How to enable PHP 7

As the tech press coverage of PHP7 ramps up we’re fielding an increasing number of queries on how to enable PHP 7 for hosted sites. PHP 7 is the latest version of this most popular server side scripting language and can provide upto a 25% speed boost for some websites. And who doesn’t want a faster website? Exactly, no one.

While your exact mileage may vary, virtually every website will benefit in some fashion from this newer software. So how do you enable this on your hosting?

WordPress Hosting

If you use our WordPress Hosting plan you’re already using PHP 7. As this is a tightly controlled and secured platform we manage and maintain the software very carefully. Indeed the platform has ran PHP 7 natively since February this year. If you use WordPress on any of our other platforms, we do advise you move to our managed WordPress Hosting ASAP to take advantage of features like this.

Business Hosting

Our Business Hosting plans are configured uniquely for each user. If you ever need a change to your server’s hosting setup, you simply need to reach out and ask. Drop us an email to support@34sp.com seven days a week, and we can review your existing setup and advise accordingly. If you feel your site will get a shot in the arm from PHP 7 we can work on upgrading your account for you. We typically don’t change major software versions without request unless you ask us on this platform.

Reseller Hosting

If you’re using one of our Plesk 12.5.x Reseller Hosting plans or later, PHP 7 is supported out of the box. If you are on an older Plesk platform, drop us an email to support@34sp.com so we can advise how to upgrade.

Professional Hosting

Professional Hosting does not support PHP 7 natively at this time. As our Professional Hosting plan is a shared hosting setup, it underpins a vast variety of end user needs; as a result the overall platform tends to update slowly and with long term methodical planning. If we globally updated PHP across thousands of websites automatically, we’d assuredly break hundreds and hundreds of sites.

That said it is possible to install PHP 7 as a CGI using our installers in your control panel. Simply login at https://account.34sp.com and select manage websites. Next select your professional hosting service followed by the installers tab. You should see the PHP FastCGI option listed which you need to select next, followed by the 7.0 version from the drop down list of options. For a step-by-step guide on installing PHP FastCGI, please read our Knowledge Base article ‘How to install PHP FastCGI using 34sp.com one click installers‘.

VPS and Dedicated servers

As these are non managed systems, you would need to complete the upgrade of any software you host. If you did need our advice or help, we charge £15 per 15 minutes of systems assistance. As ever, we always try to quote you a cost for any work ahead of time if possible.