A few years ago, I wanted to create my own website. I didn’t want to use a free platform. I wanted full control. A friend told me about Vultr. I had never heard of it before, and I had no idea how servers worked.
At first, I felt lost. The dashboard looked complicated. There were many options I didn’t understand. But after a few tries, I figured it out. Now I use Vultr all the time to host websites, apps, and even small testing projects.
If this is your first time, don’t worry. I’ll walk you through everything step by step. You’ll learn what a server is, how Vultr works, and how to deploy your first server. I’ll also share a few tips from my own experience.
Let’s get started.
What Is a Server, Anyway?
Before we jump into the setup, let’s clear something up.
A server is just a computer that runs 24/7. It stores files, handles requests, and keeps websites and apps working. Think of it as a vending machine. You press a button (type a URL), and it gives you what you want (a webpage, a video, or some data).
When people talk about cloud servers, they mean computers that live in big data centers. You rent part of those computers to run your stuff.
Vultr is a company that lets you rent these cloud servers. They make it easy to start, stop, and manage your own server, all from a website.
Why Use Vultr?
Here’s why I like Vultr:
- It’s simple. You don’t need to know much to get started.
- It’s cheap. Some plans start at $3.50/month.
- It’s fast. You can pick a location close to you for better speed.
There are other services like DigitalOcean or Linode. They’re good too. But Vultr feels easier for beginners. Their dashboard is clean and the setup is quick.
Step 1: Create a Vultr Account
Go to https://www.vultr.com and sign up.
You’ll need an email address and a payment method. I used a debit card. They also accept PayPal and crypto.
After you sign up, log in to your dashboard. This is your control center. It’s where you’ll create, delete, and manage servers.
Step 2: Add Billing Information
Before you can launch a server, you need to add payment info. Click on Billing in the top menu and choose how you want to pay.
Tip: Vultr charges hourly or monthly. You can delete your server anytime to stop charges. So if you just want to try it for a few hours, it won’t cost much.
Step 3: Deploy a Server
Now comes the fun part.
Click the + button in your dashboard, then choose Deploy New Instance.
You’ll see a few sections to fill out. Don’t worry — I’ll explain what each one means.
1. Choose Server Type
You’ll see a list of options. Pick Cloud Compute (the first one). It’s good for websites, apps, and testing.
Avoid High Performance or Bare Metal unless you know what you’re doing. They cost more and are made for bigger projects.
2. Choose Server Location
Pick a city close to your users. If your visitors are from the US, choose New York or Los Angeles. If you’re in Asia, try Singapore or Tokyo.
Closer means faster loading time.
3. Choose Server Image
This means the software that runs on your server.
Pick Ubuntu 22.04 LTS. It’s stable, secure, and beginner-friendly. I use it for almost everything.
Later, you can install WordPress, a control panel, or anything else you want.
4. Choose Server Size
If this is your first time, choose the cheapest plan: 1 vCPU, 512MB RAM, 10GB SSD — around $3.50/month.
You can upgrade later if you need more power.
5. Set Server Hostname
This is just a name to help you remember what the server is for. I usually name mine like myblogserver or testsite1.
Then click Deploy Now.
In about 60 seconds, your server will be ready.
Step 4: Connect to Your Server
Once your server is deployed, you’ll see its IP address and a password.
You need a way to connect to it. Use SSH — it’s a secure way to control your server.
If you’re on Windows:
- Download PuTTY
- Open it, type in your server IP, and click Open
- When asked, log in as
root - Paste the password from the Vultr dashboard
If you’re on Mac or Linux:
- Open Terminal
- Type:
ssh root@your_server_ip - Press Enter, then paste the password
After logging in, you’ll see a black screen with text. This is your server’s command line.
It might look scary at first, but it’s powerful.
Step 5: Secure Your Server (Basic)
Don’t skip this step. A fresh server is open to the internet. It needs some quick protection.
Here are two easy things I do first:
- Update the server
Type:apt update && apt upgrade -y - Change the root password
Type:passwdThen set a new strong password.
Later, you can add a firewall or create a new user for safety. But for now, this is a good start.
Step 6: Install What You Need
Now your server is ready. What do you want to do with it?
Do you want to host a website? Run a game server? Try WordPress?
Here’s what I usually install:
- Apache or Nginx (web server)
- PHP (if using WordPress)
- MySQL or MariaDB (database)
You can install all that with one command using something called a LAMP stack (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP). I use this on most of my projects.
Here’s a quick install guide for LAMP on Ubuntu:
apt install apache2 mysql-server php libapache2-mod-php php-mysql -y
Once installed, type your server IP into your browser. You should see the Apache default page.
That means your server works!
Common Questions
How much does it cost?
Vultr charges by the hour. A small server costs around $3.50/month, which is about $0.004/hour. You only pay while the server is running.
Can I delete the server?
Yes. Just go to the server page in your dashboard and click Destroy. That stops all charges.
Is it better than shared hosting?
It depends. Shared hosting is easier but gives you less control. Vultr is more flexible, faster, and private. I like using Vultr because I can install anything I want.
Final Tips
Here are two lists that might help you after deployment.
Helpful tools to use with your server:
- FileZilla (to move files easily)
- ufw (simple firewall setup)
- Certbot (to add free HTTPS)
Mistakes I made as a beginner:
- Not changing my root password
- Forgetting to update the server
- Picking a location far from my audience
- Using too much RAM and getting charged more
Wrapping Up
If you made it this far, good job. You’ve taken the first step into running your own server. It might feel overwhelming at first, but the more you play with it, the easier it gets.
Have you deployed your server yet? What do you plan to use it for?
Let me know in the comments or send me a message. I’d love to hear how it goes.
Remember, every expert was once a beginner. Keep learning, keep testing, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes.
Your server is live. Now make something cool.
