When Do You Need Manged Web Hosting?

Having the right kind of hosting account for your website is crucial to the success and sustenance of your online business. Making the wrong choice could result in loss of traffic, and several other server mishaps which ultimately decrease the value and reputability of your eCommerce efforts. Poor server management and resource allocation can cause anything from slow page loads to server crashes, and even decreased search engine ranking.

If you are opening a serious online business then you will want to consider a very high end hosting account such as VPS or dedicated hosting. As in any other business endeavor, the more features and capabilities you have access to, the more responsibilities you’ll have to deal with. Since VPS and dedicated hosting accounts are generally more complex, you’ll either need to have extensive technical knowledge, or a solution that provides adequate technical support and server administration.

Dedicated Hosting Types

The most expensive form of web hosting offered by most web hosting providers is dedicated hosting. With dedicated hosting you’ll be bale to lease a web server that is completely dedicated to your site’s needs. Dedicated servers are also very powerful, and capable of handling immense traffic surges and data transfer tasks. If you own a corporation or a medium to large sized business, then you will want to consider a dedicated hosting account. However since dedicated servers are so powerful, there are also more administrative responsibilities to deal with. Thus, there are two types of dedicated hosting accounts – managed and unmanaged.

Unmanaged Dedicated Hosting

The most affordable type of data hosting is unmanaged hosting. This kind of hosting does not include technical support or on-site server administration. Instead, you’re required to handle the server administrative tasks by yourself. Since you do not have to pay for the on-site support, the cost is lowered, however most people do not have the necessary technical knowledge to administer their dedicated server remotely. Thus, the most popular form of dedicated web hosting is managed dedicated hosting.

Managed Dedicated Hosting

If you are not tech savvy, yet you have a high demand for web server resources, then you will need to consider a managed dedicated web hosting account. Managed dedicated web hosting costs more than unmanaged services simply because you have to pay for the added cost of server administration. If you are on a budget, or own a small business, then dedicated web hosting of any kind is probably not for you. The main confusion that arises when people are searching for a dedicated hosting account is exactly what is included in the service.

Some web hosting providers only offer partially managed dedicated hosting accounts, while others offer fully managed services. The less technical knowledge you have, the more support you will need. If you have absolutely no experience with server administration, then you should probably look for a reputable and reliable hosting provider that offers fully managed dedicated hosting. Fully managed dedicated web hosting is perfect for individuals that are in need of a powerful web server and maximum convenience.

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PHP and Common Web Hosting Security Issues

The most common security lapses online are usually the result of a faulty or lazy programmer that has left some sort of loophole somewhere. Most of the time, these web designers and developers have very little time to finish a project, placing security last on their last of priorities. For this reason many of the sub sequential errors are not discovered until they have resulted in serious security lapses for the end user or their network.

PHP

One particular programming language that is becoming increasingly popular amongst newer developers is PHP. PHP is perhaps the easiest programming language to use, and therefore often the most erroneously misused by inexperienced web programmers. PHP’s ease of use and minimal learning curve make it an optimal opportunity for any novice web developer to create software that is potentially insecure.

Insecure Web Applications

In the past hackers would infiltrate a network using any means possible, including using phishing techniques, identity theft, and any other method to compromise the security of a server or operating system. Now, the main focus has shifted to infiltrating the administrative interface of a website to gain access to online databases and server files.

The easiest way for most hackers to do this is to find a way in through one of many loopholes that exists in the site’s web applications. Web applications make the webmasters job easier and more convenient, however like many other tools that increase convenience, web applications come at a price.

Hiring Your Own Programmers

Since web applications have direct access to your site’s administrative functions, these web applications can be taken advantage of for nefarious purposes, and used to access your website’s control panel. This could prove to be disastrous, especially if you run an online business. For this reason it is best to avoid any new web applications that are built by unreliable sources. If you are planning on using a web application with a busy business website, you may want to hire a personal qualified developer to assist you in creating some custom web applications.

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Linux Hosting – From Corporation to Consumer

Every web site on the internet is hosted on a web server that is managed through the use of an operating system, similar to how you control your computer through the operating system. This aspect of web hosting is quite often overlooked, and a lot of novice webmasters don’t even know what kind of operating system their hosting plan uses. Nowadays, if you don’t know what operating system your hosting plan uses, there is a very good chance that it runs on Linux. This is because the Linux operating system is the default choice for nearly every web hosting provider.

Also Read: Linux Hosting

The cheapest and most reliable web hosting plans usually have Linux as their operating system because it is a free open source software that is easy to service and install. However, Linux wasn’t always so convenient or popular, and at one point it was only used by corporations with IT departments and in-house residents. Over the years, Linux developed into many flavors that are friendly to even the most novice user. The following are some of the most cited reasons for using Linux hosting instead of Windows.

Open Source Compatibility

As an open source software, Linux is compatible with virtually any programming platform other than those that are native to Windows or Microsoft technology. Some of the programming languages that Linux is compatible with that are incredibly popular are the three Ps – PHP, Perl and Python. Since the operating system is open source, new programming languages can be developed around the Linux base to ensure future compatibility, and existing languages can be amended to accommodate the Linux software. This allows hosting companies to provide instant support and continue expanding their technological capabilities within an open source platform. With a Windows server, hosting companies have to wait on updates from Microsoft, and they cannot add custom developments to the operating system.

Stability and Security

Surprisingly, even though the operating system is free, it is generally much more reliable than the Windows operating system because anyone can perform maintenance on the software without waiting for the operating systems manufacturer. This makes Linux a stable solution that can be maintained by anyone with the knowledge and willpower to do so. Linux is also one of the most secure operating systems, which is another reason why so many people use it for web hosting in an industry which security is of the utmost concern. The Linux operating system effectively keeps your web site free from worms, intrusion and third party viruses that can compromise the safety of your online business. This reliable protection minimizes downtime and keeps your site up and running without any problems more than 99.9 percent of the time.

Limited Limitations

The Linux operating system is not without its limitations however, as it is not compatible with some Microsoft based software that are commonly used by bigger businesses. For example, Microsoft Sharepoint could not be installed on a Linux server without virtualization software. Fortunately, if you’re experienced enough, you can install a visualization software and urn Windows within the Linux operating system, completely eliminating such limitations. Thus, there are very few limitations within the Linux operating system, and it is easy to see why it has progressed from a private to a public solution in the past two decades.

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A Closer Look into APS Hosting

APS is a unique hosting solution that offers some very unique features to the domain owner. APS (Active Server Pages) technology allows the design and creation of an interactive website to be completed via server-side scripting. Examples of interactive websites and/or features would be: forums, blogs, search bars, calendars, newsletters, email, surveys, polls, and hit counters.  Unlike HTML scripting, APS scripting will allow your website to be displayed equally on any web browser. The overall compatibility of APS hosting stems from the fact that the APS server decodes and translates the .aps info into .html info before it is received by the browser. This is the primary reason why it is called APS hosting, as it is more than just a type of scripting. In order to use .aps scripts, your hosting company must have APS servers available.

Finding an APS Web Hosting Service Provider

Even though most web hosts claim to support the majority of scripts out there, this doesn’t mean that they all support ASP scripting. ASP scripting is relatively new so it is important that you find a web hosting company that specializes in this area of expertise. Many times you can find out all you need to know form a companies FAQ page, however if you still have questions it may be best to call their customer support number for further inquiries.

ASP Server Details

ASP servers are Windows based virtual servers, much like  Microsoft’s Personal Web Server. While Windows Vista carries support for ASP servers,  XP Home Edition and Windows ME unfortunately do not support ASP scripts. However if your operating system does not support ASP hosting then it is still possible to take advantages of this kind of hosting, thanks to a program known as “Chili” made by Sun Microsystems. Chili allows users to enjoy the benefits of  ASP hosting even if they are using operating systems like Linux, AIX or Solaris, or even if you are using an incompatible server such as Secure Server, Red Hat, and Apache.

The Ease of Transition to ASP Hosting

ASP scripting is also strikingly similar to HTML scripting, so anyone who is familiar with writing code in HTML will have no problem making the transition to ASP scripting. In fact, ASP hosting is just as easy to learn as HTML, so even if you have no experience in scripting, ASP is still an option for you as long as you have a little bit of motivation and the right guide.  In fact there are many tools available online that will help even the most inexperienced programmers in building interactive web pages for their website. If your web hosting company does not currently offer support for ASP hosting, then you can rest assured that they will within the next few years, possibly even months. Due to it’s seemingly unlimited compatibility with web browsers, ASP hosting is quickly becoming the industry standard in web hosting. Switching to an ASP hosting service as soon as possible will ensure that your website is view-able to more users, and more enjoyable to your visitors.

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The Pros and Cons of Windows VPS Hosting

Short for virtual private server, VPS represents an increasingly popular type of web hosting that is established by partitioning a single physical server into multiple virtual servers. Each server has its own private environment and is capable of running independently from its counterparts. A VPS has its own fully developed operating system and can also be rebooted independent of the other virtual servers on the machine. A VPS offers much greater performance than a shared server and while it still lacks in comparison to a dedicated server, it does share many of the same qualities. A virtual private server provides you with a great deal of freedom and has garnered the reputation of being notably more affordable than a single physical server.

Microsoft’s Contribution

VPS hosting in enabled by a certain type of software that has the ability to control the multiple servers. With the introduction of Windows Server 2008 and Hyper-V, hosting providers have access to a more secure and reliable platform to deliver VPS solutions. Windows VPS hosting received its big start with Windows Virtual Server 2007, a platform that while serviceable, could not complete with offerings on the market by vendors such as VMWare. Thanks to Microsoft’s recent innovations, Windows VPS hosting customers are now ensured a dramatically improved performance that can be enhanced through integration with VMWare and other virtualization software packages.

The Advantages of Windows VPS

A Windows VPS platform offers an environment most administrators and developers really appreciate. The familiar Windows desktop interface makes setting up an account a seamless and easy process. Because of this, most users can easily adapt to and thrive in this environment. A Windows VPS server is ideal for individuals and businesses that have a need to run high-traffic websites, complex web applications, or custom services that simply aren’t recommended for a shared server.  With the array of new security features implemented into the Windows Server 2008 operating system, the Windows platform has become one of the most secure VPS hosting solutions available.

The Disadvantages of Windows VPS

There is one major drawback to a Windows VPS and that is the significant amount of resources it demands from the server. The good thing is that this problem can addressed by running the Windows 2008 Core installation. This gives you a scaled down version of the platform with select features and services. If you have a need to run a large number of applications, you might be better suited for a dedicated server as it will give you the best possible performance.

When comparing it to the open-source Linux operating system, another knock on Windows VPS hosting could be the cost factor. Linux and its core components are released under a license that allows them to be freely distributed and this is often reflected in the cost of service. Windows on the other hand, comes attached with costly licenses that can send the price soaring.

Minor drawbacks aside, Windows is an excellent choice for running a virtual private server. With the backing of reliable hardware, the superb performance, flexibility and security it offers makes it a VPS solution you definitely want to consider.

Read More: Windows Hosting 

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Introducing Cold Fusion Hosting

Now an Adobe product, Cold Fusion is one of the most powerful programming languages available. As a server-side scripting technology, it is used to create dynamic web pages and applications, quite similar to languages such as ASP, Perl and PHP. Cold Fusion gives developers the ability to create and deploy interactive features that power self-service applications, content management systems, e-commerce sites and much more. As a tag-based language, it is said to be one of the most comprehensive programming tools to use in the world. In order to enjoy all Cold Fusion has to offer, you need a web hosting provider that supports it.

This article will go over the factors you must consider when looking for Cold Fusion hosting.

Available Version

When it comes to Cold Fusion hosting, it is always best to choose a web hosting provider that offers the most recent version of the language. This will allow you to benefit from the latest features to create powerful, user-friendly web pages and applications. It also makes it much easier to integrate the language with the database system you prefer to work with.

Possible Limitations

Choosing the right Cold Fusion solution is very important as some environments prevent you from getting its full potential. For example, there are a few shared hosting providers that will limit the use of its tags because they are often viewed as security risks. This is mainly due to the mere structure of a shared server. This is very understandable as the vulnerability of your site opens potential threats to everyone else hosting on the server. You can get around these limitations by opting for dedicated server hosting. Though it is considerably more expensive, dedicated hosting gives you complete control over which tags can or cannot be used on the server.

Cold Fusion Features

Cold Fusion is a powerful feature in its own right but there are some minimal requirements. Most web hosting providers will set you up with everything required to get the maximum use out of this dynamic programming language. All that is really needed to excel with Cold Fusion is a complimenting database to provide back-end in support for your web applications. This shouldn’t be a problem as Cold Fusion integrates seamlessly with popular databases such as MySQL, Postgre SQL and MS SQL.

Cost Factor

Lastly, you need to consider the budget you have available to put towards a Cold Fusion hosting package. Because it is one of the oldest languages around, you can find Cold Fusion offered in many low cost hosting packages. However, some companies charge a pretty penny for all the advanced functionality it offers, especially when bundled with compatible Microsoft products.

In the end, it is mainly the complimenting features such as bandwidth and software add-ons that will impact the cost of Cold Fusion hosting solution.

While it goes without saying, Cold Fusion hosting is something you should only seek when having a specific need for the functionality it offers. Though it may not be as popular as ASP or PHP, the language is widely available. As with any hosting service, the most important aspects of this niche are reliability and quality technical support. A stable platform will give you all the ammunition you need to thrive with a Cold Fusion website.

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Hosting Your Site with FrontPage

If you want a website that looks professional but you are not well versed in programming technologies, FrontPage hosting could be something you’re interested in. This type of hosting is a great option for the website owner who wants a site that looks good but are working with very few coding skills and money. The powerful, simplistic technology behind FrontPage makes it ideal personal sites as well as small business ventures. This article will introduce you to FrontPage hosting and explain the advantages it offers to your website.

What is FrontPage Hosting?

FrontPage hosting is a niche market hosting that offers support for the FrontPage application. Developed by Microsoft, FrontPage is a program used to create and manage websites. It offers flexibility that allows you to design professional websites all without knowledge of HTML or complex server-side scripting languages such as ASP or PHP. Although programming skills are not required, the capabilities of FrontPage can be greatly enhanced as it allows you to format and edit HTML. This can all be done through an intuitive user-friendly interface that contorts to those familiar with Microsoft Office applications.

FrontPage hosting is much like conventional web hosting services. The major difference is the implementation of Microsoft server-based programming technologies known as FrontPage extensions. In fact, FrontPage is only effective if the web host has FrontPage extensions installed on their server. Though originally intended to run on Windows-based servers, FrontPage extensions can also perform seamlessly on Linux and Unix platforms as well. For this reason, FrontPage hosting can usually be obtained at an affordable price.

FrontPage Features

The functionality of FrontPage hosting was extended greatly with the release of FrontPage 2003. This version offered many new features such as a photo gallery, instant team websites and usage analysis reports. Other features like the drop-down menus, radio buttons and check boxes all simplify website development and ensure a smooth ride for inexperienced developers. FrontPage also offers a number of dynamic website templates that allow you to enhance the presentation of your site in minutes. While there are limitations in terms of development, FrontPage can help you create a data-driven site through XML (Extensible Markup Language), a process that is made easy with the built-in WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) editor.

Who Needs FrontPage Hosting?

As mentioned above, FrontPage hosting is geared towards webmasters who lack web design skills. It is also best for users who do not require a significant amount of dynamic functions within their website. If you can get by with features that are simple yet appealing, FrontPage hosting makes a great choice.

FrontPage hosting is a straightforward hosting solution that caters to beginner developers. If you have a basic knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, you can truly excel in this environment. The comprehensive Graphical User Interface allows for easy web page creation while the WYSIWYG editor virtually eliminates critical mistakes. Though it is a niche offering, FrontPage hosting isn’t hard to find as a wide variety of companies offer support for the underlying technologies.

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Web Hosting Features – A Necessary Foundation

For a plethora of reasons, millions of customer are motivated to start a website.  Each new hosting acount accompanies a unique set of requirements.  Although price, customer support, and reliability are key points, features also play a major role in making a decision.  Features are often the most attractive part of a web hosting package and thy act as the foundation to any hosting account.   This article will talk about some of the most common features you will encounter when looking for service.

Email Tools

Email is the preferred method of communication for millions of individuals and businesses across the world.  Realizing this, web hosting companies provide all the email features needed to keep base with contacts.  Aside from multiple accounts, you generally get complimentary features such as webmail, autoresponders and forwarders to communicate effectively no matter where you might be.  Because unsolicited mail and virus infected attachments are a tremendous problem, hosting providers help you stay protected with spam filtering applications to dramatically cut down on those potentially dangerous messages.  Often overshadowed by more luxurious offerings, but email remains to be one of the most useful features in any hosting plan.

Shopping Cart Software

E-commerce is a driving force on the web and shopping carts are a big part of what enables this thriving industry.  If you have aspirations of selling your own products or services online, this is the type of software you need to make it happen. Shopping carts often come included in business or e-commerce hosting packages, usually at no additional costs.  In many cases, these programs can be easily installed through your control panel interface.

Programming Languages

Scripting or programming languages, have become common on the web hosting market but these features are geared towards more advanced users.  Some examples are open-source languages such as PHP, Perl and Ruby on Rails and proprietary technologies such as ASP and ASP.NET.  These programming tools serve benefit to developers and webmasters who are proficient at coding and building content from scratch.  A hosting provider that has these software packages installed on their server allow you to diversify your website with dynamic content that stand outs from static HTML pages.

Site Builders

Almost all web hosting plans come equipped with utilities that provide you the ability to create your site.  With most tools, you can choose from a nice selection of pre-designed templates and basically create your website in easy drag-and-drop fashion.  These utilities typically do not call for you to have any knowledge in client-side programming languages such as HTML or even server-side variations like Python or PHP.  In addition to integrated building tools, many host also offer support for standalone web design applications such as Dreamweaver and Microsoft FrontPage. These programs allow you to create your site offline and upload it to the server without the use of an FTP client.

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What are the Best Advertising Avenues for Web Hosts?

Large web hosting companies such as GoDaddy are able to create television advertising campaigns that keep the public aware of their brand. These marketing campaigns are expensive endeavors involving a significant amount of time and effort to develop a strategy. The effort and cost is worth it. GoDaddy is a commonly recognized brand name, and the company has experienced immense growth by buying up start-ups, attracting top tech management, and expanding internationally. That’s good news for GoDaddy, but is it a solution for other web hosting companies?

Some Less Expensive Solutions

If you own a smaller web hosting business, a television advertising campaign is not going to be covered by your budget until you experience some growth. You need some ideas for more cost effective advertising, and could even use some do-it-yourself options. Here are a few ways small web hosting companies like yours can get name recognition and increase business.

Content Marketing

Like all of the advertising options you will come across for your web hosting company, content marketing can be started as a project on your own, or you can use a service to help you or take the task off your hands completely.

Since you are in the web hosting business, you are probably somewhat familiar with using content marketing as a way to get potential customers searching for information to find links to your website.  You create informative content that web users want to find. Placing keywords within the content will add your article to search engine results. You can start small with your own marketing team adding a blog with keyword content in each post:

◈ Write articles that are informative and easy-to-read to keep a potential customer engaged about web hosting services and related subjects.

◈ Aim for a variety of subjects, making sure to cover items that small businesses needing web hosting services would find helpful.

◈ Leave your blog posts open-ended to encourage comments, letting potential customers add their thoughts and get your answers.

Once you have the budget, you can hire content writers to give your blog entries a polished and helpful tone without taking up hours of the marketing team’s time. You can research other sites to place your content and add calls to action at the end of each article to direct customers to your website for more information, or hire a service to handle that for you.

Social Media

Social media outlets are also a good way to start advertising yourself on a small budget and to expand to hire professionals when your web hosting company grows and increases the marketing budget. Creating a social presence is simple for your internal team and powerful when paired with content marketing and professionals to maintain your social presence.

Do-it-yourself options begin with making sure that your web hosting company is present on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest with regular, interesting posts that will make any potential customers feel like following your sites is informative rather than just an advertising gimmick. Use the sites to promote your content marketing articles in your blog, but be sure to mix up the style of your posts so they do not just promote other things. Some examples of this method are:

◈ Add quick, interesting statistics to your Twitter feed.

◈ Take a series of pictures from a trade show or demonstration of your web hosting process for small businesses, and add those photos to Pinterest.

◈ Follow professional groups for small business owners on Facebook, and later use Facebook sponsored updates and advertising options, choosing a daily budget that works for you.

Social media management is tied in with content marketing to create powerful brand awareness. Small business owners looking for help with web hosting will be exposed to your brand in a positive way if you keep your social media posts interesting and helpful. Target your potential customers for successful advertising. Remember that you need to engage any potential customer comments or feedback, which is another reason why an agency will eventually become helpful in managing your social presence as your web hosting company grows.

Banner Ads

Purchasing website banner ads is a good way for you to get your web hosting business name recognized. However, you will read about recent research that click through rates occur for less than one percent of page views.  Banner ads still have value.  They get eyes looking at your name and learning something about your web hosting services.

You can purchase banner ads for as little as $1/1000 views. At that rate, a banner ad for a site that gets 25,000 page views per month would cost $25. A top ranked website is going to charge more per impression.

The Best Sites for Banner Ads

Choose your purchase based more on the type of audience you want to reach than the cost per thousand views rate. Some important points to consider:

◈ A blog with good page view rates that offers advice to small businesses is more worth your money than a blog with huge page view rates that discusses international business.

◈ Look at the comments section for the site’s blog entries or articles. A lively comments section means readers are actively engaged.

◈ Purchasing space from a network of blogs can save you time and give you one point of contact for many different kinds of small businesses that could use web hosting services.

If you have the budget, a service can handle most of these decisions for you. However, if the budget is tight and you know what kind of niche you want, researching sites yourself is not too difficult. The staff at your web hosting company is going to be savvier about websites than the average small business, and a group discussion could lead to some great blog or news site suggestions that would be ideal places for your banner ads.

Get Your Name Out There

No matter what avenue you choose, if companies cannot easily find your name when searching for web hosting options, you will lose their business to competitors who have left an impression. Banner ads can bring your web hosting company into the mind of potential customers, and content marketing offering helpful and interesting articles, tied in with a social presence, will make those potential customers want to use your web hosting services.

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