Overview
DreamPress is DreamHost's managed WordPress hosting. It's a scalable service that allows users to manage their WordPress sites with simple pricing and the added benefits of server robustness, caching, and memory.
Behind the scenes, it combines different pieces of DreamHost's existing technology into a cohesive single unit. Below are all the details of this new service.
Getting started links
The following links will help you sign up for a DreamPress plan and get started.
Signing up for a new account
View the following article for instructions on how to create a new DreamHost account with DreamPress as your site's hosting plan.
Getting started
Once you've added a DreamPress plan to your account, you can upgrade your WordPress site or add a brand-new website to DreamPress.
Technical details
Since DreamPress resides on Nginx, it is not possible to make any sort of configuration changes. Please contact support if you need to customize the nginx.conf file or makes changes that would typically go in an .htaccess file.
Each DreamPress instance is set up on DreamHost's cloud computing service called OpenStack. A new DreamPress service:
- is provisioned automatically.
- disallows root, sudo, and FTP access (you can still log in via SFTP or SSH).
- comes installed with a free secure 'Let's Encrypt' certificate.
- can be adjusted to its available memory and storage based on the plan selected.
- includes the most recent (as well as the two previous) versions of WordPress Core (see version numbering for more information).
- includes any PHP version that WordPress recommends for its last three major releases.
Additionally, DreamHost has added built-in server caching, which:
- is set up automatically for the DreamPress customer
- responds to web requests as a proxy in front of the Nginx and PHP WordPress stack
- is extremely efficient at caching content
- allows this setup to scale to very high levels of traffic
- comes with a static IP
Additional security enhancements
As mentioned above, all DreamPress plans include a free Let's Encrypt SSL certificate. If needed, you can add a professionally-signed SSL certificate (such as Sectigo) for an additional fee.
You can also add the DreamShield Website Security service to any DreamPress or DreamPress Plus plan (all DreamPress Pro plans include DreamShield at no additional cost).
Service restrictions
DreamPress is a managed WordPress service, which means DreamHost has restricted certain actions that users can take that could irreparably break their WordPress site.
Each DreamPress plan is configured for a single domain and a staging site. You can also mix and match it with Shared, VPS, and Dedicated Hosting.
Current restrictions
- No admin users or root SSH keys.
- No FTP access. One SFTP (optional SSH) user and the domain you choose will be configured automatically.
- Unable to add or remove databases or hostnames. The database and hostname will be created automatically for WordPress.
- Unable to add Wildcard DNS.
- Unable to delete the SSL certificate automatically installed.
- Unable to adjust HTTPS settings.
- Unable to directly add custom cache or .htaccess rules. You can contact support for assistance if your site requires either.
- Network (Multisite) installs not supported.
- A small number of required plugins are auto-installed and updated by DreamHost.
- Cannot add Unique IP addresses.
User support
DreamPress comes with support from some of DreamHost’s top tech support, who also have experience in WordPress. After intensive training and evaluation by in-house WordPress core contributors, they were selected as the best-in-class to represent DreamHost and WordPress, and help you with any problems with your DreamPress site. If they don’t know the answer, they know how to find someone who does.
That said, please note that DreamHost support is not a replacement for an actual website developer (should you need one); DreamHost can help install/configure plugins but cannot create custom plugins or themes. Also, if a plugin or theme is causing problems, the only support DreamHost may be able to provide is disabling the plugin/theme and suggesting alternatives.
See also
DreamPress-specific articles
- DreamPress FAQs
- DreamPress plans and pricing
- Add DreamPress to a new domain
- Upgrade a WordPress site to DreamPress
- Changing a DreamPress plan
- Importing an existing WordPress install into DreamPress
- Migrate a WordPress site to DreamPress
- How do I purge the DreamPress cache?