# SiloLobby > SiloLobby is a Nigerian web services company: domain registration (.ng, .com.ng, .org.ng, .com and 450+ extensions), web hosting (shared cPanel, WordPress, cloud VPS, reseller), business email, transactional and marketing email sending, SSL certificates and website development. All prices are in Nigerian naira and can be paid by card, bank transfer, USSD or wallet. Company: SiloLobby Limited (CAC RC NO. 7338060), Nigeria. Address: Lagos, Nigeria.. Website: https://silolobby.com Support: support@silolobby.com. Customers open tickets from the client area at https://silolobby.com/client. Profiles: https://www.facebook.com/silolobby, https://www.instagram.com/silolobby, https://x.com/silolobby, https://www.linkedin.com/company/silolobby Key facts: - Prices are in naira; no dollar card is needed. Payment by card, bank transfer and USSD (through Paystack) or from a prepaid naira wallet that also pays renewals automatically. - Shared hosting includes cPanel, NVMe storage, free SSL, unlimited email accounts, free website migration and a 30-day money-back guarantee (once per customer). - Domains come with DNS management; WHOIS privacy is free where the extension allows it. Domains registered with SiloLobby can use free business email (up to 3 mailboxes). - 99.9% uptime commitment (see the service level agreement). ## Domains - .com.ng: register ₦10,000/year, renew ₦10,000/year, transfer ₦10,000 - .ng: register ₦15,000/year, renew ₦15,000/year, transfer ₦15,000 - .org.ng: register ₦10,000/year, renew ₦10,000/year, transfer ₦10,000 - .com: register ₦15,500/year, renew ₦15,500/year, transfer ₦15,500 - .net: register ₦20,000/year, renew ₦20,000/year, transfer ₦20,000 - .org: register ₦18,000/year, renew ₦18,000/year, transfer ₦18,000 - .africa: register ₦43,600/year, renew ₦43,600/year, transfer ₦43,800 - .co: register ₦34,000/year, renew ₦68,100/year, transfer ₦57,800 - .io: register ₦76,500/year, renew ₦137,000/year, transfer ₦105,000 - [Search and register a domain](https://silolobby.com/domains): availability search for 450+ extensions - [Domain price list](https://silolobby.com/domains/pricing): registration, renewal and transfer prices for every extension - [Transfer a domain](https://silolobby.com/domains/transfer): move a domain to SiloLobby with its EPP code; usually 5 to 7 days, no downtime ## Web hosting - [Shared hosting (cPanel)](https://silolobby.com/hosting/shared): Budget 5GB ₦1,000/month; Budget 10GB ₦1,500/month; Tubor Lite ₦2,500/month; Tubor Basic ₦4,500/month; Tubor Pro ₦6,500/month; Tubor Max ₦9,500/month - [WordPress hosting](https://silolobby.com/hosting/wordpress): WordPress Starter ₦3,000/month; WordPress Business ₦8,000/month - [Cloud VPS (root access)](https://silolobby.com/hosting/vps): C1 ₦14,999/month; C2 ₦19,999/month; C3 ₦36,999/month; C4 ₦64,999/month; C5 ₦94,999/month - [Reseller hosting (DirectAdmin, private nameservers)](https://silolobby.com/hosting/reseller): Reseller Starter ₦22,000/month; Reseller Growth ₦45,000/month; Reseller Pro ₦75,000/month; Reseller Business ₦110,000/month; Reseller Enterprise ₦165,000/month ## Email - [Business email](https://silolobby.com/email), priced per mailbox: Mail Free free; Mail Lite ₦700/month; Mail Pro ₦1,500/month; Mail Premium ₦3,000/month - [Transactional email (SMTP and API)](https://silolobby.com/email/sending): Pro 50K ₦35,000/month; Pro 100K ₦61,250/month; Scale 250K ₦332,500/month; Scale 500K ₦612,500/month; Scale 1M ₦1,137,500/month - [Email marketing](https://silolobby.com/email/sending#marketing), priced by contacts: Marketing 2.5K ₦35,000/month; Marketing 5K ₦70,000/month; Marketing 10K ₦140,000/month; Marketing 25K ₦315,000/month; Marketing 50K ₦437,500/month ## Security and websites - [SSL certificates](https://silolobby.com/security/ssl): free SSL with hosting; paid RapidSSL DV ₦12,000/year; GeoTrust QuickSSL ₦25,000/year; DigiCert OV SSL ₦45,000/year - [Website security](https://silolobby.com/security/website-security): malware scanning, backups and monitoring add-ons - [Website development](https://silolobby.com/website-development) (built by our team, domain and hosting for the first year included): Starter Website ₦200,000 one-off; Business Website ₦300,000 one-off; E-commerce Store ₦500,000 one-off; Premium / Agency ₦700,000 one-off ## Company and policies - [About SiloLobby](https://silolobby.com/about) - [Contact](https://silolobby.com/contact) - [Support and FAQs](https://silolobby.com/support) - [Terms of service](https://silolobby.com/legal/terms) - [Privacy policy](https://silolobby.com/legal/privacy) - [Refund policy](https://silolobby.com/legal/refund) - [Service level agreement](https://silolobby.com/legal/sla) ## Guides ### Domains - [How to Register a .com.ng Domain in Nigeria (Step by Step)](https://silolobby.com/blog/how-to-register-a-com-ng-domain-in-nigeria): Register a .com.ng domain in Nigeria in minutes: check availability, pay in naira, set up DNS and email. Prices, rules, steps and mistakes to avoid. - [.ng vs .com.ng vs .com: Which Domain Should a Nigerian Business Choose?](https://silolobby.com/blog/ng-vs-com-ng-vs-com-which-domain-should-you-choose): Should your Nigerian business use .ng, .com.ng or .com? Compare price, trust, SEO, availability and email, with a clear recommendation for each business type. - [Domain Prices in Nigeria: Registration, Renewal and Transfer Costs Explained](https://silolobby.com/blog/domain-prices-in-nigeria-registration-renewal-transfer): What does a domain really cost in Nigeria? Registration vs renewal vs transfer prices for .com.ng, .ng, .com and more, and how to avoid expensive renewals. - [How to Transfer Your Domain to SiloLobby (Without Downtime)](https://silolobby.com/blog/how-to-transfer-a-domain-to-silolobby): Move your domain to SiloLobby in five steps: unlock it, get the EPP code, order the transfer and approve it. Your website and email keep working throughout. - [What Happens When Your Domain Expires (and How to Get It Back)](https://silolobby.com/blog/what-happens-when-your-domain-expires): When a domain expires your website and email stop. Learn the grace and redemption periods, what recovery costs, and how to make sure you never lose a domain. - [How to Point Your Domain to Your Web Hosting: Nameservers vs A Records](https://silolobby.com/blog/how-to-point-your-domain-to-your-web-hosting): Connect your domain to your website the right way. When to change nameservers, when to use an A record, how long DNS takes, and how to check it worked. - [DNS Records Explained: A, CNAME, MX and TXT for Business Owners](https://silolobby.com/blog/dns-records-explained-a-cname-mx-txt): A plain-English guide to the DNS records every business owner meets: what A, AAAA, CNAME, MX and TXT records do, with real examples you can copy. - [What Is WHOIS Privacy and Do You Need It?](https://silolobby.com/blog/what-is-whois-privacy-and-do-you-need-it): WHOIS privacy hides your name, phone and address from the public domain database. What it protects, when you need it, and how it works at SiloLobby. - [How to Choose a Domain Name for Your Business: 12 Practical Tips](https://silolobby.com/blog/how-to-choose-a-domain-name-for-your-business): Pick a domain name customers remember and trust. Twelve practical tips on length, spelling, extensions, trademarks and brand protection, with examples. ### Web hosting - [Shared vs WordPress vs VPS vs Reseller Hosting: Which Do You Need?](https://silolobby.com/blog/shared-vs-wordpress-vs-vps-vs-reseller-hosting): Compare shared, WordPress, cloud VPS and reseller hosting by price, control, skill needed and use case, and pick the right plan for your business in minutes. - [Choosing Web Hosting in Nigeria: 10 Things to Check Before You Pay](https://silolobby.com/blog/best-web-hosting-in-nigeria-what-to-look-for): Buying web hosting in Nigeria? Check these 10 things first: naira billing, renewal prices, NVMe storage, SSL, email, backups, support and a money-back guarantee. - [How to Host a WordPress Website in Nigeria (Step by Step)](https://silolobby.com/blog/how-to-host-a-wordpress-website-in-nigeria): Launch a WordPress website in Nigeria today: choose a domain and hosting, set up WordPress, add SSL, pick a theme and the essential plugins. Beginner friendly. - [What Is cPanel? A Beginner's Guide to Managing Your Hosting](https://silolobby.com/blog/what-is-cpanel-and-how-to-use-it): cPanel is the control panel for your hosting. Learn how to open it from SiloLobby, manage files, email, databases, domains, SSL and backups, step by step. - [How to Start a Web Hosting Business in Nigeria with Reseller Hosting](https://silolobby.com/blog/how-to-start-a-web-hosting-business-in-nigeria-with-reseller-hosting): Sell web hosting under your own brand without owning servers. How reseller hosting works, what to charge, private nameservers and finding your first clients. - [Cloud VPS in Nigeria: When You Need One and How to Choose](https://silolobby.com/blog/cloud-vps-in-nigeria-when-you-need-one-and-how-to-choose): When is a cloud VPS worth it over shared hosting? What a VPS gives you, how much CPU and RAM you need, and how to set up and secure your first server. - [How to Move Your Website to a New Host Without Downtime](https://silolobby.com/blog/how-to-move-your-website-to-a-new-host-without-downtime): Switch hosting without losing visitors or email. A safe migration plan: back up, copy files and databases, test, lower TTL, switch DNS and check everything. ### Business email - [How to Create a Business Email Address with Your Own Domain](https://silolobby.com/blog/how-to-create-a-business-email-address-with-your-domain): Get a professional address like you@yourbusiness.com.ng: choose a plan, connect your domain, create mailboxes and set it up on Outlook, Gmail app or your phone. - [Business Email vs Gmail: Why Your Business Needs Its Own Domain Email](https://silolobby.com/blog/business-email-vs-gmail-for-nigerian-businesses): Is a free Gmail address enough for your business? Compare trust, control, security, deliverability and cost, and see why a domain email pays for itself. - [SPF, DKIM and DMARC Explained: Stop Your Emails Going to Spam](https://silolobby.com/blog/spf-dkim-dmarc-explained-stop-emails-going-to-spam): Emails landing in spam? Learn what SPF, DKIM and DMARC records do, how to add them to your domain, roll out DMARC safely and check that everything passes. - [Transactional Email vs Marketing Email: What's the Difference?](https://silolobby.com/blog/transactional-email-vs-marketing-email): Password resets and receipts are not newsletters. The difference between transactional and marketing email, why to keep them separate, and what each needs. - [Email Marketing in Nigeria: Build a List Legally and Stay Out of Spam](https://silolobby.com/blog/email-marketing-in-nigeria-build-a-list-legally-and-avoid-spam): Grow an email list the right way under Nigeria's Data Protection Act. Get consent, clean your list, write emails that reach the inbox and measure results. - [How to Send Email from Your Website or App with SMTP (WordPress, Laravel, Node.js)](https://silolobby.com/blog/how-to-send-email-from-your-website-or-app-with-smtp): Stop contact-form and order emails going missing. Connect WordPress, WooCommerce, Laravel or Node.js to a proper SMTP service in minutes, with examples. ### Security & SSL - [Free SSL vs Paid SSL Certificates: Which Does Your Website Need?](https://silolobby.com/blog/free-ssl-vs-paid-ssl-which-do-you-need): Every website needs HTTPS, but not every site needs a paid certificate. Compare free SSL with DV, OV and paid options, and learn when paying makes sense. - [How to Protect Your Website from Hackers: A Practical Checklist](https://silolobby.com/blog/how-to-protect-your-website-from-hackers-checklist): Most hacked websites fall to the same few mistakes. Follow this checklist on updates, passwords, two-factor login, backups, scanning and SSL to stay safe. ### Websites - [How Much Does a Website Cost in Nigeria? A Complete Price Guide](https://silolobby.com/blog/how-much-does-a-website-cost-in-nigeria): A full breakdown of what a business website costs in Nigeria: domain, hosting, email, SSL and design, from do-it-yourself to fully built, plus yearly costs. - [How to Build a Website for Your Small Business in Nigeria](https://silolobby.com/blog/how-to-build-a-website-for-your-small-business-in-nigeria): From idea to live website: choose your domain, pick hosting, plan pages, build with WordPress or a builder, and get found on Google. A complete beginner's guide. - [How to Start an Online Store in Nigeria: Domain, Hosting and Payments Checklist](https://silolobby.com/blog/how-to-start-an-online-store-in-nigeria): Everything you need to sell online in Nigeria: a domain, store hosting, naira payments, delivery, policies and marketing. A step-by-step checklist. - [Web Hosting and Domain Glossary: 65+ Terms Explained Simply](https://silolobby.com/blog/web-hosting-and-domain-glossary-for-beginners): Confused by DNS, cPanel, SSL, MX records or EPP codes? A plain-English glossary of 65+ hosting, domain, email and billing terms every business owner should know. ### Business & payments - [How to Pay for Hosting and Domains in Naira (No Dollar Card Needed)](https://silolobby.com/blog/how-to-pay-for-hosting-and-domains-in-naira): Stop failed dollar-card payments. Pay for domains, hosting and email in naira by card, bank transfer, USSD or wallet, and set up automatic renewals. - [Looking for a Naira Alternative to International Domain and Hosting Providers?](https://silolobby.com/blog/naira-alternative-to-international-domain-and-hosting-providers): Tired of dollar billing and failed renewals with international registrars and hosts? What to compare, and how to move your domains and websites to a naira provider. --- # Full guides ## How to Register a .com.ng Domain in Nigeria (Step by Step) URL: https://silolobby.com/blog/how-to-register-a-com-ng-domain-in-nigeria Updated: 2026-10-19 Short answer: to register a .com.ng domain, search for the name you want on the SiloLobby domain page (https://silolobby.com/domains), add it to your cart, enter your contact details and pay ₦10,000 in naira by card, bank transfer, USSD or wallet. Our team completes the registration with the .ng registry and emails you when the domain is active. No CAC certificate is needed, and the renewal price is the same every year (₦10,000). A .com.ng domain is one of the simplest ways to show customers you are a real Nigerian business. Banks, schools, hospitals, retailers and thousands of small businesses use it. It is affordable, trusted, and good names are still available that were taken in .com years ago. This guide covers everything: who can register, what it costs over time, the exact steps, what to do straight after registering, and the mistakes that cost people their domains. What is a .com.ng domain? Every country has its own domain ending, called a country-code top-level domain (ccTLD). Nigeria's is .ng. Under it sit several "second-level" extensions, each meant for a different kind of user: | Extension | Meant for | Open to everyone? | |---|---|---| | .com.ng | Businesses and commercial use | Yes | | .ng | Anyone; short modern names | Yes | | .org.ng | Non-profits, NGOs, associations, faith groups | Yes | | .name.ng | Individuals | Yes | | .gov.ng | Government bodies | No, documents needed | | .edu.ng | Universities and tertiary institutions | No, documents needed | | .mil.ng | The military | No, documents needed | The .ng namespace is managed by the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA). NiRA sets the rules; accredited registrars and resellers, like SiloLobby, register names on customers' behalf. Why choose .com.ng for your business? - Instant local trust. Customers recognise .com.ng as Nigerian. If you sell to people in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt or Kano, it signals that you are local and reachable. - Better availability. Short, meaningful names are far more likely to be free in .com.ng than in .com. - Predictable price. .com.ng costs the same every year (₦10,000 at SiloLobby), unlike many international extensions that are cheap for one year and expensive after. - A local search signal. Google treats .ng-family domains as targeting Nigeria. That can help you appear in Nigerian search results, especially for local searches. - Brand protection. Even if your main website is a .com, owning the .com.ng stops someone else trading on your name in Nigeria. Who can register a .com.ng domain? Anyone can. You do not need: - a registered company or CAC certificate, - a Nigerian bank account, - to live in Nigeria. What you do need is accurate registrant information: your name (or company name), email address, phone number and address. The registrant is the legal owner of the domain. If those details are false, the domain can be suspended, and you may struggle to prove ownership later. > Tip: register the domain in your company's name (or your own), never in your web designer's name. The registrant owns the domain, and getting it back from an unresponsive contractor is painful. How much does a .com.ng domain cost? At SiloLobby the prices are: | | Price | |---|---| | Registration (first year) | ₦10,000 | | Renewal (each year after) | ₦10,000 | | Transfer in from another registrar | ₦10,000 | Because the registration and renewal prices match, your five-year cost is simply five times the yearly price. Compare that with extensions such as .online or .store, where the first year is a fraction of the renewal (we break this down in domain prices in Nigeria (https://silolobby.com/blog/domain-prices-in-nigeria-registration-renewal-transfer)). You can see every extension we sell, with live prices, on the domain price list (https://silolobby.com/domains/pricing). How to register a .com.ng domain, step by step Step 1: brainstorm and shortlist names Write down three to five options before you search. Good names are short, easy to spell and easy to say on the phone. For example, a catering business called Ada's Kitchen might shortlist *adaskitchen.com.ng*, *adakitchen.com.ng* and *adaskitchenlagos.com.ng*. Our guide on choosing a domain name (https://silolobby.com/blog/how-to-choose-a-domain-name-for-your-business) has twelve practical tips. Step 2: search for availability Go to silolobby.com/domains (https://silolobby.com/domains) and type your first choice. Availability is checked live with the registry, and you see at a glance whether the .com.ng, .ng, .com and other versions are free, with their prices. If your first choice is taken, try: - adding your city or what you do (*adaskitchenabuja.com.ng*), - a shorter form of the name (*adakitchen.com.ng*), - the .ng version (*adaskitchen.ng*). Step 3: add it to your cart and choose the term Choose how many years to register for. A longer term protects your name and means fewer renewals to remember. Many businesses choose two or three years. Step 4: add hosting or email if you need them (optional) You can buy the domain on its own and add services later. If you already know you need a website, adding hosting (https://silolobby.com/hosting) now saves time: when the domain and hosting are bought together, they are connected automatically. Step 5: create your account and enter registrant details These details become the domain's legal owner record. Use an email address you will keep for years: renewal reminders and important notices go there. Step 6: pay in naira Pay by card, bank transfer or USSD through Paystack's secure page, or from your SiloLobby wallet. No dollar card is needed. Step 7: confirmation Our team completes the registration with the .ng registry and you receive an email when the domain is active. You then manage everything from Domains in your client area. Search for your .com.ng domain: https://silolobby.com/domains What you get with your domain at SiloLobby - DNS management. Add and edit A, CNAME, MX and TXT records to connect your website, email and services such as Google Search Console. - Nameserver control. Use SiloLobby's nameservers, or point to another provider if your website is hosted elsewhere. - Free business email for SiloLobby domains. Up to 3 mailboxes on our free email plan (https://silolobby.com/email), with webmail, calendar and contacts. - Automatic renewal from your wallet. When a renewal invoice is created and your naira wallet balance covers it, it is paid automatically, so the domain never lapses by accident. - Reminders. Renewal invoices and reminders by email, and everything visible in your client area. What to do right after registering 1. Connect it to a website. If you bought hosting from us, this is done. If your site is elsewhere, see how to point your domain to your hosting (https://silolobby.com/blog/how-to-point-your-domain-to-your-web-hosting). 2. Set up business email. Customers trust *hello@yourbusiness.com.ng* far more than a Gmail address. See how to create a business email address (https://silolobby.com/blog/how-to-create-a-business-email-address-with-your-domain). 3. Add SSL. Your website needs the padlock (HTTPS). It is free with SiloLobby hosting. 4. Claim your Google Business Profile with your new website address, so you appear in Google Maps and local results. 5. Update your materials: invoices, WhatsApp Business profile, social media bios and signage. 6. Fund your wallet so renewals happen automatically. Mistakes that cost people their domains - Registering in someone else's name. Always be the registrant. - Using an email address you will lose. If renewal notices go to an old staff member's address, nobody sees them. - Letting it expire. Your website and email stop, and after the recovery periods anyone can register your name. See what happens when a domain expires (https://silolobby.com/blog/what-happens-when-your-domain-expires). - Choosing a hard-to-spell name. Every misspelling sends a customer to an error page, or a competitor. - Not protecting variations. If your brand matters, also register the .ng and .com versions. .com.ng, .ng or .com? If most of your customers are in Nigeria, .com.ng is a strong, trusted choice. A short .ng domain looks modern and suits startups and tech brands. If you sell internationally, consider a .com as your main site and keep the .com.ng pointing to it. We compare all three in .ng vs .com.ng vs .com (https://silolobby.com/blog/ng-vs-com-ng-vs-com-which-domain-should-you-choose). Summary Registering a .com.ng domain takes a few minutes and costs ₦10,000 a year at SiloLobby, with no CAC certificate and no dollar card. Choose a short, clear name, register it in your own name, connect it to your website and email, and keep your wallet funded so it renews automatically. Your domain is your business's address online: look after it and it will serve you for decades. ### Questions and answers Q: How much does a .com.ng domain cost in Nigeria? A: At SiloLobby a .com.ng domain costs ₦10,000 for the first year and renews at ₦10,000 a year. You pay in naira by card, bank transfer, USSD or from your wallet. Q: Do I need a CAC certificate to register a .com.ng domain? A: No. A .com.ng domain is open to individuals and businesses. You only need accurate contact details. Restricted extensions such as .gov.ng, .edu.ng and .mil.ng are the ones that need documents. Q: How long does .com.ng registration take? A: You order and pay online in a few minutes. Our team then completes the registration with the .ng registry and you get an email as soon as the domain is active. Q: Can I use a .com.ng domain for business email? A: Yes. Once it is registered you can create addresses like you@yourbusiness.com.ng. Domains registered with SiloLobby can use our free email plan with up to 3 mailboxes. Q: Can I register a .com.ng domain if I live outside Nigeria? A: Yes. .com.ng is open to anyone with accurate registrant details, including Nigerians in the diaspora and foreign companies serving Nigerian customers. Q: What is the difference between .com.ng and .ng? A: .com.ng is the classic commercial extension and .ng is the shorter, newer-feeling option. Both are Nigerian, open to everyone and managed by NiRA. Many businesses register both. --- ## .ng vs .com.ng vs .com: Which Domain Should a Nigerian Business Choose? URL: https://silolobby.com/blog/ng-vs-com-ng-vs-com-which-domain-should-you-choose Updated: 2026-10-19 Short answer: choose .com.ng if most of your customers are in Nigeria and you want a trusted local name at a low, steady price (₦10,000 a year). Choose .ng for a short, modern brand (₦15,000 a year). Choose .com if you sell internationally (₦15,500 a year). If your name matters to you, register your main choice plus the other two so nobody else can take them. Choosing a domain extension feels like a small decision, but you will live with it for years. It appears on your invoices, signage, vehicles, email signatures and social profiles. This guide compares the three options Nigerian businesses consider most, using real prices, and ends with a recommendation for each type of business. The three options at a glance | | .com.ng | .ng | .com | |---|---|---|---| | First year (SiloLobby) | ₦10,000 | ₦15,000 | ₦15,500 | | Renewal | ₦10,000 | ₦15,000 | ₦15,500 | | Who manages it | NiRA | NiRA | Verisign | | What it signals | Nigerian business | Nigerian, modern | Global | | Short names available | Often | Often | Rarely | | Search targeting | Nigeria | Nigeria | Any country | | Best for | Local businesses | Startups, short brands | International brands | .com.ng: the trusted local choice .com.ng is the classic commercial extension for Nigeria. Banks, retailers, schools, logistics companies and service businesses have used it for years, so customers recognise and trust it immediately. Strengths - Clearly Nigerian, which matters when customers worry about scams and want a business they can visit or call. - Open to everyone: no CAC certificate needed. - Good availability: meaningful names are still free. - The same price every year. Weaknesses - Slightly longer to type than .ng or .com. - Less familiar to customers outside Nigeria. Choose .com.ng if you serve customers in Nigeria and want a name that clearly says "Nigerian business". Read how to register a .com.ng domain (https://silolobby.com/blog/how-to-register-a-com-ng-domain-in-nigeria). .ng: short and modern A .ng domain drops the "com", which makes names shorter and easier to remember. *ada.ng* is cleaner than *ada.com.ng*. Startups, tech companies, media brands and creators like the modern feel. Strengths - The shortest possible Nigerian address. - Feels modern and confident. - Also clearly Nigerian. Weaknesses - Costs a little more than .com.ng. - Some older customers instinctively type ".com" or ".com.ng" and need reminding. Choose .ng if you want the shortest address and a modern brand, especially in tech, media or creative work. .com: the global default .com is the most recognised extension in the world. If you export, sell to customers abroad, raise investment internationally or plan to expand beyond Nigeria, a .com avoids looking local-only. Strengths - Universally familiar: people type .com without thinking. - No country signal, so it can rank in search results anywhere. Weaknesses - Most short, meaningful names are taken, and buying one from its owner can be expensive. - Without local cues on your site, Nigerian customers may wonder whether you are local. Choose .com if your audience is international or your exact name is available in .com. What about SEO? Google uses country-code domains like .ng and .com.ng as a signal that a website targets that country. For a business serving Nigerian customers, that can help you appear in searches made in Nigeria. A .com is "generic": it can rank in any country, and you can still target Nigeria through: - your content (mentioning cities, naira prices and local details), - your business address and phone number on the site, - a verified Google Business Profile, - links from Nigerian websites. In practice the extension is a small ranking factor. Helpful content, a fast secure website, good reviews and links from trusted sites matter much more. Do not choose a long, awkward name just to get a particular extension. What about email? All three work equally well for business email (https://silolobby.com/email). *orders@adafoods.com.ng*, *orders@adafoods.ng* and *orders@adafoods.com* are all professional. Shorter domains are slightly easier to say over the phone and type correctly. Protecting your brand: register more than one Registering two or three versions of your name costs little compared with the cost of losing customers to a copycat. A common setup: - Main website: the extension that suits you best. - Others: registered and redirected to the main site, so anyone who types them still finds you. For example, a Lagos fashion brand might run its shop on *adastyle.ng*, with *adastyle.com.ng* and *adastyle.com* both forwarding to it. Our recommendation by business type | Business | Main domain | Also register | |---|---|---| | Local shop, salon, restaurant, clinic | .com.ng | .ng | | School or training centre (private) | .com.ng or .ng | the other | | Tech startup or app | .ng or .com | .com.ng | | Exporter or international brand | .com | .com.ng | | NGO, church, association | .org.ng | .org | | Personal brand or creator | .ng | .com | Real examples: how businesses decide A Lagos bakery. Almost all customers order within Lagos by phone, Instagram and WhatsApp. The owner registers *bakewithada.com.ng* as the main site because it reads as local and trustworthy on flyers and delivery bags, then adds *bakewithada.ng* so customers who type the shorter version still arrive. An Abuja software startup. The team plans to sell to clients in Ghana, Kenya and the UK within two years. They choose *ledgerly.com* as the main brand, register *ledgerly.ng* for Nigerian marketing campaigns, and point both to the same website. A Port Harcourt engineering consultancy. Corporate and oil-sector clients expect a formal, established look. The firm uses *deltaeng.com.ng* for its website and staff email, because procurement teams recognise .com.ng as a registered Nigerian business. A church in Ibadan. It chooses *gracechapel.org.ng* because .org.ng signals a non-profit organisation, and registers *gracechapel.org* to protect the name for members abroad. How to redirect your extra domains Owning several extensions only helps if they all lead to your main site: 1. Choose one main domain for your website and email. 2. For each extra domain, add a redirect (in cPanel under Domains → Redirects, or with your web host) to the main domain. 3. Use a permanent (301) redirect so search engines know which address is the official one. 4. Do not publish the same website separately on two domains; that creates duplicate content. Questions to ask yourself before you decide - Where are most of my customers today, and where will they be in three years? - Will I print this domain on vehicles, signage or packaging? (Shorter is better.) - Is the exact name available in all three? If not, which compromise is least confusing? - Do I need my email address to look formal for corporate or government clients? - Can I afford to protect the two extensions I am not using as my main domain? Mistakes to avoid - Choosing an extension only because it is cheapest in year one. Look at the renewal price too. - Using different names on different extensions. Keep the same name everywhere. - Splitting your website across domains. One main site, with the others redirecting. - Forgetting to renew the "extra" domains. If a protection domain expires, someone else can register it and impersonate you. Summary There is no wrong answer between .com.ng, .ng and .com: each is trusted and professional. Choose the one that matches your customers (local or international), check that the name is short and easy to spell, and protect your brand by registering the alternatives. You can check all three for your name in one search. Check .com.ng, .ng and .com for your name: https://silolobby.com/domains ### Questions and answers Q: Is .com.ng better than .com for SEO in Nigeria? A: A .com.ng or .ng domain tells Google your site targets Nigeria, which can help in Nigerian search results. A .com is neutral and can rank anywhere. Content quality and links matter far more than the extension. Q: Which is cheaper, .ng or .com.ng? A: At SiloLobby .com.ng costs ₦10,000 a year and .ng costs ₦15,000 a year. A .com costs ₦15,500 a year. Q: Should I register both .com and .com.ng? A: If your brand matters to you, yes. Registering both stops others from taking the name, and you can point one to the other so customers always land on your main website. Q: Can I switch from .com.ng to .com later? A: Yes, but moving a website to a new domain takes careful redirects and can temporarily affect search rankings. It is better to choose well at the start and register the alternatives early. Q: Do customers trust .ng domains? A: Yes. .ng is Nigeria's official country domain and is widely used by banks, media, startups and government-related bodies. --- ## Domain Prices in Nigeria: Registration, Renewal and Transfer Costs Explained URL: https://silolobby.com/blog/domain-prices-in-nigeria-registration-renewal-transfer Updated: 2026-10-19 Short answer: in Nigeria a .com.ng domain costs ₦10,000 a year, a .ng domain ₦15,000 and a .com ₦15,500 at SiloLobby, paid in naira. The number to watch is the renewal price: some extensions are cheap in the first year and several times more expensive every year after, so always compare the cost over three to five years, not just year one. Domain pricing confuses many business owners. Adverts shout about very low prices, then the renewal invoice arrives a year later at many times the amount. This guide explains how domain pricing really works, shows today's prices for the extensions Nigerians use most, and gives you a simple way to compare the true cost. The three prices every domain has Every extension has three separate prices: 1. Registration: what you pay to register a new domain, usually for the first year. 2. Renewal: what you pay each year after that to keep the domain. 3. Transfer: what you pay to move a domain you already own from another registrar. For most extensions, a transfer also adds one year to the registration. Registries (the organisations that run each extension) set wholesale prices. Registrars and resellers like SiloLobby add their margin. Some registries discount the first year heavily to win sign-ups and make their money on renewals. Today's prices for popular extensions These prices are live from our price list: | Extension | First year | Renewal | Transfer | |---|---|---|---| | .com.ng | ₦10,000 | ₦10,000 | ₦10,000 | | .ng | ₦15,000 | ₦15,000 | ₦15,000 | | .org.ng | ₦10,000 | ₦10,000 | ₦10,000 | | .com | ₦15,500 | ₦15,500 | ₦15,500 | | .net | ₦20,000 | ₦20,000 | ₦20,000 | | .org | ₦18,000 | ₦18,000 | ₦18,000 | | .africa | ₦43,600 | ₦43,600 | ₦43,800 | See all 450+ extensions on the domain price list (https://silolobby.com/domains/pricing). The renewal trap, with real numbers Compare the first year and renewal for these popular "new" extensions: | Extension | First year | Renewal | |---|---|---| | .online | ₦5,100 | ₦67,200 | | .store | ₦12,000 | ₦12,000 | | .shop | ₦5,100 | ₦68,100 | | .xyz | ₦4,800 | ₦30,100 | These are legitimate extensions and can be good choices, especially for campaigns or descriptive names. But if you build your whole brand on one, budget for the renewal. Moving to a new domain later costs you search rankings, printed materials, and customer trust. How to compare the real cost: the three-year rule Before you buy, add up the cost over three years: Three-year cost = first year + (2 × renewal) For an extension with a steady price like .com.ng, that is simply three times the yearly price. For a promotional extension it can be many times the advertised price. Do the same sum over five years if you are building a long-term brand. > Tip: if two extensions suit your brand equally well, choose the one with the lower three-year cost, not the lower first-year price. Why pay in naira? International registrars bill in US dollars. For Nigerian businesses that means: - you need a card that works for dollar payments, often with low monthly limits, - you pay your bank's exchange rate and charges, - your costs rise whenever the naira weakens, - renewals fail silently when a card is declined, and domains expire. At SiloLobby prices are in naira, and you can pay by card, bank transfer, USSD or wallet. Read how to pay for hosting and domains in naira (https://silolobby.com/blog/how-to-pay-for-hosting-and-domains-in-naira). What else affects what you pay? - Registration length. Registering for several years at once does not usually reduce the yearly price, but it protects you from price rises and missed renewals. - Premium names. Some very short or valuable names are sold by registries at premium prices. The search shows you the price before you buy. - Redemption fees. If a domain expires and enters the redemption period, recovering it costs a restore fee on top of the renewal. See what happens when your domain expires (https://silolobby.com/blog/what-happens-when-your-domain-expires). - Add-ons. DNS management is included. WHOIS privacy is free at SiloLobby where the extension supports it. Ways to save on domains 1. Choose an extension with a steady price if you are on a tight budget. 2. Keep your wallet funded so renewals are paid on time automatically. Late renewals can mean redemption fees. 3. Transfer domains you already own. For most extensions the transfer adds a year to your registration, so you pay nothing extra and get one place to manage everything. See how to transfer a domain to SiloLobby (https://silolobby.com/blog/how-to-transfer-a-domain-to-silolobby). 4. Register the domain in your own name so you never pay to buy it back from a contractor. 5. Avoid speculative registrations. Register the names you will use, plus the variations that protect your main brand. A worked example: five-year cost of a domain Imagine two business owners register a domain on the same day and keep it for five years. Owner A chooses .com.ng. The first year costs ₦10,000 and every renewal costs ₦10,000. Over five years, the total is five times the yearly price, with no surprises. Owner B chooses .online because the first year is only ₦5,100. From year two, each renewal costs ₦67,200. Over five years Owner B pays one cheap year followed by four expensive ones, often far more than Owner A in total. The lesson is not that .online is bad: it is a legitimate extension. The lesson is to compare long-term costs before you build a brand on any domain. Prices are set in naira, but supplier costs change International extensions such as .com are wholesale-priced by their registries in US dollars. When those costs or exchange rates change, naira prices may be adjusted. Country-code extensions like .com.ng are priced by the .ng registry. Our price list always shows today's price, and the price shown in your cart is what you pay. Questions to ask any domain seller - What is the renewal price, not just the first year? - Is WHOIS privacy included or extra? - Is DNS management included? - Can I transfer the domain out freely, and how do I get the EPP code? - Will the domain be registered in my name? - How can I pay, and can renewals be paid automatically? At SiloLobby the answers are simple: renewal prices are listed openly, DNS management is included, privacy is free where the extension supports it, you are the registrant, and you can get your EPP code whenever you want to move. Domain costs for different types of business | Business | Sensible setup | Yearly cost | |---|---|---| | Small local business | .com.ng | ₦10,000 | | Local business protecting its brand | .com.ng + .ng | ₦10,000 + ₦15,000 | | International brand | .com + .com.ng | ₦15,500 + ₦10,000 | | Non-profit | .org.ng + .org | ₦10,000 + ₦18,000 | Summary In Nigeria, the true cost of a domain is its renewal price over the years you keep it, not its first-year price. .com.ng (₦10,000 a year) and .com (₦15,500 a year) have steady prices; some new extensions renew at many times their launch price. Compare three-year costs, pay in naira to avoid exchange-rate surprises, and keep your wallet funded so you never pay redemption fees. See all domain prices: https://silolobby.com/domains/pricing ### Questions and answers Q: Why is my domain renewal more expensive than the first year? A: Some extensions, such as .online, .store and .shop, have a low promotional first-year price set by their registry and a much higher renewal price. Always check the renewal price before you buy. Q: What is the cheapest domain to keep long term in Nigeria? A: Extensions with the same price every year are cheapest over time. At SiloLobby .com.ng renews at ₦10,000 and .com at ₦15,500 a year. Q: Does transferring a domain cost money? A: Yes, a transfer usually costs about the same as a renewal, and for most extensions it adds a year to your registration, so you do not lose the money. Q: Do domain prices include VAT? A: The price shown in your cart and on your invoice is the amount you pay at SiloLobby. Q: Can domain prices change? A: Yes. Registries can change their wholesale prices, and naira prices for international extensions follow exchange rates. Our price list always shows today's price. --- ## How to Transfer Your Domain to SiloLobby (Without Downtime) URL: https://silolobby.com/blog/how-to-transfer-a-domain-to-silolobby Updated: 2026-10-19 Short answer: to transfer a domain to SiloLobby, unlock it at your current registrar, get its EPP (transfer) code, then order the transfer at silolobby.com/domains/transfer (https://silolobby.com/domains/transfer) and pay. Approve the transfer if your old registrar emails you. It usually completes in 5 to 7 days, and your website and email keep working the whole time because nothing about where the domain points changes. Many Nigerian businesses registered their domains years ago with an international registrar, a former web designer or a host they no longer use. Moving everything to one place, billed in naira, saves money and stress. This guide walks you through the transfer, explains what happens behind the scenes, and shows how to fix the most common problems. Why transfer your domain to SiloLobby? - Pay in naira by card, bank transfer, USSD or wallet, with no dollar card, no exchange-rate surprises and no failed renewals. - One place for everything: domains, hosting, business email, SSL and invoices in one client area. - Automatic renewals from your wallet, so your domain never expires by accident. - Local support that understands Nigerian businesses and .ng domains. - No lost time: for most extensions, the transfer adds a year to your existing registration. How a domain transfer works A domain is registered at a registry (for example Verisign for .com, or NiRA for .ng) through a registrar. A transfer moves the management of the domain from one registrar to another. The registry's records, including your DNS settings and nameservers, stay in place. That is why your website and email keep working during the move. The EPP code is the key piece: it is like a password that proves the request comes from the domain's owner. Combined with the unlock step, it stops anyone from moving your domain without permission. Before you start: checklist Check these first to avoid a failed transfer: | Check | Why it matters | |---|---| | The domain is more than 60 days old | Most registries block transfers for 60 days after registration or a previous transfer | | It is not expired or about to expire | Expired domains usually cannot be transferred; renew first | | You can access the admin contact email | Some registrars send approval emails there | | You know which registrar holds it today | You need to log in there to unlock it | | Your DNS settings are written down | Useful as a backup if you later move your DNS | If you do not know where your domain is registered, a WHOIS lookup shows the current registrar. Step 1: unlock the domain Log in to your current registrar and find the setting called "registrar lock", "transfer lock" or "domain lock". Turn it off. The lock exists to stop unauthorised transfers, so it must be off for the transfer to proceed. Some registrars take a few hours to apply the change. Step 2: get the EPP code In the same account, request the EPP code (also called auth code, authorisation code or transfer key). Some registrars show it on screen; others email it to the domain's contact address. Treat it like a password: anyone with the code and an unlocked domain could try to transfer it. Step 3: check WHOIS privacy and contact details Some registrars require WHOIS privacy to be turned off before a transfer, so the approval email reaches you. Make sure the contact email on the domain is one you can read. Step 4: order the transfer at SiloLobby 1. Go to domain transfer (https://silolobby.com/domains/transfer) and enter your domain. 2. Paste the EPP code. 3. Pay the transfer fee in naira (₦15,500 for a .com, ₦10,000 for a .com.ng). We send the request to the registry immediately. Start your transfer: https://silolobby.com/domains/transfer Step 5: approve the transfer Your current registrar may email you to confirm the transfer. Approving it speeds things up. If you do nothing, most transfers complete automatically after about five days, unless the old registrar or the owner refuses. Step 6: follow the progress In your client area, open Domains. While the transfer is in progress you see its status. We email you: - when the transfer starts, - when it completes, - straight away if the registry stops it, with the reason and how to fix it. When it completes, you manage DNS, nameservers, privacy and renewals from SiloLobby. Why a transfer can fail, and how to fix it | Status or message | What it means | How to fix it | |---|---|---| | Invalid auth code | The EPP code is wrong, expired or has a typo | Request a new code from your old registrar and try again | | Domain is locked | The transfer lock is still on | Unlock the domain and restart the transfer | | Transfer rejected | Your old registrar or the owner refused it | Contact the old registrar to find out why, then restart | | Within 60 days of registration or transfer | A registry rule | Wait until 60 days have passed | | Domain expired | The registration lapsed | Renew it at your current registrar first | If anything stops, open a support ticket. We will tell you exactly what to fix and restart the transfer for you. Will my website or email stop working? No. A transfer changes the company that manages the domain, not where it points. Your nameservers and DNS records stay the same, so your website and email keep running throughout. After the transfer, you can leave your DNS where it is, or move it to SiloLobby for simpler management. If you move DNS, recreate every record first (especially MX records for email). See DNS records explained (https://silolobby.com/blog/dns-records-explained-a-cname-mx-txt). Transferring a domain from a former web designer If someone else registered your domain: 1. Ask them to unlock the domain and give you the EPP code. 2. If they registered it in their own name, ask them to change the registrant to you before the transfer. 3. If they will not respond, contact the old registrar with proof of ownership (invoices, business documents). This can take time, which is why you should always be the registrant. Moving your website as well? If you are also moving hosting, do it calmly: set up the new hosting, copy and test the site, then switch DNS. SiloLobby migrates websites for free. See how to move your website without downtime (https://silolobby.com/blog/how-to-move-your-website-to-a-new-host-without-downtime). Transferring several domains at once If your business owns many domains, plan the move: 1. List every domain with its current registrar and expiry date. 2. Start with domains that are not close to expiry. 3. Unlock all of them and collect the EPP codes in a secure document. 4. Order the transfers, then approve each confirmation email. 5. Track progress in your client area; we email you about each one. Domains close to expiry are best renewed where they are first, then transferred after renewal. Understanding domain status codes A WHOIS lookup shows status codes that explain why a transfer may be blocked: | Status | Meaning | |---|---| | clientTransferProhibited | The registrar lock is on; unlock it before transferring | | pendingTransfer | A transfer is already in progress | | redemptionPeriod | The domain expired and must be restored first | | serverTransferProhibited | The registry has blocked transfers, often temporarily after registration | Summary Unlock the domain, get the EPP code, order the transfer and approve it. In 5 to 7 days your domain is managed at SiloLobby, billed in naira, with no downtime and, for most extensions, an extra year added. ### Questions and answers Q: How long does a domain transfer take? A: Most transfers finish in 5 to 7 days. They can finish sooner if your current registrar approves the transfer quickly. Q: Will my website go down during a transfer? A: No. A transfer changes who manages the domain, not where it points. Your DNS records and nameservers stay the same, so your website and email keep working. Q: Why can't I transfer a domain I just registered? A: Most extensions block transfers for 60 days after registration or a previous transfer. This is a registry rule that protects against theft. Q: What is an EPP code? A: An EPP code (also called an auth code or transfer code) is a password for your domain. Your current registrar gives it to you, and it proves you own the domain. Q: Do I lose the time left on my domain when I transfer? A: No. For most extensions the remaining time carries over and the transfer adds one more year. Q: Can I transfer an expired domain? A: Usually not once it has expired. Renew it with your current registrar first, then transfer it. --- ## What Happens When Your Domain Expires (and How to Get It Back) URL: https://silolobby.com/blog/what-happens-when-your-domain-expires Updated: 2026-10-19 Short answer: when your domain expires, your website and email stop working within days. For a short grace period you can usually still renew it at the normal price. After that it may enter a redemption period, when recovering it costs much more, and then it is deleted and anyone can register it. Keep your SiloLobby wallet funded and renewals are paid automatically. Losing a domain is one of the most damaging and avoidable things that can happen to a small business online. This guide explains exactly what happens at each stage after expiry, how to get your domain back, what it costs, and the simple habits that make sure it never happens to you. Why domains expire A domain is not bought forever. You register it for a period (one year or more) and must renew before the end date. Domains usually expire because: - the renewal invoice went to an old or unread email address, - a card payment failed (common with dollar cards), - the person responsible left the business, - a web designer registered it and stopped responding, - the business simply forgot. The life cycle of an expired domain Timings vary by extension and registry, but most follow this pattern: | Stage | Roughly how long | What happens | Can you recover it? | |---|---|---|---| | Expiry date | Day 0 | The domain stops working; website and email go down | Yes, renew normally | | Grace period | Often up to 30 days | The domain is parked or offline | Yes, at the normal renewal price | | Redemption period | Often about 30 days | The domain is set for deletion | Yes, with an extra restore fee | | Pending delete | About 5 days | The domain is being deleted | No | | Released | After deletion | The domain is available to anyone | Only if you register it first | Country-code domains, including .ng extensions, follow their registry's own rules, which can differ from the pattern above. What breaks when a domain expires - Your website stops loading. Visitors see an error or a parking page. - Your email stops. Messages to your address bounce back to senders. - Online payments and logins that depend on your domain may fail. - Search rankings suffer if Google cannot reach your pages for long. - Your reputation takes a hit: customers may think you have closed. The real danger: losing the name After deletion, anyone can register your domain. Some companies watch for expiring domains with existing traffic and register them automatically. They may then: - ask for a large sum to sell it back, - show adverts on it, - in the worst cases, use it to impersonate your business. How to get an expired domain back In the grace period: sign in to your client area, open Invoices and pay the renewal. Your website and email return as DNS updates, usually within hours. In the redemption period: open a support ticket. We will tell you the restore cost for your extension and recover the domain for you. Act quickly: the clock is running. After deletion: you can only register it again if it is still available. Check immediately on the domain search (https://silolobby.com/domains). How to make sure it never happens 1. Fund your wallet When a renewal invoice is created and your naira wallet balance covers it, SiloLobby pays it automatically. A wallet funded by bank transfer is the most reliable option because it does not depend on a card's expiry date or limit. Top up your wallet: https://silolobby.com/client/wallet 2. Register for several years A three- or five-year registration means fewer renewals to remember, and protection if a reminder is missed. 3. Keep your account email current Renewal invoices and reminders go to your account email. Use an address the business will keep, not a personal or staff address. 4. Be the registrant The domain should be in your business's name, with you in control of the account. 5. Put renewal dates in your calendar A simple reminder a month before each renewal date adds a second layer of safety. What about hosting and other services? Hosting, email and other services also have renewal dates. If a hosting invoice is not paid, the service is suspended after a short grace period and later cancelled, which can mean losing files. The same wallet auto-payment protects these services too. A real-world scenario A Lagos logistics company had its .com domain registered by a former employee using a personal card and personal email address. When the card expired, the renewal failed. The reminder emails went to an inbox nobody checked. One Monday morning, the website showed a parking page and customers' emails to the dispatch desk started bouncing. Because the domain was still in its grace period, the company could renew it, but only after tracking down the former employee to access the registrar account. It took three days, and some customers assumed the company had shut down. Everything in that story was avoidable: the domain should have been in the company's name, on a company account, with a company email address and a reliable payment method. How to check your domain's expiry date - For SiloLobby domains: open Domains in your client area. The renewal date is shown for each domain, and renewal invoices appear under Invoices. - For domains elsewhere: a WHOIS lookup shows the expiry date and the current registrar. Make a list of every domain your business owns, including protection domains and old campaign domains, with their expiry dates and where they are registered. Domains you may have forgotten Businesses often lose track of: - old campaign or product domains, - the .com.ng or .ng version registered to protect the brand, - domains registered by former staff, designers or agencies, - domains used only for email. An expired email-only domain can be just as damaging as a website domain: staff stop receiving messages. What to tell customers if your domain has expired If your website and email went down, once everything is restored: 1. Send a short message from your restored email to key customers and suppliers asking them to resend anything sent in the last few days. 2. Post a brief note on your social media channels. 3. Check that online orders, forms and payment notifications are working again. Expiry checklist - [ ] All domains listed with expiry dates - [ ] Every domain registered in the business's name - [ ] Account email is a company address that is checked - [ ] Wallet funded to cover upcoming renewals - [ ] Calendar reminders set a month before each expiry Expired hosting vs expired domain These are different problems. If your domain expires, nothing reaches your website or email, even if hosting is paid. If your hosting expires but the domain is renewed, the domain works but there is no website or mailbox behind it. Check both renewal dates. Summary An expired domain takes your website and email offline within days, and if it is not recovered during the grace or redemption period, anyone can register it. Renew quickly if it happens, and prevent it altogether by funding your wallet, registering for several years and keeping your account email up to date. ### Questions and answers Q: Can I renew my domain after it expires? A: Usually yes, during the grace period at the normal renewal price. After that the domain may enter a redemption period, when recovering it costs much more. Q: How do I stop my domain expiring? A: Keep your SiloLobby wallet funded: renewals are paid automatically when your balance covers them. You also get renewal invoices and reminders by email. Q: Can someone else register my expired domain? A: Yes. If a domain is not renewed or redeemed in time, it is deleted and becomes available to anyone, including people who resell expired names. Q: Will my emails come back when I renew? A: Yes. Once the domain is renewed and active again, email starts flowing within a few hours as DNS updates. Messages sent while it was down may have bounced, so tell important contacts. Q: Does an expired domain hurt my Google rankings? A: If your site is unreachable for days, Google may drop pages from its results. Rankings usually recover after renewal, but long outages can cause lasting damage. --- ## How to Point Your Domain to Your Web Hosting: Nameservers vs A Records URL: https://silolobby.com/blog/how-to-point-your-domain-to-your-web-hosting Updated: 2026-10-19 Short answer: there are two ways to connect a domain to your hosting. Change the nameservers to your host's nameservers if you want the host to manage all your DNS (the simplest option). Or change the A record to your server's IP address if you want to keep your DNS where it is, for example because your email is set up there. Most changes take effect within a few hours. If you bought your domain and hosting together at SiloLobby, you do not need to do anything: they are connected automatically. This guide explains both methods in plain language, shows exactly what to change, and covers the mistakes that take websites and email offline. How a domain finds a website When someone types your domain into a browser, their device asks the DNS system: "where is this website?". The answer comes from your domain's nameservers, which hold your DNS records. The most important record for a website is the A record, which contains your server's IP address. So there are two places you can make a change: 1. Nameservers: decide *which company* answers questions about your domain. 2. DNS records (such as the A record): the *answers themselves*. Option 1: change the nameservers (simplest) When you point your nameservers to your hosting provider, the host manages all your DNS: website, email records, subdomains and verification records. How to do it: 1. Find your hosting nameservers. At SiloLobby they are shown in your client area: Hosting → Manage. 2. Log in to the company where your domain is registered. 3. Find the nameserver setting (sometimes called "custom DNS"). 4. Replace the existing nameservers with your host's, and save. Use this when: - you want everything managed in one place, - you are moving a whole website and its email to the new host, - you are not using another email provider with records set up elsewhere. Watch out: when you switch nameservers, the old DNS records are no longer used. If your email is with Google Workspace, Zoho or another provider, recreate its MX, SPF and DKIM records at the new DNS provider *before* switching, or email will stop. Option 2: change the A record An A record maps a name to an IP address. If you change only this record, your website moves to the new server while everything else stays the same. How to do it: 1. Find your server's IP address in your hosting details. 2. In your current DNS provider, edit the A record for the root domain (often shown as @) and enter the new IP address. 3. Add or update a record for www: either an A record with the same IP, or a CNAME pointing to your root domain. 4. Save, and wait for the change to spread. Use this when: - your email is with another provider and you do not want to touch its records, - your DNS is managed by a service such as Cloudflare, - you only want to move the website. Nameservers vs A record at a glance | | Change nameservers | Change A record | |---|---|---| | Difficulty | Easiest | Easy | | Who manages DNS afterwards | Your host | Your current DNS provider | | Effect on email | Must recreate email records | None | | Typical time to take effect | A few hours to 48 hours | Often under an hour, up to 48 hours | | Best for | Moving everything to one host | Moving only the website | Managing DNS for a domain registered with SiloLobby In your client area, open Domains → Manage to: - change nameservers, - add, edit or delete DNS records (A, AAAA, CNAME, MX, TXT), - set up business email records automatically. How long does it take? DNS answers are cached (remembered) by networks and devices for a time set by each record's TTL. Most changes show within 1 to 4 hours. Some networks hold old answers for up to 24 to 48 hours. In Nigeria you may see the new site on mobile data before your office broadband, or the other way round. Planning a move? A day before, lower the TTL on the records you will change to 300 seconds (five minutes). The switch then spreads much faster. How to check it worked - Open your domain in a private (incognito) browser window. - Use an online DNS lookup tool to check that your A record shows the new IP. - Check both *yourdomain.com* and *www.yourdomain.com*. - If you still see the old site, wait an hour, then clear your browser cache or try another network. Common mistakes and how to avoid them | Mistake | What happens | How to avoid it | |---|---|---| | Forgetting the www record | yourdomain.com works, www.yourdomain.com does not | Add www as a CNAME to the root, or an A record | | Switching nameservers without email records | Email stops arriving | Copy MX, SPF, DKIM records first | | Two A records for the root domain | The site loads randomly from two servers | Keep one A record for @ | | Changing DNS at the wrong company | Nothing changes | Change it where your nameservers point | | Cancelling old hosting too early | Some visitors see an error | Wait 48 hours after switching | SSL after pointing your domain Once your domain points to SiloLobby hosting, the free SSL certificate is issued automatically. It can take a short while after DNS updates. If the padlock does not appear after a few hours, open a support ticket. Special cases Using Cloudflare or another DNS service If your nameservers point to Cloudflare or a similar service, change the A record there, not at your registrar. If you use their proxy, the IP visitors see is theirs; the origin record should still contain your hosting server's IP. Pointing only a subdomain To host *shop.yourdomain.com* somewhere else while your main site stays put, add an A record (or CNAME) for shop pointing to the other server. Nothing else changes. Domains used only for email If a domain has no website but receives email, it needs MX (and SPF, DKIM, DMARC) records but no A record. Do not delete the MX records when tidying DNS. A quick decision checklist - Is your domain registered with SiloLobby and your hosting with SiloLobby? → Nothing to do. - Is your email with another provider you are keeping? → Change only the A record and www. - Are you moving website and email to SiloLobby? → Change the nameservers, after recreating any special records. - Do you use Cloudflare? → Change the A record in Cloudflare. Summary Change your nameservers to let your host manage everything, or change only the A record to move the website and keep your email setup untouched. Most changes show within a few hours. Copy your email records before switching nameservers, add the www record, and keep the old hosting until the new site is confirmed. Learn what each record does in DNS records explained (https://silolobby.com/blog/dns-records-explained-a-cname-mx-txt). ### Questions and answers Q: How long does it take for a domain to point to new hosting? A: DNS changes usually show within 1 to 4 hours, and can take up to 24 to 48 hours everywhere. Nameserver changes tend to take longer than A record changes. Q: Should I change nameservers or the A record? A: Change nameservers if you want your host to manage all DNS records for you. Change only the A record if your DNS is elsewhere and you want to keep your email or other records as they are. Q: Do I need to point my domain if I bought hosting and domain from SiloLobby? A: No. When you buy both together, the domain is set up to use your hosting automatically. Q: Will changing nameservers break my email? A: It can, if your email records (MX, SPF, DKIM) are not recreated at the new DNS provider. Copy them first, or change only the A record. Q: Why does my site show the old website on my phone but the new one on my laptop? A: DNS caching. Different networks and devices remember the old address for different lengths of time. It settles within 24 to 48 hours. --- ## DNS Records Explained: A, CNAME, MX and TXT for Business Owners URL: https://silolobby.com/blog/dns-records-explained-a-cname-mx-txt Updated: 2026-10-19 Short answer: DNS records are instructions that tell the internet where to find your website and email. An A record points your domain to a server's IP address, a CNAME points one name to another, an MX record says where your email goes, and TXT records hold verification codes and email security settings (SPF, DKIM, DMARC). Getting them right keeps your website online and your email out of spam. Sooner or later every business owner opens a DNS settings page and sees a table of cryptic records. This guide explains each one in plain English, shows real examples, and finishes with a healthy setup you can copy. Think of DNS as the internet's phone book Computers find each other by numbers called IP addresses (for example 203.0.113.10). People remember names. DNS (the Domain Name System) translates names like *yourbusiness.com.ng* into those numbers, and also tells email where to go. Your domain's nameservers hold its DNS records. When someone visits your site or emails you, their systems ask your nameservers for the relevant record. The records you will actually use | Record | What it does | Example | |---|---|---| | A | Points a name to an IPv4 address | @ → 203.0.113.10 | | AAAA | Points a name to an IPv6 address | @ → 2001:db8::10 | | CNAME | Points a name to another name | www → yourdomain.com | | MX | Says which server receives email | @ → mail server, priority 10 | | TXT | Holds text: SPF, DKIM, DMARC, verification | v=spf1 include:... ~all | | NS | Lists the nameservers for a domain or subdomain | ns1.example.com | A record: where your website lives Your main website record. In DNS editors, @ means the domain itself (*yourdomain.com*). Point it to your hosting server's IP address. You can also create A records for subdomains, such as *shop.yourdomain.com*. Example: `@ A 203.0.113.10` AAAA record: the IPv6 version The same idea as an A record, for newer IPv6 addresses. If your server has an IPv6 address (SiloLobby cloud VPS servers come with one), you can add an AAAA record alongside the A record. CNAME record: an alias A CNAME makes one name an alias of another. The most common use is www pointing to your main domain, so both addresses show the same site. Services like email sending platforms and website builders also ask you to add CNAMEs to verify your domain or connect it. Example: `www CNAME yourdomain.com` Rule: the root domain (@) cannot be a CNAME, because it must also hold other records such as MX and TXT. MX record: where your email goes MX (mail exchange) records list the servers that accept email for your domain, each with a priority. Lower numbers are tried first; higher numbers are backups. When you set up business email (https://silolobby.com/email), your provider gives you these records. Example: `@ MX 10 mail.yourprovider.com` Rule: remove old MX records when you change email provider, or some mail may go to the old server. TXT record: text that other systems read TXT records hold free-form text. They are used for: - SPF: lists the servers allowed to send email for your domain. - DKIM: publishes a key that proves an email really came from you (sometimes a CNAME instead). - DMARC: tells inboxes what to do with email that fails SPF and DKIM. - Verification codes: prove you own the domain, for example for Google Search Console, Bing Webmaster Tools or Meta. Examples: - `@ TXT v=spf1 include:_spf.yourprovider.com ~all` - `_dmarc TXT v=DMARC1; p=none; rua=mailto:dmarc@yourdomain.com` Read SPF, DKIM and DMARC explained (https://silolobby.com/blog/spf-dkim-dmarc-explained-stop-emails-going-to-spam) to set these up properly. NS record: who answers for a domain NS records list the nameservers responsible for a domain. You change your domain's nameservers at your registrar; NS records inside a zone are mainly used to hand a subdomain to another provider. TTL: how long records are remembered Every record has a TTL (time to live), in seconds. A TTL of 3600 means networks may remember the record for an hour before asking again. - Normal operation: 3600 (one hour) or more is fine. - Before a change: lower it to 300 (five minutes) a day ahead, so your change spreads quickly. - After the change: raise it again. Subdomains A subdomain is a name in front of your domain, such as *shop.yourdomain.com* or *mail.yourdomain.com*. Each can have its own records, so you can run your shop, blog or app on separate servers while your main site stays where it is. Where to edit DNS for SiloLobby domains Open Domains → Manage in your client area. You can add, edit and delete records, change nameservers, and set up business email records automatically. If your domain uses another DNS provider (for example Cloudflare), make changes there instead: records only take effect where your nameservers point. A healthy setup for a small business | Purpose | Record | |---|---| | Website | A: @ → your hosting IP | | www | CNAME: www → your domain | | Receive email | MX: your email provider's mail servers | | Sending permission | TXT: SPF record for your email (only one) | | Email signature | DKIM record from your email provider | | Email policy | TXT: DMARC at _dmarc (start with p=none) | | Search Console | TXT: Google verification code | Troubleshooting common DNS problems - Website shows an error but email works: check the A record for @ and the www record. - Email stopped after changing hosts: check that MX records point to your email provider. - Emails going to spam: check SPF, DKIM and DMARC; make sure there is only one SPF record. - Changes not showing: you may be editing DNS at the wrong company, or caches have not expired. Check where your nameservers point. Other record types you may see - SRV: points services such as calendars, chat or VoIP to a server and port. Some email and collaboration tools ask for these. - CAA: says which certificate authorities may issue SSL certificates for your domain. Optional, but adds protection. - PTR (reverse DNS): maps an IP address back to a name. It is set by whoever controls the IP (your server provider), and matters for mail servers. DNS changes checklist Before you change any DNS record: 1. Write down or screenshot the current records. 2. Lower the TTL of the records you will change a day before. 3. Change one thing at a time, and test after each change. 4. Keep MX, SPF, DKIM and DMARC records intact unless you are changing email provider. 5. Raise the TTL again once everything works. How long DNS changes take Most record changes show within an hour if the TTL was low, and within a day in most places otherwise. Nameserver changes can take up to 48 hours to reach every network. Plan important changes for quiet times and test from more than one network. Summary You only need a handful of DNS records: A for your website, CNAME for www, MX for email, and TXT for SPF, DMARC and verification codes, plus DKIM from your email provider. Keep one SPF record, lower the TTL before changes, and edit DNS where your nameservers point. Manage your domains: https://silolobby.com/client/domains ### Questions and answers Q: What is an MX record? A: An MX record tells the internet which server receives email for your domain. Without the right MX records, email sent to your address will not arrive. Q: What is the difference between an A record and a CNAME? A: An A record points a name to an IP address. A CNAME points a name to another name, for example www.yourdomain.com to yourdomain.com. Q: What are TXT records used for? A: TXT records hold text that other services read: SPF, DKIM and DMARC for email security, and verification codes for Google Search Console and other tools. Q: Can I have a CNAME on my root domain? A: No. The root (@) cannot be a CNAME because it must also hold records like MX and TXT. Use an A record for the root. Q: What does TTL mean in DNS? A: TTL (time to live) is how long, in seconds, networks may remember a record before asking again. Lower it before making changes so they spread quickly. --- ## What Is WHOIS Privacy and Do You Need It? URL: https://silolobby.com/blog/what-is-whois-privacy-and-do-you-need-it Updated: 2026-10-19 Short answer: WHOIS is a public database of who owns each domain. Without privacy, anyone can look up the owner's name, email, phone number and sometimes home address. WHOIS privacy replaces those details with anonymous contact details, which cuts spam, scam calls and fake invoices. At SiloLobby it is turned on by default, at no extra cost, for extensions that support it. If you have ever registered a domain and then received a flood of calls offering "SEO services" or letters demanding payment for "domain renewal", you have seen what public WHOIS data attracts. This guide explains what WHOIS is, what privacy protects, its limits, and how to protect your business either way. What is WHOIS? When you register a domain, you give contact details to the registry through your registrar. These details identify the registrant (the legal owner) and other contacts. Historically, all of it was published in a public directory called WHOIS, so anyone could look up who owned a domain. The original purpose was accountability: network operators could contact owners about technical problems. Today the data is also harvested by spammers, scammers and data brokers. What WHOIS can show Without privacy, a lookup may show: - the registrant's name and organisation, - email address, - phone number, - postal address, - registration and expiry dates, - the registrar and nameservers. Data protection laws have reduced what many registries publish, but rules differ between extensions, and old records are often copied by data brokers before they are hidden. What WHOIS privacy does A privacy service replaces your personal contact details in the public record with the service's details, usually with a forwarding email so genuine messages still reach you. The registry still holds your real details privately, and you remain the legal owner. Why it matters for Nigerian businesses and individuals - Spam. Bots harvest WHOIS emails and phone numbers for marketing lists. - Scams. Fake "domain renewal" invoices and "SEO listing" offers target new domain owners, often timed around registration and expiry dates. - Phone harassment. Sales calls, sometimes aggressive, to numbers found in WHOIS. - Personal safety. Sole traders and freelancers often register with a home address and personal phone. When you might not want privacy Some organisations prefer to show their company name publicly to look established and transparent, for example banks, government bodies and large companies. You can show your company name and a general business email while keeping personal phone numbers and addresses private. Whatever you choose, the registrant details must be accurate. Hiding them from the public is fine; giving false details is not, and can lead to suspension. Extensions that limit privacy Not every extension allows privacy services. Some country-code registries, including parts of the .ng namespace, apply their own data rules and may publish or restrict registrant information differently. Where an extension does not support privacy, keep your public details business-only: a company name, a role-based email such as *domains@yourbusiness.com.ng* and an office number. Protect yourself from fake renewal notices Whatever your WHOIS settings, be suspicious of letters, emails or WhatsApp messages that: - offer to "renew" your domain at a strange price, - claim your domain must be "listed" in a search directory, - warn that someone else wants to register your name in another country. Your genuine SiloLobby renewal invoices always appear in your client area under Invoices, and you only ever pay there or on Paystack's secure page. A simple example Chidi registers *chidiprints.com* for his printing business using his home address and personal mobile number. Within a week he starts receiving calls offering web design, SEO and "domain listing" services, and a letter that looks like an official renewal invoice asking him to pay to keep his domain. None of these companies is his registrar. With WHOIS privacy on, his home address, personal number and personal email would not have appeared in the public record, and most of these unsolicited contacts would never have reached him. How to look up WHOIS information You can check what is public about any domain with a WHOIS lookup tool. It typically shows: - the registrar, - registration, update and expiry dates, - nameservers, - domain status codes (for example whether a transfer lock is on), - contact details, unless they are hidden by privacy or registry rules. It is a good idea to look up your own domains occasionally to see what others can see. Privacy and domain transfers Some registrars send transfer approval emails to the registrant's contact address. If privacy is on, the email may go to a forwarding address. If you are moving a domain away and do not receive the approval email, check your forwarding settings, or temporarily turn privacy off until the transfer completes. Privacy and legal disputes WHOIS privacy hides your details from the public, not from the authorities. Registrars and registries can disclose registrant information when legally required, for example in trademark disputes or criminal investigations. Privacy protects you from spam and scams; it is not a shield for illegal activity. Best practices for your domain contact details - Use a role-based email such as *domains@yourbusiness.com.ng* instead of a personal address. - Make sure that email is read regularly, because renewal and transfer notices go there. - Use an office phone number rather than a personal mobile, where possible. - Keep details accurate and up to date: inaccurate WHOIS data can lead to suspension. - Review your contact details once a year. Frequently confused: privacy, lock and DNSSEC - WHOIS privacy hides your contact details from the public. - Registrar lock stops your domain from being transferred without your permission. Keep it on unless you are moving the domain. - DNSSEC adds cryptographic signatures to your DNS records so attackers cannot fake them. It is a separate, technical protection. All three protect you in different ways. Privacy reduces spam; the lock prevents theft; DNSSEC protects your DNS answers. Who still sees your details? Even with privacy on, your registrar and the registry hold your real details. They may be shared with authorities under a lawful request, or with the dispute resolution body in a trademark case. This is why your details must be accurate: the registry relies on them to confirm you are the owner. What to do if you receive a suspicious "domain" letter or email 1. Do not pay or click any links. 2. Check your client area: is there a real invoice for that domain? 3. If not, ignore it or report it as spam. 4. If unsure, forward it to our support team and ask. Summary checklist - [ ] Privacy on for domains whose extension supports it - [ ] Accurate registrant details on file - [ ] Role-based contact email that is read regularly - [ ] Registrar lock on (unless transferring) - [ ] Renewals paid only from your client area Summary WHOIS privacy keeps your personal contact details out of the public domain database, reducing spam and scams. It is free at SiloLobby for extensions that support it. Keep your registrant details accurate, use business contact details where privacy is not available, and only pay renewal invoices from your client area. Register a domain with free privacy: https://silolobby.com/domains ### Questions and answers Q: Is WHOIS privacy free at SiloLobby? A: Yes. WHOIS privacy is turned on for new domains whose extension supports it, at no extra cost. Q: Does WHOIS privacy affect SEO? A: No. Search engines do not rank sites lower because their WHOIS details are private. Q: Can every domain have WHOIS privacy? A: Not every extension allows it. Some country-code registries, including parts of .ng, publish or restrict registrant data under their own rules. Q: Is it legal to hide my WHOIS details? A: Yes. Privacy services are legal and widely used. What is not allowed is giving false registrant details: the registry must still have your real information. Q: Can people still contact me if privacy is on? A: Usually yes, through a forwarding address or contact form provided by the privacy service, without seeing your personal details. --- ## How to Choose a Domain Name for Your Business: 12 Practical Tips URL: https://silolobby.com/blog/how-to-choose-a-domain-name-for-your-business Updated: 2026-10-19 Short answer: choose a domain that matches your business name, is short, easy to spell and easy to say out loud. Prefer .com.ng or .ng for a Nigerian audience and .com for a global one, avoid hyphens and numbers, check for trademarks, and register the main variations so nobody else can take them. Your domain name is your address on the internet. It appears on your website, email addresses, invoices, vehicles, packaging and social media. A good one is easy to remember and share; a poor one costs you customers every day without you noticing. These twelve tips will help you choose well the first time. 1. Match your business name Customers who hear about you will type your business name first. If your domain matches it, they find you. If not, they may find a competitor. *adafoods.com.ng* is ideal for Ada Foods. 2. Keep it short Shorter domains are easier to remember, type and fit on a business card. Under 15 characters (before the extension) is a good target. Every extra letter is another chance to mistype. 3. Make it easy to spell Avoid unusual spellings, double letters that are easy to miss, and words people commonly misspell. If you must use a creative spelling, register the common spelling too and redirect it. 4. Pass the "radio test" Say your domain out loud to someone and ask them to type it. If they hesitate or ask "how do you spell that?", it will cause problems when customers hear it on the radio, from a friend or over the phone. 5. Avoid hyphens *ada-foods.com.ng* is easy to confuse with *adafoods.com.ng*, and awkward to say ("ada hyphen foods"). People forget hyphens, and often end up on someone else's site. 6. Avoid numbers, unless they are your brand Is it "4" or "four"? "2" or "to"? Numbers cause the same confusion as hyphens. Use them only if they are central to your brand, and register both versions. 7. Choose the right extension - .com.ng: trusted for Nigerian businesses. - .ng: short and modern. - .com: global and familiar. - .org.ng or .org: for non-profits and associations. See .ng vs .com.ng vs .com (https://silolobby.com/blog/ng-vs-com-ng-vs-com-which-domain-should-you-choose) for a full comparison. 8. Add a word if your exact name is taken If *adafoods.com.ng* is taken, try: - your location: *adafoodslagos.com.ng*, - what you do: *adafoodscatering.com.ng*, - a call to action: *getadafoods.com*, - a different extension: *adafoods.ng*. 9. Check trademarks and existing businesses Do not build on a name another company has protected or is well known for. Search the name online and check for registered trademarks. A trademark dispute could force you to give up the domain after you have built your brand on it. 10. Check social media handles Consistent handles across Instagram, X, Facebook, TikTok and LinkedIn make your brand easier to find. Check availability before you commit to a domain. 11. Think long term Avoid names that tie you to one product or city if you plan to grow. *lagosphoneaccessories.com.ng* is limiting if you later sell laptops nationwide. 12. Register it now, and protect the variations Good names go quickly. Registering takes minutes. Then protect your brand by registering: - the other main extensions (.com.ng, .ng, .com), - common misspellings, - the version with and without "the" if your brand includes it. Point them all to your main website. Examples: good vs problematic | Problematic | Better | Why | |---|---|---| | best-quality-shoes-4-u.com | adashoes.com.ng | Shorter, brand-based, no hyphens or numbers | | thelagosfinestcateringservices.com.ng | adacatering.com.ng | Easier to say and type | | adafudz.com | adafoods.com.ng | Correct spelling avoids lost visitors | | adalagosphones.com.ng | adagadgets.ng | Room to grow beyond one city and product | Quick checklist - [ ] Matches my business name - [ ] 15 characters or fewer - [ ] Passes the radio test - [ ] No hyphens or confusing numbers - [ ] Right extension for my customers - [ ] No trademark conflict - [ ] Social handles available - [ ] Main variations registered After you register Set up business email (https://silolobby.com/blog/how-to-create-a-business-email-address-with-your-domain), connect a website, and keep your wallet funded so the domain renews automatically. A step-by-step brainstorming method If you are starting from scratch, this simple method produces a strong shortlist in under an hour: 1. Write your business name and any short forms customers use. 2. List three words that describe what you do (for example: catering, events, chops). 3. List where you operate (Lagos, Abuja, Nigeria, Africa). 4. Combine them: name only, name + service, name + location, short form + service. 5. Say each one aloud and remove anything that fails the radio test. 6. Check availability for your top five in .com.ng, .ng and .com. 7. Check social handles for the strongest two. 8. Sleep on it, then register your favourite and its main variations. Brand names vs keyword names There are two broad styles: | Style | Example | Strengths | Weaknesses | |---|---|---|---| | Brand name | adafoods.com.ng | Memorable, unique, grows with you | Needs marketing to explain what you do | | Keyword name | lagoscatering.com.ng | Describes the service immediately | Generic, hard to protect, limits growth | Keywords in a domain give only a small search advantage today. A memorable brand name, backed by good content and reviews, usually wins in the long run. If you do use keywords, combine them with your brand (*adacatering.com.ng*). Names to avoid for legal and trust reasons - Names that include another company's trademark, such as a bank, telecom or global brand. - Names that imply you are a government body or regulator when you are not. - Names that look like misspellings of well-known brands; they can be treated as cybersquatting. - Names with sensitive or offensive meanings in local languages; check with people from different regions. What if the perfect name is already taken? - Check if it is actually in use. If the domain has no website, the owner may sell it, but prices can be high. - Try another extension of the same name. - Add a word that strengthens your brand rather than diluting it. - Rename slightly before you invest in signage and printing. It is far cheaper to adjust now than later. Domain names for different types of business - Restaurants and food businesses: short brand names that are easy to say in adverts, plus your city if helpful (*mamaputlekki.com.ng*). - Professional services: your firm's name, kept formal (*okaforlegal.com.ng*). - Online shops: short, catchy and easy to spell, because people type them from social media. - Tech startups: short invented words often work, especially on .ng or .com. - Non-profits: the organisation's name on .org.ng or .org. Before you register: final checks Type the name into your phone's browser, say it to a friend, write it on paper, and look at it in an email address (*you@name.com.ng*). If it works in all four, it is a good domain. Summary The best domain names are short, clear, easy to spell and say, and match your brand. Choose the extension that fits your customers, check for trademarks, and protect the variations. A few minutes of thought now saves years of lost visitors. Search for your domain: https://silolobby.com/domains ### Questions and answers Q: Should my domain name be my business name? A: Ideally yes. It makes you easy to find and builds your brand. If your exact name is taken, add a short word such as your city or what you do. Q: Are hyphens bad in a domain name? A: They are not bad for SEO, but they are easy to forget when people type your address or hear it spoken. Avoid them if you can. Q: Can I change my domain name later? A: Yes, but it is costly: you lose some search rankings and have to update everything that shows the old address. It is worth choosing carefully. Q: Do keywords in a domain help SEO? A: Only a little. A memorable brand name usually beats a long keyword-stuffed domain. Use a keyword when it naturally fits your brand. Q: How many domains should a small business register? A: Usually your main domain plus one or two variations (for example the .com.ng and .ng versions) to protect your brand. --- ## Shared vs WordPress vs VPS vs Reseller Hosting: Which Do You Need? URL: https://silolobby.com/blog/shared-vs-wordpress-vs-vps-vs-reseller-hosting Updated: 2026-10-19 Short answer: most small businesses should start with shared hosting (₦2,500/month). Choose WordPress hosting (₦3,000/month) if you want WordPress installed and ready for you. Choose a cloud VPS (₦14,999/month) when you need root access, custom software or guaranteed resources. Choose reseller hosting (₦22,000/month) if you host websites for clients. "Which hosting should I buy?" is the first question most people ask when they start a website, and hosting companies do not always make the answer clear. This guide explains the four main types of hosting in plain language, compares them side by side, and gives you a simple decision path. What is web hosting? Your website is a collection of files and usually a database. Hosting is a computer (a server) that stores them and sends them to visitors' browsers 24 hours a day. The types of hosting differ in how much of the server you get, how much control you have, and who manages it. The four types at a glance | | Shared | WordPress | Cloud VPS | Reseller | |---|---|---|---|---| | From | ₦2,500/month | ₦3,000/month | ₦14,999/month | ₦22,000/month | | Control panel | cPanel | cPanel + WordPress | Full root access | WHM + cPanel per client | | Skill needed | Beginner | Beginner | Technical | Some experience | | Resources | Shared on a managed server | Shared on a managed server | Dedicated vCPU and RAM | Shared, split into client accounts | | Server managed by | SiloLobby | SiloLobby | You | SiloLobby | | Best for | Business sites, blogs, small shops | WordPress sites | Apps, APIs, high traffic | Agencies and web designers | Shared hosting: the best start for most businesses Your website shares a powerful server with other websites. SiloLobby manages the server and its security updates; you manage your site through cPanel, the most widely used hosting control panel. What you get at SiloLobby: | Plan | Websites | NVMe storage | Price | |---|---|---|---| | Tubor Lite | 2 | 15 GB | ₦2,500/month | | Tubor Basic | 3 | 30 GB | ₦4,500/month | | Tubor Pro | 11 | 100 GB | ₦6,500/month | | Tubor Max | Unlimited | 250 GB | ₦9,500/month | Every plan includes free SSL, unlimited email accounts, unlimited MySQL databases, free website migration and a 30-day money-back guarantee (once per customer). Choose shared hosting for: company websites, blogs, portfolios, landing pages, school and church websites, and small online stores. Its limits: you cannot install custom server software, and resources are shared fairly between accounts, so very busy sites eventually need more. See shared hosting plans: https://silolobby.com/hosting/shared WordPress hosting: shared hosting, ready for WordPress WordPress powers a large share of the world's websites. WordPress hosting is the same reliable shared hosting, prepared for WordPress so you can start building straight away. | Plan | WordPress sites | NVMe storage | Price | |---|---|---|---| | WordPress Starter | 1 | 10 GB | ₦3,000/month | | WordPress Business | 5 | 50 GB | ₦8,000/month | Choose it for: anyone who wants to build on WordPress without dealing with setup. See how to host a WordPress website in Nigeria (https://silolobby.com/blog/how-to-host-a-wordpress-website-in-nigeria). Cloud VPS: your own server A virtual private server gives you your own slice of a powerful machine, with dedicated vCPU, RAM and NVMe storage, plus full root access. You can install anything: Node.js, Python, PHP versions of your choice, Docker, databases, VPN servers or custom software. | Plan | vCPU | RAM | NVMe | Price | |---|---|---|---|---| | C1 | 2 | 4 GB | 40 GB | ₦14,999/month | | C2 | 4 | 8 GB | 80 GB | ₦19,999/month | | C3 | 4 (AMD) | 8 GB | 160 GB | ₦36,999/month | | C4 | 8 (AMD) | 16 GB | 320 GB | ₦64,999/month | | C5 | 12 (AMD) | 24 GB | 480 GB | ₦94,999/month | The trade-off: you manage the operating system, updates and security yourself. SiloLobby keeps the cloud running and gives you power controls and root password reset in your client area. Choose it for: web apps, APIs, busy online stores, SaaS products, developers and anything that needs custom software. Read cloud VPS in Nigeria: when you need one (https://silolobby.com/blog/cloud-vps-in-nigeria-when-you-need-one-and-how-to-choose). Reseller hosting: hosting for your clients Reseller hosting gives you WHM (Web Host Manager) to create a separate cPanel account for each client, with private nameservers so the hosting carries your brand. You set your own prices; SiloLobby keeps the servers running. | Plan | cPanel accounts | NVMe storage | Price | |---|---|---|---| | Reseller Starter | 20 | 80 GB | ₦22,000/month | | Reseller Growth | 40 | 120 GB | ₦45,000/month | | Reseller Pro | 70 | 200 GB | ₦75,000/month | | Reseller Business | 100 | 300 GB | ₦110,000/month | | Reseller Enterprise | 150 | 450 GB | ₦165,000/month | Choose it for: web designers, digital agencies and anyone starting a hosting business. See how to start a web hosting business in Nigeria (https://silolobby.com/blog/how-to-start-a-web-hosting-business-in-nigeria-with-reseller-hosting). A simple decision path 1. Building your first business website or blog? → Shared hosting. 2. Using WordPress and want it ready to go? → WordPress hosting. 3. Need root access, custom software or guaranteed resources? → Cloud VPS. 4. Hosting websites for other people? → Reseller hosting. Signs it is time to upgrade - Pages slow down at busy times even after you optimise images and caching. - You need software or services your current plan does not allow. - You run several busy sites from one account. - You start hosting sites for clients. Upgrading is normal. Our team can migrate your site for free (https://silolobby.com/blog/how-to-move-your-website-to-a-new-host-without-downtime) and help you choose the next plan. Example businesses and the hosting they need | Business | Recommended hosting | Why | |---|---|---| | A law firm with a 6-page website | Shared hosting (Tubor Lite) | Low traffic, needs email accounts and SSL | | A fashion blog posting daily | WordPress Starter | Built on WordPress, needs simple management | | A school with a website and a portal for parents | Shared hosting (Tubor Pro) or a VPS | Several sites or apps, more storage | | A WooCommerce store with 2,000 products | Cloud VPS (C2 or C3) | Busy database, needs dedicated resources | | A fintech startup's API | Cloud VPS | Custom software, root access, security control | | A web designer with 15 client websites | Reseller Starter | Separate cPanel for each client, own brand | Questions to ask before buying hosting 1. What software does my website use? WordPress, a custom PHP app, Node.js, Python? 2. How many websites will I run? One, a few, or many for clients? 3. How much traffic do I expect? A local business site and a national store are very different. 4. Who will manage the server? If nobody on your team can, choose managed hosting (shared, WordPress or reseller). 5. Do I need email on the same account? Shared hosting includes unlimited email accounts. 6. What is my budget, including renewals? Performance tips for every type of hosting Whichever type you choose, these habits make a bigger difference to speed than the plan itself: - Compress images before uploading. - Use caching (a caching plugin on WordPress, or server caching on a VPS). - Keep plugins and scripts to what you actually need. - Use a lightweight theme or framework. - Keep your software updated for performance as well as security. Moving between hosting types You are never locked in. Common paths include: - Shared → WordPress hosting when you standardise on WordPress. - Shared → Cloud VPS when a site outgrows shared resources or needs custom software. - Shared → Reseller when you start hosting websites for clients. Our team can help plan each move and migrate sites for free. Summary Start with shared hosting unless you have a specific reason not to. Pick WordPress hosting for a ready-made WordPress site, a cloud VPS when you need root access and dedicated resources, and reseller hosting when you host for clients. Every SiloLobby plan is billed in naira and can grow with you. Compare all hosting: https://silolobby.com/hosting ### Questions and answers Q: What is the cheapest type of web hosting? A: Shared hosting. At SiloLobby it starts at ₦2,500/month and includes cPanel, free SSL and unlimited email accounts. Q: When do I need a VPS instead of shared hosting? A: When you need root access, custom software, guaranteed CPU and memory, or you run apps that shared hosting does not allow, such as Node.js services, Docker or busy databases. Q: Is WordPress hosting different from shared hosting? A: WordPress hosting is shared hosting set up for WordPress, so your site is installed and ready. Shared hosting can also run WordPress, but you set it up yourself. Q: Can I upgrade from shared hosting to a VPS later? A: Yes. Many businesses start on shared hosting and move to a VPS as they grow. Our team can help you plan the move. Q: Which hosting is best for an online store? A: Most small stores run well on WordPress or shared hosting with WooCommerce. Busy stores with many products or high traffic often move to a cloud VPS. --- ## Choosing Web Hosting in Nigeria: 10 Things to Check Before You Pay URL: https://silolobby.com/blog/best-web-hosting-in-nigeria-what-to-look-for Updated: 2026-10-19 Short answer: good web hosting for a Nigerian business lets you pay in naira, shows honest renewal prices, uses fast NVMe storage, includes free SSL and business email, offers backups, has responsive local support, commits to uptime in writing, and gives you a money-back guarantee so you can try it safely. Hosting adverts all look alike: "unlimited", "fast", "secure". The differences that matter only show up later, when a renewal costs triple, a dollar card is declined, or support takes days to reply. Use these ten checks before you pay. 1. Can you pay in naira? International hosts bill in US dollars. For a Nigerian business that means: - a card that works for dollar payments, often with low limits, - your bank's exchange rate plus charges, - costs that rise whenever the naira weakens, - renewals that fail silently when a card is declined, taking your site offline. Choose a host that bills in naira and accepts card, bank transfer and USSD. Better still, one with a prepaid wallet that renews services automatically. Read how to pay for hosting and domains in naira (https://silolobby.com/blog/how-to-pay-for-hosting-and-domains-in-naira). 2. Are renewal prices clear? Some hosts advertise a tiny first-term price that only applies if you pay for several years upfront, then renew at two or three times the price. Ask for the renewal price before you buy, and compare the cost over three years. At SiloLobby the plan price shown is the price: shared hosting from ₦2,500/month. 3. Is the storage NVMe? Storage speed affects every page view, database query and email. NVMe drives are several times faster than older SATA SSDs and far faster than hard disks. Faster storage means quicker pages, which keeps visitors on your site and helps search rankings. All SiloLobby hosting uses NVMe storage. 4. Is SSL free and automatic? Your site needs HTTPS and the padlock. Browsers warn visitors about sites without it, forms can be intercepted, and Google prefers secure sites. SSL should be included and installed automatically, not sold as an extra. See free vs paid SSL (https://silolobby.com/blog/free-ssl-vs-paid-ssl-which-do-you-need). 5. Is business email included? You should be able to create addresses like *sales@yourbusiness.com.ng* without paying per mailbox. SiloLobby shared hosting includes unlimited email accounts. If you need more advanced email (push sync to phones, shared calendars), dedicated business email plans (https://silolobby.com/email) are available. 6. Is there a standard control panel? cPanel is the most widely used hosting control panel. Tutorials, plugins and developers everywhere know it, and you are not locked into a host's custom system. See what is cPanel (https://silolobby.com/blog/what-is-cpanel-and-how-to-use-it). 7. How do backups work? Ask how backups are made, how often, and how you restore them. Then keep your own copies too. Backups are available as an add-on at SiloLobby, and cPanel lets you download a full copy whenever you like. 8. Is uptime committed in writing? Look for a written uptime commitment, not just a marketing claim. SiloLobby commits to 99.9% uptime in its service level agreement (https://silolobby.com/legal/sla). 9. Does support actually answer? Before buying, send a pre-sales question by chat or email and see how quickly you get a useful, specific answer. You want people who understand both the technology and how Nigerian businesses work: naira payments, .ng domains and local customers. 10. Can you try it risk-free? A money-back guarantee shows the host stands behind the service. SiloLobby shared hosting comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, which can be used once per customer. Bonus checks - Free migration. If you already have a website, will they move it for you? SiloLobby migrates sites for free. - Resource limits. "Unlimited" plans still have fair-use limits. Look for clear numbers: storage, websites, bandwidth. - Upgrade path. Can you move to a bigger plan or a VPS without starting again? - Data ownership. Can you download all your files and databases at any time? A quick comparison worksheet | Question | Host A | Host B | SiloLobby | |---|---|---|---| | Billed in naira? | | | Yes | | Renewal price clear? | | | Yes | | NVMe storage? | | | Yes | | Free SSL? | | | Yes | | Unlimited email accounts? | | | Yes (shared hosting) | | cPanel? | | | Yes | | Uptime in writing? | | | 99.9% SLA | | Money-back guarantee? | | | 30 days (once per customer) | | Free migration? | | | Yes | Red flags when choosing a host - "Unlimited everything" with no fair-use policy published. Every server has limits; honest hosts explain them. - No renewal price shown until checkout, or a renewal several times higher than the advert. - No way to download your own backups or export your files. - Support that only answers sales questions and goes quiet after you pay. - No written terms, refund policy or service level agreement. - Pressure to register your domain through them in their own name. Questions to ask support before you buy Send these before paying and judge the answers: 1. What is the renewal price for this plan? 2. How do I restore a backup, and how often are backups taken? 3. Is SSL installed automatically, and does it renew automatically? 4. How many websites and email accounts can I create? 5. Will you migrate my existing site, and is it free? 6. What happens if my renewal payment fails? Clear, specific answers within a reasonable time are a good sign of how you will be treated later. How hosting affects your business, not just your website - Sales: slow pages lose visitors, especially on mobile data. - Search rankings: Google measures page experience, including speed and security. - Email: if your email is on your hosting, an outage stops customer communication. - Reputation: a site that is often down makes a business look unreliable. Choosing reliable hosting is a business decision, not just a technical one. A simple way to test a host after you buy Use the money-back period to check: - Your site loads quickly on a phone using mobile data. - cPanel is easy to use and email works on your phone. - SSL is active on all your domains. - Support answers a technical question clearly. If anything is not right, you can still change your mind within the guarantee period. Shared hosting plans at a glance | Plan | Websites | NVMe storage | Price | |---|---|---|---| | Tubor Lite | 2 | 15 GB | ₦2,500/month | | Tubor Basic | 3 | 30 GB | ₦4,500/month | | Tubor Pro | 11 | 100 GB | ₦6,500/month | | Tubor Max | Unlimited | 250 GB | ₦9,500/month | All include free SSL, unlimited email accounts and unlimited MySQL databases. Upgrade path at SiloLobby Start on shared hosting, move to a bigger shared plan as you add sites, and step up to a cloud VPS when you need dedicated resources. Our team migrates your sites at each step. Summary The best hosting for a Nigerian business is not the one with the loudest advert, but the one that bills in naira, prices renewals honestly, runs on fast NVMe storage, includes SSL and email, and stands behind its service. Check these ten points and you will avoid the usual surprises. See shared hosting plans: https://silolobby.com/hosting/shared ### Questions and answers Q: Can I pay for web hosting in naira? A: Yes. At SiloLobby all hosting is priced in naira and you can pay by card, bank transfer, USSD or wallet, with no dollar card needed. Q: What is NVMe storage and why does it matter? A: NVMe is the fastest kind of SSD storage. It makes websites, databases and email noticeably quicker than older SSD or hard-disk hosting. Q: Is there a money-back guarantee on SiloLobby hosting? A: Yes. Shared hosting has a 30-day money-back guarantee, which can be used once per customer. Q: Does hosting location matter for Nigerian visitors? A: Server location affects speed slightly, but caching, image optimisation and a well-built site matter more for most small business websites. Q: What uptime should I expect? A: Look for a written commitment. SiloLobby commits to 99.9% uptime in its service level agreement. --- ## How to Host a WordPress Website in Nigeria (Step by Step) URL: https://silolobby.com/blog/how-to-host-a-wordpress-website-in-nigeria Updated: 2026-10-19 Short answer: to host a WordPress website in Nigeria, register a domain (for example .com.ng from ₦10,000 a year), buy WordPress hosting (₦3,000/month), let SiloLobby set WordPress up for you, then choose a theme, create your pages and install a few essential plugins. You can be online the same day without writing code. WordPress is the most popular way to build a website because it is free, flexible and supported by a huge community of themes, plugins and developers. This guide takes you from nothing to a live, secure WordPress site, with the settings and plugins that matter for Nigerian businesses. What you need - A domain name, such as *yourbusiness.com.ng*. - WordPress hosting (or shared hosting) to run the site. - An hour or two to set up your first pages. Step 1: choose and register your domain Your domain is your address online. For a Nigerian business, .com.ng and .ng are trusted and affordable; .com suits international audiences. See how to register a .com.ng domain (https://silolobby.com/blog/how-to-register-a-com-ng-domain-in-nigeria) and how to choose a domain name (https://silolobby.com/blog/how-to-choose-a-domain-name-for-your-business). Step 2: choose WordPress hosting | Plan | WordPress sites | NVMe storage | Bandwidth | Price | |---|---|---|---|---| | WordPress Starter | 1 | 10 GB | 100 GB a month | ₦3,000/month | | WordPress Business | 5 | 50 GB | 1 TB a month | ₦8,000/month | Both include free SSL, unlimited email accounts and unlimited MySQL databases. If you plan to run other kinds of sites too, shared hosting (https://silolobby.com/hosting/shared) also runs WordPress perfectly well. Get WordPress hosting: https://silolobby.com/hosting/wordpress Step 3: get WordPress set up With WordPress hosting, your site is set up for you. Your WordPress admin address (usually *yourdomain.com/wp-admin*) and login details are in your client area. On regular shared hosting, you can install WordPress yourself from cPanel in a few clicks (the Softaculous add-on makes this especially quick). Step 4: check SSL and basic settings 1. Visit your site and check that it loads with https:// and the padlock. Free SSL is installed automatically. 2. In WordPress, go to Settings → General. Make sure both the WordPress Address and Site Address start with *https://*. Set your site title, tagline and timezone (Lagos). 3. Go to Settings → Permalinks and choose Post name, so your page addresses are readable (*yourdomain.com/services* rather than *?p=123*). 4. Under Settings → Reading, keep "Discourage search engines" unticked when you are ready to launch. Step 5: choose a theme Your theme controls the look of your site. Choose one that is: - lightweight, so pages load fast on mobile data, - well maintained, with regular updates and good reviews, - compatible with the block editor, so you can edit visually. Avoid "nulled" (pirated) premium themes: they often contain malware. Step 6: install the essential plugins | Need | What to install | Why | |---|---|---| | Security | A reputable security/firewall plugin | Blocks common attacks and brute-force logins | | Backups | A backup plugin that saves copies off the server | Lets you recover from mistakes or attacks | | Speed | A caching plugin | Makes pages load faster | | SEO | An SEO plugin | Titles, descriptions and XML sitemaps | | Forms | A contact form plugin | Lets customers reach you | | Spam | An anti-spam plugin | Stops form and comment spam | | Online store | WooCommerce + Paystack or Flutterwave plugin | Sell and accept naira payments | Keep plugins to the ones you need. Every plugin is code that must be updated, and outdated plugins are the most common way WordPress sites are hacked. Step 7: create your key pages - Home: what you do, who you serve, why choose you, and how to contact you, all visible without scrolling far. - About: your story, team and experience. - Services or Products: what you sell, with prices where you can. - Contact: phone, WhatsApp, email, address and a map. - Privacy policy: WordPress includes a starting template. Step 8: make it fast for Nigerian visitors - Compress images before uploading (aim for under 200 KB for most photos). - Turn on caching. - Avoid heavy sliders and auto-playing videos on the home page. - Test your site on a phone using mobile data, not just office Wi-Fi. Step 9: connect business email Create addresses like *hello@yourbusiness.com.ng* in cPanel, and connect them to your phone. Configure WordPress to send its emails (contact forms, orders) through a proper SMTP service so they do not land in spam. See how to send email from your website with SMTP (https://silolobby.com/blog/how-to-send-email-from-your-website-or-app-with-smtp). Step 10: launch and get found 1. Add your site to Google Search Console and submit your sitemap. 2. Create or update your Google Business Profile with your website. 3. Share your site on your social profiles and WhatsApp Business. Keeping your WordPress site healthy - Update WordPress, themes and plugins every week. - Use strong passwords and two-factor login for admin accounts. - Delete unused plugins and themes. - Keep backups somewhere other than the server. - Check your contact form works every month. Read the full website security checklist (https://silolobby.com/blog/how-to-protect-your-website-from-hackers-checklist). Would you rather have it built for you? Our team can design and build your WordPress website, including the domain and hosting for the first year. See website development (https://silolobby.com/website-development). Recommended WordPress settings checklist - [ ] Site title and tagline set - [ ] Timezone set to Lagos - [ ] Permalinks set to "Post name" - [ ] Both site addresses use https - [ ] Search engine visibility on (when you launch) - [ ] Comments turned off or moderated if you do not need them - [ ] Default "Sample Page" and "Hello world" post deleted - [ ] Admin username is not "admin" - [ ] Two-factor login turned on for administrators - [ ] Automatic minor updates turned on Building an online store on WordPress If you plan to sell, WooCommerce turns WordPress into a full shop: 1. Install WooCommerce and run its setup wizard (currency: Nigerian naira). 2. Install the Paystack or Flutterwave plugin and connect your account. 3. Set up delivery zones and fees for the areas you serve. 4. Add products with clear photos and descriptions. 5. Place test orders in test mode before going live. See the full online store checklist (https://silolobby.com/blog/how-to-start-an-online-store-in-nigeria). How much will WordPress cost each year? | Item | Yearly cost | |---|---| | Domain (.com.ng) | ₦10,000 | | WordPress Starter hosting | ₦3,000/month each month | | Theme and plugins | Free options available; premium ones vary | | SSL and email accounts | Included | Troubleshooting common WordPress problems | Problem | Likely cause | What to do | |---|---|---| | "Error establishing a database connection" | Wrong database details or a database problem | Check wp-config.php; contact support | | White screen after installing a plugin | Plugin conflict | Rename the plugin's folder in File Manager to disable it | | Site suddenly slow | Heavy plugin, large images or no caching | Review recent changes; turn on caching | | Contact form emails not arriving | Server mail not trusted | Use an SMTP plugin with a verified domain | | "Not secure" warning | Site loading over http | Update site addresses to https | Summary Hosting a WordPress website in Nigeria is straightforward: register a domain, choose WordPress hosting, check SSL and settings, pick a lightweight theme, install a handful of essential plugins, and create your key pages. Keep everything updated and backed up, and your site will serve your business for years. ### Questions and answers Q: How much does it cost to host a WordPress site in Nigeria? A: At SiloLobby WordPress hosting starts at ₦3,000/month, plus a domain such as .com.ng from ₦10,000 a year. SSL and email accounts are included. Q: Do I need to know coding to use WordPress? A: No. You can build a full website with themes and the block editor without writing code. Q: Which WordPress plugins do I need first? A: A security plugin, a backup plugin, a caching or performance plugin, and an SEO plugin. If you sell online, add WooCommerce with a naira payment plugin such as Paystack. Q: How do I make my WordPress site faster? A: Use a lightweight theme, compress images, install a caching plugin, keep plugins to a minimum, and choose hosting with NVMe storage. Q: Can I move an existing WordPress site to SiloLobby? A: Yes. Our team migrates websites for free when you buy hosting. --- ## What Is cPanel? A Beginner's Guide to Managing Your Hosting URL: https://silolobby.com/blog/what-is-cpanel-and-how-to-use-it Updated: 2026-10-19 Short answer: cPanel is the control panel included with SiloLobby shared, WordPress and reseller hosting. From it you manage your website's files, email accounts, databases, domains and subdomains, SSL certificates and backups, all from your browser without technical knowledge. You open it in one click from your SiloLobby client area. If you have just bought hosting, cPanel is where you will spend most of your time. This guide shows you how to open it and walks through the tools you will use most, with practical tips for each. What is cPanel? cPanel is the world's most widely used web hosting control panel. It gives you a visual dashboard for everything you would otherwise do with technical commands on a server. Because it is so widespread, you will find tutorials for almost any task, and any web developer you hire will already know it. How to open cPanel from SiloLobby 1. Sign in to your client area (https://silolobby.com/client). 2. Open Hosting and click Manage on your plan. 3. Use the shortcut buttons (File Manager, Email, Databases, SSL, Backups, Domains) to jump straight to a tool, or open the cPanel home page. You are signed in securely in one click. You do not need to copy or remember a separate cPanel password. The cPanel home page The home page groups tools into sections such as Files, Databases, Domains, Email, Metrics, Security and Software. On the right you will see your account statistics: disk usage, bandwidth, number of email accounts and databases. Check these occasionally so you know when you are approaching your plan's limits. Files: File Manager File Manager is a file browser for your website. - Your main website lives in the public_html folder. - Addon domains have their own folders (shown when you create them). - You can upload files, upload a ZIP and extract it, edit text files, rename, move and delete files, and change permissions. Tip: before editing or deleting files, download a copy. One wrong deletion can take a site offline. Email: Email Accounts and forwarders Create professional addresses such as *hello@yourbusiness.com.ng*: 1. Open Email Accounts and click Create. 2. Choose the address and a strong password. 3. Set the mailbox size. 4. Use Connect Devices to see the settings for Outlook, Apple Mail, the Gmail app or your phone. Other useful email tools: - Forwarders: send copies of one address to another (for example *info@* to your personal inbox). - Autoresponders: automatic replies, such as out-of-office messages. - Email Deliverability: checks that your SPF and DKIM records are correct. Shared hosting plans include unlimited email accounts. Databases: MySQL Apps such as WordPress, Joomla or Laravel store their content in a database. 1. Open MySQL Databases (or the Database Wizard). 2. Create a database, then a database user with a strong password. 3. Add the user to the database with the privileges it needs. 4. Use phpMyAdmin to view or export the database. WordPress hosting creates the database for you. Domains: addon domains, subdomains and aliases - Addon domains host additional websites in the same account. How many depends on your plan: for example Tubor Basic hosts 3 websites. - Subdomains such as *shop.yourbusiness.com.ng* or *blog.yourbusiness.com.ng* can run separate sites or apps. - Aliases (parked domains) show the same website on another domain, for example your .ng version showing your .com.ng site. - Redirects send one address to another. Security: SSL/TLS and more - SSL/TLS Status: your free SSL certificate is issued and renewed automatically. Check its status here. - Two-factor authentication for cPanel logins (where available). - IP Blocker to block abusive addresses. - Hotlink Protection to stop other sites using your images and bandwidth. Backups Use Backup or Backup Wizard to download a full or partial copy of your account: home directory files, databases and email forwarders. Keep copies on your computer or cloud storage. Backup add-ons are also available for SiloLobby hosting. Software: installing apps With the Softaculous add-on, you can install hundreds of apps (WordPress, online shops, forums, booking systems) in a few clicks. You can also choose your PHP version for compatibility with your app. Metrics: visitors and errors - Visitors and Awstats show basic traffic statistics. - Errors shows recent server errors, useful when diagnosing a broken page. - Resource Usage shows whether your account is reaching its limits. Good habits in cPanel - Take a backup before major changes. - Use strong, unique passwords for email and database users. - Delete apps, files and databases you no longer use. - Watch disk usage, and clean up old backups stored inside your account. - Keep your website software updated. cPanel vs WHM cPanel manages one hosting account. WHM (Web Host Manager) is used by resellers and server administrators to create and manage many cPanel accounts. If you plan to host websites for clients, see reseller hosting (https://silolobby.com/blog/how-to-start-a-web-hosting-business-in-nigeria-with-reseller-hosting). Common tasks, step by step Create a subdomain for a new project 1. Open Domains in cPanel and choose Create a New Domain. 2. Enter the subdomain, for example *shop.yourbusiness.com.ng*. 3. Choose its document root (folder), then submit. 4. Upload your files to that folder; SSL is issued automatically. Point an extra domain to your main website 1. Add the extra domain in Domains. 2. Use Redirects to send it permanently (301) to your main domain. Change your PHP version 1. Open MultiPHP Manager (or the PHP selector, depending on the server). 2. Choose your domain and select a supported PHP version your software requires. 3. Test your site afterwards. Set up a scheduled task (cron job) Some apps need tasks to run automatically, for example sending queued emails. Open Cron Jobs, choose how often the task runs, and paste the command your app provides. Understanding resource limits Shared hosting accounts have fair limits on CPU, memory and simultaneous processes so one site cannot slow others down. If your site regularly reaches its limits: - turn on caching, - optimise images and remove heavy plugins, - check for bots or attacks in your logs, - consider a bigger plan or a cloud VPS (https://silolobby.com/blog/cloud-vps-in-nigeria-when-you-need-one-and-how-to-choose). Keeping cPanel tidy - Delete old backups stored in your home folder; they use disk space. - Remove email accounts for people who have left (or convert them to forwarders). - Delete databases left behind by removed apps. - Check Disk Usage occasionally to see what is taking space. cPanel security tips - Use strong, unique passwords for every email and database user. - Turn on two-factor authentication for cPanel where it is offered. - Remove FTP accounts you no longer use, and prefer SFTP or File Manager. - Never upload files from untrusted sources into public_html. - Check the Errors and Metrics sections if your site behaves strangely. Getting help If you are unsure about a change in cPanel, open a support ticket from your client area before making it. Our team can guide you through file, email, database and DNS tasks. Summary cPanel puts your whole hosting account in one dashboard: files, email, databases, domains, SSL and backups. Open it from your SiloLobby client area in one click, take backups before big changes, and use the tools above to run your website confidently without technical help. Get hosting with cPanel: https://silolobby.com/hosting/shared ### Questions and answers Q: How do I log in to cPanel at SiloLobby? A: Open your client area, go to Hosting, click Manage on your plan, then use the cPanel buttons. You are signed in securely without typing a password. Q: Can I create email accounts in cPanel? A: Yes. Open Email Accounts in cPanel to create addresses on your domain. Shared hosting plans include unlimited email accounts. Q: What is the cPanel File Manager? A: It is a web-based file browser for your website's files. Your main site lives in the public_html folder. Q: What is the difference between cPanel and WHM? A: cPanel manages one hosting account. WHM is used by resellers and server administrators to create and manage many cPanel accounts. Q: Can I break my website in cPanel? A: Deleting or editing the wrong files can break a site, so take a backup before making changes. Most everyday tasks, like creating email accounts, are safe. --- ## How to Start a Web Hosting Business in Nigeria with Reseller Hosting URL: https://silolobby.com/blog/how-to-start-a-web-hosting-business-in-nigeria-with-reseller-hosting Updated: 2026-10-19 Short answer: with reseller hosting you buy a block of hosting capacity (for example 20 cPanel accounts for ₦22,000/month), create a separate cPanel account for each client in WHM, and charge them your own price under your own brand. SiloLobby runs the servers; you build the client relationships and keep the margin. Web hosting is one of the few digital businesses with genuinely recurring revenue: once a client's website is online, they keep paying as long as it stays online. Reseller hosting lets you start that business without buying servers, hiring system administrators or running a data centre. This guide explains how it works, what it costs, how to price your plans, and how to win your first clients. How reseller hosting works 1. You buy a reseller plan with a set number of cPanel accounts and storage. 2. You get WHM (Web Host Manager), where you create hosting packages and client accounts. 3. Each client gets their own cPanel, completely separate from your other clients. 4. Private nameservers (such as ns1.yourbrand.com) keep your brand in front of clients. 5. You bill clients directly, at your own prices. 6. SiloLobby keeps the servers running: hardware, network, operating system and server software. Is a hosting business a good idea in Nigeria? More Nigerian businesses are going online every year, and most of them need someone to set up and look after their website. Hosting works best as part of a bigger offering: - Web designers and developers: host every site you build, and earn every year instead of once. - Digital marketing agencies: keep clients' landing pages fast and online. - IT support companies: add hosting and email to your service contracts. - Entrepreneurs: build a hosting brand focused on a niche, such as schools, churches or restaurants. Choosing a reseller plan | Plan | cPanel accounts | NVMe storage | Price | |---|---|---|---| | Reseller Starter | 20 | 80 GB | ₦22,000/month | | Reseller Growth | 40 | 120 GB | ₦45,000/month | | Reseller Pro | 70 | 200 GB | ₦75,000/month | | Reseller Business | 100 | 300 GB | ₦110,000/month | | Reseller Enterprise | 150 | 450 GB | ₦165,000/month | Every plan includes unmetered bandwidth, private nameservers, unlimited free SSL and unlimited databases. Start with a plan that covers your current clients plus room to grow, and upgrade later. Setting up your hosting brand 1. Choose a brand name and domain, for example *yourbrandhost.com.ng*. 2. Set up private nameservers (ns1 and ns2 on your domain) so clients see your brand. 3. Create hosting packages in WHM: decide how much storage, how many email accounts and databases each tier gets. 4. Prepare your website with clear plans, prices and contact details. 5. Decide how you will bill: invoices, a billing system, or bundled into your service contracts. 6. Write simple terms for your clients, consistent with SiloLobby's acceptable use policy (https://silolobby.com/legal/acceptable-use). How to price your hosting A simple approach: 1. Work out your cost per account: plan price ÷ the number of accounts you expect to fill (not the maximum). 2. Add your time: setup, support and account management. 3. Set two or three clear tiers, for example Basic, Business and Premium, based on storage and email accounts. 4. Bundle for value: domain registration, hosting, business email setup, SSL and a yearly check-up for one yearly fee. Many resellers earn more from bundles and maintenance than from hosting alone. Finding your first clients - Host every website you design. Offer a yearly hosting and maintenance package as standard. - Help businesses escape dollar billing. Many Nigerian businesses pay foreign hosts in dollars and suffer failed renewals. Offer naira billing and free migration. - Partner with people who meet business owners: graphic designers, printers, accountants, marketers. - Pick a niche where you understand the needs: schools, churches, clinics, hotels. - Ask for referrals from happy clients. Running your hosting business day to day - Support: you are your clients' first line of help. Learn cPanel well (see what is cPanel (https://silolobby.com/blog/what-is-cpanel-and-how-to-use-it)), and escalate server issues to us. - Domains: renew your clients' domains on time. Expired domains damage your reputation. - Security: encourage clients to keep their websites updated, and remove abandoned sites. - Monitoring: watch disk usage across accounts so you upgrade before you run out. Common mistakes to avoid - Pricing too low to cover support time. - Overselling storage you do not have. - Registering clients' domains in your own name (always register them in the client's name). - Ignoring abuse: a single compromised client site can send spam or host phishing. Act quickly. A sample hosting price list for your clients Here is an example of how a reseller might package hosting. Adjust it to your own costs and market: | Your package | Suggested contents | How to price it | |---|---|---| | Starter | 1 website, 5 GB storage, 5 email accounts, SSL | Cover your cost per account plus support time | | Business | 3 websites, 15 GB storage, 20 email accounts, SSL | Mid-range, most popular | | Business Plus | 10 websites, 40 GB storage, unlimited email, SSL, monthly check-up | Premium with maintenance included | Bundle domain registration and setup for new clients, and offer yearly billing with a discount to improve cash flow. Writing a simple service agreement Even a one-page agreement prevents misunderstandings. Include: - what is included (storage, email accounts, SSL, backups), - what is not included (website changes, content updates), - billing dates and what happens if payment is late, - support channels and response times, - acceptable use rules (no spam, phishing or illegal content), - how clients can get their files and domain if they leave. Growing beyond your first 20 clients - Track renewals carefully, ideally with billing software. - Standardise setup so each new account is created the same way. - Offer add-ons: business email plans, SSL certificates, backups, malware scanning. - Upgrade your reseller plan before you run out of accounts or storage. - Document common answers so support is fast and consistent. When to move clients to a VPS Some clients outgrow shared resources: busy stores, schools with portals, or apps needing custom software. Moving them to a cloud VPS (https://silolobby.com/hosting/vps) that you manage for a fee can become another profitable service. Tools that make reselling easier - A billing system to send invoices and reminders automatically. - A helpdesk or shared inbox so support requests are never lost. - Uptime monitoring for your clients' sites, so you hear about problems before they do. - A knowledge base with answers to common questions (email setup, password resets, DNS). Upgrading as you grow When you approach your plan's account or storage limit, upgrade to the next reseller plan. Your existing client accounts stay in place, so upgrading is quick and invisible to your clients. Summary Reseller hosting lets you start a hosting business in Nigeria with no servers and low upfront cost. Buy a plan, brand it with private nameservers, create clear packages, bundle hosting with your other services, and look after your clients well. SiloLobby keeps the infrastructure running while you build recurring revenue. See reseller plans: https://silolobby.com/hosting/reseller ### Questions and answers Q: Do I need to own servers to start a hosting business? A: No. With reseller hosting you rent capacity on our servers and sell it under your own brand. We keep the servers running; you manage your clients. Q: How much does reseller hosting cost? A: At SiloLobby reseller hosting starts at ₦22,000/month for 20 cPanel accounts. Q: Can my clients see that I use SiloLobby? A: With private nameservers (for example ns1.yourbrand.com) your clients see your brand. You handle their support and billing. Q: Do I need technical skills to be a reseller? A: Basic knowledge of cPanel, domains and DNS is enough to start. Server maintenance is handled by SiloLobby. Q: How do I bill my hosting clients? A: However you like: monthly or yearly, as a standalone service or bundled with web design and maintenance. --- ## Cloud VPS in Nigeria: When You Need One and How to Choose URL: https://silolobby.com/blog/cloud-vps-in-nigeria-when-you-need-one-and-how-to-choose Updated: 2026-10-19 Short answer: you need a cloud VPS when shared hosting is no longer enough: when you need root access, custom software (Node.js, Python, Docker, specific database versions), or guaranteed CPU and memory for a busy site or app. At SiloLobby a VPS starts at ₦14,999/month for 2 vCPU, 4 GB RAM and 40 GB NVMe storage, billed in naira. A VPS is a big step up in power and freedom, and in responsibility. This guide helps you decide whether you need one, which size to choose, and how to set it up securely on day one. What is a cloud VPS? A virtual private server is a virtual machine running on a powerful physical server. Unlike shared hosting, your VPS has its own dedicated share of CPU, memory and storage, its own operating system, and its own IP addresses. Other customers' traffic does not slow you down, and you can configure everything. "Cloud" means it runs on a modern platform where servers can be created, resized, snapshotted and restored quickly. Signs you have outgrown shared hosting - Your site slows down at busy times, even after caching and image optimisation. - You need software shared hosting does not allow (Node.js apps, Python services, Docker, Redis, message queues, custom PHP extensions). - You run background workers, scheduled jobs or WebSockets. - You need full control over the web server, firewall or database configuration. - You are building a SaaS product, API or mobile app backend. If none of these apply, shared (https://silolobby.com/hosting/shared) or WordPress hosting (https://silolobby.com/hosting/wordpress) is usually better value and much less work. What you get with a SiloLobby cloud VPS | Plan | vCPU | RAM | NVMe | Free snapshots | Price | |---|---|---|---|---|---| | C1 | 2 | 4 GB | 40 GB | 5 GB | ₦14,999/month | | C2 | 4 | 8 GB | 80 GB | 10 GB | ₦19,999/month | | C3 | 4 (AMD) | 8 GB | 160 GB | 20 GB | ₦36,999/month | | C4 | 8 (AMD) | 16 GB | 320 GB | 40 GB | ₦64,999/month | | C5 | 12 (AMD) | 24 GB | 480 GB | 80 GB | ₦94,999/month | Every plan includes 20 TB of bandwidth, IPv4 and IPv6, and full root access. From your client area you can see your IP addresses, power the server on and off, reboot it and reset the root password. How much CPU and RAM do you need? | Workload | Suggested plan | |---|---| | A small app, API or test environment | C1 | | A busy WordPress or WooCommerce site | C2 | | Several apps, or a store with lots of products | C2 or C3 | | A database server or busy SaaS app | C4 | | Heavy traffic, many services, data processing | C5 | Start smaller, monitor CPU and memory use, and upgrade when you consistently use more than about 70% of either. Setting up your first VPS securely Do these steps in order, ideally the day you receive the server. 1. Log in with SSH as root using the password in your client area. 2. Update the system so every package has the latest security fixes. 3. Create a normal user with administrator (sudo) rights. 4. Set up SSH keys for that user, and test that you can log in with them. 5. Turn off password login and direct root login over SSH. 6. Turn on a firewall and allow only the ports you need, for example 22 (SSH), 80 (HTTP) and 443 (HTTPS). 7. Install protection against brute-force logins, such as fail2ban. 8. Turn on automatic security updates. 9. Install your stack: for example Nginx or Apache, PHP or Node.js, a database, or Docker. 10. Set up HTTPS with a free certificate. 11. Set up backups that are stored off the server, and take a snapshot before major changes. Keeping your VPS healthy - Monitor CPU, memory and disk space, and get alerts before they run out. - Update the operating system and your software regularly. - Review logs for failed logins and errors. - Back up databases daily, and test that you can restore them. - Take snapshots before upgrades so you can roll back. Common VPS mistakes | Mistake | Consequence | Prevention | |---|---|---| | Leaving password login on | Brute-force attacks | Use SSH keys only | | No firewall | Exposed databases and services | Allow only needed ports | | No backups | Data loss after a mistake or attack | Off-server backups and snapshots | | Running everything as root | One bug can take over the server | Use a normal user and sudo | | Never updating | Known vulnerabilities stay open | Automatic security updates | VPS or managed hosting? A VPS gives you freedom and responsibility. If you would rather not manage servers, shared, WordPress or reseller hosting keeps the server side handled for you while still giving you cPanel, SSL and email. Choosing an operating system Most people choose a Linux distribution: - Ubuntu LTS: the most popular choice, with long-term support and huge community documentation. - Debian: very stable and lightweight, popular for servers. - Rocky Linux or AlmaLinux: familiar to those who have used Red Hat-style systems. Choose a long-term support (LTS) release so security updates continue for years. Example stacks for common projects | Project | Typical stack | |---|---| | WordPress or WooCommerce | Nginx or Apache, PHP-FPM, MariaDB or MySQL, Redis cache | | Laravel app | Nginx, PHP-FPM, MySQL or PostgreSQL, Redis, queue worker | | Node.js API | Node.js with a process manager, Nginx reverse proxy, PostgreSQL | | Python app | Gunicorn or Uvicorn, Nginx, PostgreSQL | | Several apps | Docker with Docker Compose and a reverse proxy | Monitoring basics Set up simple monitoring from the start: - Uptime checks that alert you when your site stops responding. - Disk space alerts at 80% so logs or uploads never fill the disk. - CPU and memory graphs to know when to upgrade. - Log review for repeated failed logins and application errors. Backup strategy for a VPS Follow the 3-2-1 idea: three copies of important data, on two different kinds of storage, with one copy off the server. In practice: 1. Daily database dumps. 2. Regular file backups of uploads and configuration. 3. Copies stored off the server (for example cloud storage). 4. Snapshots before upgrades. 5. A restore test every few months. Managing your VPS from the SiloLobby client area Open Cloud servers in your client area to see your server's IP addresses and status, power it on or off, reboot it, and reset the root password if you lose access. Billing and renewals are handled in naira like any other service. Summary Choose a cloud VPS when you need root access, custom software or dedicated resources. Pick a size that fits today's workload, secure it on day one with SSH keys, a firewall and updates, and keep backups and snapshots. SiloLobby VPS plans start at ₦14,999/month, billed in naira with full root access. See cloud VPS plans: https://silolobby.com/hosting/vps ### Questions and answers Q: How much does a cloud VPS cost in Nigeria? A: At SiloLobby cloud VPS plans start at ₦14,999/month for 2 vCPU, 4 GB RAM and 40 GB NVMe storage, billed in naira. Q: Do I get root access on a SiloLobby VPS? A: Yes. You get full root access and can install any software you need. Q: Is a VPS managed? A: No. You manage the operating system and software. SiloLobby keeps the underlying cloud running and gives you power controls and root password reset in your client area. Q: Can I run cPanel on a VPS? A: You can install a control panel yourself, but most people who want cPanel are better served by shared or reseller hosting, where it is included and managed. Q: What is a snapshot? A: A snapshot is a full copy of your server at a moment in time. You can restore it if an update or change goes wrong. SiloLobby VPS plans include free snapshot storage. --- ## How to Move Your Website to a New Host Without Downtime URL: https://silolobby.com/blog/how-to-move-your-website-to-a-new-host-without-downtime Updated: 2026-10-19 Short answer: to move hosts without downtime, keep your old hosting running, copy your website files and databases to the new host, test the site there, lower your DNS TTL a day in advance, then switch DNS. Visitors move across gradually with no outage, and you can switch back if anything goes wrong. Or let SiloLobby do it: we migrate your website for free when you buy hosting. Moving a website feels risky, but with the right order of steps it is routine. This guide gives you a safe migration plan used by professionals, a checklist for email, and the most common problems with their fixes. The golden rule: overlap, do not cut over Downtime happens when the old hosting is cancelled before the new site is ready, or when DNS is changed before the new site has been tested. Keep both running in parallel until you have confirmed everything works on the new host. Before you start: gather what you need - Login details for your old hosting (cPanel or FTP) and your domain's DNS. - A list of email accounts and forwarders on the old host. - Any cron jobs, special PHP settings or custom server configuration. - A quiet time for the switch, such as a weekend morning. Step 1: take a full backup Download a complete copy of your website files and export your databases. If your old host uses cPanel, a full account backup includes both. Keep this backup safe: it is your safety net. Step 2: set up the new hosting Order hosting at SiloLobby. Do not change your domain's DNS yet; visitors still go to the old host. Step 3: copy files and databases - Upload your files to public_html (or your addon domain's folder) using cPanel File Manager or FTP. Uploading a ZIP and extracting it is fastest. - Create a new database and database user. - Import your database with phpMyAdmin. - Update your application's configuration with the new database details (for WordPress, the *wp-config.php* file). Step 4: recreate email accounts Create the same email addresses on the new host, with the same passwords if possible, so mail has somewhere to land after the switch. Recreate forwarders and autoresponders too. If you want to keep old messages, you can copy them across with your email app (by adding both accounts) or ask our support team. Step 5: test before switching Preview your site on the new server before changing DNS. Our support team can show you how (for example with a temporary address or a hosts-file entry). Check: - every main page loads correctly, - images and styles appear, - forms send messages, - logins work, - checkout and payments work (test mode where possible), - there are no "database connection" errors. Step 6: lower the TTL A day before switching, lower the TTL on the DNS records you will change (usually the A record and www) to 300 seconds. When you switch, the change then spreads in minutes rather than hours. Step 7: switch DNS Change your nameservers or A record to point to the new host. See how to point your domain to your hosting (https://silolobby.com/blog/how-to-point-your-domain-to-your-web-hosting) for the difference between the two methods. If you change nameservers, make sure your email records (MX, SPF, DKIM) exist at the new DNS provider first. Step 8: check, then clean up For 24 to 48 hours, some visitors may still reach the old server. Do not make content changes on the old site during this time. After 48 hours: - check the site and forms again, - send and receive test emails, - confirm the SSL padlock shows, - check your old email account for any messages that arrived during the switch, - then cancel the old hosting. Migration checklist - [ ] Full backup downloaded - [ ] New hosting ordered - [ ] Files uploaded - [ ] Database imported and configuration updated - [ ] Email accounts and forwarders recreated - [ ] Site tested on the new server - [ ] TTL lowered a day before - [ ] DNS switched - [ ] Email records confirmed - [ ] SSL confirmed - [ ] Old hosting cancelled after 48 hours Common problems and fixes | Problem | Likely cause | Fix | |---|---|---| | "Error establishing a database connection" | Wrong database details in configuration | Update the database name, user and password | | Site shows but images are missing | Files not fully uploaded, or wrong paths | Re-upload; check file paths and permissions | | Email not arriving | MX records not updated or missing | Check MX records point to the new mail server | | Old site still showing | DNS caching | Wait, clear the browser cache, try another network | | No padlock | SSL not issued yet | Wait a little after DNS updates, or contact support | Let us do it for you Free migration comes with SiloLobby hosting. Order your plan, open a support ticket with your old host's access details, and our team copies your site, databases and email accounts, tests them, and tells you when to switch. Moving specific types of websites WordPress - Use a migration plugin, or copy *wp-content* and the database manually. - Update *wp-config.php* with the new database details. - If the domain stays the same, no search-and-replace is needed. - Clear caches after the move. Online stores - Choose a quiet time and pause orders briefly during the final copy so no orders are lost. - Test checkout and payment notifications (webhooks) on the new host. - Confirm order emails are sent from the new server. Custom apps - Recreate environment variables and scheduled tasks (cron jobs). - Match PHP, Node.js or database versions where possible. - Check file permissions and upload folders. Communicating with your team and customers Most well-planned migrations are invisible to customers. Still: - tell staff not to change website content during the switch, - let your team know email may briefly arrive in two places, - have a support contact ready in case something looks wrong. After the migration: performance check Once the new site is live, compare it with the old one: - page load times on a phone using mobile data, - server response time, - any errors in the new server's logs. Faster storage and caching on the new host often make a noticeable difference. How long should you keep the old hosting? Keep it for at least 48 hours after switching DNS, and up to a week if you are moving email. Some networks remember old DNS answers longer than expected, and the overlap gives you a safe fallback if anything was missed. Free migration: what to send us Open a support ticket with your old host's cPanel or FTP access, your database details if available, and a list of email accounts. We confirm when the copy is ready to test. Summary A no-downtime migration is about order: back up, set up the new host, copy and test, lower the TTL, switch DNS, and only then cancel the old hosting. Take your time, keep both running in parallel, and you will not lose visitors or email. Choose your hosting: https://silolobby.com/hosting ### Questions and answers Q: Does SiloLobby migrate websites for free? A: Yes. When you buy hosting, our team can move your existing website for free. Open a support ticket after ordering. Q: Will I lose email during a migration? A: Not if you recreate your email accounts on the new host before switching DNS, and keep the old host active for a few days. Q: How long does a website migration take? A: Copying a typical small business site takes under an hour. The DNS switch then takes a few hours to show everywhere. Q: Do I need to move my domain when I move hosting? A: No. Hosting and domain registration are separate. You can move hosting and keep the domain where it is, or transfer it later. Q: What if something goes wrong after switching? A: Because the old hosting is still running, you can point DNS back while you fix the problem. --- ## How to Create a Business Email Address with Your Own Domain URL: https://silolobby.com/blog/how-to-create-a-business-email-address-with-your-domain Updated: 2026-10-19 Short answer: to create a business email address, you need a domain (for example *yourbusiness.com.ng*) and an email plan. At SiloLobby choose a business email plan (https://silolobby.com/email) (from ₦700/month per mailbox, or free for domains registered with us), connect your domain, create mailboxes like *hello@yourbusiness.com.ng*, and sign in on the web, in Outlook, or on your phone. A professional email address is one of the cheapest ways to look established. This guide takes you from choosing a plan to reading your first message on your phone, including the DNS records that keep your mail out of spam and the habits that keep your team's email secure. Why your business needs its own email address - Trust. Customers, banks and corporate buyers take *ada@adafoods.com.ng* more seriously than *adafoods2024@gmail.com*, and scammers often use free addresses. - Control. When a staff member leaves, the mailbox stays with the company: you can reset the password, keep the history and forward new mail. - Brand. Every email you send advertises your website. - Protection. With SPF, DKIM and DMARC set up, inboxes can tell your real emails from fakes using your name. Read the full comparison in business email vs Gmail (https://silolobby.com/blog/business-email-vs-gmail-for-nigerian-businesses). What you need 1. A domain. If you do not have one, register it in minutes; see how to register a .com.ng domain (https://silolobby.com/blog/how-to-register-a-com-ng-domain-in-nigeria). 2. An email plan. Business email is priced per mailbox, so you only pay for the people who need one. Choosing a plan | Plan | Storage per mailbox | Highlights | Price | |---|---|---|---| | Mail Free | 1 GB | Webmail, calendar, contacts; up to 3 mailboxes | Free for domains registered with SiloLobby | | Mail Lite | 5 GB | IMAP/POP for Outlook, Gmail app, Apple Mail; aliases; two-factor login | ₦700/month per mailbox | | Mail Pro | 25 GB | Push sync to phones and Outlook (ActiveSync); shared calendars | ₦1,500/month per mailbox | | Mail Premium | 50 GB | Push sync; the most space; priority support | ₦3,000/month per mailbox | Every plan includes spam and virus filtering. Mixed teams can choose the plan that suits their email use. Which should you choose? - Just starting, domain with SiloLobby: Mail Free. - Most small teams: Mail Lite. - People who live in their inbox on phone and laptop: Mail Pro, for instant push sync. - Heavy email users with large attachments: Mail Premium. Choose a business email plan: https://silolobby.com/email Step 1: order your plan Choose your plan and the number of mailboxes. You can add more mailboxes later. Step 2: connect your domain Email needs DNS records so the internet knows where to deliver your mail and that it can trust your messages: | Record | What it does | |---|---| | MX | Tells senders which server receives your email | | SPF (TXT) | Lists the servers allowed to send email for your domain | | DKIM | Adds a signature proving emails really came from you | | DMARC (TXT) | Tells inboxes what to do with fakes | If your domain is registered with SiloLobby, these records are set up for you. If it is elsewhere, your client area shows exactly which records to add at your DNS provider. Learn more in SPF, DKIM and DMARC explained (https://silolobby.com/blog/spf-dkim-dmarc-explained-stop-emails-going-to-spam). Step 3: create mailboxes In your client area open Email → Manage → Mailboxes, then: 1. Choose the address, such as *ada@yourbusiness.com.ng*. 2. Set a strong password (or let the system generate one). 3. Share the login with the person securely. Naming tips: - Use a consistent format for people: *firstname@* or *firstname.lastname@*. - Use role addresses for functions: *sales@*, *support@*, *accounts@*. Step 4: add aliases and forwarders Aliases are extra addresses that deliver into an existing mailbox, at no extra cost. For example, *info@* and *hello@* can both deliver to the owner's mailbox, and *jobs@* to HR. Forwarders send copies to another address. Step 5: sign in and connect your apps - Webmail: sign in from any browser, with calendar and contacts included. - Outlook, Apple Mail, Thunderbird: add the account using IMAP for incoming mail and SMTP for sending. The exact server names and ports are shown in your client area. - Gmail app on Android or iPhone: choose "Add another account" → "Other", and enter the same IMAP and SMTP settings. - Instant push to phones and Outlook: Mail Pro and Premium support ActiveSync, so new mail appears immediately without waiting for the app to check. Step 6: test Send an email from your new address to a Gmail account, then reply to it. In Gmail, open the message, choose Show original and check for SPF: PASS, DKIM: PASS and DMARC: PASS. Moving from Gmail or another provider 1. Create the same addresses on SiloLobby. 2. Copy old messages: add both the old and new accounts to an email app with IMAP and drag folders across, or ask our support team. 3. Switch the MX records to SiloLobby. 4. Keep the old account for a few weeks in case of stragglers. Keeping email secure - Turn on two-factor login for mailboxes. - Use unique, strong passwords; never share one password across a team. - Remove or reassign mailboxes when staff leave. - Train your team to spot phishing: unexpected payment requests, urgent password resets and lookalike domains. Troubleshooting common email problems | Problem | Likely cause | Fix | |---|---|---| | Not receiving any email | MX records missing or pointing elsewhere | Check MX records in your DNS | | Emails going to recipients' spam | SPF, DKIM or DMARC missing | Add the records shown in your client area | | Phone app keeps asking for the password | Wrong server settings or password | Re-enter the settings from your client area | | Mailbox full | Storage limit reached | Delete old mail or upgrade the plan | | Cannot send from the Gmail app | SMTP settings missing | Add the outgoing (SMTP) server details | Setting up email on your phone Android (Gmail app): open Settings, choose Add account, then Other. Enter your full email address, choose Personal (IMAP), enter your password, then the incoming and outgoing server details from your client area. iPhone (Mail app): open Settings → Mail → Accounts → Add Account → Other → Add Mail Account. Enter your name, email and password, choose IMAP, and enter the server details. Push email on Mail Pro or Premium: add the account as an Exchange account on iPhone, or use an app that supports ActiveSync on Android, to get new mail, calendars and contacts instantly. How many mailboxes do you need? Give a mailbox to each person who sends and receives email in their own name. For shared functions (sales, support, accounts), use aliases that deliver into the right person's mailbox. This keeps costs down and makes it easy to reassign roles when staff change. Summary Getting a business email address takes minutes: pick a plan (free with a SiloLobby domain, or from ₦700/month per mailbox), connect your domain's DNS records, create mailboxes and aliases, and connect your apps. It builds trust with every message you send and keeps your company in control of its communication. ### Questions and answers Q: How much is business email in Nigeria? A: At SiloLobby business email starts at ₦700/month per mailbox. Domains registered with SiloLobby can use the free plan with up to 3 mailboxes. Q: Can I use my business email on the Gmail app or Outlook? A: Yes. Every plan works with IMAP and POP in Outlook, the Gmail app and Apple Mail. Pro and Premium also support push sync (ActiveSync) to phones and Outlook. Q: Do I need hosting to have business email? A: No. You can buy business email on its own for any domain you own. Shared hosting also includes email accounts if you prefer one package. Q: What is the difference between a mailbox and an alias? A: A mailbox stores email and has its own password. An alias is an extra address (like sales@) that delivers into an existing mailbox, at no extra cost. Q: Can I keep my old emails when I switch? A: Yes. You can copy old messages across using IMAP, either with your email app or with help from our support team. --- ## Business Email vs Gmail: Why Your Business Needs Its Own Domain Email URL: https://silolobby.com/blog/business-email-vs-gmail-for-nigerian-businesses Updated: 2026-10-19 Short answer: a free Gmail address is fine for personal use, but a business email on your own domain (*you@yourbusiness.com.ng*) builds trust, keeps the company in control of every mailbox, protects your brand from impersonation, and costs very little: from ₦700/month per mailbox, or free with a domain registered at SiloLobby. Many Nigerian businesses start with a Gmail address because it is free and familiar. As the business grows, the hidden costs appear: customers hesitate, staff leave with client conversations, and scammers impersonate you. This guide compares the two honestly and shows how to switch without losing anything. Side-by-side comparison | | Free Gmail | Business email on your domain | |---|---|---| | Looks professional | No | Yes | | Company owns the mailboxes | No | Yes | | Matches your website and brand | No | Yes | | Protects against impersonation | Weak | Strong (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) | | Role addresses (sales@, accounts@) | No | Yes | | Works on phone and Gmail app | Yes | Yes | | Cost | Free | From ₦700/month per mailbox | 1. Trust: how customers see you Nigerians are rightly cautious about online scams. When a customer receives an invoice, a quotation or a payment request, the sender's address is one of the first things they check. - *accounts@adafoods.com.ng* signals a real, established business. - *adafoods.accounts2024@gmail.com* looks like something anyone could create in a minute, because anyone could. Corporate clients, banks, embassies and government buyers often expect a domain email, and some will not engage without one. 2. Control: who owns the conversation With personal Gmail accounts, each employee owns their account. When they leave, they take the customer conversations, supplier contacts and history with them, and you have no way to recover them. With business email you own every mailbox. When someone leaves you can: - reset the password and keep the mailbox, - forward new messages to their replacement, - keep the full history for records and disputes. 3. Security and brand protection Anyone can create a Gmail address that looks like your business. With your own domain and properly configured SPF, DKIM and DMARC records, receiving inboxes can check that an email claiming to be from you really is. Fakes using your domain can be flagged or rejected. Business email at SiloLobby also includes spam and virus filtering and two-factor login. 4. Organisation: role addresses Business email lets you create addresses for functions, not just people: - *sales@* for enquiries, - *support@* for customer help, - *accounts@* for invoices and payments, - *jobs@* for applications. Aliases deliver these into the right person's mailbox at no extra cost, and when roles change you simply redirect them. 5. Deliverability: reaching the inbox Emails from a properly set-up domain, with SPF, DKIM and DMARC, have a strong identity that inbox providers can verify. This helps your quotations and invoices reach the inbox instead of spam. See SPF, DKIM and DMARC explained (https://silolobby.com/blog/spf-dkim-dmarc-explained-stop-emails-going-to-spam). 6. Consistency Your website, invoices, social profiles, email signatures and vehicle branding all show one name. It is a small detail, but small details build confidence. The real cost | Item | Cost | |---|---| | Domain (.com.ng) | ₦10,000 a year | | Mail Free (domain registered with SiloLobby) | Free, up to 3 mailboxes | | Mail Lite | ₦700/month per mailbox | | Mail Pro (push sync) | ₦1,500/month per mailbox | For most small businesses, the cost is less than a single lost order. How to switch without losing anything 1. Register your domain (if you have not already). 2. Choose a business email plan (https://silolobby.com/email) and create mailboxes for your team. 3. Copy your old Gmail messages using IMAP, or keep the Gmail account for archives. 4. Set up auto-forwarding in Gmail to your new address for a few months. 5. Update your website, invoices, WhatsApp Business profile, social media and email signature. 6. Tell key customers and suppliers about your new address. Read the full walk-through: how to create a business email address (https://silolobby.com/blog/how-to-create-a-business-email-address-with-your-domain). Common objections, answered "My customers already know my Gmail address." Set up forwarding from Gmail to your new address for a few months, add an auto-reply announcing the new address, and update your profiles. Within weeks, customers adjust. "Gmail's spam filtering is better." Business email at SiloLobby includes spam and virus filtering. You can also keep using the Gmail app to read your business email if you like its interface. "It's too complicated to set up." For domains registered with SiloLobby, the email DNS records are added for you. Creating a mailbox takes under a minute. "I'm a one-person business." That is exactly when a professional address matters most: it makes a small business look established. How different businesses use domain email - Retail: *orders@* for customer orders, *returns@* for returns, each forwarded to the right staff member. - Professional services: each consultant has a named mailbox, plus *enquiries@* for new clients. - Schools: *admissions@*, *bursar@* and named staff mailboxes, all owned by the school. - NGOs: *info@* and *donations@* on a .org.ng domain, building trust with donors. Email signatures that build trust A professional signature completes the picture: - Name and role - Business name and website - Phone and WhatsApp number - Business address (city at least) - A short line about what you do Keep it simple; avoid large images that end up as attachments. Security habits for small teams - Turn on two-factor login for every mailbox. - Never share one mailbox password among several people; use aliases instead. - Be suspicious of emails asking for urgent payments or bank detail changes, even from known contacts; confirm by phone. - Remove access promptly when staff leave. What happens to your Gmail account? You do not have to delete it. Many owners keep their Gmail as a personal account and for older contacts, with an auto-reply pointing to the new business address. Over time, important conversations move to the business mailbox, where the company owns them. A switching timeline that works | When | What to do | |---|---| | Day 1 | Register or connect your domain; create mailboxes | | Day 1 | Set up phones and computers; test sending and receiving | | Week 1 | Update website, invoices, social profiles and signatures | | Week 1 | Turn on Gmail forwarding and an auto-reply with the new address | | Month 1 to 3 | Tell customers and suppliers as you correspond | | Month 3+ | Keep Gmail for personal use or archives | Who should switch first? Start with the people who email customers, suppliers and banks most: owners, sales, finance and customer service. Others can follow as roles require. Summary Gmail is a good personal tool, but your business deserves an address that builds trust, belongs to the company, and is protected against impersonation. With a domain and a business email plan from ₦700/month per mailbox (or free with a SiloLobby domain), it is one of the best-value upgrades you can make. Get business email: https://silolobby.com/email ### Questions and answers Q: Is it unprofessional to use Gmail for business? A: Many customers, suppliers and banks see a free email address as less trustworthy, and scammers often use them. An address on your own domain looks established. Q: Can I keep using the Gmail app with business email? A: Yes. You can add your business email account to the Gmail app on Android and iPhone using IMAP. Q: Who owns the emails if a staff member leaves? A: With business email on your domain, the company owns every mailbox and can keep or forward it. With personal Gmail accounts, the employee keeps the account. Q: Is business email expensive? A: No. At SiloLobby it starts at ₦700/month per mailbox, and domains registered with SiloLobby can use a free plan with up to 3 mailboxes. Q: Can I use both Gmail and business email? A: Yes. Many owners keep a personal Gmail and use their business address for everything customer-facing. --- ## SPF, DKIM and DMARC Explained: Stop Your Emails Going to Spam URL: https://silolobby.com/blog/spf-dkim-dmarc-explained-stop-emails-going-to-spam Updated: 2026-10-19 Short answer: SPF, DKIM and DMARC are three DNS records that prove your emails really come from your domain. SPF lists the servers allowed to send your email, DKIM adds a digital signature to every message, and DMARC tells inboxes what to do with email that fails those checks and sends you reports. Without them, Gmail, Outlook and Yahoo are much more likely to send your email to spam, and scammers can impersonate you more easily. If your quotations, invoices or newsletters keep landing in spam, these three records are the first thing to check. This guide explains each one in plain language, shows example records, and gives you a safe step-by-step rollout. Why inboxes need proof Email was designed in the early days of the internet without any built-in way to check who really sent a message. Anyone can type any address in the "From" line. Scammers exploit this constantly, pretending to be banks, payment providers and businesses. SPF, DKIM and DMARC fix the problem by letting your domain publish, in DNS, which servers may send for it and how to verify its messages. Since 2024, Gmail and Yahoo have required them for bulk senders, and every major inbox provider uses them to decide what reaches the inbox. SPF: who is allowed to send SPF (Sender Policy Framework) is a TXT record on your domain listing the servers allowed to send email for it. - v=spf1 starts the record. - include: adds a provider's sending servers. - ~all means "treat any other server as suspicious" (soft fail). -all means "reject others" (hard fail). If you send from several services, for example business email plus an email sending service, combine them in one record: SPF rules to remember - Only one SPF record per domain. Two records break SPF entirely. - At most 10 DNS lookups inside the record (each include: counts). - SPF checks the hidden "envelope" sender, which is why it needs DMARC to protect the visible From address. DKIM: a signature on every email DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) adds an invisible cryptographic signature to each email. Your provider signs with a private key and publishes the matching public key in your DNS, usually at an address like *selector._domainkey.yourdomain.com* as a TXT or CNAME record. When an inbox receives your email, it fetches the public key and checks the signature. If it matches, the inbox knows the email really came from your domain and was not changed on the way. DKIM tips - Each sending service has its own DKIM record, so you can have several. - Copy DKIM values exactly; a missing character breaks the signature. DMARC: your policy and reports DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting and Conformance) ties SPF and DKIM to the address people actually see in the From line, and tells inboxes what to do when checks fail. It lives at _dmarc.yourdomain.com as a TXT record. - p= is the policy: none, quarantine or reject. - rua= is where daily summary reports are sent. For DMARC to pass, at least one of SPF or DKIM must pass and be aligned with the From domain. Rolling out DMARC safely | Stage | Policy | What happens | How long | |---|---|---|---| | 1. Monitor | p=none | Nothing is blocked; you receive reports | 2 to 4 weeks | | 2. Quarantine | p=quarantine | Failing email goes to spam | 2 to 4 weeks | | 3. Reject | p=reject | Failing email is refused | Ongoing | Read your reports during stage 1 to find every legitimate service that sends as your domain (your website's contact form, invoicing software, email marketing) and make sure each one passes SPF or DKIM. Then tighten the policy. How SiloLobby sets this up - Business email on a domain registered with SiloLobby: MX, SPF, DKIM and DMARC are added for you automatically. - Email sending (SMTP and API): we show the exact DKIM CNAMEs, MAIL FROM records and TXT records to add, and add them for you if your domain is with SiloLobby. - Domains registered elsewhere: copy the records from your client area into your DNS provider. How to check everything works 1. Send an email from your domain to a Gmail address. 2. Open it and choose Show original (in the three-dot menu). 3. Look for SPF: PASS, DKIM: PASS and DMARC: PASS. Online DNS checking tools can also confirm that your SPF record is valid and that only one exists. Common mistakes | Mistake | Effect | Fix | |---|---|---| | Two SPF records | SPF fails for all mail | Merge into one record | | Too many includes | SPF "too many lookups" error | Remove unused services | | DKIM value copied with a typo | DKIM fails | Copy the value again exactly | | Jumping straight to p=reject | Legitimate email bounces | Start with p=none and read reports | | Forgetting a sending service | Its mail fails DMARC | Add its SPF include or DKIM record | Other reasons emails land in spam Authentication is essential, but inboxes also look at what you send and to whom: - Sending to old, bought or scraped lists produces bounces and complaints. - Spammy subjects (ALL CAPS, "FREE!!!", lots of exclamation marks). - Link shorteners, or emails that are just one big image. - Newsletters without an unsubscribe link. - Sudden large volumes from a brand-new domain. See how to do email marketing legally in Nigeria (https://silolobby.com/blog/email-marketing-in-nigeria-build-a-list-legally-and-avoid-spam). Understanding DMARC reports DMARC aggregate reports arrive as compressed XML files, usually daily, from inbox providers such as Gmail and Microsoft. They list which servers sent email using your domain and whether each passed SPF and DKIM. Free online DMARC report readers turn them into simple tables. Look for: - Unknown sources sending as your domain: possible impersonation. - Legitimate services failing: add their SPF include or DKIM record. - Volume changes that might indicate a compromised account. Setup checklist - [ ] One SPF record listing every service that sends as your domain - [ ] DKIM records published for your mailbox provider and each sending service - [ ] DMARC record at _dmarc with p=none and a report address - [ ] Test emails show SPF, DKIM and DMARC: PASS - [ ] Reports reviewed for two to four weeks - [ ] Policy raised to quarantine, then reject Subdomains and DMARC DMARC policies apply to subdomains too, unless you set a separate subdomain policy (the sp= tag). If you send marketing from *news.yourdomain.com*, make sure that subdomain also has the right SPF and DKIM records before tightening your policy. Summary SPF says who may send, DKIM proves each email is genuine, and DMARC enforces your policy and reports on fakes. Publish all three, keep one SPF record, roll out DMARC from p=none to p=reject, and check that every email passes. Your messages will reach the inbox more often, and scammers will find it much harder to impersonate you. Get business email with records set up: https://silolobby.com/email ### Questions and answers Q: Why are my business emails going to spam? A: The most common cause is missing or wrong SPF, DKIM and DMARC records, which means inboxes cannot confirm the email really came from you. Sending to old or bought lists also hurts. Q: Do I need SPF, DKIM and DMARC? A: Yes. Gmail and Yahoo require them for anyone sending at volume, and they improve delivery for everyone. Q: Can I have two SPF records? A: No. A domain must have only one SPF record. If you use several services, combine them into one record with several include: entries. Q: What DMARC policy should I start with? A: Start with p=none to monitor, then move to p=quarantine and finally p=reject once your reports show all your legitimate email passes. Q: How do I check if SPF, DKIM and DMARC pass? A: Send an email to a Gmail address, open it, choose Show original, and look for SPF, DKIM and DMARC: PASS. --- ## Transactional Email vs Marketing Email: What's the Difference? URL: https://silolobby.com/blog/transactional-email-vs-marketing-email Updated: 2026-10-19 Short answer: transactional email is sent to one person because of something they did or need: password resets, receipts, order updates, delivery notices and OTP codes. Marketing email is sent to many people at once to promote something: newsletters, offers and announcements. Keep them separate, because if your newsletters attract spam complaints, you do not want login codes and receipts to stop arriving. Many businesses send both kinds of email from the same place without thinking about it, until one bad campaign means customers stop receiving their OTP codes. This guide explains the difference, why separation matters, and what each type needs to work well. The difference at a glance | | Transactional | Marketing | |---|---|---| | Example | "Your order #1042 is confirmed" | "Our December sale starts today" | | Sent to | One person | Many people | | Triggered by | An action or event | You, on a schedule | | Expected by the recipient | Yes, they are waiting | Only if they subscribed | | Urgency | Often urgent (codes, receipts) | Rarely urgent | | Unsubscribe link | Not required | Required | | Consent | Part of the service relationship | Clear opt-in needed | | Typical complaint rate | Very low | Higher | | Priced by (SiloLobby) | Emails a month | Contacts | Examples of transactional email - Account sign-up confirmations and welcome emails - Password resets and one-time passcodes (OTPs) - Order confirmations, invoices and receipts - Shipping and delivery updates - Booking and appointment confirmations - Security alerts (new login, password changed) - Account statements and important service notices Examples of marketing email - Newsletters - Sales and promotions - Product launches and announcements - Event invitations - Re-engagement campaigns ("we miss you") Why separation matters Mailbox providers such as Gmail and Outlook judge each sender's reputation from bounces, spam complaints and engagement. Marketing email naturally gets more complaints and unsubscribes than receipts and codes. If both share one reputation: - a newsletter sent to an old list can trigger bounces and complaints, - your sending reputation drops, - password resets and OTP codes start landing in spam or arriving late, - customers cannot log in or complete purchases. At SiloLobby transactional and marketing sending are separate products with separate tracking, so one cannot damage the other. What transactional email needs - Speed and reliability: the person is waiting for the code or receipt. - SMTP or API access so your website or app sends automatically. See how to send email from your website or app (https://silolobby.com/blog/how-to-send-email-from-your-website-or-app-with-smtp). - A verified sending domain with SPF, DKIM and DMARC. - Delivery logs to answer "I didn't get my code". - Bounce and complaint handling so you stop sending to dead addresses. SiloLobby transactional plans start free, with paid plans from ₦35,000/month for 50,000 emails a month. What marketing email needs - Consent: only email people who asked to hear from you. - List cleaning to remove broken, mistyped and disposable addresses before you send. - Unsubscribe links in every email, including the one-click unsubscribe header that Gmail and Yahoo require for bulk senders. - Sending in batches rather than all at once. - Content that inboxes trust: honest subjects, real links and your business address. SiloLobby marketing plans start free, with paid plans from ₦35,000/month for 2,500 contacts. Read email marketing in Nigeria: build a list legally (https://silolobby.com/blog/email-marketing-in-nigeria-build-a-list-legally-and-avoid-spam). Grey areas Some emails mix both. A good rule: if the main purpose is to complete something the person asked for, it is transactional; if the main purpose is to sell, it is marketing. - An order confirmation with a small "you may also like" section is transactional, as long as the promotion is minor. - A "your cart is waiting" reminder sits in between; send it carefully and let people opt out. - A "new features" announcement to all users is marketing. Using separate addresses Use different sending addresses (or subdomains) for each type, for example *orders@yourshop.com.ng* for receipts and *news@yourshop.com.ng* for newsletters. It helps customers recognise each kind of email and keeps reporting clear. Best practices for transactional emails - Send immediately. Codes and receipts lose value with every minute of delay. - Make the purpose obvious in the subject: "Your login code", "Receipt for order #1042". - Keep the design simple and text readable on phones. - Use a recognisable sender name and a reply address that someone reads. - Include the key details (order number, amount, date) so customers can find the email later. - Do not hide marketing inside transactional emails; keep any promotion small. Best practices for marketing emails - Send only to subscribers who opted in. - Promise and deliver: send what people signed up for, as often as you said. - Segment your list by interest or location for more relevant emails. - Test subject lines and content on a small group first. - Watch complaints and unsubscribes, and adjust. How to set up both at SiloLobby 1. Transactional: create an SMTP or API sending account, verify your domain, and connect your website or app. See how to send email from your website or app (https://silolobby.com/blog/how-to-send-email-from-your-website-or-app-with-smtp). 2. Marketing: create a marketing account, import your consented contacts (they are cleaned automatically), write your campaign with the built-in content checker, and send in safe batches. Both start with a free plan, so you can set everything up before paying. Measuring success | Type | Key measures | |---|---| | Transactional | Delivery rate, delivery speed, bounces, support tickets about missing emails | | Marketing | Opens, clicks, conversions, unsubscribes, complaints | If transactional delivery problems appear, check authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) and your sending logs first. Choosing the right plan Transactional plans are priced by emails sent each month. Start on the free plan while you connect your website or app, then move to a paid plan, such as Pro 50K at ₦35,000/month for 50,000 emails, as volume grows. Marketing plans are priced by the number of contacts on your list. Start free, then choose the plan that fits your list, for example Marketing 2.5K at ₦35,000/month. You can run both side by side, each with its own reputation and reports. Consent and the law Transactional emails are part of providing your service, so customers generally expect them. Marketing emails need a lawful basis, usually consent, under the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023, and every marketing email must let people unsubscribe easily. Keeping the two separate also makes it easy to honour unsubscribes without stopping the receipts and notices customers still need. Quick test: which kind is this email? Ask: "Would the customer be confused or harmed if this email did not arrive?" If yes (a receipt, code or delivery update), it is transactional. If no (a promotion or newsletter), it is marketing and needs consent and an unsubscribe link. Summary Transactional email is expected, individual and urgent; marketing email is promotional, bulk and needs consent. Send them through separate channels so newsletter complaints never block your receipts and login codes. SiloLobby offers both as separate products, each with the safeguards it needs. See email sending plans: https://silolobby.com/email/sending ### Questions and answers Q: What is transactional email? A: Email triggered by something a user did or needs: password resets, order confirmations, receipts, OTP codes and account alerts. Q: Do transactional emails need an unsubscribe link? A: Not usually, because the person needs them to use your service. Marketing emails always need a clear unsubscribe link. Q: Why keep transactional and marketing email separate? A: So complaints about a newsletter never slow down password resets or receipts. SiloLobby tracks the two products separately for this reason. Q: Is an order confirmation with a discount code marketing? A: Mostly transactional, but keep promotional content small. If the main purpose of an email is to sell, treat it as marketing. Q: Can I send transactional email from my normal mailbox? A: For a few messages, yes, but apps should use an SMTP or API sending service with proper authentication, logs and bounce handling. --- ## Email Marketing in Nigeria: Build a List Legally and Stay Out of Spam URL: https://silolobby.com/blog/email-marketing-in-nigeria-build-a-list-legally-and-avoid-spam Updated: 2026-10-19 Short answer: email marketing in Nigeria works when you only email people who agreed to hear from you (as the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 expects), make it easy to unsubscribe, clean your list before sending, and send genuinely useful content on a steady schedule. Never buy, rent or scrape lists: they break the rules and destroy your delivery. Email is still one of the best-performing marketing channels: you own your list, there is no algorithm deciding who sees your message, and it costs far less than paid adverts. But it only works if your emails reach the inbox. This guide covers the legal basics, how to grow a list properly, how to write emails inboxes trust, and how to measure what works. The legal basics in Nigeria The Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 (NDPA) governs how organisations collect and use personal data, including email addresses. For email marketing, the practical rules are: - Have a lawful basis. For marketing this is usually clear consent, given freely when someone signs up. - Be transparent. Tell people who you are, what you will send and how often. - Make unsubscribing easy and honour requests promptly. - Collect only what you need, keep it accurate, and keep it secure. - Do not share or sell subscribers' data without permission. This is a practical summary, not legal advice. For your specific situation, speak to a lawyer or a data protection consultant. Growing your list the right way On your website - A simple sign-up form with a clear promise: "Monthly tips and member-only offers. Unsubscribe any time." - A pop-up or banner with a genuine reason to join, such as a discount code or useful guide. - A checkbox at checkout that is not ticked in advance. In person and offline - A sign-up sheet or tablet at your shop or event, with the purpose written on it. - A QR code on receipts, packaging or flyers linking to your sign-up form. Through value - A free download: a price list, checklist or how-to guide. - A welcome discount for new subscribers. - Early access to sales or new products. What never to do - Buy, rent or scrape lists. These people never agreed to hear from you. - Add business cards or WhatsApp contacts without asking. - Hide consent in your terms and conditions. These contacts produce bounces and spam complaints, which can get your sending paused and your domain's reputation damaged for months. Clean your list before you send Old lists contain dead, mistyped and fake addresses. SiloLobby email marketing checks imported lists automatically: | Check | What it catches | |---|---| | Syntax | Addresses that are not valid email formats | | Common typos | gmial.com, yaho.com, hotmial.com | | Disposable domains | Temporary inboxes that bounce later | | Role addresses | info@, admin@ (flagged, as they often complain) | | Mail server check | Domains that cannot receive email at all | Write emails inboxes trust - An honest subject line. No ALL CAPS, no "FREE!!!", no fake "Re:" or "Fwd:". - A recognisable sender name, such as "Ada Foods" or "Ada from Ada Foods". - Mostly text with a few images, not one large image. - Real links to your own website, not link shorteners. - One clear call to action per email. - Your business name and postal address in the footer. - A visible unsubscribe link. Gmail and Yahoo also require a one-click unsubscribe header for bulk senders, which SiloLobby adds for you. SiloLobby checks your content as you write and explains anything spam filters dislike. Plan your content Useful content keeps people subscribed. Ideas for Nigerian businesses: - Retail: new arrivals, restock alerts, sales and delivery updates. - Restaurants: weekly menus, special offers, event nights. - Services: tips, case studies, seasonal reminders. - B2B: industry news, guides, price updates, webinars. Aim for a ratio of roughly three helpful emails to one purely promotional email. Send safely - Warm up gradually. New senders build trust slowly. SiloLobby starts new accounts at 200 emails a day, rising to 1,000 and then 5,000 a day over two weeks. - Send in batches, not all at once. SiloLobby paces campaigns automatically. - First campaigns are reviewed. A new sender's first campaigns are checked by our team before they go out, so mistakes never reach thousands of people. - Bounces and complaints are suppressed automatically, so you never email them twice. Measure and improve | Metric | What it tells you | Healthy direction | |---|---|---| | Delivered | How many emails were accepted | As close to 100% as possible | | Opens | Interest in your subject line | Stable or rising | | Clicks | Interest in your content | Rising | | Unsubscribes | Content or frequency fit | Low and steady | | Bounces | List quality | Under 2% | | Spam complaints | Consent and relevance | Well under 0.1% | If complaints rise, check where those contacts came from and whether your emails match what you promised at sign-up. A simple monthly routine 1. Plan one or two emails for the month. 2. Write and check them with the content checker. 3. Send a test to yourself and a colleague. 4. Send to your list. 5. Review results a week later and note what worked. 6. Remove contacts who have not engaged in a long time. A welcome email sequence that works The moment someone subscribes is when they are most interested. A short welcome sequence builds the relationship: 1. Immediately: thank them, deliver what you promised (discount code or guide), and say what to expect. 2. Day 3: share your most useful content or best-selling products. 3. Day 7: tell your story and invite them to follow you on social media or WhatsApp. Segmenting your list Sending the same email to everyone is easy, but relevant emails perform much better. Simple segments to start with: - Location: Lagos, Abuja, other states, or outside Nigeria, for delivery offers and events. - Customer status: subscribers who have never bought vs repeat customers. - Interests: product categories or services people clicked on. Even two or three segments can lift clicks and reduce unsubscribes. Re-engaging inactive subscribers People who have not opened or clicked in six months or more drag down your results and can harm delivery. Send them one or two "do you still want to hear from us?" emails with a clear option to stay subscribed. Remove those who do not respond. A smaller, engaged list beats a large, silent one. Subject lines that work - Be specific: "New ankara styles in sizes 8 to 18" beats "New arrivals!!!". - Mention the benefit: "Free delivery in Lagos this weekend". - Keep it short enough to read on a phone. - Match the subject to the content, every time. Summary Successful email marketing in Nigeria is built on consent, clean lists and useful content. Collect subscribers openly, respect unsubscribes, keep bounces and complaints low, and send consistently. With these foundations, email becomes one of the most profitable channels your business has. Start email marketing free: https://silolobby.com/email/sending ### Questions and answers Q: Is it legal to send marketing emails in Nigeria? A: Yes, if you have a lawful basis, usually consent, as expected under the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023, and you let people unsubscribe easily. Q: Can I buy an email list? A: No. Bought lists have no consent, damage your sending reputation and break the rules of every reputable sending service, including SiloLobby. Q: How often should I send newsletters? A: Consistency matters more than frequency. Once or twice a month is a good start for most small businesses. Q: What is a good open rate? A: It varies by industry and list. Watch your own trend over time, and focus on clicks, replies and sales rather than opens alone. Q: What bounce and complaint rates are safe? A: Keep hard bounces under 2% and spam complaints well under 0.1%. Higher rates harm delivery for your whole list. --- ## How to Send Email from Your Website or App with SMTP (WordPress, Laravel, Node.js) URL: https://silolobby.com/blog/how-to-send-email-from-your-website-or-app-with-smtp Updated: 2026-10-19 Short answer: to send reliable email from your website or app, sign up for an SMTP service, verify your sending domain by adding the DNS records it gives you, create SMTP credentials, and enter the host, port (587 or 465), username and password in your app's mail settings. Then send a test and check that SPF, DKIM and DMARC pass. "Why didn't I receive the contact form message?" and "I never got my order confirmation" are two of the most common website problems. The cause is almost always the same: the website sends email straight from the web server, and inboxes do not trust it. This guide shows how to fix it properly for WordPress, WooCommerce, Laravel and Node.js. Why default website email fails Most hosting lets websites send mail using a basic built-in function (PHP's `mail()`). Those messages: - often lack proper SPF and DKIM authentication for your domain, - come from a shared server whose reputation you do not control, - leave no logs, so you cannot see whether they were delivered. The result: contact-form messages and order confirmations land in spam or disappear. A dedicated sending service with a verified domain fixes all three problems. How SMTP sending works SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) is the standard way email is sent. Your app connects to the sending service's SMTP server, logs in with your credentials, and hands over the message. The service signs it with your domain's DKIM key, sends it from servers listed in your SPF record, and records what happens to it. Step 1: verify your sending domain In your SiloLobby sending console, add the domain you send from, for example *yourshop.com.ng*. You receive DNS records to add: | Record | Purpose | |---|---| | DKIM (3 CNAMEs) | Signs every email as your domain | | MAIL FROM (MX and TXT) | Aligns the return path with your domain | | SPF (TXT) | Authorises the sending servers | | DMARC (TXT) | Sets your policy and reporting | If your domain is registered with SiloLobby, we can add them for you. Verification usually completes within minutes of the records being published. Step 2: create SMTP credentials Create an SMTP login (or an API key for HTTP sending). The password is shown only once, so store it in a password manager or your app's secure configuration. Create separate credentials for each website or app so you can revoke one without affecting the others. Step 3: connect your app WordPress and WooCommerce Install a well-known SMTP plugin, then enter: - SMTP host: shown in your sending console - Port: 587 with TLS, or 465 with SSL - Authentication: on - Username and password: your SMTP credentials - From email: an address on your verified domain, such as *orders@yourshop.com.ng* - From name: your business name Turn on "force From email" so plugins cannot send from unverified addresses. Then use the plugin's test feature. Laravel In your *.env* file: Clear the configuration cache after editing, then send a test notification. Node.js with Nodemailer Keep credentials in environment variables, never in your code repository. Other apps and plugins Almost any app that sends email has SMTP settings: CRMs, booking systems, helpdesks, invoicing software. Use the same host, port and credentials. Step 4: test and check authentication 1. Send a test to your own Gmail address. 2. Open the email, choose Show original. 3. Confirm SPF: PASS, DKIM: PASS and DMARC: PASS. Your sending console also shows every email's status: delivered, bounced or complained. Ports and encryption | Port | Encryption | When to use | |---|---|---| | 587 | STARTTLS | Recommended default | | 465 | SSL/TLS | When your app expects "SSL" | | 25 | None or STARTTLS | Avoid; often blocked by networks | Start in test mode New SiloLobby sending accounts start in test mode: you can send to your own address and to addresses on your verified domains, up to 100 emails a day, while you connect everything. When you are ready, request full access from the console. We check your website and how people sign up, then turn on full sending. New accounts also ramp up gradually over two weeks to build a good reputation. Troubleshooting | Problem | Likely cause | Fix | |---|---|---| | Authentication failed | Wrong username or password | Recreate credentials and paste them carefully | | Connection timed out | Port blocked by your host or firewall | Try port 587 or 465 | | "Sender not verified" | From address is not on a verified domain | Use an address on your verified domain | | Emails in spam | Missing DKIM or DMARC, or poor content | Check records; review content and list | | Gmail shows "via" | DKIM not aligned with your domain | Add the DKIM records from the console | Security tips for SMTP credentials - Store credentials in environment variables or your platform's secret storage, never in public code repositories. - Use separate credentials for each website or app. - Revoke credentials immediately if a developer leaves or a server is compromised. - Watch your sending logs for unexpected volume, which can indicate stolen credentials. Monitoring your sending Once everything is connected, check your sending console regularly: - Delivered: emails accepted by the recipient's server. - Bounced: addresses that do not exist or rejected the email; they are suppressed automatically so you stop sending to them. - Complaints: recipients who marked an email as spam. Investigate if these appear on transactional email. A sudden rise in bounces often means a form is collecting mistyped addresses; adding email validation to the form helps. Choosing your From address Use a clear, consistent sender for each type of email: | Email type | Example From address | |---|---| | Order confirmations and receipts | orders@yourshop.com.ng | | Password resets and codes | security@yourshop.com.ng or no-reply@yourshop.com.ng | | Contact form notifications | website@yourshop.com.ng | | Account notices | accounts@yourshop.com.ng | Whichever you choose, the address must be on your verified domain. If you use a "no-reply" address, make sure the email tells customers how to reach you. SMTP or HTTP API? Both send the same emails. SMTP works with almost every plugin and framework out of the box. An HTTP API call is often simpler from custom code, can be faster, and returns a message ID immediately for your logs. Many teams use SMTP for off-the-shelf software and the API for their own applications. SiloLobby email sending supports both, with the same verified domains, logs and limits. Summary Send website and app email through a proper SMTP service: verify your domain, create credentials, enter the host and port in your app, and confirm SPF, DKIM and DMARC pass. Your contact forms, receipts and codes will arrive reliably, with logs to prove it. See SMTP plans: https://silolobby.com/email/sending ### Questions and answers Q: Why are my WordPress emails not sending? A: By default WordPress sends mail through the server's PHP mail function, which many inboxes distrust. Connecting an SMTP service with a verified domain fixes it. Q: What port should I use for SMTP? A: Use port 587 with STARTTLS or port 465 with SSL. Avoid port 25, which many networks block. Q: Is there a free SMTP plan? A: Yes. SiloLobby has a free transactional plan to get started, with paid plans from ₦35,000/month. Q: Should I use SMTP or an HTTP API? A: SMTP works with almost any app and plugin. An HTTP API is often faster and gives richer responses for custom applications. SiloLobby supports both. Q: Why do my emails say 'via' another server in Gmail? A: It usually means DKIM is not set up for your domain. Add the DKIM records from your sending console so emails are signed as your domain. --- ## How Much Does a Website Cost in Nigeria? A Complete Price Guide URL: https://silolobby.com/blog/how-much-does-a-website-cost-in-nigeria Updated: 2026-10-19 Short answer: a basic business website in Nigeria costs about ₦10,000 a year for a .com.ng domain plus ₦2,500/month for hosting if you build it yourself, with SSL and business email included. Having it professionally built at SiloLobby starts at ₦200,000 as a one-off payment, including the domain and hosting for the first year. "How much is a website?" is like asking "how much is a car?": the answer depends on what you need. This guide breaks down every cost, compares the three ways to get a website, shows what you will pay each year after launch, and points out the hidden costs that catch people out. The building blocks of every website | Item | What it is | Typical cost at SiloLobby | |---|---|---| | Domain | Your web address | .com.ng ₦10,000/yr · .ng ₦15,000/yr · .com ₦15,500/yr | | Hosting | Where your website lives | From ₦2,500/month | | SSL | The padlock (HTTPS) | Free with hosting | | Business email | you@yourbusiness.com.ng | Included with hosting, or from ₦700/month per mailbox | | Design and build | Making the website itself | Do it yourself, or from ₦200,000 | | Add-ons | Backups, malware scanning, premium SSL | Optional | Option 1: build it yourself Best for: people comfortable learning WordPress or a website builder, and tight budgets. What you pay: - Domain: .com.ng at ₦10,000 a year - Shared hosting: ₦2,500/month, with free SSL and unlimited email accounts - Theme and plugins: many good ones are free; premium themes cost extra What you invest: time. Expect a few days to a few weeks to plan, build and fill a good site, depending on your experience. Watch out for: spending weeks on design and never finishing. Start simple, launch, then improve. See how to host a WordPress website (https://silolobby.com/blog/how-to-host-a-wordpress-website-in-nigeria). Option 2: use a website builder Best for: small sites that need to look tidy quickly, with no code. A drag-and-drop builder lets you choose a template and edit it visually. The Nova website builder add-on is ₦6,000/month, on top of your domain and hosting. Watch out for: builders are less flexible than WordPress for complex features such as large online stores or custom bookings. Option 3: have it built for you Best for: businesses that want a professional result without spending their own time, and anyone who needs custom design or features. Our team designs and builds your website. Every package includes a free domain for one year, a year of hosting, SSL and business email: | Package | What you get | Price (one-off) | |---|---|---| | Starter Website | Up to 5 pages, mobile-friendly design, contact form and WhatsApp button, basic on-page SEO | ₦200,000 | | Business Website | Up to 10 pages, custom design to your brand, blog or news section, Google Analytics and Search Console | ₦300,000 | | E-commerce Store | Up to 100 products, Paystack or Flutterwave payments in naira, delivery zones, discount codes | ₦500,000 | | Premium / Agency | Up to 25 pages or unlimited products, fully custom design, bookings or members area, multi-currency payments | ₦700,000 | Get a website built: https://silolobby.com/website-development What makes website quotes go up? When comparing quotes from designers and agencies, these are the factors that change the price: - Number of pages. Each page needs design, content and testing. - Custom design versus an adapted template. - Features: online payments, bookings, member logins, multiple languages, integrations. - Content: writing, photography and product uploads take real time. - Hosting and support: some quotes include a year of hosting and maintenance; others do not. - Revisions: how many rounds of changes are included. Always ask exactly what is included, who owns the domain and the website files, and what happens after launch. Yearly running costs after launch | Cost | Example | |---|---| | Domain renewal | ₦10,000 a year for .com.ng | | Hosting renewal | From ₦2,500/month | | Business email | Included with hosting, or per mailbox | | Optional add-ons | Backups, malware scanning, premium SSL | | Updates and content | Your time, or a maintenance plan | Keep your SiloLobby wallet funded and renewals are paid automatically, so your site never goes offline because an invoice was missed. Hidden costs to watch for - Cheap first-year domains with expensive renewals. See domain prices in Nigeria (https://silolobby.com/blog/domain-prices-in-nigeria-registration-renewal-transfer). - Hosting billed in dollars, which rises with the exchange rate and fails when cards are declined. - Designers who register the domain in their own name. Always make sure the domain is registered in your name. - No backups. Recovering a broken or hacked site without backups costs far more than backups. - Pirated themes and plugins, which often contain malware. How to budget 1. Decide what the website must do: inform, generate enquiries, take bookings or sell online. 2. Choose your route: do it yourself, builder, or built for you. 3. Add yearly costs: domain, hosting, email and any add-ons. 4. Set aside time or budget for content and updates. A website that never changes stops performing. Questions to ask a web designer before you pay 1. Will the domain be registered in my name, and will I have access? 2. Who owns the website files and content after launch? 3. How many pages, revisions and features are included? 4. Is hosting included, and what does it cost to renew? 5. Will the site be mobile-friendly and fast on mobile data? 6. What happens if I need changes after launch, and what do they cost? 7. Will I be trained to update the site myself? 8. Is basic SEO (titles, descriptions, sitemap, Search Console) included? Typical budgets by business type | Business | Common approach | Starting cost | |---|---|---| | Freelancer or sole trader | Do it yourself on shared hosting | ₦10,000 domain + ₦2,500/month hosting | | Small local business | Starter Website package | ₦200,000 | | Growing company | Business Website package | ₦300,000 | | Shop selling online | E-commerce Store package | ₦500,000 | Getting the most value from your budget - Start lean. Launch with the pages and features you need now; add more as the business grows. - Invest in content. Clear writing and real photos often matter more than expensive design. - Plan for maintenance. A small monthly budget for updates keeps the site secure and current. - Track results. Use Google Analytics and Search Console to see which pages bring enquiries, and improve those first. Cheap vs expensive: what you are really paying for A low quote may leave out content writing, mobile testing, SEO basics, SSL setup or training. A higher quote may include strategy, custom design and ongoing support. Compare what is included line by line, not just the total. Summary A website in Nigeria can cost as little as a domain (₦10,000 a year) plus hosting (₦2,500/month) if you build it yourself, or from ₦200,000 as a one-off to have it professionally built with the first year of domain and hosting included. Budget for yearly renewals, make sure you own your domain, and avoid the hidden costs of dollar billing and missing backups. ### Questions and answers Q: What is the cheapest way to get a website in Nigeria? A: Build it yourself: a .com.ng domain (₦10,000 a year) plus shared hosting (₦2,500/month), with free SSL and email included. Q: How much does it cost to have a website built for me? A: At SiloLobby a professionally built website starts at ₦200,000 and includes a free domain for a year, a year of hosting, SSL and business email. Q: What are the yearly costs of running a website? A: Domain renewal, hosting, and any paid add-ons such as premium SSL, backups or email plans. Budget for updates and new content too. Q: How much does an e-commerce website cost in Nigeria? A: At SiloLobby the E-commerce Store package costs ₦500,000, including up to 100 products, naira payments, a domain and a year of hosting. Q: Why do website quotes vary so much? A: Quotes depend on the number of pages, custom design, features such as payments or bookings, content writing, and whether hosting and support are included. --- ## How to Build a Website for Your Small Business in Nigeria URL: https://silolobby.com/blog/how-to-build-a-website-for-your-small-business-in-nigeria Updated: 2026-10-19 Short answer: register a domain (for example *.com.ng*), buy hosting, install WordPress or use a website builder, create five core pages (Home, About, Services, Contact, Privacy), connect business email, then add your site to Google Search Console and Google Business Profile so customers can find you. You can do it yourself in a few days, or have it built for you. Many Nigerian small businesses run entirely on Instagram and WhatsApp. That works until a customer wants to check you are real, a competitor appears in Google search instead of you, or a platform changes its rules. A website is a channel you own. This guide takes you through building one, step by step. Why your small business needs a website - Trust. Customers check websites to confirm a business is genuine before paying. - Google visibility. People search "caterer in Lekki" or "printing press Abuja". Without a website you miss them. - Ownership. Social platforms can change algorithms or suspend accounts; your website and email list are yours. - Always open. Your website answers questions, shows prices and takes orders at 2 a.m. Step 1: get your domain Choose a name that matches your business: short, easy to spell and easy to say. For Nigerian customers, .com.ng and .ng are trusted and affordable. See how to choose a domain name (https://silolobby.com/blog/how-to-choose-a-domain-name-for-your-business) and how to register a .com.ng domain (https://silolobby.com/blog/how-to-register-a-com-ng-domain-in-nigeria). Step 2: choose hosting Most small businesses start with shared hosting (https://silolobby.com/hosting/shared) (₦2,500/month) or WordPress hosting (https://silolobby.com/hosting/wordpress) (₦3,000/month). Both include free SSL and email accounts. See shared vs WordPress vs VPS hosting (https://silolobby.com/blog/shared-vs-wordpress-vs-vps-vs-reseller-hosting) if you are unsure. Step 3: plan your pages and content Before building anything, write down what each page should say. This is the step most people rush, and it makes the biggest difference. | Page | What it should include | |---|---| | Home | Who you are, what you offer, why choose you, and how to contact you, visible without scrolling far | | About | Your story, team, experience and what makes you different | | Services or Products | What you sell, who it is for, and prices where possible | | Contact | Phone, WhatsApp, email, address, opening hours and a map | | Privacy policy | How you handle personal data from forms and orders | Optional but valuable: testimonials, a gallery of past work, frequently asked questions, and a blog. Gather your materials: your logo, good photos of your products, premises and team, and testimonials from customers. Step 4: build it Choose the approach that fits your skills and budget: - WordPress: the most flexible, with thousands of themes and plugins. Best if you want room to grow. - Website builder: the quickest, with drag-and-drop editing. - Have it built: our website development (https://silolobby.com/website-development) team designs and builds it for you, with the domain and hosting included for the first year. Step 5: design for phones first Most Nigerian visitors browse on phones, often on mobile data. To keep your site fast and easy to use: - choose a mobile-friendly, lightweight theme, - compress photos before uploading, - put your phone number and WhatsApp button where thumbs can reach them, - keep text readable without zooming, - test on a real phone using mobile data. Step 6: add the trust signals customers look for - A real business address and phone number - Clear prices or "from" prices - Testimonials and photos of real work - Your business registration details, if you have them - A professional email address (not Gmail) Step 7: set up business email Create *hello@yourbusiness.com.ng* and connect it to your phone. See how to create a business email address (https://silolobby.com/blog/how-to-create-a-business-email-address-with-your-domain). Step 8: get found on Google 1. Google Search Console: verify your site and submit your sitemap so Google indexes your pages. 2. Google Business Profile: create or update your free listing with your address, hours, photos and website. It is how you appear in Google Maps and local searches. 3. Write helpful content: pages that answer real customer questions, such as prices, how your service works, and delivery areas. 4. Collect reviews from happy customers on Google. 5. Get listed in reputable local directories and your industry associations. Step 9: connect your marketing - Add your website link to Instagram, Facebook, X, TikTok and WhatsApp Business. - Print it on business cards, receipts, packaging and vehicles. - Start an email list with permission. See email marketing in Nigeria (https://silolobby.com/blog/email-marketing-in-nigeria-build-a-list-legally-and-avoid-spam). Step 10: keep it fresh and secure - Update software weekly. - Add new content monthly, such as products, projects or articles. - Check that contact forms still work. - Keep backups off the server. See the security checklist (https://silolobby.com/blog/how-to-protect-your-website-from-hackers-checklist). Common mistakes to avoid - Launching without contact details on every page. - Using huge photos that make pages slow on mobile data. - Copying text from competitors, which Google treats as duplicate content. - Never updating the site after launch. - Letting a designer register the domain in their own name. How long does it take? | Stage | Typical time | |---|---| | Domain and hosting | Under an hour | | Planning pages and writing content | 2 to 7 days | | Gathering photos and logo | 1 to 7 days | | Building the site | 1 to 5 days | | Testing and launch | 1 day | Content almost always takes longest, so start writing early. Writing your home page: a simple formula 1. Headline: what you do and for whom ("Fresh event catering across Lagos"). 2. Sub-headline: your main benefit ("Delicious food, on time, for 20 to 2,000 guests"). 3. Call to action: one clear button ("Get a quote on WhatsApp"). 4. Proof: photos of your work, client logos or reviews. 5. Services: three to six short summaries linking to detail pages. 6. Contact: phone, WhatsApp, email and address. Write in the words your customers use, not industry jargon. Photos that build trust Real photos convert far better than stock images: - Your premises, team and products, taken in good natural light. - Before-and-after photos for services such as cleaning, construction or beauty. - Customers using your product (with their permission). Compress photos before uploading so pages stay fast on mobile data. A pre-launch checklist - [ ] Every page has a clear heading and a call to action - [ ] Phone, WhatsApp and email work when tapped on a phone - [ ] Contact form sends to the right mailbox - [ ] Site loads with https and the padlock - [ ] Pages load quickly on mobile data - [ ] Spelling and prices checked - [ ] Google Search Console and Google Business Profile set up Measuring success Track enquiries from the contact form, WhatsApp clicks and calls from your website each month. If numbers are flat, improve your home page headline, add customer reviews and make the call-to-action buttons more visible. Summary Building a small business website in Nigeria takes a domain, hosting, a clear plan for five core pages, and a few days of work, or a professional team if you prefer. Design for phones, add trust signals, set up business email, and register with Google Search Console and Google Business Profile so customers can find you. Start with a domain: https://silolobby.com/domains ### Questions and answers Q: Can I build a business website without a developer? A: Yes. With WordPress or a website builder you can build a professional site yourself. If you prefer, our team can build it for you. Q: What pages should a small business website have? A: At minimum: Home, About, Services or Products, Contact, and a Privacy Policy. Q: How do I get my new website on Google? A: Add it to Google Search Console, submit your sitemap, create a Google Business Profile, and publish helpful content about what you do. Q: How long does it take to build a small business website? A: A simple five-page site can be built in a few days if your text and photos are ready. Gathering content usually takes longer than the building itself. Q: Do I need a website if I sell on Instagram and WhatsApp? A: Yes. A website builds trust, appears in Google searches, and is a channel you own, unlike social platforms whose rules and reach can change. --- ## How to Start an Online Store in Nigeria: Domain, Hosting and Payments Checklist URL: https://silolobby.com/blog/how-to-start-an-online-store-in-nigeria Updated: 2026-10-19 Short answer: to start an online store in Nigeria, register a domain, choose WordPress hosting, install WooCommerce, connect a naira payment gateway such as Paystack or Flutterwave, set up delivery zones and fees, add your products and policies, then promote your store. Or have it built for you with the E-commerce Store package (https://silolobby.com/website-development) (₦500,000). Selling online lets you reach customers across Nigeria, take orders around the clock and stop managing every sale through DMs. This checklist covers everything from your domain to your first marketing campaign, with the decisions that matter most for Nigerian stores. Before you build: plan the business - What are you selling, and to whom? Know your customers and their budget. - How will you source and store stock? - Where will you deliver, and at what cost? - How will customers pay? Card, bank transfer, USSD, and perhaps payment on delivery in some areas. - What is your returns policy? Answering these first makes building the store much faster. 1. Domain Choose a short, trustworthy name. .com.ng builds local trust; .com suits international buyers. See .ng vs .com.ng vs .com (https://silolobby.com/blog/ng-vs-com-ng-vs-com-which-domain-should-you-choose). 2. Hosting WordPress hosting (https://silolobby.com/hosting/wordpress) with NVMe storage keeps product pages and checkout fast. As traffic and product numbers grow, a cloud VPS (https://silolobby.com/hosting/vps) gives you dedicated resources. 3. Store software WooCommerce (a free WordPress plugin) is popular in Nigeria because it is flexible, widely supported by developers, and works with local payment gateways. You own your store and your customer data. 4. Payments Connect a Nigerian payment gateway: - Paystack and Flutterwave let customers pay by card, bank transfer and USSD, in naira. - Test a real payment in test mode before launch. - Show accepted payment methods clearly on product and checkout pages. Payment on delivery: popular with some shoppers, but it risks failed deliveries and returns. Consider offering it only in certain areas, above a minimum order, or to returning customers. 5. Delivery - Create delivery zones (for example Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland, Abuja, other states) with fees for each. - Partner with reliable logistics companies and compare their prices and tracking. - Show estimated delivery times before checkout. - Send order and dispatch updates by email and WhatsApp. 6. Products Product pages sell, so invest time in them: - clear, well-lit photos from several angles, - honest titles and detailed descriptions, - sizes, colours, materials and measurements, - stock levels kept up to date, - prices in naira, including any delivery costs where possible. 7. Policies Clear policies reduce disputes and build trust: - Returns and refunds: what can be returned, how and when. - Delivery: areas, times and fees. - Privacy: how you handle customer data. - Terms of sale. 8. Security - SSL is essential for any store, and free with our hosting. - Use strong passwords and two-factor login for admin accounts. - Keep WordPress, WooCommerce and plugins updated. - Back up the store, especially orders, regularly. See the website security checklist (https://silolobby.com/blog/how-to-protect-your-website-from-hackers-checklist). 9. Email that reaches customers Order confirmations, shipping updates and password resets must arrive. Use business email (https://silolobby.com/email) for customer service and an SMTP service (https://silolobby.com/email/sending) for store emails, so they do not land in spam. See how to send email from your website (https://silolobby.com/blog/how-to-send-email-from-your-website-or-app-with-smtp). 10. Launch checklist - [ ] Test orders placed and paid successfully - [ ] Order emails received (check spam folders too) - [ ] Delivery fees correct for each zone - [ ] Mobile checkout tested on a real phone - [ ] Policies published and linked in the footer - [ ] Contact details and WhatsApp button visible - [ ] Google Analytics and Search Console set up 11. Marketing your store - Google Business Profile and Google Search Console. - Social media: link products directly from Instagram, Facebook and TikTok. - WhatsApp Business: catalogues and quick replies. - Email marketing: welcome discounts and new-arrival emails, with permission. See email marketing in Nigeria (https://silolobby.com/blog/email-marketing-in-nigeria-build-a-list-legally-and-avoid-spam). - Content: buying guides and product tips that answer customers' questions. Want it built for you? The SiloLobby E-commerce Store package (https://silolobby.com/website-development) (₦500,000) includes: - up to 100 products, - Paystack or Flutterwave payments in naira, - cart, checkout and order emails, - delivery zones and shipping fees, - discount codes, - a store training session, - a free domain and a year of WordPress hosting, SSL and business email. Pricing your products online - Include all your costs: product cost, packaging, payment gateway fees and your time. - Decide whether delivery is charged separately or built into prices. - Show clear "from" prices for products with options. - Plan occasional offers, but avoid permanent discounts that train customers to wait. Customer service that wins repeat orders - Reply quickly on WhatsApp and email during business hours. - Send order confirmation and dispatch updates automatically. - Make returns simple and clearly explained. - Follow up after delivery to ask for a review. - Keep a list of frequent questions and add the answers to your website. Measuring your store's performance | Measure | What it tells you | |---|---| | Visitors | How well your marketing brings people in | | Conversion rate | How many visitors buy | | Average order value | How much each order is worth | | Cart abandonment | Problems at checkout, delivery costs or trust | | Repeat customers | Satisfaction and loyalty | Review these monthly and improve one thing at a time. Common mistakes new online stores make - Launching with poor product photos. - Hiding delivery costs until the last step of checkout. - No clear returns policy. - Not testing payments and order emails before launch. - Relying entirely on social media without building an email list. Legal and tax basics Register your business with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) when you are ready, keep records of every sale, and understand your tax obligations. Payment gateways may ask for business documents to increase your limits. This is general guidance, not legal or tax advice; speak to an accountant for your situation. Making checkout easy Most abandoned carts are lost at checkout. To reduce drop-off: - Let customers check out as guests, without forcing an account. - Ask only for the details you need for delivery. - Show delivery fees and times before the final step. - Offer the payment methods your customers prefer: card, bank transfer and USSD. - Make the order summary clear, with no surprise charges. - Send an order confirmation immediately, with a reference number. Your first 30 days after launch 1. Week 1: share the store with existing customers on WhatsApp, Instagram and email; fix any issues they report. 2. Week 2: add your best-selling products first, with excellent photos, and ask early buyers for reviews. 3. Week 3: run a small launch offer for subscribers, such as free delivery within one area. 4. Week 4: review analytics: which products get visits, where shoppers drop off, and which channels bring buyers. Improve the weakest step. Summary A successful Nigerian online store needs a good domain, fast hosting, WooCommerce, a naira payment gateway, clear delivery zones and policies, secure operations and reliable email. Plan the business first, test every step before launch, then market consistently. Get your store built: https://silolobby.com/website-development ### Questions and answers Q: What is the best platform for an online store in Nigeria? A: WooCommerce on WordPress hosting is a popular choice: it is flexible, works with naira payment gateways like Paystack and Flutterwave, and you own your store. Q: How do I accept payments on my online store? A: Connect a Nigerian payment gateway such as Paystack or Flutterwave. Customers then pay by card, bank transfer or USSD. Q: Can SiloLobby build my online store? A: Yes. The E-commerce Store package (₦500,000) includes up to 100 products, naira payments, a free domain for a year and a year of hosting. Q: Should I offer payment on delivery? A: Many Nigerian shoppers like it, but it carries risk of failed deliveries. Some stores offer it only in certain areas or for repeat customers. Q: How do I handle delivery across Nigeria? A: Set delivery zones and fees by state or city, partner with reliable logistics companies, and show delivery times clearly before checkout. --- ## How to Pay for Hosting and Domains in Naira (No Dollar Card Needed) URL: https://silolobby.com/blog/how-to-pay-for-hosting-and-domains-in-naira Updated: 2026-10-19 Short answer: at SiloLobby every price is in naira. Pay invoices by card, bank transfer or USSD through Paystack's secure page, or from your wallet. If your wallet covers part of an invoice, use it and pay the rest another way. Keep your wallet funded and renewals are paid automatically, so your domain and website never go offline because a dollar card was declined. For years, Nigerian businesses buying domains and hosting abroad have dealt with declined dollar cards, unpredictable exchange rates and websites that went offline because a renewal failed. This guide explains how paying in naira works, how the wallet helps, and how to pay safely. Why dollar billing hurts Nigerian businesses - Card limits. Many naira cards have low limits for international payments, or block them entirely. - Exchange-rate losses. You pay your bank's rate plus charges. - Unpredictable costs. A price in dollars goes up whenever the naira weakens. - Silent failures. When a renewal is declined, many providers simply let the domain or hosting expire, taking your website and email offline. Ways to pay at SiloLobby | Method | How it works | Good for | |---|---|---| | Card | Pay on Paystack's secure checkout page | Quick one-off payments | | Bank transfer | Through Paystack checkout | Businesses without cards | | USSD | Through Paystack checkout | Paying from any phone | | Wallet | Pay from your naira balance in one click | Automatic renewals and quick checkout | All invoices are in your client area under Invoices, and every payment option is shown on the invoice. How the wallet works 1. Top up: go to Wallet in your client area and add any amount from ₦500 by card, bank transfer or USSD. 2. Pay invoices in one click from your balance. 3. Use part of your balance: if your wallet does not cover an invoice, use what you have and pay the remainder another way. 4. Automatic renewals: when a renewal invoice is created and your balance covers it, it is paid automatically. 5. Refunds approved by our team are credited to your wallet, ready for your next invoice. Top up your wallet: https://silolobby.com/client/wallet Setting up worry-free renewals The simplest way to make sure nothing ever expires: 1. Check the renewal dates and prices of your services in your client area. 2. Top up your wallet with enough to cover the next few months of renewals. 3. Keep your account email address current so you see renewal notices. Funding by bank transfer avoids card expiry dates and limits altogether. Ordering for the first time 1. Add your domain, hosting or email to the cart. 2. Create your account and place the order. 3. On the invoice page, choose how to pay. 4. Once payment is confirmed, your services are set up automatically, and you receive an email receipt. Paying safely - You only ever pay on SiloLobby or on Paystack's secure page. We never ask for card details by email, phone or WhatsApp. - Your genuine invoices always appear in your client area under Invoices. - Be suspicious of emails asking you to pay for "domain renewal" or "SEO listing" through another website or bank account. They are often scams. Paying for clients or several businesses Agencies and freelancers often pay for clients' services: - Keep each client in their own SiloLobby account where possible, so domains are registered in the client's name. - Use separate wallets per account so renewals are paid from the right budget. - Download invoices from each account for bookkeeping. Invoices and receipts for your records Every order, renewal and top-up creates an invoice in your client area. When an invoice is paid, you receive an email receipt. Download them for your accounts and tax records at any time from Invoices. What happens if a payment fails? - At checkout: nothing is charged. Try again, choose another method, or use your wallet. - For renewals: the invoice stays open and you get reminders. Pay it before the due date to avoid suspension. If your wallet covers it, it is paid automatically. - If you were debited but the invoice still shows unpaid: wait a few minutes for the payment provider to confirm, then contact support with your payment reference. Frequently used payment scenarios | Scenario | Best method | |---|---| | First order, have a card | Card through Paystack | | No card, or card limit too low | Bank transfer or USSD through Paystack | | Want renewals to happen automatically | Fund your wallet | | Wallet balance smaller than the invoice | Use the balance, pay the rest by card or transfer | | Hold funds in stablecoins | Crypto, where available | Tips for finance teams - Fund the wallet monthly with a fixed amount that covers upcoming renewals. - Assign one person to check renewal invoices each month. - Keep the account email as a shared finance address so notices are never missed. Why automatic renewal matters so much A missed renewal can take your website and email offline, cost redemption fees for domains, and in the worst case lose your domain name to someone else. Funding your wallet is the simplest insurance: renewals happen on time without anyone having to remember. Step by step: your first wallet top-up 1. Sign in to your client area and open Wallet. 2. Choose a quick amount (such as ₦5,000 or ₦10,000) or type your own, from ₦500. 3. Choose how to pay and confirm on Paystack's secure page. 4. When the payment is confirmed, your wallet balance updates and an email receipt is sent. 5. Open any unpaid invoice and choose Pay from wallet, or simply wait: renewals are paid automatically when your balance covers them. How much should you keep in your wallet? A simple rule: keep enough to cover the renewals due in the next two or three months. For example, a business with a .com.ng domain (₦10,000 a year) and shared hosting (₦2,500/month) might top up a little more than the hosting cost each month, so both monthly hosting and the yearly domain renewal are always covered. Comparing payment methods | | Card | Bank transfer | USSD | Wallet | |---|---|---|---|---| | Needs a card | Yes | No | No | No (to spend) | | Speed | Instant | Usually minutes | Usually minutes | Instant | | Automatic renewals | No | No | No | Yes | | Good for large amounts | Depends on card limit | Yes | Depends on bank limit | Yes | Keeping an eye on spending Your client area shows every invoice, payment and wallet movement in one place. Review it monthly to confirm renewals are as expected and to spot services you no longer need, then cancel them before their next renewal. Summary Paying in naira removes the biggest headaches of running a website in Nigeria: failed dollar cards, exchange-rate surprises and expired domains. Pay by card, bank transfer, USSD or wallet, keep your wallet funded for automatic renewals, and only ever pay through your client area or Paystack's secure page. ### Questions and answers Q: Can I pay SiloLobby by bank transfer? A: Yes. Pay invoices through Paystack by card, bank transfer or USSD, or fund your SiloLobby wallet and pay from your balance. Q: What is the SiloLobby wallet? A: A naira balance on your account. Top it up and use it to pay invoices; renewals are paid from it automatically when your balance covers them. Q: Can I pay part of an invoice from my wallet? A: Yes. If your wallet does not cover the whole invoice, you can use the balance and pay the rest by card, bank transfer or USSD. Q: What is the minimum wallet top-up? A: The minimum top-up is ₦500. Q: Will my prices change with the exchange rate? A: Prices are set in naira. Some international products, such as certain domain extensions, can be repriced when supplier costs change, and the price list always shows today's price. --- ## Looking for a Naira Alternative to International Domain and Hosting Providers? URL: https://silolobby.com/blog/naira-alternative-to-international-domain-and-hosting-providers Updated: 2026-10-19 Short answer: if dollar billing, card declines and exchange-rate swings are hurting your business, a naira-billed provider like SiloLobby lets you pay by card, bank transfer, USSD or wallet, with renewals paid automatically from a naira balance. You can transfer your domains (https://silolobby.com/blog/how-to-transfer-a-domain-to-silolobby) without downtime, and we migrate your website for free (https://silolobby.com/blog/how-to-move-your-website-to-a-new-host-without-downtime). Thousands of Nigerian businesses use international registrars and hosting companies, often because a designer chose them years ago. They work well, until a dollar card is declined at renewal, or the naira weakens and the bill jumps. This guide explains what to compare when choosing a provider and how to move safely. Why Nigerian businesses switch to naira billing - Failed renewals. Dollar cards hit limits or get blocked, and renewals fail without warning, taking websites and email offline. - Unpredictable costs. Every exchange-rate move changes your bill. - Payment friction. International transaction charges and card restrictions. - Distance. Support that does not understand naira payments, .ng domains or how local businesses operate. What to compare | Question | Why it matters | |---|---| | What currency is the bill in? | Naira billing keeps costs predictable | | How can I pay? | Card, bank transfer, USSD and wallet suit Nigerian businesses | | What is the renewal price? | Low first-year prices can hide expensive renewals | | Is storage NVMe? | Speed affects sales and rankings | | Are SSL and email included? | Avoid paying extra for basics | | Are .ng and .com.ng available? | Local extensions build local trust | | Is uptime committed in writing? | Shows accountability | | Can I try it risk-free? | A money-back guarantee shows confidence | | Will they migrate my site? | Saves time and risk | What you get at SiloLobby - Prices in naira, paid by card, bank transfer, USSD or wallet. - A naira wallet that pays renewals automatically. - 450+ domain extensions, including .ng, .com.ng and .org.ng. - Shared hosting from ₦2,500/month with NVMe storage, cPanel, free SSL and unlimited email accounts. - A 99.9% uptime commitment in our service level agreement (https://silolobby.com/legal/sla). - A 30-day money-back guarantee on shared hosting (once per customer). - Free website migration. - Business email, email sending, SSL certificates and website development in the same account. Moving in three steps 1. Transfer your domains Unlock each domain at your current registrar, get its EPP code and order the transfer. Your website and email keep working, and for most extensions a year is added to the registration. See how to transfer a domain to SiloLobby (https://silolobby.com/blog/how-to-transfer-a-domain-to-silolobby). 2. Move your hosting Order hosting and ask our team to migrate your website. We copy your files, databases and email accounts and test the site before you switch. See how to move your website without downtime (https://silolobby.com/blog/how-to-move-your-website-to-a-new-host-without-downtime). 3. Switch DNS and confirm Once the new site is checked, switch DNS. Keep the old hosting for 48 hours, then cancel it. You can move at your own pace: domains first, hosting later, or the other way round. Will my search rankings be affected? Moving hosting does not change your domain or page addresses, so search rankings are not affected as long as the site stays online and the content stays the same. The careful, no-downtime migration above protects you. A cost comparison you can do yourself Take your current yearly bills and compare: | Item | Current provider (in dollars) | Converted to naira at your bank's rate | SiloLobby (naira) | |---|---|---|---| | Domain renewal | | | See the price list (https://silolobby.com/domains/pricing) | | Hosting | | | From ₦2,500/month | | Business email | | | From ₦700/month per mailbox | | Card and FX charges | | | None from us | Remember to include bank charges on international payments and the cost of downtime when renewals failed. Planning your move: a timeline | Week | Action | |---|---| | 1 | List domains, hosting and email; note renewal dates | | 1 | Order hosting; request free migration | | 1 to 2 | Start domain transfers for domains not close to expiry | | 2 | Review the migrated site; switch DNS | | 3 | Confirm everything works; cancel old services | Questions businesses ask before switching Will I lose emails? Not if email accounts are recreated before switching MX records, and you keep the old service for a short overlap. Do I have to move everything at once? No. Move domains, hosting and email in whatever order suits you. What if I need help? Our support team handles migrations every week. Open a ticket and we guide you through each step. After you switch - Fund your wallet to cover renewals. - Set up business email on your domain if you have not already. - Add your website to Google Search Console to monitor its health. - Review your plan after a few months and adjust as you grow. What stays the same after you move - Your domain name and every page address. - Your website's content and design. - Your email addresses, once mailboxes are recreated. - Your search rankings, provided the move is done without downtime. What gets better - Bills in naira, paid by card, bank transfer, USSD or wallet. - Renewals paid automatically from your wallet. - One client area for domains, hosting, email, SSL and invoices. - Support from a team that understands Nigerian businesses. A note on .ng domains If you have avoided .ng or .com.ng because your current provider does not offer them, moving lets you add these local extensions alongside your existing domains, all managed in one place. Real situations we see The declined card. A consulting firm's .com renewal failed because its naira card's international limit had been reduced. The website and email went down for two days. After moving to naira billing with a funded wallet, renewals are paid automatically. The surprise bill. A school paid its hosting yearly in dollars. When the exchange rate moved, the renewal cost far more in naira than the year before. Naira pricing made its budget predictable. The scattered services. A retailer had domains with one company, hosting with another and email with a third, each billed differently. Consolidating into one SiloLobby account gave one dashboard and one wallet for everything. Checklist before cancelling your old provider - [ ] All domains transferred and showing in your SiloLobby client area - [ ] Website migrated, tested and live on SiloLobby hosting - [ ] Email accounts recreated and MX records updated - [ ] Old mail copied across if you need the history - [ ] Any auto-renewal turned off at the old provider - [ ] Final backup of the old account downloaded Getting started Begin with a free account, transfer one domain or move one website as a trial, and expand once you are comfortable. Summary If international billing is causing failed renewals and unpredictable costs, moving to a naira provider removes the problem. Compare billing, renewal prices, storage, included SSL and email, uptime commitments and migration support. At SiloLobby you can transfer domains and migrate websites without downtime and manage everything in naira. Transfer a domain: https://silolobby.com/domains/transfer ### Questions and answers Q: Can I move my domain from an international registrar to SiloLobby? A: Yes. Unlock the domain, get its EPP code and order a transfer. For most extensions the transfer adds a year to your registration. Q: Will moving cause downtime? A: No, if you follow a careful migration. SiloLobby migrates hosting accounts for free, and domain transfers do not change where your domain points. Q: What should I compare between providers? A: Billing currency, renewal prices, storage type, included SSL and email, backups, support quality and whether you can try the service risk-free. Q: Can I keep some services abroad and move others? A: Yes. You can move domains, hosting and email independently and at your own pace. Q: Do I lose my search rankings when I move hosts? A: Not if the website, addresses and content stay the same and you avoid downtime. Changing your domain name is what risks rankings. --- ## Web Hosting and Domain Glossary: 65+ Terms Explained Simply URL: https://silolobby.com/blog/web-hosting-and-domain-glossary-for-beginners Updated: 2026-10-19 Short answer: a domain is your website's address, hosting is where your website lives, DNS connects the two, and SSL keeps the connection secure. This glossary explains more than 65 web hosting, domain, email, security and billing terms business owners meet most often, in plain English, with links to our detailed guides. Bookmark this page. Whenever a hosting company, developer or setup screen uses a term you do not recognise, you will find a simple explanation here. Domains - Domain name: your address on the internet, such as *yourbusiness.com.ng*. - Extension (TLD): the ending of a domain, such as .com, .ng or .com.ng. - ccTLD: a country-code extension, such as .ng for Nigeria. - gTLD: a generic extension not tied to a country, such as .com, .net or .online. - Second-level domain: an extension under a country code, such as .com.ng or .org.ng. - Registrar: a company that registers domains on your behalf, such as SiloLobby. - Registry: the organisation that runs an extension, such as NiRA for .ng. - NiRA: the Nigeria Internet Registration Association, which manages the .ng namespace. - Registrant: the legal owner of a domain. - WHOIS: the public database of domain ownership. See WHOIS privacy (https://silolobby.com/blog/what-is-whois-privacy-and-do-you-need-it). - EPP code (auth code): the password needed to transfer a domain to another registrar. - Registrar lock: a setting that blocks transfers until you turn it off. - Renewal: paying to keep your domain for another period. - Grace period: a short time after expiry when you can still renew at the normal price. - Redemption period: a later stage when recovering an expired domain costs extra. - Premium domain: a desirable name sold at a higher price by the registry. Learn more: what happens when your domain expires (https://silolobby.com/blog/what-happens-when-your-domain-expires). DNS - DNS (Domain Name System): the system that turns domain names into server addresses and directs email. - Nameservers: the servers that answer DNS questions for your domain. - DNS zone: the full set of DNS records for a domain. - A record: points a name to an IPv4 address. - AAAA record: points a name to an IPv6 address. - CNAME: points one name to another name, such as www to your main domain. - MX record: says which server receives your email. - TXT record: holds text such as SPF, DKIM, DMARC and verification codes. - TTL (time to live): how long networks remember a DNS record. - Propagation: the time it takes for DNS changes to show everywhere. - Subdomain: a name in front of your domain, such as *shop.yourbusiness.com.ng*. Full guide: DNS records explained (https://silolobby.com/blog/dns-records-explained-a-cname-mx-txt). Hosting - Web hosting: server space where your website's files and databases are stored and served. - Server: a computer that runs websites, email or applications. - Shared hosting: many websites sharing one managed server. - WordPress hosting: hosting set up for WordPress websites. - VPS (virtual private server): a virtual server with its own resources and root access. - Reseller hosting: hosting you can resell to your own clients under your brand. - cPanel: the control panel for managing a hosting account. See what is cPanel (https://silolobby.com/blog/what-is-cpanel-and-how-to-use-it). - WHM: the control panel resellers use to create and manage cPanel accounts. - NVMe: the fastest kind of SSD storage. - Bandwidth: how much data your site can send to visitors each month. - Uptime: the share of time your website is online. - Root access: full administrator control of a server. - Snapshot: a saved copy of a whole server you can restore later. - Migration: moving a website from one host to another. - Addon domain: an extra website hosted in the same cPanel account. Compare the types: shared vs WordPress vs VPS vs reseller hosting (https://silolobby.com/blog/shared-vs-wordpress-vs-vps-vs-reseller-hosting). Security - SSL/TLS: encryption that gives your site *https://* and the padlock. - DV and OV: levels of SSL certificate validation (domain only, or organisation verified). See free vs paid SSL (https://silolobby.com/blog/free-ssl-vs-paid-ssl-which-do-you-need). - Mixed content: insecure http resources on an https page. - Malware: harmful code hidden on a website. - Firewall (WAF): a filter that blocks malicious traffic to a website. - Two-factor authentication (2FA): a second step, such as a code, when you log in. - Backup: a copy of your website or data you can restore. Email - IMAP: a way for email apps to sync mail stored on the server across devices. - POP: a way for email apps to download mail to a single device. - SMTP: the standard protocol for sending email. - ActiveSync: a protocol that pushes new email, calendars and contacts instantly to phones and Outlook. - SPF, DKIM, DMARC: DNS records that prove your email is really from you. See the guide (https://silolobby.com/blog/spf-dkim-dmarc-explained-stop-emails-going-to-spam). - Alias: an extra address that delivers into an existing mailbox. - Bounce: an email that could not be delivered. - Transactional email: individual emails triggered by actions, such as receipts and password resets. See transactional vs marketing email (https://silolobby.com/blog/transactional-email-vs-marketing-email). Payments and billing terms - Invoice: a bill for an order, renewal or top-up in your client area. - Renewal invoice: an invoice created before a service's due date to keep it running. - Wallet: a prepaid naira balance used to pay invoices and renewals automatically. - Payment gateway: a secure service, such as Paystack, that processes card, bank transfer and USSD payments. - Money-back guarantee: a period during which you can request a refund if the service is not right for you. - Suspension: a service paused because a renewal is unpaid; it returns when the invoice is paid. Website and marketing terms - CMS (content management system): software such as WordPress used to build and edit websites. - Plugin: an add-on that extends what your CMS can do. - Theme: the design template of a WordPress site. - SEO (search engine optimisation): improving a site so it appears higher in search results. - Sitemap: a file listing your pages to help search engines find them. - Google Search Console: a free Google tool showing how your site performs in search. How these terms fit together When someone types your domain, DNS looks up your nameservers, which return your A record, pointing to your hosting server. The server sends your website over an SSL-encrypted connection. When someone emails you, DNS returns your MX records, and receiving servers check your SPF, DKIM and DMARC records to trust your replies. Your registrar keeps the domain registered at the registry as long as you renew it. Where to learn more - New to domains? Start with how to register a .com.ng domain (https://silolobby.com/blog/how-to-register-a-com-ng-domain-in-nigeria). - Choosing hosting? Read shared vs WordPress vs VPS vs reseller hosting (https://silolobby.com/blog/shared-vs-wordpress-vs-vps-vs-reseller-hosting). - Setting up email? See how to create a business email address (https://silolobby.com/blog/how-to-create-a-business-email-address-with-your-domain). - Budgeting? Read how much a website costs in Nigeria (https://silolobby.com/blog/how-much-does-a-website-cost-in-nigeria). Summary You do not need to be technical to run a website, but knowing these terms helps you make good decisions, follow setup instructions and talk confidently with developers and support teams. Keep this glossary handy and dive into the linked guides when you need more detail. Explore all guides: https://silolobby.com/blog ### Questions and answers Q: What is the difference between a domain and hosting? A: A domain is your website's address. Hosting is the server space where your website's files live. You need both for a website. Q: What is a nameserver? A: A nameserver is the server that answers questions about your domain's DNS records, telling the internet where your website and email are. Q: What is the difference between IMAP and POP? A: IMAP keeps your email on the server and syncs it across devices. POP downloads email to one device. IMAP is better for most people. --- ## Free SSL vs Paid SSL Certificates: Which Does Your Website Need? URL: https://silolobby.com/blog/free-ssl-vs-paid-ssl-which-do-you-need Updated: 2026-10-19 Short answer: every website needs SSL (HTTPS). For most websites, the free SSL included with SiloLobby hosting is all you need: the encryption is just as strong as a paid certificate's. Buy a paid certificate when you want your organisation's identity verified (OV), need a warranty and certificate-authority support, or your customers or partners require it. Paid certificates at SiloLobby start at ₦12,000/year. The difference between free and paid SSL is one of the most misunderstood topics in web hosting, and some providers use the confusion to upsell certificates people do not need. This guide explains what SSL does, what you actually get when you pay, and how to decide. What SSL does SSL (more precisely TLS) encrypts the connection between your visitor's browser and your website. With it: - passwords, card details and form entries cannot be read or changed in transit, - your address shows https:// and the padlock, - browsers do not show "Not secure" warnings, - Google treats HTTPS as a positive signal. Without it, browsers warn visitors before they type anything, which costs you trust and sales. What a certificate actually proves An SSL certificate is issued by a certificate authority after checking that you control the domain, and in some cases that your organisation is real. The encryption strength is the same across certificate types; what differs is how much is verified. | Type | What is checked | Typical use | At SiloLobby | |---|---|---|---| | Free DV | You control the domain | Blogs, business sites, most shops | Included with hosting | | Paid DV | You control the domain | Sites wanting a warranty and vendor support | RapidSSL ₦12,000/year, GeoTrust ₦25,000/year | | OV | Your organisation is legally registered and real | E-commerce, finance, corporate and government work | DigiCert OV ₦45,000/year | - DV (Domain Validation): issued within minutes after proving control of the domain. - OV (Organisation Validation): the certificate authority verifies your company's registration and details before issuing; your organisation's name appears in the certificate details. When free SSL is enough - Company and portfolio websites - Blogs, news and community sites - Landing pages and campaign sites - Online shops where card payments happen on the payment provider's own secure page (such as Paystack or Flutterwave checkout) For these sites, a free certificate gives exactly the same protection to your visitors. When a paid certificate makes sense - You collect sensitive data or payments on your own pages. - Corporate, banking or government clients require organisation validation in their supplier checks. - You want a warranty and direct support from the certificate authority. - You need a certificate for a server, app or service outside your hosting, such as a VPS, mail server or API. - Your compliance or insurance requirements specify a commercial certificate. How free SSL works at SiloLobby On shared, WordPress and reseller hosting, a free certificate is issued automatically once your domain points to your hosting, and renewed automatically before it expires. You can check its status in cPanel under SSL/TLS Status. How to check your SSL is working 1. Visit your site with *https://* and click the padlock to see the certificate details and expiry date. 2. Make sure *http://* redirects to *https://* (in WordPress, both site addresses in Settings → General should start with https). 3. Check for mixed content: images, scripts or styles loaded over http. Update those links to https. 4. Use an online SSL checker to confirm the certificate chain is complete. Common SSL problems | Problem | Cause | Fix | |---|---|---| | "Not secure" warning | No certificate, or the site loads over http | Install SSL and redirect http to https | | Padlock missing on some pages | Mixed content | Change resource links to https | | Certificate name mismatch | Certificate does not cover www or a subdomain | Include both names, or redirect one to the other | | Certificate expired | Auto-renewal failed, often after DNS changes | Check DNS points to your hosting; contact support | SSL for email, apps and servers SSL is not only for websites: - Email: your email apps connect securely using SSL/TLS on IMAP, POP and SMTP. - APIs and apps: mobile apps and integrations should only talk to your server over HTTPS. - Cloud servers: on a VPS you can install a free certificate yourself, or a paid certificate if your clients require one. Renewal and validity Certificates have a limited lifetime, currently around a year for paid certificates and shorter for free ones that renew automatically. Industry rules are moving towards shorter certificate lifetimes, which is why automatic renewal matters. On SiloLobby hosting, free certificates renew themselves; paid certificates come with renewal reminders. Buying a paid certificate: the process 1. Choose the certificate type (DV or OV). 2. Generate a certificate signing request (CSR) on your server or in cPanel. 3. Complete validation: for DV, prove control of the domain; for OV, provide company details for verification. 4. Install the issued certificate. 5. Test it and set up HTTPS redirects. Our team can install paid certificates for you. A quick decision guide | Your situation | Choose | |---|---| | Business website or blog | Free SSL | | Shop using a hosted payment page | Free SSL | | Shop or portal handling sensitive data on your own pages | Paid DV or OV | | Supplier checks require verified organisation details | OV | | Server or app outside your hosting | Paid DV, or a free certificate you manage | Myths about SSL "Paid certificates encrypt better." No. Encryption strength depends on the server configuration, not the price of the certificate. "SSL makes my site slow." Modern HTTPS adds almost no delay, and it unlocks faster web protocols. "I only need SSL on my checkout page." Every page should use HTTPS; browsers flag any page without it. "SSL protects my site from hackers." SSL protects data in transit. It does not stop malware or weak passwords; see the security checklist (https://silolobby.com/blog/how-to-protect-your-website-from-hackers-checklist). What visitors actually see Modern browsers show the same padlock for free and paid certificates. Visitors can click the padlock to view certificate details: an OV certificate shows your verified organisation name there. For most visitors, what matters is simply that the padlock is present and there are no warnings, which is why every page on every site should use HTTPS. SSL and search engines HTTPS has been a lightweight ranking signal for years, and secure pages are a basic expectation of both search engines and browsers. Moving from HTTP to HTTPS will not by itself push you to the top of results, but staying on HTTP holds you back and drives visitors away with warnings. When you switch, redirect every HTTP address to its HTTPS version so you keep any rankings you have earned. Summary All websites need SSL, and for most of them the free certificate included with SiloLobby hosting gives full protection. Choose a paid DV certificate for a warranty and vendor support, or an OV certificate when your organisation's verified identity matters to customers and partners. Whichever you use, redirect everything to HTTPS and fix mixed content. See SSL certificates: https://silolobby.com/security/ssl ### Questions and answers Q: Is free SSL as secure as paid SSL? A: Yes. The encryption is the same strength. Paid certificates add identity checks on your organisation, a warranty and support, which some businesses and customers value. Q: Does SiloLobby hosting include free SSL? A: Yes. Free SSL is included and installed automatically on shared, WordPress and reseller hosting. Q: When should I buy an OV certificate? A: When you collect payments or sensitive data on your own pages, sell to corporate or government buyers, or want your verified company name in the certificate details. Q: Does SSL affect Google rankings? A: HTTPS is a lightweight ranking signal, and browsers warn visitors about sites without it, so every website should use SSL. Q: What is mixed content? A: When an HTTPS page loads images, scripts or styles over plain HTTP. Browsers may block them or remove the padlock. Fix it by updating those links to https. --- ## How to Protect Your Website from Hackers: A Practical Checklist URL: https://silolobby.com/blog/how-to-protect-your-website-from-hackers-checklist Updated: 2026-10-19 Short answer: keep your software updated, use strong, unique passwords with two-factor login, remove unused plugins and apps, keep backups off the server, run malware scanning, and use SSL. These steps prevent most website hacks. Most attacks are automated, so even small business websites are targeted every day. Many business owners think hackers only target banks and big brands. In reality, most website attacks are automated bots scanning millions of sites for known weaknesses: an outdated plugin, a weak password, an abandoned installation. This checklist covers the steps that stop the vast majority of them. Why websites get hacked Attackers want your website's resources and reputation, not just your data: - to send spam from your server, - to host phishing pages that steal bank logins, - to inject hidden links that sell their products, - to redirect your visitors to scams, - to steal customer data from forms and shops. A hacked site can be blacklisted by Google and browsers, which warn visitors away. Recovery takes time and money; prevention takes a few habits. The checklist 1. Update everything, every week Outdated plugins and themes are the number one way websites are broken into. When a security flaw is fixed in an update, attackers study the fix and start scanning for sites that have not updated. - Update WordPress (or your CMS), themes and plugins weekly. - Turn on automatic updates for minor and security releases. - Update PHP to a supported version in cPanel. 2. Remove what you do not use Delete inactive plugins, unused themes, old test sites, staging copies and abandoned installs. Unused code is still reachable and still attacked, but nobody is updating it. 3. Use strong, unique passwords - Use a password manager to generate long, unique passwords. - Never reuse passwords between your hosting, website admin, email and bank. - Change default usernames such as "admin". 4. Turn on two-factor authentication Turn on two-factor authentication for your website admin (for example with a WordPress security plugin) and for your email mailboxes. A stolen password alone is then not enough to get in. 5. Give people only the access they need Staff who write blog posts do not need administrator rights. Use the lowest role that lets each person do their job, and remove accounts as soon as people leave. 6. Keep backups somewhere else Backups stored on the same server can be lost or encrypted along with it. Keep regular copies elsewhere: - download full cPanel backups and store them in cloud storage, - use a backup plugin that sends copies off the server, - or add a backup service to your hosting. Test restoring a backup at least once so you know it works. 7. Scan for malware Malware often hides quietly: stealing data, sending spam or adding hidden links while your site looks normal. SiteLock scanning (https://silolobby.com/security/website-security) (₦3,000/month) checks your site regularly and alerts you to problems. 8. Use SSL everywhere HTTPS protects logins and forms from being intercepted. It is free with SiloLobby hosting. See free vs paid SSL (https://silolobby.com/blog/free-ssl-vs-paid-ssl-which-do-you-need). 9. Add a firewall and limit login attempts A web application firewall (often part of a security plugin) blocks common attack patterns. Limiting login attempts stops bots from guessing passwords. 10. Watch your site - Uptime monitoring tells you when your site goes down. - Security plugin alerts tell you about suspicious logins and file changes. - Check Google Search Console for security warnings. 11. Avoid pirated themes and plugins "Nulled" (pirated) premium themes and plugins frequently contain backdoors. Use free plugins from reputable sources, or buy licences. 12. Have a recovery plan Write down where your backups are, who to call, and the steps to restore. When something goes wrong, you will not have to think. Signs your site may be hacked - Visitors are redirected to unfamiliar websites. - Google shows "This site may be hacked" in search results. - Your hosting account sends unusual amounts of email. - New admin users or files you did not create appear. - Your site is suddenly slow or shows strange content. What to do if you are hacked 1. Stay calm and act quickly. 2. Change all passwords: hosting, website admins, database, FTP and email. 3. Restore a clean backup from before the problem started. 4. Update everything to close the hole the attacker used. 5. Scan to confirm the malware is gone. 6. Request a review in Google Search Console if your site was flagged. 7. Open a support ticket. Our team can help you clean up and identify what went wrong. A weekly and monthly security routine Every week (15 minutes): - Apply updates to WordPress or your CMS, plugins and themes. - Check that the latest backup completed. - Glance at security plugin alerts. Every month (30 minutes): - Remove unused plugins, themes and user accounts. - Review who has administrator access. - Test a backup restore on a staging copy if possible. - Check Google Search Console for security issues. Every year: - Change important passwords and review two-factor settings. - Review your hosting plan and security add-ons. Security for online stores Stores hold customer details and process orders, so take extra care: - Use a hosted payment page (such as Paystack or Flutterwave checkout) so card details never touch your server. - Limit who can view orders and customer data. - Keep WooCommerce and payment plugins updated promptly. - Back up orders daily. - Watch for unusual orders that could indicate card testing, and use your payment provider's fraud tools. Security for teams and agencies If several people or an agency manage your website: - Give each person their own login; never share one admin account. - Remove access as soon as a contract ends. - Keep the domain and hosting accounts in the business's name, with the business controlling the main login. - Ask your agency how they store passwords and backups. Phishing: the attack that targets you, not your website Many website takeovers start with a fake email asking you to "verify your hosting account" or "renew your domain". Always log in by typing the address yourself, check that payment links are genuine, and enable two-factor login wherever it is offered. Printable checklist - [ ] Software, themes and plugins updated weekly - [ ] Unused plugins, themes and sites removed - [ ] Strong, unique passwords in a password manager - [ ] Two-factor login for website admin and email - [ ] Least-privilege user roles - [ ] Off-server backups, tested - [ ] Malware scanning - [ ] HTTPS on every page - [ ] Firewall and login limits - [ ] Monitoring and alerts - [ ] Recovery plan written down Choosing security add-ons Free plugins and good habits cover most small websites. Add malware scanning if your site is business-critical, backups if you cannot afford to lose data, and uptime monitoring if downtime costs you sales. Summary Most website hacks exploit the same predictable weaknesses: outdated software, weak passwords, unused code and missing backups. Work through this checklist, make updates and backups a weekly habit, and your website will be far harder to attack than most. See website security add-ons: https://silolobby.com/security/website-security ### Questions and answers Q: How do websites get hacked? A: Most often through outdated plugins or themes, weak or reused passwords, and abandoned apps left on the server. Q: What should I do if my website is hacked? A: Change all passwords, restore a clean backup, update everything, and scan for malware. Open a support ticket and our team can help. Q: Does SiloLobby offer malware scanning? A: Yes. SiteLock malware scanning is available as a hosting add-on from ₦3,000/month. Q: Are small business websites really targeted? A: Yes. Most attacks are automated and scan millions of sites for known weaknesses, regardless of size. Q: How often should I back up my website? A: At least weekly for most business sites, and daily for shops or sites that change often. Keep copies off the server. ---