors). Choose this if you need full control over server settings or handle sensitive data.

Why: Offers exclusive server resources, ensuring fast load times and reliability. Ideal for businesses needing advanced security or compliance with regulations like GDPR.

Example Use Cases: Large e-commerce stores, enterprise websites, or custom web applications.

Email Hosting Powered by Proton Mail:

When to Choose: Select this if you only need professional, secure email addresses (e.g., [email protected]) without web hosting. Ideal for businesses prioritizing privacy for email communications.

Why: Provides end-to-end encryption and advanced security features like PhishGuard and 2FA. Perfect for industries like healthcare or finance requiring strict data protection.

Example Use Cases: Small businesses needing secure email without a website, or professionals using email for client communication.

Considerations:

Traffic: Estimate your monthly visitors. Shared Hosting suffices for low traffic; Dedicated Hosting is better for high traffic.

Technical Skills: Shared Hosting is beginner-friendly with managed maintenance. Dedicated Hosting may require technical expertise unless you opt for managed services.

Budget: Shared Hosting starts at $19/month, dedicated hosting is pricier, and email hosting costs $19/month.

Scalability: Start with Shared Hosting and upgrade to Dedicated Hosting as your site grows. Email Hosting can be added separately if needed.

Recommendation: If you’re unsure, start with Shared Hosting for its affordability and ease of use. Contact our support team at [email protected] to discuss your needs and get personalized advice.

A domain name is the unique address of your website (e.g., www.yourbusiness.com) that users type into their browsers to visit your site or send emails to your custom email addresses.
Here’s why a domain name is essential:

Professionalism: A custom domain (e.g., yourbusiness.com) looks more professional than a free subdomain (e.g., yourbusiness.fortressserver.com) or generic email addresses (e.g., [email protected]). It builds trust and credibility with customers.

Branding: Your domain name reflects your brand identity, making it easier for customers to remember and find you online. A clear, memorable domain enhances marketing efforts.

Email Hosting: A custom domain allows you to create professional email addresses (e.g., [email protected]), which are critical for business communication, especially with our Proton Mail-powered Email Hosting plan.

SEO and Visibility: Search engines prioritize websites with custom domains, improving your site’s visibility and rankings compared to free subdomains.

Ownership and Control: Registering a domain gives you control over your online presence. You can link it to any hosting provider, move it, or set it to expire if no longer needed.

How to Get a Domain:

Purchase through Fortress Server for seamless integration with our hosting plans.

Use a registrar like Namecheap, GoDaddy, or Porkbun. Ensure WHOIS privacy protection to safeguard your personal information.

Configure DNS settings to connect your domain to Fortress Server’s hosting or Proton Mail’s email services.

Note: Domains are registered for a set period (1–10 years) and require renewal to maintain ownership. Fortress Server sends renewal reminders to keep your domain active.

Fortress Server prioritizes the security of your website with industry-standard measures to protect against hackers and cyber threats. Here’s how we safeguard your site:

• SSL Certificates: All hosting plans include free SSL certificates via Let’s Encrypt, encrypting data transmitted between your website and visitors to prevent interception and boost SEO rankings.

• Firewalls and DDoS Protection: Our servers are equipped with advanced firewalls and DDoS protection to block malicious traffic and ensure uptime, especially for Dedicated Hosting plans.

• Regular Security Audits: We conduct frequent vulnerability assessments and apply patches to keep our systems secure.

• Secure Data Centers: Our servers are housed in secure, climate-controlled data centers with backup power and physical security measures to prevent unauthorized access.

• Account Security: We enforce strong password policies and offer two-factor authentication (2FA) for your Fortress Server account. For Email Hosting with Proton Mail, additional features like PhishGuard and Proton Sentinel protect against phishing and unauthorized logins.

• Malware Scanning: Shared and Dedicated Hosting plans include SiteLock or similar tools to scan for malware and vulnerabilities, with automatic removal options available.

• Email Security (Proton Mail): Our Email Hosting plan uses end-to-end and zero-access encryption, ensuring only you and your recipients can read your emails. Proton Mail’s anti-spoofing measures (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) prevent email fraud.

User Responsibilities:

• Use strong, unique passwords and enable 2FA for your account.

• Keep your website software (e.g., WordPress, plugins) updated to avoid exploits.

• Avoid sharing sensitive account details or clicking suspicious links.

Note: While we implement robust security measures, no system is 100% secure. We recommend regular backups (see below) and vigilance to minimize risks. Contact [email protected] for security-related inquiries or to report suspicious activity.

Backing up your website is critical to protect your data from loss due to hacks, server issues, or human error. Fortress Server provides tools and options to ensure your website is backed up securely:

• Automatic Backups (Shared Hosting):

  • Our Shared Hosting plans include an auto-backup feature that saves your website files, databases, and email data daily or weekly, depending on your plan.

  • Backups are stored in a secure, off-site location and retained for up to 30 days.

  • Access backups via the cPanel File Manager or contact support to restore them.

• Manual Backups:

  • Use cPanel’s Backup Wizard to create full or partial backups (e.g., files, databases, or email forwarders).

  • Steps:

    1. Log in to cPanel.

    2. Navigate to “Backup” or “Backup Wizard” under the Files section.

    3. Select “Backup” to download a full site backup or specific components (e.g., MySQL databases, home directory).

    4. Save the backup file to your local device or an external cloud service (e.g., Proton Drive, Google Drive).

  • Manual backups are recommended before making significant changes, like updating themes or plugins.

• Dedicated Hosting Backups:

  • Dedicated Hosting plans include customizable backup schedules (daily, weekly, or monthly) with larger storage allocations.

  • You can configure backups via the control panel or opt for managed backup services, where our team handles the process.

  • Backups are stored in geographically separated data centers for redundancy.

• Email Backups (Proton Mail):

  • Our Email Hosting plan powered by Proton Mail includes cloud-based backups as part of the service, ensuring your emails are protected against data loss.

  • Use Proton Mail’s Easy Switch tool to export emails for offline storage if needed.

• Best Practices:

  • Frequency: Perform manual backups before major updates or at least monthly if auto-backups are enabled.

  • Storage: Store backups in multiple locations (e.g., local device and cloud storage) for redundancy.

  • Testing: Periodically test restoring a backup to ensure data integrity.

  • Security: Encrypt sensitive backup files and store them securely to prevent unauthorized access.

• Restoring Backups:

  • For Shared Hosting, use cPanel’s Backup Wizard to restore files or databases.

  • For Dedicated Hosting, contact our support team for assistance with restoring custom backups.

  • For Email Hosting, Proton Mail’s support can assist with email recovery if needed.

Cost: Auto-backups are included in most plans. Additional backup storage or managed backup services may incur extra fees for Dedicated Hosting.

Support: If you need help setting up or restoring backups, contact our 24/7 support team at [email protected].