When you buy an eCommerce Site from Djangify, you are not renting a tool you are receiving a complete eCommerce system that you own outright. That ownership gives you full control of your store, your data, and your future. This article explains what that means in practice and how hosting works once your site is ready to go live.
What It Means to Own Your System
Most online platforms operate on a rental model: you pay a monthly fee, use their tools, and your site exists only as long as your subscription does. If the company changes its pricing or shuts down your account, your business goes with it.
Djangify works differently. When you purchase an eCommerce Site, you receive:
- The complete system including all apps, templates, and configuration files.
- Access to your database and media files.
- A fully configured site branded to your business and ready for production.
- You own the code, content, and database.
That means you can move your site and back it up anytime you want. Your business runs independently of any third-party platform.
How Hosting Works
Hosting is where your site lives on the internet. Your Djangify system is delivered pre-configured and ready to host on any modern Django-compatible environment.
Djangify Setup Process
The setup process will differ depending on whether you are self-hosting (you put your site up yourself for free), managed hosting (I put your site up for you and manage the infrastructure you may for your hosting) or a complete custom build of your site.
After purchase of a complete custom build, you complete a questionnaire providing your domain, colours, logo, and product information.
Djangify configures your eCommerce Site and prepares it for deployment.
The final version is installed on our own hosting server for three months free. During and after that time you can then move the site wherever you choose or keep it with djangify and pay a small monthly hosting fee.
Everything is set up for you. There are no manual installation steps required.
Recommended Hosting Option: VPS
If you are self-hosting (putting it up yourself) a Virtual Private Server (VPS) is the preferred choice for this system because it provides:
- Full ownership and control.
- Direct file access and SSH management.
- Built-in SSL encryption and automated backups.
- Consistent performance without shared hosting limitations.
For self-managed hosting and the full custom build I use my own VPS Hosting. I put your site up and you receive your credentials and site details once setup is complete, allowing you to manage and update your store.
Backup and Migration
Every Djangify eCommerce Builder Site is hosted on its own secure VPS (Virtual Private Server) - for free self-hosted options.
With managed hosting your site is backed up and the infrastructure is maintained for you.
The custom build option includes three months of managed hosting. During this time Djangify will handle updates and backups.
Your data belongs entirely to you and you always have the option to take a full copy of your site whenever you wish.
Your VPS hosting includes:
- Automatic weekly backups (server-level).
- Database backups
- Media and uploaded files stored in your /home/ directory.
These backups protect your products, pages, and orders in case of data loss.
If anything ever goes wrong, Djangify Support can restore your site from one of these backups during your hosting period.
Accessing Your eCommerce Login
You will receive your eCommerce login details if you decide to continue hosting your site with Djangify. Obviously, if you choose to move your site then we no longer have access to your domain or site and it is now the responsibility of your new hosting company.
However, if you choose to remain and pay monthly for your hosting you will receive log in details to your eCommrece admin area.
Exporting Your Site Data
If you decide to move your site to a new host or manage it independently, you can request your database which will include a complete export of your database and media files, which allows another server to recreate your site exactly as it is.
- The datadump includes:
- All product and order data
- All Info Pages and documentation
- Uploaded media and digital files
- Site settings and structure
To generate this export, you can either ask Djangify Support to prepare it for you.
Moving Your Site to Another Host
Your site is built with Django, SQLite3, and Tailwind CSS V4.
To move it elsewhere, your new host must support:
Python 3.12 or later
A Django-compatible environment
Because migration involves moving both files and databases, you might want to get your new hosting company to do this for you. Many of them offer that service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How often are backups created?
A: Weekly by default, with extra backups made before any system updates or migrations.
Q: Can I download my database anytime?
A: Yes. You can request it from Djangify Support and we will send it to you.
Q: What happens after my three months of hosting ends?
A: You can either continue hosting with Djangify or move your site to another provider. You will receive your full database before your hosting expires.
Q: Will my products and orders be preserved if I move hosts?
A: Yes. Your database includes all orders, products, and site content, so your store can be restored exactly as it was.
Data Privacy and Control
Because your system is self-hosted, your customer information and sales data remain entirely under your control.
No third-party service can access or share your data. All sensitive details, including passwords and payment confirmations, are handled securely by Django and Stripe.
This setup protects both you and your customers while meeting GDPR compliance standards for UK and EU users.
Ownership vs Subscription
To understand why this model matters, compare the two approaches:
Subscription platforms:
You rent access. They control your site, your data, and your uptime. You must continue paying to keep your store online.
Djangify eCommerce Builder Site:
You own your system entirely. There are no hidden fees or monthly charges. Your store remains live as long as you maintain hosting and domain registration.
This means your website becomes a digital asset - something you control, expand, and keep long term.
Updates and Maintenance
Djangify provides clear documentation for routine maintenance. Most updates are handled automatically during your hosting setup. For system or security updates:
You can follow provided instructions or request Djangify to apply them for you.
Your store continues running during updates - no downtime or reconfiguration required.
Because the system has no plugins or third-party integrations, maintenance remains simple and predictable.
Why Ownership Future-Proofs Your Business
Owning your system gives you independence. If you grow beyond your current plan, you can scale the same codebase to a new server or add new functionality without rebuilding from scratch. Your store becomes a long-term business asset, not a temporary subscription.
Summary
A Djangify eCommerce Builder Site gives you:
- Full ownership of your code, content, and customer data.
- Hosting freedom on your own VPS or compatible server.
- Secure backups and easy migration.
- No recurring platform fees or lock-ins.
- A self-contained system configured and installed for you.
When you buy from Djangify, you are not just getting a website, you are owning the full infrastructure of your online store.