How it Works

Publication is the process that starts when the client presses button "Publish" in builder toolbar. The process can be divided into several parts that are executed one after another in a specified order:

• saving draft — this step saves website draft — the same action that is triggered when pressing button "Save Draft". This step takes <1 second; when it is completed the state "preparing..." is displayed;
• website generation — during this step builder generates final website files that will be published to client's hosting. They consist mostly of .php, .js, .css and different media files. During this step the state "building website..." is displayed;
• connection to hosting FTP server — this is the 1st step of deploying part. The builder tries to establish FTP connection with hosting server where it will publish website. The connection is made with 3 different IPs in specified order until it finally connects (when it connects with some of them, it does not try the rest):
  • IP address which was passed by hosting control panel API to builder plugin when builder was opened (in case "Custom (API)" is used, it is defined by parameter "apiUrl");
  • IP address of domain that was opened (in case "Custom (API)" is used, it is defined by parameter "baseDomain" [or "domain" if "baseDomain" is not provided]);
  • remote IP address of server that made API call to builder during opening;
  During this step the state "connecting..." is displayed;
• logging to hosting FTP account — this is the 2nd step of deploying part. After successful connection to FTP server, builder tries to log in with username and password of FTP account. Builder gets FTP data from builder plugin on hosting control panel (API) (in case "Custom (API)" is used, FTP details are defined by parameters "username" and "password");
• files uploading — this is the 3rd step of deploying part. During this step website files are uploaded to hosting. Note that only changed files are uploaded from last publication. This is usually the longest part. It can take from few seconds to few minutes (depending on website size and connection speed between builder and hosting servers);
• verification — this is the 4th step of deploying part. After successfully uploading website files (only changed) to hosting, builder makes verification the purpose of which is to check if all required website files are on hosting and are all correct. During this step builder connects to website hosting on port 80 or 443. The connection is made also with different IPs in the same order and same IPs as during builder connection to FTP server with one difference — firstly it tries IP address which could successful establish connection to FTP server. During this step the state "verifying..." is displayed;
• files re-uploading (full) (optional) — this step is taken only in the case verification returned negative, that is some website file on hosting was removed or changed since last publication. During files re-uploading, connection to FTP is made again as described in step (3). When uploading ends, no second verification is made.

Note that practically all these steps are executed quite quickly and usually client does not see them in publication process bar.

Website builder plugin is a module for hosting control panel (cPanel, Plesk, etc.) that is installed on panel and displayed for end clients as an extra button among other buttons. The website builder button can be customized with your own icon and title.

The website builder plugin works as a gateway from panel to website builder. Plugin purpose is to retrieve all required information of client account from hosting control panel (using internal API) and pass it to website builder. The required information includes:

• client's FTP account data (username and password);
• client's hosting IP address (which is used as FTP host in website builder during publication);
• client's domain;
• client's account package (if supported by panel).

After plugin collects information, it calls website builder via API and passes information to it. Website builder checks the license of your hosting server and determines whether to let you in or not. If the license is verified, website builder API returns URL; otherwise, it returns error message. In case the plugin gets URL from website builder, it redirects the client by this URL to website builder where client can construct his website. If the license verification fails, website builder returns error message "License is required" meaning that the license could not be detected by API call and provided parameters (check how to fix this error).

Communication between website builder plugin and website builder is made via HTTP port 80 or 443 depending what protocol website builder uses. In case you use Cloud website builder, 443 port is always used. If you use On-Premises website builder, it depends on what protocol your website builder is running on.

When the client opens website builder for the first time, website builder suggests choosing a template first before starting to construct website. During website construction all website data is saved in special ".dat" files in website builder storage and all media files that client uploads are also stored in website builder. Note that during website construction in website builder no changes are made on client's hosting. Changes are applied only when client presses button "Publish" in website builder toolbar — then website builder generates real website files (consisting of .php, .js, .css and other files) and publishes them to client's hosting via FTP connection (see how publication works in more details).
Next time the client opens website builder, website builder finds his ".dat" files and loads them instead of offering to choose template anew. Note that when client opens website builder, it does not download client's current website files from hosting — builder has all website data in his own storage.

Identification of website in website builder is made only by domain. It means that the client can have multiple websites in his account (addon domains, sub-domains) and construct websites in website builder separately for all of them. If client's domain is renamed, then it also must be renamed in website builder separately. Otherwise, the client will be offered to choose template a new as if the website was opened for the first time.

If you have your own hosting control system for your customers and do not use predefined hosting control panel that we support, you can also use website builder by implementing your own plugin using website builder API method to create session.

Site.pro recommends On-Premises license because of stability reason:

1. Website Builder is stored on your server (in your country) so it will never be affected:
• by local or global internet shutdowns (e.g. Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Iran, Belarus, etc.),
• blockages (e.g. China, South Korea),
• data storage regulations (e.g. Russia, Europe, USA),
• smaller ping between builder and clients' hostings (a faster website publication time).
2. Prices are the same (for On-Premises and Cloud);
3. On-Premises has additional features and much more customisation options.