A VPS can seem intimidating if you’ve only used shared hosting or website builders. It’s really just a computer in a data center that you control through a terminal. This guide takes you from ordering your first VPS to a working HTTPS website, step by step, with links to deeper guides for each stage.

Step 1: Choose a plan and location

For a first VPS:

  • Location: close to your visitors — see choosing a VPS location.
  • Size: 1–2 vCPU and 2 GB RAM handles a website or several small projects. You can upgrade later.
  • Operating system: Ubuntu LTS (24.04) or Debian — the most tutorials and the friendliest defaults. Choose Windows Server only if you need Windows software.

Not sure what a VPS is exactly? Read what is a VPS.

Step 2: Find your login details

After ordering, you’ll receive:

  • the server’s IP address, e.g. 203.0.113.10;
  • the root password (or you’ll have provided an SSH key);
  • access to a control panel with power controls, OS reinstall and a VNC console — a browser-based screen of the server that works even if networking breaks.

Step 3: Connect with SSH

From macOS or Linux, open Terminal. On Windows 10/11, open PowerShell. Then:

ssh [email protected]

Type yes to trust the server’s fingerprint the first time, then the password (nothing appears as you type — that’s normal). You’re now at the server’s command line.

Details and troubleshooting: how to SSH into your VPS.

Step 4: Secure the server (10 minutes)

apt update && apt upgrade -y
adduser alice
usermod -aG sudo alice

Then, from your own computer, create an SSH key and copy it to the server:

ssh-keygen -t ed25519
ssh-copy-id [email protected]

Turn on the firewall (allow SSH first!):

sudo ufw allow OpenSSH
sudo ufw enable

The full checklist — including disabling password logins, automatic updates and Fail2Ban — is in first 10 minutes on a new VPS.

Step 5: Learn a dozen commands

You don’t need to memorise much. These cover most daily tasks:

Command Does
ls, cd, pwd List, change, show directory
nano file Edit a file (nano guide)
sudo Run as administrator
apt install x Install software (apt guide)
systemctl status x Check a service (systemctl)
df -h, free -h Disk and memory
journalctl -u x Read logs

Step 6: Install a web server

sudo apt install -y nginx
sudo ufw allow 'Nginx Full'

Visit http://203.0.113.10 — you’ll see the Nginx welcome page. Your server is serving web pages. More in installing Nginx on Ubuntu.

Step 7: Point your domain

At your domain registrar or DNS provider, create an A record:

Name Type Value
@ A 203.0.113.10
www A 203.0.113.10

Within minutes to a few hours, example.com reaches your server. See DNS records explained.

Step 8: Add your site and HTTPS

Create a server block for your domain (guide), put your files in /var/www/example.com, then get a free certificate:

sudo apt install -y certbot python3-certbot-nginx
sudo certbot --nginx -d example.com -d www.example.com

Your site is now live on HTTPS. See Let’s Encrypt with Certbot.

Want WordPress instead of static files? Follow installing WordPress on Ubuntu with Nginx.

Step 9: Back up and monitor

Two habits that save you later:

If something goes wrong

  • Locked out by the firewall or SSH settings? Use the VNC console in the control panel.
  • Totally broken? Reinstall the OS from the panel and start fresh — that’s the beauty of a VPS. (Back up your data first, if you can.)
  • Stuck? Search the error message; most problems have been solved before. Our support team can also help with network and server-level issues.

What next?

Once you’re comfortable, a VPS opens up a lot: Docker, self-hosted apps like Nextcloud or Vaultwarden, a personal VPN, or a game server.

VPS.DO plans include full root access, instant setup and a 7-day money-back guarantee — a low-risk way to start. Browse plans in USA, Hong Kong and Japan.

  • VPS
  • Beginners
  • Linux