How to host ExpressionEngine on Cloudways

A comprehensive installation guide

The problem with cheap hosting

Budget hosting providers may appear economical initially, but often introduce significant drawbacks affecting website performance and user satisfaction.

These services typically reduce infrastructure investments through shared resources across multiple sites, resulting in degraded speed and unreliable uptime. Poor customer support compounds technical difficulties, while diminished security measures leave sites vulnerable to threats.

Premium hosting requires higher investment but delivers lasting advantages in speed, stability, and protection for improved digital presence. For those seeking optimal ExpressionEngine performance, Cloudways represents an excellent hosting solution.

Why Cloudways + ExpressionEngine?

Cloudways excels as a hosting provider for ExpressionEngine websites, offering an intuitive interface with streamlined management capabilities. Built on major cloud infrastructure, it ensures robust performance and scalability. The platform delivers customizable servers tailored to ExpressionEngine specifications, prioritizes security with routine updates, offsite backups, one-click staging, and complimentary SSL certificates, plus round-the-clock support. Transparent pricing makes it a premier selection for efficient, scalable, secure ExpressionEngine hosting.

ExpressionEngine provides powerful content management with exceptional flexibility. This guide walks through crucial installation steps ensuring smooth deployment and optimal performance.

Learn more about Cloudways features and pricing here.

Installing ExpressionEngine on Cloudways

Disable Varnish cache: While beneficial for performance, Varnish may interfere with dynamic content, particularly forms. If issues arise, disable it via the Cloudways dashboard Varnish settings.
Test server requirements with ExpressionEngine server wizard: Execute ExpressionEngine’s Server Wizard before installation, recognizing it may not capture all requirements. Visit ExpressionEngine’s Github docs for more info here.
Add htaccess file: Include an essential .htaccess file. Visit ExpressionEngine’s documentation here to learn more about configuring your htaccess file
Safeguard the ExpressionEngine control panel by relocating the system/ folder to private_html/, since Cloudways restricts project root files. Update system paths in index.php and admin.php to ../private_html/system.
Set correct file permissions: Cloudways enforces stricter permission controls. Adjust accordingly by restoring appropriate file and folder ownership. More info about modifying folder permissions at Cloudways here.
Restore file/folder permissions to correct ownership. See ExpressionEngine’s documentation here.

Execute these commands:

find public_html \( -type d -exec chmod 775 {} \; \) -o \( -type f -exec chmod 664 {} \; \)

find private_html/system/ee \( -type d -exec chmod 775 {} \; \) -o \( -type f -exec chmod 664 {} \; \)

Use Memcached or Redis instead of file cache: Enhance site caching through Memcached or Redis. Update ExpressionEngine settings:
- Select your preferred cache driver (memcached or redis)
- Configure cache driver backup to file
- Set up memcached settings
- Configure redis settings
Enable Redis in Cloudways panel: For Redis selection, activate it via the Cloudways panel, potentially requiring additional configuration adjustments. More here in this Cloudways blog

Conclusion