How to put your first website online with Ex2

Just signed up and wondering what to do first? Here is the complete path from a fresh account to a live website, in order.

What you need: your Ex2 client-area login, and ideally a domain name (you can also test without one, see step 2).

1. Log in to your Ex2 account at ex2.com, then open cPanel from the client area (Services → your hosting plan → Login to cPanel).
2. Make your domain point to Ex2. If your domain is registered elsewhere, set its nameservers to ns1.ex2.com, ns2.ex2.com and ns3.ex2.com at your registrar. DNS changes can take up to 24 hours to propagate — while you wait, you can preview your site via the temporary URL shown in cPanel.
3. Install your site. The fastest route: in cPanel, open Softaculous Apps Installer and install WordPress in one click (choose your domain, set an admin username and a strong password). If you built a static site instead, open File Manager, go to public_html, and upload your files there.
4. Enable HTTPS. Ex2 installs a free Let's Encrypt SSL certificate automatically on new accounts. In cPanel, check SSL/TLS Status — if the certificate is not there yet, run AutoSSL. Then force HTTPS: in WordPress use a plugin like Really Simple SSL, or add a redirect rule in your .htaccess.
5. Test everything. Visit your domain, click through every page, submit your contact form, and check the site on your phone. Clear your browser cache (or use a private window) if you see the old version.

Good to know: the "Getting Started" category in the help center is mostly a glossary — this article is the actual step-by-step checklist. If you get stuck on any step, Ex2 support can check DNS propagation and the SSL status for you.

Updated on: 07/10/2026