Hello!

I've just started my adventure with the django framework and already created a basic website on my local server. However, I'm facing a challenge of transferring it to shared hosting. Unlike the previous websites I made with WordPress and Joomla, it seems that moving a django-based site won't be that easy.

I'd appreciate your advice on how to transfer my website to virtual hosting. Do I need to purchase any extra services from the host? Moreover, what should I do if there is no console available to use the migration command on the hosting?

Thank you in advance!

Have you considered using a VPS/VDS with either nginx and gunicorn/uwsgi for your website? Alternatively, you might want to explore the option of using docker.

Another hosting solution worth considering is OpenShift - it offers a range of flexible hosting options and great support across multiple languages.

On the other hand, if you're looking for a host that comes with certain restrictions, Heroku could be a great option.

Hope this helps!

Have you considered using PythonAnywhere for your website? It's a great platform to practice on and comes with minimal setup required (only a config for nginx registration) - which is sufficient for functionality testing purposes.

While I'm aware that Timeweb and some other hosting options have Python 2 available, it's worth noting that VPS is typically the go-to choice for such needs.

You need to ensure that your hosting provider actually supports Python and Django. It's not somthing that every shared host does, so checking this is crucial. If your current plan doesn't support it, you might have to consider upgrading to a VPS.

Once you've confirmed that your host supports Django, you need to prepare your project for deployment. You should make sure your settings are adjusted for production. One important change is the ALLOWED_HOSTS setting in your settings.py file, which you must update to include your domain name or server IP.

When it comes to your database, if you're using something like PostgreSQL or MySQL, you will need to transfer your data. You can create a backup from your local database using the command `python manage.py dumpdata > db.json`. Then, using a tool like phpMyAdmin on your host, you can import this data into your live database.

You will then have to upload all your project files to the server, which is usually done with an FTP client like FileZilla. Make sure to put everything in the right directory, typically public_html or www. Depending on your host, you may be able to set up a virtual environment. Without console access, some hosts may provide a control panel where you can request this feature. If that's not an option, don't hesitate to contact your host's support for help in creating a virtual environment.

After setting up the environment, you'll need to install your dependencies. If you prepared a requirements.txt file locally with `pip freeze > requirements.txt`, you can upload that to the server. Then you might need to ask your host to assist you in installing the packages since you may not have console acces.

Configuring the WSGI file is also crucial since it serves as the interface for your server to run the Django application. Typically, you'd create a wsgi.py file in your project folder for this purpose. Remember to collect your static files using the command `python manage.py collectstatic`, which you'll need to run on the server.
If you have console access, running migrations with `python manage.py migrate` is key to setting up your database schema properly. However, if there's no console access, reach out to your hosting support for assistance with running migrations.

After all this, it's important to thoroughly test your site to ensure everything functions as expected. Keeping an eye on error logs can also help in troubleshooting any issues that may arise.

Transferring a Django site to virtual web hosting involves several key steps. First, you'll need to choose a suitable web host that supports Django. Then, configure the server environment, including installing Python, Django, and necessary dependencies. Next, upload your Django project files to the server and set up a virtual environment. Configure the web server, usually using Nginx or Apache, and link it to Django using WSGI. Finally, migrate your database, apply any necessary settings adjustments, and test the site to ensure everything functions correctly on the new host.