Purchase a Self-Managed VPS with Webuzo Installation

When you add Webuzo to your Bluehost Self-Managed VPS, you get an intuitive, web-based control panel that simplifies your websites, databases, email, and security settings. This allows you to take full control of your server without wasting hours on manual setup. Select Webuzo at checkout to enjoy the raw power of a dedicated environment paired with the effortless ease of a single dashboard.

This article explains how to purchase a Bluehost Self-Managed VPS hosting plan and guides you through setting up and managing Webuzo.

Why Choose Webuzo?

Managing a VPS usually means juggling complex configurations and constant maintenance. Webuzo streamlines your workflow by bringing all your essential hosting tools into one central location.

Instead of navigating complicated command-line tasks, you can manage your entire hosting environment—including your sites, security, and resources—with just a few clicks. It is the ideal solution for developers, agencies, and business owners who want a reliable, professional platform without the technical headache.

What You Can Do with Webuzo

Webuzo puts complete control at your fingertips, allowing you to handle the following tasks with ease:

Host Multiple Sites: Manage all your websites and domains from one organized dashboard.
One-Click Installations: Quickly deploy popular CMS platforms, web applications, and essential development tools.
Email & Database Control: Effortlessly create custom email accounts and manage your MySQL or other databases.
Simplified Security: Easily install and renew SSL certificates to keep your sites secure.
Domain & DNS Management: Configure your DNS zones and domain settings in one place.
Easy Backups: Protect your hard work with automated backups for your files, databases, and server data.
File & User Management: Organize your files and set up user permissions without needing advanced technical knowledge.
Real-Time Monitoring: Keep an eye on your server's health, performance, and resource usage at a glance.

System Requirements

Before deploying, ensure your server meets the following minimum hardware requirements. For a stable production deployment, we recommend using higher specifications than the minimum requirements.

Important:

Do not purchase a server that only meets the minimum requirements. The minimum specifications represent the software's bare survival threshold and do not account for operating system overhead or production workloads. Running with only 2 vCPUs, 2 GB RAM, and 30 GB disk space can result in severe performance slowdowns, system freezes, or unexpected crashes during traffic spikes.
For a stable deployment, we recommend using at least 4 vCPUs, 8 GB DDR5 RAM , and 200 GB NVMe disk space. While lower specs might be sufficient for basic installation, consider allocating additional disk space if you plan to store recordings, logs, or other application data.

Resource	Minimum	Recommended
CPU	2 vCPUs	4 vCPUs
RAM	2 GB	8 GB DDR5
Disk	30 GB	200 GB NVMe

How to Purchase a Self-Managed VPS with Webuzo Installation

To set up and operate Webuzo effectively, start by getting a Self-Managed VPS Hosting plan from Bluehost, then proceed with the following steps:

Pre-configured Setup

Self-Managed VPS - Pre-configured Setup

New to VPS or not sure where to start? No worries! At the top of the Self-Managed VPS purchase page, you’ll see the Pre-configured Setup section. This handy feature is perfect if you’re feeling a bit unsure—just pick the type of project you want, like WordPress Site, AI Agent/Claude Code, Dev/Staging, or eCommerce Store. We’ll take care of the rest by automatically filling in the best plan, operating system, and template for you.

Super simple for beginners or anyone who just wants a quick setup
Instantly get the recommended settings for your project
Skip the guesswork and save time
You can still customize things later if you want

Give the Pre-configured Setup a try and get your Bluehost Self-Managed VPS up and running in no time!

In your browser, go to https://www.bluehost.com/vps-hosting.
Click the Choose Plan button under your preferred VPS hosting plan.

Important: Pricing is subject to change—please visit https://www.bluehost.com/vps-hosting for the current introductory/sign-up offer for Bluehost VPS Hosting. For the most up-to-date renewal pricing, visit your Bluehost Portal Renewal Center.
Select your preferred Data Center location.
On the Cart page, you can configure your server to fit your needs in the following section:
1. Hardware:
  1. Pre-selected:
    You can select a different Self-Managed VPS plan in this section.
  2. Configure:
    Click Configure to customize your package.
    
    Note that your changes help customize your plan, and the overall cost will adjust accordingly to fit your needs.
2. Software:
  If the selected plan does not meet the app's minimum requirements, the app will be grayed out.
  1. Click the Application tab.
  2. Select Webuzo.
  3. In the pop-up, click Confirm.
Add-Ons: You can add Premium Support here, which gives you priority access to expert assistance and faster response times.
In the Advanced options:
- Extra IP's: You can add extra IP addresses for an additional fee.
  Pricing changes based on how many IPs you add.
- Hostname: Assign a custom hostname to easily identify your server. This is optional.
Next, select your preferred billing term and review your Order Summary, then click Continue to Checkout.
Do the following on the Checkout page:
If you're new with Bluehost:
1. Create your Bluehost account by using your email address or by connecting with your Google, Apple, or GitHub account — whichever you prefer!
2. Select your preferred payment method: credit card, Google Pay, or PayPal. Enter your billing information.
If you have an account with us, you will see your Bluehost login details when you are logged into your Bluehost Portal. If you are not logged in, please click the Log In link.
In the Shopping Cart section, you can still adjust your billing term if needed.
Review the items in your cart, add a Promo Code if you have one, and then click Submit Payment to complete the purchase.

After completing the purchase, your VPS hosting will begin provisioning. You can access and manage your new VPS hosting in the Hosting tab of your Bluehost Portal.

If you have questions about purchasing the Self-Managed VPS hosting, please contact us for assistance.

Getting Started with Webuzo

Welcome to your new Webuzo server! Webuzo makes it easy to manage your web server, databases, domains, and applications from a single, centralized dashboard.

Step 1: Access your Webuzo Dashboard

After installation completes:

Log in to your Bluehost Portal.
In the left-hand menu, click the Hosting tab.
Look for the server you want to manage then click the View Details to see more options.
Click the Reset Password.
In the pop-up window, type your new root password, then click Reset Password again to confirm and save the changes.

Connect to your VPS via SSH.
Use your VPS IP and credentials with an SSH client, follow the prompts, and enter your root password when asked:

Replace your_server_ip with your actual server IP address.

ssh root@your_server_ip

Example Output:

Welcome to Ubuntu 24.04.4 LTS (GNU/Linux 6.8.0-134-generic x86_64)

********************************************************************************

  Webuzo

  Admin Panel (HTTP) : http://your-server-ip:2004
  Admin Panel (HTTPS): https://your-server-ip:2005
  User Panel  (HTTP) : http://your-server-ip:2002
  User Panel  (HTTPS): https://your-server-ip:2003

  IMPORTANT : A Webuzo license is required before use.
              Get a free 15-day trial at:
              https://www.softaculous.com/clients?ca=webuzotrial
              Once ordered, click "Refresh License" in the Admin Panel.

  Admin Panel  — Username: root  | Password: (stored in /root/.app_passwords)
  User Panel   — Username: webuzouser | Password: (stored in /root/.app_passwords)

  NOTE: Webuzo Admin Panel uses Linux PAM authentication.
        Changing the root Linux password will also change the Admin Panel password.

  Initialized : 2026-07-15 21:19:43

  UFW firewall is enabled.
  Open ports: 22, 80, 443, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005

  First-boot log : cat /var/log/webuzo-onboot.log
  For details    : cat /root/README.md

  To remove this message: rm -f /etc/update-motd.d/99-webuzo

If you ever need to quickly review the system's deployment notes directly inside your server terminal, you can print out the original README file by running:

cat /root/README.md

Step 2: Retrieve Your Admin and End-User Passwords

Since you are already logged into the server via SSH as root, you need to grab the auto-generated passwords created during the first boot.

Run the following command in your terminal:

Note: Save these passwords somewhere secure. You will see separate passwords for the Admin (root) and the End-User (webuzouser) accounts.

cat /root/.app_passwords

Example Output:

root@server-123456:~# cat /root/.app_passwords
WEBUZO_ADMIN_USER=root
WEBUZO_ADMIN_PASS=abc123HeWargoTmWBDcj
WEBUZO_USER_NAME=webuzouser
WEBUZO_USER_PASS=abc123h3oxmBy0EZ

Step 3: Access the Admin Panel

Open your web browser.
Navigate to the Webuzo Admin Panel using your server's IP address on port 2004 (HTTP):

Replace your_server_ip with your actual server IP address.
```
http://<your-server-ip>:2004
```
Log in with the following credentials:
- Username: root
- Password: (The Admin password you retrieved in Step 2)
Quick Tip: Log In Without a Password Using SSH
Webuzo has a built-in feature that lets you skip the login screen entirely. If you are locked out of your account or forgot your password, you can generate a special one-time login link directly from your server's command line.

Just open your terminal, connect to your server, and run this command:

webuzo --sso

Note: Copy the link that appears in your terminal and paste it into your browser. If the link doesn't open, just change the server name in the address bar to your server's actual IP address.

Step 4: Complete the Initial Setup

Once logged in, you will see a banner stating: "Webuzo initial setup is not completed."

Click the link in that banner.
Configure your primary panel settings:
- Admin Email Address: Enter your email to receive system alerts.
- Fully Qualified Hostname: Enter a valid domain name pointing to your server (panel.yourdomain.com).

Step 5: Secure the Panel with SSL (HTTPS)

To stop using unsecured HTTP and switch to HTTPS (port 2005), set up a Let's Encrypt SSL certificate for the panel:

Inside the Admin Panel, navigate to SSL/TLS and then select Manage Service Certificates.
Select Let's Encrypt CA.
Enter your domain name (the hostname you set in Step 3).
Click Install.

Once complete, you can securely access your admin panel by opening your web browser and navigating to:

Replace <your-domain-or-ip> with your actual server IP address or Domain Name.

https://<your-domain-or-ip>:2005

Step 6: Access the End-User Panel

The End-User panel is where you actually manage websites, databases, and emails.

Navigate to the End-User Panel using your server's IP address on port 2002 (HTTP) or port 2003 (HTTPS). For example: http://<your-server-ip>:2002
Log in with the following credentials:
- Username: webuzouser
- Password: (The End-User password you retrieved in Step 2)

Step 7: Configure SSL for Your Hosted Websites

When you start hosting actual websites under the End-User panel, you can easily secure them:

Log in to the End-User Panel using port 2002 (HTTP) or port 2003 (HTTPS).
Inside the End-User Panel, navigate to SSL and then select Automatic SSL.
Select your hosted domain and click Install.

Note: The domain must be actively pointing to your server's IP address for Let's Encrypt to validate successfully.

System Maintenance and Support

Do not install Apache, PHP, or MySQL manually: Webuzo manages all of these services internally. Installing them separately via your terminal will cause conflicts.

If you ever need to check on the health of your Webuzo server from the command line, keep these commands handy:

Check Webuzo Status:

systemctl status webuzo
Restart Webuzo:

systemctl restart webuzo
Check Firewall Rules:

ufw status
View Installation Logs:

cat /root/webuzo-install.log
View First-Boot Logs:

cat /var/log/webuzo-onboot.log

Additional Information and Example Documentation Output

You can run cat /root/README.md to see more information and useful commands:


root@server-123456:~# cat /root/README.md
# Webuzo

## Description

Webuzo is a multiuser hosting control panel that simplifies web server management and application deployment on Linux servers. It provides a centralized interface for managing websites, databases, email accounts, DNS, FTP, and one-click application installation via Softaculous. Webuzo supports Apache, MariaDB, PHP, and many other services out of the box.


## Services

| Service          | Port(s)       | Purpose                        |
|------------------|---------------|--------------------------------|
| Admin Panel      | 2005 (HTTPS)  | Webuzo administrator interface |
| Admin Panel      | 2004 (HTTP)   | Webuzo administrator interface |
| End-User Panel   | 2002 (HTTP)   | Webuzo end-user interface      |
| End-User Panel   | 2003 (HTTPS)  | Webuzo end-user interface      |
| Apache/Web       | 80, 443       | HTTP and HTTPS web traffic     |
| SSH              | 22            | Secure shell access            |


## Minimum Resources

| Resource | Minimum  |
|----------|----------|
| CPU      | 2 vCPUs  |
| RAM      | 2 GB     |
| Disk     | 30 GB    |


## How to Use

SSH into your server using your cloud provider credentials and the server public IP:
    ssh root@your-server-ip
On first boot, Webuzo automatically generates admin and end-user passwords and stores them in /root/.app_passwords. Retrieve them with:
    cat /root/.app_passwords
After the VM boots, access the Webuzo Admin Panel at:
    http://your-server-ip:2004
Login with username root and the password from /root/.app_passwords.
On first login, a banner will appear stating "Webuzo initial setup is not completed." Click the link in the banner to configure panel settings, including setting an admin email address and a fully qualified hostname (e.g. server.example.com).
Access the Webuzo End-User Panel at:
    http://your-server-ip:2002
Login with username webuzouser and the end-user password from /root/.app_passwords.


## SSL Configuration

Webuzo includes built-in SSL management. HTTPS is available on the Admin Panel (port 2005) and End-User Panel (port 2003) using Webuzo's own internal certificate management. No external certbot or nginx configuration is required.

To configure SSL for the Webuzo panel:

1. Log in to the Admin Panel at http://your-server-ip:2004
2. Navigate to SSL/TLS -> Manage Service Certificates
3. Select Let's Encrypt CA and enter your domain
4. Click Install to request and install the certificate automatically

To configure SSL for hosted websites:

1. Log in to the End-User Panel at http://your-server-ip:2002
2. Navigate to SSL -> Automatic SSL
3. Select your domain and click Install

Note: A valid domain name pointing to the server IP is required for Let's Encrypt certificates.


## Useful Commands

Check Webuzo service status:
    systemctl status webuzo
View first-boot log:
    cat /var/log/webuzo-onboot.log
View Webuzo installation log:
    cat /root/webuzo-install.log
Restart Webuzo:
    systemctl restart webuzo
Check UFW firewall status:
    ufw status


## Notes

- Webuzo manages Apache, MariaDB, PHP, DNS, FTP, and email services internally. Do not install these separately as they will conflict with Webuzo.
- Admin and end-user passwords are auto-generated on first boot and stored in /root/.app_passwords (mode 600).
- First-boot events are logged to /var/log/webuzo-onboot.log.


## Links

* Manage: [https://{server_ip}:2005](https://{server_ip}:2005)
* Documentation: [https://webuzo.com/docs/](https://webuzo.com/docs/)
* Installation Guide: [https://webuzo.com/docs/installing-webuzo/install/](https://webuzo.com/docs/installing-webuzo/install/)
* Webuzo website: [https://webuzo.com/](https://webuzo.com/)

Summary

Webuzo transforms your Self-Managed VPS experience by removing the complexity of server management. Whether you are hosting a personal passion project, managing client websites, or scaling a business application, Webuzo gives you the professional tools you need to succeed—without requiring extensive technical expertise.

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