Hosting a Custom Website (HTML, PHP, JS, JSON) on Plesk Hosting

Please Note: Rebel.com provides the hosting environment, server infrastructure, and control panel tools for your domain. We do not build websites, write code, or offer custom web development and code-debugging services. The information below is provided to help you and your developer understand how your custom site operates on our hosting platform!

Behind the Tech: What Do These Terms Mean?

1. HTML (HyperText Markup Language) — The Structure

• What it is: The foundational framework of every web page.
• What it does: Defines headings, paragraphs, images, buttons, and input forms.
• Analogy: The wooden or steel frame of a house.

2. JS (JavaScript) — The Interactivity

• What it is: A programming language executed directly inside your visitor's web browser (front-end).
• What it does: Makes web pages dynamic—powering pop-up menus, image sliders, live form validation, and interactive elements without reloading the page.
• Analogy: The electrical wiring and light switches in a house.

3. PHP (Hypertext Preprocessor) — The Engine

• What it is: A server-side scripting language executed on the web server before the page loads in the browser (back-end).
• What it does: Handles dynamic tasks behind the scenes, such as processing contact forms, querying databases, and executing site logic.
• Analogy: The engine under the hood of a car.

4. JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) — The Courier

• What it is: A lightweight data format used to transmit structured information between a web server (PHP) and a browser (JavaScript).
• What it does: Allows your web page to fetch or send new data instantly without refreshing the entire browser page.
• Analogy: A waiter bringing an order slip back and forth between the dining room and the kitchen.

How They Work Together

1. HTML displays the search input box on the screen.
2. JavaScript detects when the visitor types a letter into the box.
3. JavaScript sends a quick background request to a PHP script on the server.
4. PHP queries the database and formats the search results into a clean JSON text package.
5. JavaScript receives the JSON package and instantly updates the HTML page with search results—all in real time!

Plesk Features & Hosting Management

1. PHP Version Management

• Log into Plesk > Navigate to Websites & Domains > Click PHP Settings.
• Select your desired PHP Version (e.g., PHP 8.1, 8.2, or 8.3) and save your changes.

Note on Advanced PHP Directives: For server security and stability, specific PHP environment limits (such as increasing memory_limit, max_execution_time, or upload_max_filesize) are managed by our Administration Team. If your developer requests higher limits, simply reach out to Rebel Support and our team will gladly update those server settings for you!

2. Uploading Your Site Files

• Plesk File Manager: Upload a .zip archive of your website files directly into your httpdocs folder via your web browser and click Extract.
   
• FTP / FTPS: Set up secure FTP credentials under FTP Access so your web developer can push files directly using client software like FileZilla. (Note: Secure FTP/FTPS is fully supported; SFTP is not available on shared hosting).

3. Database Support (MySQL / MariaDB)

• Navigate to Databases > Click Add Database.
• Access phpMyAdmin in one click to manage tables or import .sql database backups.

Checklist for Your Developer When Going Live

• [ ] Ensure all website files are uploaded inside the primary httpdocs directory.
   
• [ ] Confirm your main homepage file is named index.php or index.html (in lowercase).
   
• [ ] Verify that database credentials inside your PHP configuration files match your active Plesk database name, username, and password.