Welcome to Hostiko. This guide walks you through everything from your first login to a live website with SSL — usually in under 30 minutes.
1. Check your welcome email (2 min)
After payment, we send a welcome email with: your DirectAdmin URL, username and password. Save these somewhere safe — a password manager is best.
2. Log into DirectAdmin (1 min)
Open the DirectAdmin URL in your browser. You should see your hosting dashboard. If you don't, check your spam folder for the welcome email or open a support ticket.
3. Set up your domain DNS (5 min)
If your domain is registered with Hostiko, DNS is automatic — skip this step. If your domain is elsewhere, update its nameservers to ns1.hostiko.co.ke and ns2.hostiko.co.ke at your existing registrar.
4. Wait for DNS propagation (10–60 min)
DNS changes take time to spread globally. Most .co.ke domains propagate in 15 minutes; some TLDs take up to 24 hours.
5. Install WordPress or upload your site (5 min)
In DirectAdmin, look for "Softaculous" or "Installatron" — one-click install WordPress, Joomla, or any of 400+ apps. Or upload your existing files via File Manager.
6. SSL is automatic (2 min)
Once your domain points at Hostiko, we auto-issue a free Let's Encrypt SSL within 5-10 minutes. Visit https://yourdomain.co.ke to verify the padlock appears.
7. Create email accounts (5 min)
In DirectAdmin → "Email Accounts" → "Create Account". Pick a username like info, set a password, done. Webmail is at yourdomain.co.ke/webmail.
That's it
You're live. Anything not working? WhatsApp us on +254 754 550 099 — we're happy to walk you through anything.