Short answer #
Every Starter, Simple and Business plan includes databases: Starter 4, Simple 8 and Business 16. Databases run on MariaDB, which is compatible with MySQL, so a site that asks for a MySQL database, such as WordPress or Joomla, runs on it. That includes our hosting for Joomla. You manage your databases from your hosting panel, and phpMyAdmin is included. Our plans are shared hosting with container isolation for each account, so you do not get root access to the database server. Server-level steps you may find online (stopping mysqld, copying /var/lib/mysql, running tools as root) do not apply.
Which database do you use? #
MariaDB. MariaDB is compatible with MySQL, so apps and plugins that ask for a MySQL database work with it. Where an app’s settings say “MySQL”, use your MariaDB database details.
Creating a database #
- Open your hosting control panel. See Open your hosting panel.
- Open Websites and select your site.
- Open Databases and select Add database.
- Enter a name in Database name. The name starts with a fixed prefix for your account.
- Under Add database user, check a user you already have, or select Create new user and enter a Username and Password. The user gets all privileges on that database while All database privileges stays checked.
- Select Add.
To make a user on its own, select Add user under Databases, enter a Username and Password, and choose its databases under Database access.
To give a user only some privileges, open Manage on the database, then the Users table, and select Add database user. Uncheck All database privileges and check the ones you need, such as Select, Insert, Update and Delete.
Write down the database name, user and password. Enter them in your app’s settings. If your app asks for a database host, enter localhost. Not sure about any other connection detail? Open a ticket.
WordPress and Joomla: when you install the app from the panel with Install an app, the installer usually sets up the database as part of the install. See Install WordPress.
Managing your data #
- phpMyAdmin: included on every plan. Open it from your site in your control panel: under Quick links on the site overview, from the icon on a database’s row under Databases, or with the PhpMyAdmin button on a database’s Manage page. It signs you in for you, so you do not need a separate password. Use it to browse tables, run queries, and import or export .sql files.
- Command line: there is no SSH or command-line access on Starter, Simple or Business. Use phpMyAdmin instead.
Backups #
- Off-server backups are included on every plan, on one schedule at least 48 hours apart, and they include your databases.
- You can restore a backup yourself from your hosting panel on every plan.
- For your own copy before a big change, export the database to a
.sqlfile with phpMyAdmin. - Staging copies (Starter 1, Simple 2, Business 3) let you test changes before going live. A staging copy normally gets its own database, so your tests do not touch the live site’s data.
How many databases you get #
| Plan | Databases |
|---|---|
| Starter | 4 |
| Simple | 8 |
| Business | 16 |
On Starter or Simple and need more? Ask us and we will move you to a bigger plan at its listed price.
Keeping a database healthy #
- Keep WordPress, Joomla and their extensions up to date.
- Remove plugins you do not use. Many leave tables behind that you can clear after taking a backup.
- For a slow site, check your site’s caching settings first.
- If a table reports as crashed or will not open, restore a backup from your hosting panel, or open a ticket with the site, the database name and the exact error.
Forgot a database user’s password? #
You can set a new one yourself:
- Open your hosting control panel, then Websites, and select your site.
- Open Databases, then the Users tab.
- Open the three-dot menu next to the user and select Manage.
- Next to the password, select Reset.
- Enter a New password with at least 10 characters, including one lowercase letter, one uppercase letter, one number and one special character.
- Select Change password.
Then update the password in your app’s settings (for WordPress, wp-config.php; for Joomla, configuration.php). There is no MySQL root password on shared plans, and you do not need one.
What is not offered #
- Root access to the database server, or changes to server-wide settings (for example
my.cnformysqldvariables). - SSH or command-line access.
- Server tools such as mytop that need root.
Learn more about MySQL #
- MySQL reference manual: https://dev.mysql.com/doc/
- MariaDB documentation: https://mariadb.com/docs
FAQ #
Can I use MySQL on the Starter plan? #
Yes. Starter includes 4 databases. They run on MariaDB, which is compatible with MySQL.
Do I get root access to MySQL? #
No. Plans are shared hosting with container isolation for each account, so you manage your own databases from the hosting panel and phpMyAdmin.
Are my databases backed up? #
Yes. Off-server backups on every plan include your databases, and you can restore them yourself from your hosting panel.
Can I connect with SSH? #
No. There is no SSH on Starter, Simple or Business. Use phpMyAdmin in your hosting panel.
How do I move my database from another host? #
Export it as a .sql file at your old host and import it with phpMyAdmin, or ask for a free migration (best effort, as listed on Pricing).
What is my MySQL root password? #
There isn’t one for you to use. Plans are shared hosting with container isolation, so you get your own database users, not root on the database server. Use the database user you created. If you lost its password, reset it under Databases, then Users (see Forgot a database user’s password? above).
