Cloudways is a managed cloud-hosting option for customers who want flexible server resources, staging tools, backups, and more control than a basic shared-hosting account. It requires a few more setup decisions than an all-in-one beginner plan.
- Create the Cloudways account, choose the cloud server and size, and deploy a new WordPress application.
- Use the temporary Cloudways application address while you import and review the website.
- Install Site Launcher in that WordPress application and import the purchased template.
- Purchase or keep the domain at a registrar such as GoDaddy. Cloudways does not provide nameservers for ordinary domain DNS management.
- Add the final domain in Cloudways Domain Management, make it primary when ready, and copy the current server IP.
- At the domain registrar, point the required A record to that Cloudways IP. Preserve mail-related MX and TXT records.
- After DNS reaches the new server, install SSL and test both the root and www addresses.
- Set up business email separately through your existing email provider or a Cloudways mailbox add-on.
Reviewed August 2026. Cloudways currently offers optional DNS and Rackspace Email add-ons; they are separate from the base managed-hosting service.
