Change or upgrade your hosting package step by step

Running out of storage, or would you rather cut costs? With LJPc you can usually change or upgrade your hosting package in a few minutes through the customer portal. This article explains when an upgrade makes sense, how to switch to a bigger package yourself, what happens to your data, and how the billing is adjusted. Downgrading to a smaller package is covered too.

When is it wise to change your hosting package?

A few clear signals tell you it is time to adjust your package. Start by checking how much storage you use and how your site is developing.

• Your storage is filling up. Your website files, databases, and mailboxes all count towards your storage limit. When a package is nearly full, uploads can fail, errors appear, and there is no room left for log files or temporary files.
• Your website is growing. More pages, a larger online shop, extra domains, or more email simply need more room.
• You want to save money. If you consistently use only a small part of your space, moving to a smaller package (downgrading) is a sensible choice.

One important point about performance: the three web hosting packages at LJPc differ only in storage space. They all run on the same platform, with fast NVMe SSD storage and the latest PHP versions. So a bigger package mainly gives you more room, not more processing power. If you consistently need more processing power or guaranteed resources, a dedicated server is the logical next step.

The web hosting packages at a glance

LJPc offers three shared hosting packages. The only difference is the amount of storage; every other feature is the same.

Every package includes an unlimited number of IMAP and POP3 mailboxes, an unlimited number of databases, a free SSL certificate, the latest PHP versions, WordPress support, and DNS management. There are no setup costs, you can cancel monthly, and the renewal price equals the sign-up price. You will find a full overview on the web hosting packages page.

Upgrading your hosting package: step by step

You arrange an upgrade to a bigger package yourself in the customer portal. Nothing needs to be moved and there is no waiting time. Follow these steps.

1. Log in to the customer portal at portal.ljpc.nl.
2. Go to Services and open Hosting and domain names.
3. Select the website whose package you want to change.
4. Find the Hosting package card. Under Current package you see your package, your price, and the date up to which you have paid.
5. Click View upgrade options. You now see the bigger packages, each with the price per period and the amount of the first invoice.
6. Choose the package you want and check the summary: the new package, the settlement of your current package, the amount you pay now (with and without VAT), and the price that applies afterwards.
7. Tick the terms and conditions and confirm the order. If you pay by direct debit the amount is collected; otherwise you receive a secure payment link.

The system then processes the change in a few steps: the upgrade is validated, your disk space is increased, and your old subscription is ended. Your new storage limit is active straight away.

Conditions for self-service upgrades

Self-service upgrades work for sites on shared hosting that are billed monthly or yearly. If your package is billed quarterly, you arrange the change through support. You also need permission to place orders on your account. If the card shows the text "Want to change or expand your hosting package? Contact us", the package cannot be linked to your site automatically, and support will help you further.

What happens to your website and data?

During an upgrade, only your storage limit changes. Your website, your databases, your email, and your DNS settings are left untouched. There is no migration and no downtime: your site keeps running on the same server and the same domain, just with more room. The higher limit is pushed to the control panel, so you can store more straight away.

If you also want to manage your invoices, subscriptions, and account details, read how to manage your hosting account and invoices in the portal.

Downgrading your hosting package

In the Hosting package card, the portal offers only bigger packages. If you want a smaller package instead, you arrange it through a support ticket; the card points you there itself with the Contact us button.

When downgrading, keep an eye on your storage. Your used space has to fit within the limit of the smaller package. If you are above it, clear out data first: think of old backups, log files, or unused mailboxes. Your existing data is not deleted automatically, but you cannot store more than the new package allows.

How is the billing adjusted?

With an upgrade you keep your existing billing cycle: a monthly package stays monthly, a yearly package stays yearly. When you switch, you pay only the difference.

LJPc settles the part of your current package that you have already paid for but not yet used. That settlement is pro rata: the remainder up to your next payment date is deducted from the first period of your new package. So your first invoice is the price of the new package minus that settlement. From the following period onwards, you simply pay the price of the new package on your normal cycle.

All amounts are subject to 21% VAT. Payment goes through your existing method: direct debit if it is set up and the amount is below the direct debit threshold, otherwise a secure payment link. Want to know more about how billing at LJPc works? You can read that in the separate article.

Cannot work it out? Contact support at support@ljpc.nl or 085 - 130 6429. We are happy to help you choose the right package.