Hosting & Setup
Common questions about setting up, hosting, and managing an OJS journal on a web hosting service.
Getting Started: How do I set up an OJS hosting account?
Setting up a hosted OJS account typically follows these steps:
- Choose a hosting plan — Select a plan based on the number of journals, expected traffic, and storage needs.
- Sign up and pay — Complete the order form and make payment.
- Receive setup confirmation — The host sends you login credentials and access details.
- Access your control panel — Log in to cPanel, Plesk, or the host's custom panel.
- Install or access OJS — Managed hosts install OJS for you; shared hosting requires a manual installation.
- Configure your journal — Follow the Journal Manager settings guides to configure your journal.
For a self-installed OJS, see the Install OJS on a Server tutorial.
What are your support hours?
Support hours vary by hosting provider. Typical arrangements:
- Standard support: Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm in the provider's timezone, via email or ticket system.
- Extended support: Some providers offer 24/5 (weekdays round-the-clock) or 24/7 support for premium plans.
Always check the specific support terms of your provider before signing up. Academic publishing often has critical deadlines, so fast response times matter.
What is the difference between managed OJS hosting and PKP hosting?
| Managed OJS Hosting | PKP Hosting | |
|---|---|---|
| Provider | Commercial hosting companies | PKP Publishing Services (operated by PKP itself) |
| Support | Varies by provider | Direct from the OJS development team |
| Cost | Varies; typically lower | Tiered plans, often higher but includes expert support |
| Upgrade management | Usually handled by host | Handled by PKP |
| Customisation | Varies by provider | Standard OJS; custom work may cost extra |
| Best for | Journals wanting commercial hosting with control | Journals wanting PKP's own expertise and support |
Both options provide a fully functional OJS installation. The choice depends on budget, technical needs, and desired support level.
What is the difference between managed OJS hosting and regular web hosting?
| Managed OJS Hosting | Regular Web Hosting | |
|---|---|---|
| OJS installation | Pre-installed and configured | You install and configure OJS yourself |
| OJS upgrades | Handled by the host | Your responsibility |
| OJS support | Host provides OJS-specific guidance | Generic hosting support only |
| Security patches | Host applies OJS patches | Your responsibility |
| Backups | Usually included | May not include OJS file/database backups |
For journals without dedicated IT staff, managed hosting is significantly less burdensome.
How long does it take to set up an account after signing up?
Most managed hosting providers activate accounts within:
- Same day to 24 hours for automated or pre-provisioned systems.
- 1–3 business days for custom setups or accounts requiring manual provisioning.
If setup includes domain registration or DNS propagation, allow an additional 24–72 hours for DNS to propagate worldwide.
Can a hosting provider help migrate my OJS from a previous host?
Most managed OJS hosting providers offer migration services — transferring your journal's database, files, and configuration from one server to another. What migration typically includes:
- Export/import of the OJS database.
- Transfer of the
files_dir(uploaded manuscripts, galleys, etc.). - Transfer of the
public/directory (logos, cover images). - Re-configuration of
config.inc.phpfor the new server. - DNS update to point your domain to the new server.
Ask your new host whether migration is included in your plan or is a paid add-on service.
Do I have to register my domain with the hosting provider?
No. You can use a domain registered with any registrar. To use your own domain:
- Register the domain with a registrar of your choice (e.g., Namecheap, GoDaddy, Google Domains).
- Update the domain's DNS records to point to your hosting provider's server (usually by updating Name Servers or A/CNAME records as instructed by the host).
If you prefer, most hosting providers also offer domain registration for convenience.
I already have a domain name — what do I do?
If you have an existing domain:
- Log in to your domain registrar.
- Update the domain's Nameservers to those provided by your hosting company (e.g.,
ns1.hostingcompany.com), or update the A Record to point to the host's IP address. - Wait 24–72 hours for DNS changes to propagate.
- Your domain now resolves to your new hosting account.
- Install or access your OJS journal at that domain.
Do hosting providers maintain website backups?
Most managed OJS hosts include regular automated backups as part of their service. Typical backup policies:
- Daily backups retained for 7–30 days.
- Backups include both database and uploaded files.
- Backups are stored off-site or in a separate location from the primary server.
Verify the backup policy with your provider before signing up. For critical journals, consider also maintaining your own off-site backup.
Where are hosting data centres located?
Data centre location varies by provider. Common options:
- USA (most common for English-language academic hosting)
- EU (important for GDPR compliance if serving EU users)
- Asia-Pacific (lower latency for Pacific-region journals)
If your institution or funders have data residency requirements, confirm data centre location before signing up. GDPR requires that personal data about EU residents be stored and processed in compliant locations.
How do hosting providers handle OJS site security?
Responsible managed hosting providers implement:
- Regular OJS upgrades — applying security patches promptly.
- Web Application Firewall (WAF) — blocking common attack patterns.
- SSL/TLS certificate — HTTPS by default for all journal traffic.
- Malware scanning — regular scans of hosted files.
- Access control — limited server access; no unnecessary open ports.
- Intrusion detection — monitoring for unusual login attempts or file changes.
Ask prospective hosts specifically about their security practices and incident response procedures.
What payment methods are acceptable?
Payment options typically include:
- Credit/debit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express)
- PayPal
- Bank transfer (for annual plans or institutional billing)
- Purchase orders (for university or institutional purchasers)
Verify payment options and invoicing procedures (important for institutional finance departments) before signing up.
What is average monthly uptime?
Quality managed hosting providers guarantee 99.9% uptime or higher in their Service Level Agreement (SLA). This equates to less than 9 hours of downtime per year. Some premium providers guarantee 99.99% (less than 1 hour per year).
Request the provider's historical uptime statistics before committing.
How many email addresses can be created with an account?
This varies by hosting plan. Shared hosting plans typically allow:
- 10–50 email addresses on basic plans.
- Unlimited email addresses on premium plans.
For OJS specifically, you typically need:
- One system email address for OJS outgoing mail (e.g.,
editor@yourjournal.com). - Individual email addresses for each editor (optional but recommended).
How can I access my email account?
Most hosting providers offer several email access options:
- Webmail — browser-based access (Roundcube, SquirrelMail, or similar) at
https://mail.yourdomain.com. - IMAP/POP3 — access via any email client (Outlook, Thunderbird, Apple Mail).
- SMTP — send emails from any client using the hosting provider's SMTP server.
What is the policy on SPAM and unsolicited emails?
All legitimate hosting providers prohibit:
- Sending bulk unsolicited emails (SPAM).
- Using the hosting account to relay spam.
OJS should only send transactional emails (submission notifications, decision notifications, review invitations) to users who have registered or opted in. Using OJS to send unsolicited marketing emails violates both the hosting terms and anti-spam laws (CAN-SPAM, GDPR, CASL).
Further Reading
- PKP Publishing Services — Hosting directly from the OJS developers
- Install OJS on a Server Tutorial — Self-hosting walkthrough
- OJS Email Configuration — Setting up SMTP for reliable email delivery