Knowledge base

This guide explains how to resolve anomalies that may appear with a Web hosting if the computer has undergone changes in its IP address (e.g. server displacement) and your computer keeps the old position in its DNS cache.

Emptying the DNS cache...

When you visit a website, your computer stores in local memory an association between the domain name and its IP address in the DNS cache. This makes it possible to speed up the DNS resolution process during future visits to the same site, as the computer can avoid looking back at DNS servers to get the IP address.

By emptying the DNS cache, you force your computer to again query DNS servers to get the latest up-to-date information on the IP addresses of the sites you visit.

... on Windows

1. Open the menu Start.
2. Type cmd.
3. In the search results, click on Call for orders.
4. Run the command ipconfig /flushdns.

... on macOS

1. Open it Terminal.
2. Run the command lookupd -flushcache (in case of failure: dscacheutil -flushcache).

... on Linux

1. Open it Terminal.
2. Run the command sudo systemctl restart nscd or sudo /etc/init.d/nscd restart to reinvigorate nscd.

This guide explains how to modify the target folder in which your Website is stored on a Web hosting Infomaniak.

Preamble

• On Infomaniak web hosting, it is possible to install several websites with their own domain name (multisite management).
• Each of these sites is stored in a folder of your accommodation, which is the target of the site. It is possible to freely modify the target of a site. Example:
  • The site domain.xyz has as target e.g. the file/web…
  • You publish a site in a new subfolder of /web for example /web/v2…
  • By modifying the target /web of the site domain.xyz by /web/v2, the site domain.xyz show the contents of the folder /web/v2 without obviously including this path in the Web browser address bar and without leaving access to any files still located in /web.
• It is recommended not to create "v2"in a subfolder of "web" but next door, by creating the folder at the root of your hosting.
• These folders actually exist on the server but you do not have to connect via FTP to manage them.

Show folder of your websites

To find information about the folder in which your site is stored:

1. Click here in order to access the management of your product on the Manager Infomaniak (Need help?).
2. Click directly on the nameallocated to the product concerned.
3. Then click on the chevron ‍ to develop the game Information of this site.
4. The following indication is the location of the sample site:
   ‍‍

Edit the target or folder of a website

To manage the location of a website within the hosting:

1. Click here in order to access the management of your product on the Manager Infomaniak (Need help?).
2. Click directly on the nameallocated to the product concerned.
3. Click on Manage in the part Advanced Parameters:
   
4. Manage the desired location for the site:
   
5. Click on the button for Save at the bottom of the page.

This guide explains how to force the Web hosting name to be displayed in the browser address bar to one of the domain names installed in alias/synonym or how to display the main domain in the address bar instead of the alias.

Limit "duplicate content" or double content

Suppose you have the accommodation votre-domaine.com at Infomaniak and as a synonym domain name you have installed www.domainesyno.xyz.

By default, when you type one of the domain names (votre-domaine.com or domainesyno.xyz) in the address bar of your browser, it is the one you type that will appear in the address bar.

So you have the opportunity to force the display of an address other than the one that was typed. So if someone taps domainesyno.xyz , so it's votre-domaine.com which will automatically appear in the address bar.

A code is to be entered in a file called .htaccess which must be at the root of your hosting (in the folder /web of your FTP). If this file does not yet exist, you must create it on the server.

Then insert these instructions into the file:

RewriteEngine on
RewriteCond %{HTTP:X-Forwarded-Proto} !https
RewriteRule (.*) https://votre-domaine.com/$1 [R=301,L]

Adjust the above code according to these indications:

• Replace votre-domaine.com by your domain name with the appropriate extension (.com, .fr, .ch, etc.) that you would like to see displayed in the address bar of the visitor's browser. Add www. before votre-domaine.com If necessary.
• Replace the second line of the above code with "RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off‍"if a loop error occurs, this means that HTTP/2 is active for this site

Also take note of the automatic redirections to httpS.

This guide details how to work on a WordPress site with a development environment.

Preamble

• The process can be used at the beginning of a staging process, i.e. the creation of a new version of your website online, on a development or testing environment:
  • This allows website owners to test features, security updates, plugins, themes, WordPress updates and content changes, without the risk of causing interruptions or problems on the live site.
  • Once the tests have been performed and the modifications have been validated on the staging copy, it is possible to deploy them in production (on the live site) by using automated deployment tools or by making the changes manually.
• For additional assistance contact a partner or launch a call for tenders free of charge — discover also the role of the host.

Simple method

To install and prepare a new WordPress site with Infomaniak installer without overwriting your current website:

1. Install WordPress on a second location

Be aware of this other guide in order to create the new site (in parallel to the old sitedomain.xyz) by assigning it a domain name of the form new.domain.xyz e.g. and installing WordPress via Infomaniak Web Applications.

At this stage, the main site (domain.xyz) remains untouched and you can work quietly on the new site new.domain.xyz Both operate in parallel.

2. Replace the old site with the new one

Once the new site is complete, you can delete the first site in order to reuse its domain name on the new site:

1. Removethe old site to make the domain name available and be able to reuse it.
2. Add domain.xyz in alias of the new.domain.xyz.
3. Reverse the alias with the main domain.
4. Remove (untie/delete) new.domain.xyz become aliases.
5. As a precaution check the main URL of the WordPress site via the Web Applications dashboard on the Infomaniak Manager, so that it matches the new name, not the subdomain you chose.

Advanced method

To work on a WordPress site existing without changing its public version, it is recommended to proceed in 3 steps:

1. Duplicate the existing site
2. Then work on its copy
3. Change the target directory of the production site to the production environment directory and change the URLs of the pre-production site to the domain name of the production site by means of a WordPress extension or via phpMyAdmin.

1. Duplicate the site on a second location

1. Be aware of this other guide in order to create the new site (in parallel to the old sitedomain.xyz) by assigning it a domain name of the form new.domain.xyz e.g. and installing WordPress via Infomaniak Web Applications.
2. Copy your existing site and paste it on the second newly created WordPress site, using a WordPress extension.

2. Edit duplicate site

1. At this stage, the main site (domain.xyz) remains untouched and you can work quietly on the new site new.domain.xyz Both operate in parallel.
2. It is recommended to install a WordPress extension (There are dozens of them.) dedicated to the maintenance of the second site.
3. If you change the structure of your site and the URLs of your articles/pages will change, you can use a free extension like Redirection to automatically create redirections. This will prevent your visitors from falling on 404 pages as long as the engines re-index your site or if external sites link to your site.

3. Replace target

1. When you have completed the redesign of your site, all you have to do is to modify the target directory from the site in production to the production environment directory and modify the URLs of the pre-production site according to the domain name of the site in production thanks to a extension.
2. If you are using a cache extension like WP-Rocket, W3 Total Cache or WP Super Cache, it will be necessary to completely clear the entire cache or disable and then reactivate the plugin.
3. If you have continued to modify your site in production during the redesign of your site, it will be necessary to recover your changes (articles, media, pages, etc.).
4. After the user checks (missing images, erroneous links, etc.), you only have to disable the maintenance mode of your site and admire the result.

This guide explains how to install a new Web application (Joomla, Drupal, Typo3, PrestaShop, etc.) in just a few clicks on the offersWeb hosting paid.

Prerequisites

• Owning Infomaniak Web Hosting (order if necessary).
• Adding a blank website on Infomaniak hosting.

Specific guides

Be aware of these guides if you are interested in the specific installation of:

• WordPress
• ownCloud

Guides for any other Web Application

To access Web Hosting and install a Web Application:

1. Click here in order to access the management of your product on the Manager Infomaniak (Need help?).
2. Click directly on the nameallocated to the product concerned.
3. Click on the button Add app:
   
4. Choose the desired application (if necessary, filter and search).
5. Click on Select:
   
6. Click at the bottom of the page on Next.
7. Enter a name.
8. Leave the default location or choose to install the app in a new folder that you can create with an icon visible to the right of point 8 on the image.
9. If necessary, choose to install an earlier version.
10. Click on the button Next:
    
11. Configure username and password.
12. Specify some advanced settings if necessary (type of backup In particular).
13. Get to know and accept the conditions of use selected app.
14. Click on the button Next:
    
15. Confirm the installation of the application in the next step and wait.
    • See any error message on the screen if e.g. the selected installation folder is not empty or if the PHP version of the site on which you are trying to install is not compatible.

Uninstall a Web Application

To access Web Hosting and uninstall the previously installed application:

1. Click here in order to access the management of your product on the Manager Infomaniak (Need help?).
2. Click directly on the nameallocated to the product concerned.
3. Click on the action menu ⋮ located to the right of the application to be uninstalled.
4. Click on the Trash icon for delete the application:
   
5. Validate deletion.

Read more

• Edit the domain name associated with the Web Application
• Configure Web Applications backups
• Restore a Web Application

This guide proposes two methods to access the administration interface of a WordPress site installed via tools Infomaniak, in order to e.g. update the content.

Prerequisites

• Know your access IDs...
  • … To WordPress
  • … to the Manager Infomaniak

Access the WordPress console...

1. .... from the Manager

To access WordPress from the Manager:

1. Click here in order to access the management of your WordPress site on the Manager Infomaniak (Need help?).
   • If your site does not appear here, it has not been installed via Infomaniak tools... official documentation.
2. Click directly on the nameallocated to the product concerned.
3. Click on the button Edit to open the login page to WordPress:
   
4. Enter the username and password selected during the installation of WordPress.

2. .... via the URL /wp-admin

By default, just add the terms /wp-admin at the end of the URL of your domain name in the address bar of your web browser to access directly to the login page of the WordPress console.

What if the ./wp-admin shortcut doesn't work?

• If shortcut ./wp-admin does not work, you may use a security extension that modifies the URL of some pages to limit attempts to hack your site (example plugin)...
• If you need to access the WordPress console and your domain name is not working at the moment, it is possible to switch the main domain name to the preview address..

This guide explains how to run the open source dependency manager Compose 1 and 2 using an SSH command.

Preamble

• Compose is an open source dependencies manager for PHP that manages libraries and packages required for a specific PHP project.
• It allows developers to define the libraries their application needs and install them consistently, making it easier to manage dependencies for complex PHP applications.
• As of version 2.2 of Compose, it is necessary to have at least PHP 7.2.5.

Run Composer

To use Compose on your hosting, you need to connect to your server via SSH and install Compose on your accommodation by indicating the following order:

Composer

... for Compose 1.x!
 

Composer2

... for Compose Two!

You can also use the following alias to install the version compatible with the PHP version in place on your hosting:

Composer --version

... which will give e.g. Composer version 2.5.0 2022-12-20 10:44:08

Composer_php5.6 --version

... will give Composer version 1.8.6 2019-06-11 15:03:05

This guide explains the differences between Web hosting offers Infomaniak to help you choose the best accommodation solution according to your needs.

Starter Accommodation

Free web hosting

Accommodation Starter is offered free of charge with each domain name registered with Infomaniak. It offers 10 MB of disk space in order to create a site (basic pages in HTML language only - no PHP, no database) even without particular knowledge thanks to the tool Welcome page.

• Save or transfer a domain name at Infomaniak
• Read more on the benefits included with a domain name

Shared Web Hosting

The flagship offer to create your sites

These accommodations are shared accommodation (websites will be hosted on servers whose resources are shared with other clients). To ensure the reliability of these shared services, Infomaniak servers use on average only 40% of the power of CPUs and are equipped with the latest generation of professional SSDs.

Web hosting offers 250 GB of minimum disk space and allows to manage multiple websites with multiple domain names. This offer includes all the technologies usually used to create professional sites: PHP, MySQL, FTP and SSH access, SSL certificates, Site Creator and easy installation of current WordPress or CMS, etc.

Cloud Server

Professional Web Hosting

With a Cloud Server, resources allocated to you are not shared with other clients and you can customize the hardware and software configuration of your server according to your needs. A Cloud Server also allows you to use Components which are not available on shared accommodation (Node.js, MongoliaDB, Sol, FFMPEG, etc.).

• One Cloud Server allows you to easily manage your server via the same administration interface as web hosting - you manage sites in the same way.
• One VPS allows you to manage your server 100% autonomously with the version of Windows or Linux distribution of your choice (Debian, Ubuntu, openSUSE, ...) - solid technical skills are required to use a VPS, including VPS Lite.

Public Cloud

Open, proven and secure IaaS solution

For Infomaniak it is the infrastructure that propels kDrive, Swiss Backup and Webmail, services used by millions of users. But Public Cloud is accessible to everyone and makes available the resources you need for the development of your projects.

With personalized and tailor-made offers you won't have any trouble managing your development budget. No commissioning fee. No minimum amount. Resiliable at any time. You only pay for the resources actually used with Public Cloud at the end of each month.

Jelastic Cloud

Custom accommodation with the technologies of your choice

Jelastic Cloud allows you to create custom development environments with the technologies of your choice (PHP, Node.js, Java, Docker, Ruby, etc.). This is a flexible cloud offering:

• Horizontal and vertical resizing of resources
• payment according to actual consumption of resources
• easy customization of your infrastructure (redundancy, IP, SSL, load distribution, etc.)

This guide provides guidance that can help you optimize your site's SEO in search engines like Google.

Preamble

• Infomaniak is one of the hosts best performing the Francophone market, which contributes to the proper referencing of your sites.
• On the other hand, Infomaniak will not intervene on the content or development of hosted sites.

Natural SEO (SEO)

Natural SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is optimizing a website to make your site visible in search engines based on certain keywords typed by users. Your efforts in the SEO will have a long-term impact.

Some technical tips to optimize your natural SEO:

• Install an SSL certificate on your site.
• Enable gzip compression to speed up the loading of your site.
• Compress images of your site with software (FileOptimizer, Imageoptim) or an online service such as Imagify.

For more information, see Infomaniak Guide on Natural SEO.

Google has also updated its guide "Start well in natural SEO (SEO)" in 2024, with new "good practices" fundamental to optimize its visibility on the search engine.

Paid SEO (SEA)

Paid SEO (Search Engine Advertising) is the purchase of sponsored links in advertising spaces in order to position your site quickly on specific keywords. The goal is to put the best bid on keywords with good targeting to have the most chance of being visible at the best cost. Your efforts in the SEA will cease to have a direct impact as soon as you stop your advertising campaigns.

This guide details the sending of authenticated e-mail from a website hosted by Infomaniak using a SMTP configuration; The configuration of an authenticated SMTP server is presented for the main CMS.

Preamble

• The use of Authenticated SMTP for sending e-mail from your apps offers advantages in terms of security, reliability, error management, compatibility with third party servers, and traceability in relation to the use of PHP mail not authenticated.

Examples of SMTP configurations...

Prerequisites

• To have a courier service; you have the possibility to use the Mail Service offered by Infomaniak or any other courier service at your convenience.

When you have an email address whose domain is attached to your website ( e-mail@domain-site.xyz e.g.) provide details to use for sending from Web server via SMTP:

... on WordPress

1. Log in to the WordPress administration table.
2. Install an SMTP extension (WP Mail SMTP works).
3. Configure the extension, e.g.:
   ‍

Therefore, an e-mail sent from a contact form present on the site (default form) Divi e.g.) will be done via a SMTP method.

To make sure, just look at the headers of a message reached through this way, including the line x-mailer which may mention e.g. WPMailSMTP/Mailer/smtp for PHPMailer.

... on Prestashop

1. Log in to the Prestashop administration board.
2. Go under Advanced Parameters then E-mail.
3. Configure sending via SMTP:
   

Then check (to avoid a typical error) Could not instantiate mail function or sender mismatch) that the address you have configured in these advanced settings matches well to the address Prestashop uses when sending. To this end:

1. Log in to the Prestashop administration board.
2. Go under Store Settings.
3. Click on Contact in the left side menu.
4. On the tab Contacts, check that the e-mail address mentioned is the same as the one previously configured.
5. Edit email addresses if necessary:
   
6. Click on the tab Shops.
7. Check (and correct if necessary for) that the email address mentioned is the same as the one previously configured:
   

...on Joomla

1. Log in to the Joomla administration board.
2. Click on System in the left side menu.
3. Click on Global Configuration:
   
4. Click on the tab Server.
5. Configure the shipment via the SMTP sending method: