Your website, in your control.
Create a secure website on a server only you can access, no coding required. No data leaves your server, and there's no tracking or monitoring of any kind.
Everything included
Security, backups, and SSL preconfigured and automatic — plus a link shortener, content import, and 20+ improvements applied to stock WordPress on first boot.
Squarespace & WordPress import
Already have a site? WebsiteBox can import your content from Squarespace, WordPress.com, or any self-hosted WordPress site. Enable the importer during setup and bring everything with you.
Automatic backups
Daily database backups and weekly full-site backups via the UpdraftPlus plugin (opens in new tab). Optional remote backup to S3, Backblaze, or Google Drive, so your data is always secure, even if you lose access to the server.
Link shortener
A private link shortener is included and runs on your server. Create short, branded links without handing your data to a third-party service.
WordPress inside — already improved
The same free, open-source website builder that powers 40%+ of all websites, running entirely on your server. Thousands of themes, plugins, and tutorials. Manage everything from your browser. WebsiteBox fixes 20+ stock WordPress issues automatically on first boot — you start with a finished site, not a raw install.
- Clean permalink URLs
- Security headers (HSTS, nosniff, X-Frame-Options)
- Login rate limiting & XML-RPC disabled
- Sample content & junk plugins removed
- Comments closed by default
Age verification
Built-in age gate with configurable minimum age. Enable it during setup or toggle it later.
Security
Automatic SSL via Let's Encrypt (opens in new tab), UFW firewall, Fail2ban brute-force protection, Wordfence application firewall, and automatic OS security patches. Hardened out of the box.
Fully auditable
Every line of code is available for you to read and verify (opens in new tab). No telemetry, no analytics, no data collection. Know exactly what's running on your server.
Built for people who want independence.
WebsiteBox is for anyone who doesn't want anyone between them and their audience.
Content creators
Your content is legal but platforms won't host it. Built-in age verification keeps everyone safe.
Journalists & activists
Zero telemetry or data collection means your work stays where you put it. Daily backups mean you can spin up a new server anytime you need.
Privacy advocates
No tracking scripts. No third-party analytics. Audit the full source code before you run it. Know exactly what's on your server.
Independent publishers
Own your platform instead of renting it. No algorithm changes, no content moderation surprises, no rug pulls. Just your site, running on your terms.
Why self-host a website?
Vendor lock-in
Exporting your website from a hosting platform can mean losing your design, content, and search rankings. Many platforms use custom components that don't transfer, leaving you stuck rebuilding from scratch if you ever want to leave.
Increased privacy
Your data sits on someone else's servers. They can read it, share it, or hand it over to third parties. Your visitors get tracked by scripts you didn't add.
Risk of deplatforming
Hosting platforms and their partners can change content policies at any time. One day your site is live, the next it's gone — and so is your instant connection to your audience.
Transparent pricing
Pay for the domain name and hosting server yourself to avoid the markup that all-in-one services charge. WordPress is free and open source, and it's a reliable platform to build on for years with thousands of plugins.
Live in a few hours
No coding required, just copying and pasting. Manually setting up each part of the website allows you to keep your passwords and other information secure — you never have to enter any sensitive data into WebsiteBox.
Rent a server
WebsiteBox supports Ubuntu 20.04+ and Debian 11+. Sign up with a Virtual Private Server (commonly called VPS) provider and choose one of these operating systems.
Buy and connect your domain name
Register a domain from any registrar and point it to your server's IP address — the setup process tells you exactly what to enter.
Complete the interactive set-up process on your new server
SSH into your server and follow the guided setup. It walks you through each step, securing your server and configuring your site.
Launch your website
Run one command to launch your new website with automatic encryption, a security firewall, and backup options. Launch also applies 20+ automatic fixes to stock WordPress — clean URLs, security headers, login protection, junk removed, comments closed.
Want the full details? The complete guide walks you through every step from zero.
Simple pricing
Buy once or subscribe. No hidden fees.
One website, yours forever.
- ✓ Full WebsiteBox deployment
- ✓ One website per license
- ✓ Automatic SSL, firewall, backups
- ✓ Age verification included
- ✓ WordPress included
- ✓ Full source code access
We handle the technical side so you don't have to.
- ✓ Everything in Lifetime
- ✓ Setup assistance
- ✓ Ongoing technical support
- ✓ Server health monitoring
- ✓ VPS & domain purchase and management
- ✓ Direct support channel
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to know how to code?
No. The install process involves copying one command into a terminal and answering a few questions (your domain name, a username, a password). Everything else is automatic. Our step-by-step guide walks you through every click, including how to open a terminal and what SSH is.
How is this different from WordPress.com?
WebsiteBox installs the open-source WordPress application directly on a server you control. You own your WordPress folder and can move it to any server you want.
What can I host on this?
Anything legal. WebsiteBox is content-agnostic. It's WordPress under the hood, so you can build portfolios, blogs, galleries, business sites, or anything else WordPress supports. The recommended VPS providers have explicit "legal content" policies — they care about the law, not content type.
What if something breaks?
Automatic backups run daily. If something goes wrong, you can easily restore old versions in the WordPress admin panel. The troubleshooting guide covers common issues, and we offer case-by-case hourly support as well.
Can I audit the code before I buy?
Yes. Every file is on our Git repository (opens in new tab) — the install script, Docker configuration, nginx settings, WordPress setup, all of it. You can also paste the code into any AI chatbot and ask it to explain what each file does and check for security issues.
Can I use my own domain?
Yes — in fact, you need one. WebsiteBox sets up your site on your own domain (like mysite.com) with a free SSL certificate for security. If you don't have a domain yet, the guide walks you through buying one from registrars like Porkbun (opens in new tab) (many available for ~$10/year).
What if my VPS provider shuts me down?
Your entire site is in one folder (websitebox-data/). Back it up, spin up a new server with any other provider, restore, and update your DNS. You're not locked into any single host.
How do I update WordPress and plugins?
WordPress core, themes, and plugins are updated through the normal WordPress admin dashboard — just click "Update" when new versions are available. WebsiteBox infrastructure updates are applied with one command and can be scheduled to happen automatically.
Ready to own your website?
The step-by-step guide walks you through every click, from signing up for a server to your finished website.