ReactJS is one of the most popular frontend frameworks for building fast, modern, and interactive web applications. Many developers assume that deploying React applications requires a VPS, Docker, or cloud platforms like AWS. But the truth is, you can easily host a ReactJS app in cPanel shared hosting using CloudLinux Node.js Selector.

If you are a developer, startup, or business in Chennai or anywhere in India, this guide will help you deploy your ReactJS project smoothly on cPanel hosting.

At ChennaiHost, we provide CloudLinux-powered hosting solutions that make React deployment simple, secure, and affordable.

Why CloudLinux is Perfect for Hosting ReactJS in cPanel

CloudLinux is widely used by hosting providers because it provides:

Stable resource allocation (CPU, RAM limits per account)
Better security isolation using CageFS
Easy Node.js environment setup inside cPanel
Improved performance compared to standard shared hosting

With CloudLinux, you can deploy ReactJS apps without worrying about server-level configurations.

Before You Start: What You Need

To deploy a ReactJS project on cPanel with CloudLinux, make sure you have:

✅ A cPanel hosting account with CloudLinux Node.js Selector enabled
✅ Your ReactJS project ready in your local system
✅ Node.js version compatibility (React usually works best with Node 16/18+)
✅ A domain or subdomain connected to your hosting
✅ FTP/File Manager access

If you’re hosting with ChennaiHost (Chennai, India), Node.js Selector is available on supported plans, making deployment easy.

Step 1: Build Your ReactJS Project

React projects cannot run directly like normal HTML unless you build them first.

Open your project folder and run:

npm install
npm run build

After building, React will generate a folder called:

📂 build/

This folder contains the final production-ready static files.

Step 2: Login to cPanel Hosting

Now login to your cPanel account.

Inside cPanel, you can deploy your React app using any of these methods:

Upload build files directly to public_html
Deploy React using Node.js Application Manager
Use React with an Express server

In this blog, we will cover the best recommended method for CloudLinux hosting.

Step 3: Create a Subdomain (Recommended)

If you are hosting a React app, it is better to run it on a subdomain like:

app.yourdomain.com
portal.yourdomain.com

In cPanel:

➡️ Go to Domains → Subdomains
➡️ Create a new subdomain
➡️ Set document root as:

/public_html/app

This keeps your main website separate and clean.

Step 4: Upload React Build Files in File Manager

Now go to:

📌 cPanel → File Manager

Navigate to your folder:

public_html/app/

Upload the contents of your React build folder:

index.html
static/
asset-manifest.json
favicon.ico
etc…

⚠️ Important: Upload the contents of build folder, not the build folder itself.

So your path should look like:

public_html/app/index.html
public_html/app/static/

Step 5: Fix React Router Issue (Very Important)

If your React app uses React Router (SPA routing), refreshing a page like:

app.yourdomain.com/about

may show a 404 error.

To fix this, create a .htaccess file inside your React folder:

📌 Location:

public_html/app/.htaccess

Add this code:

Options -MultiViews
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-f
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-d
RewriteRule ^ index.html [L]

This will redirect all routes to React’s index.html, making routing work properly.

Step 6: Enable SSL (HTTPS)

Google prefers HTTPS websites and it improves user trust.

In cPanel:

➡️ Go to Security → SSL/TLS Status
➡️ Select your domain/subdomain
➡️ Click Run AutoSSL

After SSL activation, your React app will run securely as:

✅ https://app.yourdomain.com

Step 7: Deploy ReactJS App Using CloudLinux Node.js Selector (Optional Advanced Method)

If you want React to run with Node.js (for SSR or API proxy), CloudLinux provides a Node.js application manager.

In cPanel, go to:

📌 Software → Setup Node.js App

Then:

Click Create Application
Choose Node.js version (Recommended: Node 18+)
Set application root like:

/home/username/reactapp

Set application URL (your subdomain)
Set startup file (if using Express):

server.js

If you are hosting only the React build folder, you do NOT need Node.js runtime. Static hosting is enough.

Step 8: Clear Cache and Test Your React App

After deployment:

Open your website in browser
Use hard refresh:

Ctrl + Shift + R

Test important pages:

Home page
Routing URLs
Contact form / API integration
Mobile responsiveness

Step 9: Optimize React App for Faster Loading (Recommended)

React websites can load faster with small improvements.

Best optimization tips:

✅ Enable compression (GZIP/Brotli if supported)
✅ Use Cloudflare CDN
✅ Compress images (WebP format)
✅ Remove unused dependencies
✅ Use production build only

If you’re hosting with ChennaiHost, you can also enable performance improvements through server caching and CloudLinux optimizations.

Common Errors While Hosting ReactJS in cPanel (and Fixes)

1. Blank Page After Upload

Cause: Wrong homepage path or missing build files
Fix: Ensure index.html is in correct folder.

2. React Router 404 Error

Cause: Server doesn’t know SPA routes
Fix: Add .htaccess rewrite rule (Step 5)

3. CSS / JS Not Loading

Cause: Wrong base URL
Fix: Update package.json:

"homepage": "."

Then rebuild:

npm run build

4. Node.js App Not Starting in CloudLinux

Cause: Wrong startup file or missing dependencies
Fix: Run npm install inside Node.js App Manager.

Best Hosting for ReactJS in Chennai & India

If you are searching for the best React hosting provider in Chennai, choose a hosting company that offers:

CloudLinux + Node.js Selector
SSD Storage for faster loading
Free SSL
Better security isolation
Support for modern frameworks

At ChennaiHost, we provide optimized hosting solutions for ReactJS and modern web apps for customers across Chennai and all over India.

Why Choose ChennaiHost for ReactJS Hosting?

ChennaiHost provides reliable and developer-friendly hosting for modern projects.

✅ CloudLinux powered cPanel hosting
✅ Node.js support for React & Next.js apps
✅ Affordable plans for startups and developers
✅ Chennai-based support team
✅ Fast server response time for Indian users
✅ Free SSL and security protection

Whether you are building a startup app, admin dashboard, or business portal, ChennaiHost helps you deploy your ReactJS project smoothly.

Final Thoughts

Deploying a ReactJS app in cPanel is simple when your hosting is powered by CloudLinux. With proper build upload, .htaccess configuration, and SSL setup, your React website will run smoothly on shared hosting.

If you are a developer or business from Chennai or India, CloudLinux hosting from ChennaiHost is a cost-effective solution to host your React projects without needing expensive servers.

If you are a developer, startup, or business in Chennai or anywhere in India, this guide will help you deploy your ReactJS project smoothly on cPanel hosting.

At ChennaiHost, we provide CloudLinux-powered hosting solutions that make React deployment simple, secure, and affordable.

Why CloudLinux is Perfect for Hosting ReactJS in cPanel

CloudLinux is widely used by hosting providers because it provides:

Stable resource allocation (CPU, RAM limits per account)
Better security isolation using CageFS
Easy Node.js environment setup inside cPanel
Improved performance compared to standard shared hosting

With CloudLinux, you can deploy ReactJS apps without worrying about server-level configurations.

Before You Start: What You Need

To deploy a ReactJS project on cPanel with CloudLinux, make sure you have:

If you’re hosting with ChennaiHost (Chennai, India), Node.js Selector is available on supported plans, making deployment easy.

Step 1: Build Your ReactJS Project

React projects cannot run directly like normal HTML unless you build them first.

Open your project folder and run:

npm install
npm run build

After building, React will generate a folder called:

📂 build/

This folder contains the final production-ready static files.

Step 2: Login to cPanel Hosting

Now login to your cPanel account.

Inside cPanel, you can deploy your React app using any of these methods:

Upload build files directly to public_html
Deploy React using Node.js Application Manager
Use React with an Express server

In this blog, we will cover the best recommended method for CloudLinux hosting.

Step 3: Create a Subdomain (Recommended)

If you are hosting a React app, it is better to run it on a subdomain like:

app.yourdomain.com
portal.yourdomain.com

In cPanel:

➡️ Go to Domains → Subdomains
➡️ Create a new subdomain
➡️ Set document root as:

/public_html/app

This keeps your main website separate and clean.

Step 4: Upload React Build Files in File Manager

Now go to:

📌 cPanel → File Manager

Navigate to your folder:

public_html/app/

Upload the contents of your React build folder:

index.html
static/
asset-manifest.json
favicon.ico
etc…

⚠️ Important: Upload the contents of build folder, not the build folder itself.

So your path should look like:

public_html/app/index.html
public_html/app/static/

Step 5: Fix React Router Issue (Very Important)

If your React app uses React Router (SPA routing), refreshing a page like:

app.yourdomain.com/about

may show a 404 error.

To fix this, create a .htaccess file inside your React folder:

📌 Location:

public_html/app/.htaccess

Add this code:

Options -MultiViews
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-f
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-d
RewriteRule ^ index.html [L]

This will redirect all routes to React’s index.html, making routing work properly.

Step 6: Enable SSL (HTTPS)

Google prefers HTTPS websites and it improves user trust.

In cPanel:

➡️ Go to Security → SSL/TLS Status
➡️ Select your domain/subdomain
➡️ Click Run AutoSSL

After SSL activation, your React app will run securely as:

✅ https://app.yourdomain.com

Step 7: Deploy ReactJS App Using CloudLinux Node.js Selector (Optional Advanced Method)

If you want React to run with Node.js (for SSR or API proxy), CloudLinux provides a Node.js application manager.

In cPanel, go to:

📌 Software → Setup Node.js App

Then:

Click Create Application
Choose Node.js version (Recommended: Node 18+)
Set application root like:

/home/username/reactapp

Set application URL (your subdomain)
Set startup file (if using Express):

server.js

If you are hosting only the React build folder, you do NOT need Node.js runtime. Static hosting is enough.

Step 8: Clear Cache and Test Your React App

After deployment:

Open your website in browser
Use hard refresh:

Ctrl + Shift + R

Test important pages:

Home page
Routing URLs
Contact form / API integration
Mobile responsiveness

Step 9: Optimize React App for Faster Loading (Recommended)

React websites can load faster with small improvements.

Best optimization tips:

✅ Enable compression (GZIP/Brotli if supported)
✅ Use Cloudflare CDN
✅ Compress images (WebP format)
✅ Remove unused dependencies
✅ Use production build only

If you’re hosting with ChennaiHost, you can also enable performance improvements through server caching and CloudLinux optimizations.

Common Errors While Hosting ReactJS in cPanel (and Fixes)

1. Blank Page After Upload

Cause: Wrong homepage path or missing build files
Fix: Ensure index.html is in correct folder.

2. React Router 404 Error

Cause: Server doesn’t know SPA routes
Fix: Add .htaccess rewrite rule (Step 5)

3. CSS / JS Not Loading

Cause: Wrong base URL
Fix: Update package.json:

"homepage": "."

Then rebuild:

npm run build

4. Node.js App Not Starting in CloudLinux

Cause: Wrong startup file or missing dependencies
Fix: Run npm install inside Node.js App Manager.

Best Hosting for ReactJS in Chennai & India

If you are searching for the best React hosting provider in Chennai, choose a hosting company that offers:

CloudLinux + Node.js Selector
SSD Storage for faster loading
Free SSL
Better security isolation
Support for modern frameworks

At ChennaiHost, we provide optimized hosting solutions for ReactJS and modern web apps for customers across Chennai and all over India.

Why Choose ChennaiHost for ReactJS Hosting?

ChennaiHost provides reliable and developer-friendly hosting for modern projects.

Whether you are building a startup app, admin dashboard, or business portal, ChennaiHost helps you deploy your ReactJS project smoothly.

Final Thoughts

If you are a developer or business from Chennai or India, CloudLinux hosting from ChennaiHost is a cost-effective solution to host your React projects without needing expensive servers.