Your n8n Setup Guide

1

Buy Your Domain Name

On Namecheap:

Go to Namecheap.com
Type your desired domain name (example: myautomations.com)
Click the "Search" button
If available, click "Add to Cart"
Click the shopping cart icon and "Confirm Order"
Create an account or log in
Complete your purchase

✅ Done! You now own a domain name

2

Create Your Server with n8n

Sign up for DigitalOcean:

Go to DigitalOcean.com
Click "Sign Up" (get $200 free credit for 60 days!)
Sign up with Google/GitHub or email
Add a payment method (required even with free credit)

Install n8n (One-Click Method):

Click "Marketplace" in the left sidebar
Search for "n8n"
Click on the n8n result (says "1-Click Install")
Click the blue "Create n8n Droplet" button

Choose location: Pick datacenter closest to you (or leave default)
Choose plan: The $6/month option (1GB RAM) works great
Authentication: Click "Password"
Create password: Must have 8+ characters, 1 uppercase, 1 number

⚠️

IMPORTANT: Write down your password somewhere safe! You'll need it later.

Scroll down and click "Create Droplet"
Wait 1-2 minutes for creation
Copy the IP address that appears (looks like 164.92.123.45)

✅ Your n8n server is now running! Copy your IP address.

3

Connect Your Domain

In Namecheap:

Go back to Namecheap.com and log in
Click "Domain List" on the left
Find your domain and click "Manage"
Click the "Advanced DNS" tab
Click "Add New Record"

Fill out the form:

Type: Select "A Record"
Host: Type n8n
Value: Paste your IP address from DigitalOcean
TTL: Select "1 min" or "Automatic"
Click the green checkmark ✓ to save

⏰

Wait 5-10 minutes for the domain to connect. This is normal!

✅ Domain is connected! Your n8n will be at: n8n.yourdomain.com

4

Finish n8n Setup

Open the Console:

Go back to DigitalOcean.com
Click on your droplet in the list
Click the "Console" button (top right, looks like a screen icon)
A black window opens - this is normal!
Click inside the window and press Enter

Answer the Setup Questions:

The screen will ask you questions. Type your answers and press Enter after each:

                            Question 1: "Please enter your domain:"

                            Type: n8n.yourdomain.com (replace with YOUR domain)

                            Example: n8n.myautomations.com

                            Press Enter

                            Question 2: "Please enter your email for Let's Encrypt:"

                            Type your email address

                            Press Enter

                            Question 3: "Do you want to set up a timezone?"

                            Type: n (for no)

                            Press Enter

⏳

Wait 2-3 minutes. You'll see lots of scrolling text. This is normal - it's installing everything!

When you see "Installation complete!" and a URL, you're done!

✅ n8n is fully installed and secured with HTTPS!

5

Access & Create Your Account

Open n8n:

Copy the URL from the console (or type https://n8n.yourdomain.com)
Open your browser and paste the URL
If you see "Site can't be reached" - wait another 5-10 minutes
When it loads, you'll see the "Owner account setup" screen

Create Your Account:

Enter your email address
Enter your first and last name
Create a strong password
Click "Next"
Answer optional questions (or skip them)
You're in! 🎉

🎊 Success! You now have your own automation platform running 24/7!

💰

What You're Paying

Domain (Namecheap)	~$1/month (~$12/year)
Server (DigitalOcean)	$6/month
SSL Certificate	FREE

Total: ~$7/month

                        🎁 Your Free Credit: DigitalOcean gives you $200 for 60 days, so you can run this FREE for 2 months before paying!
                    

ℹ️

To stop paying: Go to DigitalOcean → Click your droplet → Click "Destroy" → Charges stop immediately

🚀 Your n8n Automation Platform Setup