Why You Need Server Administration
While web hosting for basic users usually consists of shared IP addresses and hosting, many companies want their own IP address and require more storage space than the average web account provides. This was why dedicated servers came into being. However, it can be difficult to operate these servers, and someone needs to manage storage capacity, databases, balancing server load, monitoring the server and reporting on server activity. These tasks can all be handled by a server administrator.
Managed Hosting Tasks
Managed hosting is like dedicated hosting on steroids. Basically you rent a server as you would with dedicated hosting, but you don't have to manage it. The managed hosting company maintains the operating system and hardware; installs, updates and patches software; and monitors your servers, the network and data centers. This includes the management of databases and testing service packs and other updates to make sure that your network server is always up and running and up to date.
Managed Hosting Advantages
One of the main advantages of managed hosting is the control you get over what's on the server. With typical web hosting, you may be restricted to what the web host provides in terms of software and certainly in terms of reporting software. There may be restrictions on databases, domains and sub domains. None of that applies with managed hosting. You choose the applications and data you want on the server and someone else takes care of the fiddly technical details.
Another advantage of managed hosting is that they are cost effective for companies which need a secure infrastructure, a lot of technical expertise and 100 per cent uptime. Unless your IT budget is limitless, these can be costly if you hire your own staff, so managed hosting might be a solution. It's a good way to make sure that critical functions relating to security, data storage and monitoring are expertly handled without breaking the bank. Your managed hosting service will include back up of your data, security firewalls and much more depending on the company and level of service you choose.
AxisHost & WiredTree
AxisHost will set up and configure your server and will monitor the server response for FTP, SSH, HTTP, HTTPS, mySQL, SMTP and POP requests. The company will update and patch the operating system and control panel, install and support software, and install PHP, Perl modules, SSL certificates. It will provide data backup recovery. It will troubleshoot and repair server problems and there is a server outage phone number that operates year round. No fee details were available.
WiredTree's service includes hardware management, support for operating systems and software, server hardening, firewalls and spam prevention and the installation, security patches and updates and monitoring. Clients may also monitor their servers through a client interface. The cost of the service ranges from $139 to $299 a month.
ServerWizards & Contegix
ServerWizards monitors the server at five minute intervals year round. It installs and configures software, optimizes hardware, provides security patches and updates for control panels. There are remote backups and clients benefit from unlimited support tickets. The company supports a wide variety of operating systems and control panels. This service is $75 a month, with additional charges for server setup and extra security.
Contegix specializes in Linux and MacOS servers, with its managed hosting starting at $325 a month. This includes installing, managing, updating and monitoring software and security patches and testing service packs. The company has experience in a wide range of database applications and has a 100 per cent uptime guarantee.
XioLink & LiquidWeb
XioLink installs, manages, updates and monitors service packs and security patches and has expertise in a wide variety of database packages. It has a 100 per cent uptime guarantee and will look after hardware, operating systems, applications and infrastructure. It offers a 30 minute hardware replacement guarantee.
LiquidWeb installs, manages, updates and monitors service packs and security patches and has expertise in a wide variety of database packages. It offers a two hour hardware replacement guarantee and has a 2 hour hardware replacement guarantee. Their managed hosting services range from $149 to $364.
Managed Hosting Considerations
There are several areas to consider when choosing a managed hosting plan. You will need to look at the services that are available and see whether you can simply choose the ones you need or whether you need to take a hosting plan. Find out about their internet connection speed and type and how they maintain hardware and software. And find out about technical support. You can test this be contacting them with a query to see what response you get. Some managed hosting providers have round the clock live support – use this as one way to compare them. Finally, look at the monthly or yearly payment options for a rounded view of the value of a particular provider.
Price differences between managed hosts will depend on how much account management you need, the application support services provided and how sophisticated the hardware is. In general, there is a fixed monthly rate for the services, though many server administration companies prefer to provide a custom quotation based on your exact requirements. It is worth checking what is included in and excluded from your managed hosting agreement before making the final choice.
Choose & Register domain name
Why you Need a Domain Name
You may be wondering whether you really need a domain name. These days every serious business has a website and some people have popular blogs that also have their own domains. The answer is that if you intend to do business on the internet or attract an audience on the web, you must have a domain name. Without it, no one will be able to find your website and you won't be able to do business. That applies whether you are a large company or an individual selling your web design services. A domain name is the only way for you to establish a presence on the internet.
The domain name you choose can fall into a number of categories. Many companies choose a domain name that corresponds to their company name, such as Microsoft. Others choose a generic domain name that corresponds to the business they do, such as writing.com. Still others choose a domain name that is their name, a practice adopted by many freelance professionals.
Domain names are also useful because you can have a unique email address along with the domain. This might be important in your particular business. In addition to these features domain names can be used to improve the ranking of a particular website in the search engines, because it is possible to incorporate the keywords that people are searching for in the domain name.
While it is possible to get a free domain name, this will impair your credibility when doing business. Buying a domain name is not expensive, so make an investment in your business and get the right one.
The Best Kind of Domain Name
Domain names exist in a hierarchy. There are top level domains (TLDs) and second level domains. In an internet address, such as getwebhosting.com. The last part of the web address, '.com', is the top level domain, while the 'getwebhosting' is the second level domain. Think of it as a postal address, with the top level domain being the country and the second level domain being the state. There are two types of top level domains. Some top level domains are two letter country codes, such as 'jp' for Japan or 'uk' for the United Kingdom, while others are generic, such as 'com' for commercial organizations. Generic top level domains can be combined with country codes as well (for example 'gov.uk' for UK government organizations).
With all these permutations to choose from, it is important to get the right kind of domain name for your website – and this is all about the right top level domain. For most people, '.com' is synonymous with the internet. We have heard of the dotcom revolution, the dotcom boom and the dotcom bust for that very reason. However, because of that, it can be difficult to find a '.com' top level domain.
In order to decide on the right TLD think about your business and see whether there is a top level domain that matches it. If you are running a charitable organization, .org might suit you. If you are running an internet business, then you might prefer .net or .biz or even .info. Choosing top level domains of this type will tell people who visit your site what kind of site they can expect.
However, there is another option. If you are selling products in different countries, consider choosing a country specific top level domain. Research shows that most people feel secure doing business with a site based in their country. While this may just be a perception, it can help you to connect with people, so getting a .ca or .au top level domain might be useful if you are doing business in Canada or Australia. Don't worry, this does not mean having to set up multiple websites as there is software around that will handle localization.
How to Choose a Domain Name
In addition to the selection of the top level domain, you also need to think about the second level domain when selecting the perfect domain name. There are many approaches to choosing the right domain name. The right domain name may be your own name if you are a self employed business person, or it might be the name of the product that you intend to sell. It might even be a generic one that describes the business that you are in, though not many of those are available these days.
When choosing a domain name, think about your customers and choose a domain name that is easy to remember. Although your domain name can be 63 characters, keeping it short and simple will make it easier for people to remember your web address and find your site. Using hyphens or zeroes in the domain name are best avoided as people can end up mistyping the web address and going to a competitor instead.
There are many online resources to help you choose a domain name. In fact most of the web hosts provide domain registration services and tools that will guide you towards domain name selection. Many of these tools will also search for variants of the domain name that you want. It's also worth considering getting several domain names, perhaps with different top level domains, to leave room for future expansion. You don't need to have a website for each domain name you buy – in fact, you don't need one at all – so there's no harm in this sort of future proofing. It will help secure your brand.
How to Register a Domain Name
Once you have decided on your domain name you will need to register it. There are two options for this. Either you can do it through your web hosting provider or you can do it yourself. The web hosting provider option is simple, because your hosting provider will provide an easy way to search for and register your domain through an online form. And it probably won't be too expensive. However, there are untrustworthy domain registrars out there, so check ICANN's list of accredited domain registrars before parting with your money.
When registering a domain make sure that your name is on the records as the person registering the domain. You should be down as the administrator and contact person. And a key feature to get is domain locking which is a security feature to prevent your domain from being hijacked. After all, you wouldn't want to spend months building up your business only to have a hijacker upload questionable content to your site.
Check to see whether your registration information can be kept private and have a look at your WHOIS records to see who the primary contact is. Make sure there are no errors in this information – if there are, get your domain registrar to correct them as quickly as possible.
Remember to register your domain name for as long a period as you can afford. That way you won't lose it if you don't make the annual renewal exactly on time. And even if you only have a one year scheme there is still a grace period of up to 45 days before your domain expires. Don't take chances, though. If your registrar only allows a one day grace period, you could find that your goldmine domain has been sold out from under you.
You can also register your domain yourself through InterNIC (at a cost of around $70), by filling out a form with your name and address. Once you have followed the confirmation process you will have an NIC handle and can use this when registering a domain. Your ISP may charge a few for setting up the domain on their system, though even if you buy a domain through one ISP you are free to host it elsewhere.
You may be wondering whether you really need a domain name. These days every serious business has a website and some people have popular blogs that also have their own domains. The answer is that if you intend to do business on the internet or attract an audience on the web, you must have a domain name. Without it, no one will be able to find your website and you won't be able to do business. That applies whether you are a large company or an individual selling your web design services. A domain name is the only way for you to establish a presence on the internet.
The domain name you choose can fall into a number of categories. Many companies choose a domain name that corresponds to their company name, such as Microsoft. Others choose a generic domain name that corresponds to the business they do, such as writing.com. Still others choose a domain name that is their name, a practice adopted by many freelance professionals.
Domain names are also useful because you can have a unique email address along with the domain. This might be important in your particular business. In addition to these features domain names can be used to improve the ranking of a particular website in the search engines, because it is possible to incorporate the keywords that people are searching for in the domain name.
While it is possible to get a free domain name, this will impair your credibility when doing business. Buying a domain name is not expensive, so make an investment in your business and get the right one.
The Best Kind of Domain Name
Domain names exist in a hierarchy. There are top level domains (TLDs) and second level domains. In an internet address, such as getwebhosting.com. The last part of the web address, '.com', is the top level domain, while the 'getwebhosting' is the second level domain. Think of it as a postal address, with the top level domain being the country and the second level domain being the state. There are two types of top level domains. Some top level domains are two letter country codes, such as 'jp' for Japan or 'uk' for the United Kingdom, while others are generic, such as 'com' for commercial organizations. Generic top level domains can be combined with country codes as well (for example 'gov.uk' for UK government organizations).
With all these permutations to choose from, it is important to get the right kind of domain name for your website – and this is all about the right top level domain. For most people, '.com' is synonymous with the internet. We have heard of the dotcom revolution, the dotcom boom and the dotcom bust for that very reason. However, because of that, it can be difficult to find a '.com' top level domain.
In order to decide on the right TLD think about your business and see whether there is a top level domain that matches it. If you are running a charitable organization, .org might suit you. If you are running an internet business, then you might prefer .net or .biz or even .info. Choosing top level domains of this type will tell people who visit your site what kind of site they can expect.
However, there is another option. If you are selling products in different countries, consider choosing a country specific top level domain. Research shows that most people feel secure doing business with a site based in their country. While this may just be a perception, it can help you to connect with people, so getting a .ca or .au top level domain might be useful if you are doing business in Canada or Australia. Don't worry, this does not mean having to set up multiple websites as there is software around that will handle localization.
How to Choose a Domain Name
In addition to the selection of the top level domain, you also need to think about the second level domain when selecting the perfect domain name. There are many approaches to choosing the right domain name. The right domain name may be your own name if you are a self employed business person, or it might be the name of the product that you intend to sell. It might even be a generic one that describes the business that you are in, though not many of those are available these days.
When choosing a domain name, think about your customers and choose a domain name that is easy to remember. Although your domain name can be 63 characters, keeping it short and simple will make it easier for people to remember your web address and find your site. Using hyphens or zeroes in the domain name are best avoided as people can end up mistyping the web address and going to a competitor instead.
There are many online resources to help you choose a domain name. In fact most of the web hosts provide domain registration services and tools that will guide you towards domain name selection. Many of these tools will also search for variants of the domain name that you want. It's also worth considering getting several domain names, perhaps with different top level domains, to leave room for future expansion. You don't need to have a website for each domain name you buy – in fact, you don't need one at all – so there's no harm in this sort of future proofing. It will help secure your brand.
How to Register a Domain Name
Once you have decided on your domain name you will need to register it. There are two options for this. Either you can do it through your web hosting provider or you can do it yourself. The web hosting provider option is simple, because your hosting provider will provide an easy way to search for and register your domain through an online form. And it probably won't be too expensive. However, there are untrustworthy domain registrars out there, so check ICANN's list of accredited domain registrars before parting with your money.
When registering a domain make sure that your name is on the records as the person registering the domain. You should be down as the administrator and contact person. And a key feature to get is domain locking which is a security feature to prevent your domain from being hijacked. After all, you wouldn't want to spend months building up your business only to have a hijacker upload questionable content to your site.
Check to see whether your registration information can be kept private and have a look at your WHOIS records to see who the primary contact is. Make sure there are no errors in this information – if there are, get your domain registrar to correct them as quickly as possible.
Remember to register your domain name for as long a period as you can afford. That way you won't lose it if you don't make the annual renewal exactly on time. And even if you only have a one year scheme there is still a grace period of up to 45 days before your domain expires. Don't take chances, though. If your registrar only allows a one day grace period, you could find that your goldmine domain has been sold out from under you.
You can also register your domain yourself through InterNIC (at a cost of around $70), by filling out a form with your name and address. Once you have followed the confirmation process you will have an NIC handle and can use this when registering a domain. Your ISP may charge a few for setting up the domain on their system, though even if you buy a domain through one ISP you are free to host it elsewhere.
What is SEO?
Why is SEO important?
Search engine optimization (SEO) is the art of designing and writing a web page so that people will be able to find it when they search using search engines. Search engines are one of the main ways that people find information they are looking for. SEO is a way of telling search engines and people what your site is all about. There are two key areas to address.
The first is writing the HTML code for your web page so that search engine spiders find your content. Search engine spiders are not interested in Java, Flash or images. They are only interested in code and part of SEO is optimizing the code so that the search engines can find it.
The second part of SEO is writing the text that people will see so that it makes sense both to them and the search engines. So overall, SEO is using keywords (the words people use to search for your site) in a way that makes it easy for people to find the site.
This is important for several reasons. You may spend a lot of money on developing your website. If people can't find your site or they don't get what they expect when they find your site, then you have wasted that money.
What people look for
SEO is important because most of the people who buy products online search for the products and information they need through a search engine. If you have products or services for sale, then your site needs to be optimized.
However, the other fact about internet shoppers is that many of them only look at the first page of results in their chosen search engine. This means that you want to make sure that your website is in the top ten. This is another reason to make sure that you have done search engine optimization.
Not all search engines use the same algorithms (strategies for ranking sites) so a top ten ranking in Yahoo doesn't mean you will have the same ranking in Google or MSN Live. Instead you will have to use SEO techniques that work for different search engines. There are two options for handling your SEO needs – in-house SEO or outsourced SEO. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of each approach.
In-house SEO: Advantages and Disadvantages
If you're one of the lucky ones, you may already have someone in your company that knows all about SEO. This is not as simple as having learned it once upon a time. SEO knowledge has to be kept up to date so that web pages can be optimized to rank well even when search engine algorithms change. If you have someone in house with the necessary skills and up to date knowledge, this may be the most cost effective option, especially if you have a small or medium sized site. The advantage of using someone who is already in the company is that this person will know the goals, products and services in advance and will be able to hit the ground running when it comes to SEO. However, the disadvantage is that one person may not be able to handle all the needs of a large and growing site.
Another option is to hire someone to work in-house on optimizing your site. Ideally this will be an SEO expert and several firms use this option. You will need to spend time familiarizing this person with the business in order for them to be most effective. The advantage of this approach is that you get an individual with the right skills and knowledge who is focused on your project. However, it can be difficult to find the right person, as people with SEO skills are very much in demand and may not have time for your project. In addition, if the person then leaves your company, it might be difficult to find someone who knows the exact techniques used. In fact, you may have to start from scratch. There have even been cases where bought-in SEO expert was putting hidden links to his own business in the client's web pages.
Outsourcing SEO: Advantages and Disadvantages
Outsourcing SEO may be another option. This may suit large companies, or companies with large sites that require a wide range of optimization tasks. The advantage of outsourcing SEO to a firm is that you get access to experts with a variety of skills and up to date knowledge. You are also less likely to be in trouble if a single person leaves, as there will always be someone to pick up the slack. Outsourcing may also have significant cost advantages, especially if you go offshore.
Outsourcing SEO means that you will get people who are objective about the firm and who have a broad experience of many techniques. The firm may be able to provide related services that you might need, such as tracking and reporting functions. And because you may have several people working on SEO tasks, the improvement in your site's ranking can be rapid. Finally, if you are not happy with the results of the SEO tasks, then it is easy to get rid of the firm and hire another. Here are some examples of the services you can get from SEO firms.
Search engine optimization (SEO) is the art of designing and writing a web page so that people will be able to find it when they search using search engines. Search engines are one of the main ways that people find information they are looking for. SEO is a way of telling search engines and people what your site is all about. There are two key areas to address.
The first is writing the HTML code for your web page so that search engine spiders find your content. Search engine spiders are not interested in Java, Flash or images. They are only interested in code and part of SEO is optimizing the code so that the search engines can find it.
The second part of SEO is writing the text that people will see so that it makes sense both to them and the search engines. So overall, SEO is using keywords (the words people use to search for your site) in a way that makes it easy for people to find the site.
This is important for several reasons. You may spend a lot of money on developing your website. If people can't find your site or they don't get what they expect when they find your site, then you have wasted that money.
What people look for
SEO is important because most of the people who buy products online search for the products and information they need through a search engine. If you have products or services for sale, then your site needs to be optimized.
However, the other fact about internet shoppers is that many of them only look at the first page of results in their chosen search engine. This means that you want to make sure that your website is in the top ten. This is another reason to make sure that you have done search engine optimization.
Not all search engines use the same algorithms (strategies for ranking sites) so a top ten ranking in Yahoo doesn't mean you will have the same ranking in Google or MSN Live. Instead you will have to use SEO techniques that work for different search engines. There are two options for handling your SEO needs – in-house SEO or outsourced SEO. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of each approach.
In-house SEO: Advantages and Disadvantages
If you're one of the lucky ones, you may already have someone in your company that knows all about SEO. This is not as simple as having learned it once upon a time. SEO knowledge has to be kept up to date so that web pages can be optimized to rank well even when search engine algorithms change. If you have someone in house with the necessary skills and up to date knowledge, this may be the most cost effective option, especially if you have a small or medium sized site. The advantage of using someone who is already in the company is that this person will know the goals, products and services in advance and will be able to hit the ground running when it comes to SEO. However, the disadvantage is that one person may not be able to handle all the needs of a large and growing site.
Another option is to hire someone to work in-house on optimizing your site. Ideally this will be an SEO expert and several firms use this option. You will need to spend time familiarizing this person with the business in order for them to be most effective. The advantage of this approach is that you get an individual with the right skills and knowledge who is focused on your project. However, it can be difficult to find the right person, as people with SEO skills are very much in demand and may not have time for your project. In addition, if the person then leaves your company, it might be difficult to find someone who knows the exact techniques used. In fact, you may have to start from scratch. There have even been cases where bought-in SEO expert was putting hidden links to his own business in the client's web pages.
Outsourcing SEO: Advantages and Disadvantages
Outsourcing SEO may be another option. This may suit large companies, or companies with large sites that require a wide range of optimization tasks. The advantage of outsourcing SEO to a firm is that you get access to experts with a variety of skills and up to date knowledge. You are also less likely to be in trouble if a single person leaves, as there will always be someone to pick up the slack. Outsourcing may also have significant cost advantages, especially if you go offshore.
Outsourcing SEO means that you will get people who are objective about the firm and who have a broad experience of many techniques. The firm may be able to provide related services that you might need, such as tracking and reporting functions. And because you may have several people working on SEO tasks, the improvement in your site's ranking can be rapid. Finally, if you are not happy with the results of the SEO tasks, then it is easy to get rid of the firm and hire another. Here are some examples of the services you can get from SEO firms.
Best E-Commerce Web Hosting 2009 Sites
If you are selling a product or service online then being E-commerce ready is essential. From taking orders online to processing credit card payments, a good E-commerce host should be able to do all this and more. Setting up an E-commerce site isn’t difficult these days, most hosts include everything you need inside your control panel such as shopping carts, quick start guides and video tutorials.
Best E-Commerce Web Host 2009 Price Setup Domain Disk Space Data Transfer Money
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Just Host $3.45 Free 1 Free Unlimited Unlimited Anytime
Just Host Premium $8.95 Free 3 Free Unlimited Unlimited Anytime
Just Host E-Commerce Web Hosting:
Most web hosting plans include a small handful of tools that make building an e-commerce site even easier. Just Host goes that one step further by dedicating a part of their help center to e-commerce which includes guides and video tutorials WITH VOICE!
Both of Just Host's plans are e-commerce ready (the Just Plan and Just Host premium). They also come with some great advantages that we have listed below.
Unmetered Web Space and Visitor Traffic
Unlimited MySQL Databases, Hosted Domains and Email Addresses/Space
Huge Library of FREE Scripts
REAL 24/7 Support
Anytime Money Back Guarantee
Free Instant Setup with No Strings Attached
Just Host's future is promising, they are expanding bigger and bigger each year and are featured in the number one placement of more review sites than any other web hosting provider.
Best E-Commerce Web Host 2009 Price Setup Domain Disk Space Data Transfer Money
Back
Just Host $3.45 Free 1 Free Unlimited Unlimited Anytime
Just Host Premium $8.95 Free 3 Free Unlimited Unlimited Anytime
Just Host E-Commerce Web Hosting:
Most web hosting plans include a small handful of tools that make building an e-commerce site even easier. Just Host goes that one step further by dedicating a part of their help center to e-commerce which includes guides and video tutorials WITH VOICE!
Both of Just Host's plans are e-commerce ready (the Just Plan and Just Host premium). They also come with some great advantages that we have listed below.
Unmetered Web Space and Visitor Traffic
Unlimited MySQL Databases, Hosted Domains and Email Addresses/Space
Huge Library of FREE Scripts
REAL 24/7 Support
Anytime Money Back Guarantee
Free Instant Setup with No Strings Attached
Just Host's future is promising, they are expanding bigger and bigger each year and are featured in the number one placement of more review sites than any other web hosting provider.
Best VPS Web Hosting 2009 Sites
A Virtual Private Server or VPS is basically a server partitioned into multiple servers such that each has the capabilities and appearance of being its own dedicated server. The benefit of course is you have a Dedicated type server for 1/4 of the price.
Best VPS Web Host 2009 Price Setup Dedicated IP Disk Space Data Transfer Money
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InMotion VPS - 256 MB $40 Free 2 40gb 500gb 90 Days
InMotion VPS - 768 MB $75 Free 5 80gb 1000gb 90 Days
InMotion VPS - 1536 MB $150 Free 10 160gb 1500gb 90 Days
InMotion VPS Hosting:
InMotion Hosting is our top choice for VPS hosting. Their VPS packages offer premium features including a full unlimited domain cPanel license, 24x7 semi-managed support, burstable RAM allowance and up to 10 dedicated IPs.
A critical benefit is InMotion lets you choose between an East Coast and a West Coast data center. This is unique and very popular with users seeking the fastest vps out there.
Plans Include:
Full Unlimited Domain cPanel License
RAID 5 Fault Tolerant Disk Space
Burstable RAM
Free Data Backups
Choice of Data Center Location
Individual Custom Firewall
SSH and Optional Root Access
Best VPS Web Host 2009 Price Setup Dedicated IP Disk Space Data Transfer Money
Back
InMotion VPS - 256 MB $40 Free 2 40gb 500gb 90 Days
InMotion VPS - 768 MB $75 Free 5 80gb 1000gb 90 Days
InMotion VPS - 1536 MB $150 Free 10 160gb 1500gb 90 Days
InMotion VPS Hosting:
InMotion Hosting is our top choice for VPS hosting. Their VPS packages offer premium features including a full unlimited domain cPanel license, 24x7 semi-managed support, burstable RAM allowance and up to 10 dedicated IPs.
A critical benefit is InMotion lets you choose between an East Coast and a West Coast data center. This is unique and very popular with users seeking the fastest vps out there.
Plans Include:
Full Unlimited Domain cPanel License
RAID 5 Fault Tolerant Disk Space
Burstable RAM
Free Data Backups
Choice of Data Center Location
Individual Custom Firewall
SSH and Optional Root Access
Best UK Web Hosting 2009 Sites
Most webmasters do not pay much attention in to where their site is hosted, whether it's in the US or EU people pay little interest in the physical location of a server and focus more on the price. The issue here occurs when you run into difficulties and your site goes down.
You may be left feeling miles away from help when your host is US based and closed for the weekend! The US web hosting marker is huge and it's always a good idea to help companies in your own country first especially in times of an economic crisis.
Best UK Web Host 2009 Price Setup Domain Disk Space Data Transfer Money
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Just Host £2.95 Free 1 Free Unlimited Unlimited Anytime
Just Host Premium £6.95 Free 3 Free Unlimited Unlimited Anytime
Just Host UK Hosting:
Web Hosting at Just Host is available in over 195 countries worldwide and is the UK’s fastest growing web hosting company. Being a U.S based web hosting provider, Just Host offers far more than other UK web host including unlimited web space & bandwidth.
JustHost.com has just two plans that includes many benefits such as:
Free Domain Name for Life
Free Instant Setup & ZERO Hidden Fees
Live 24/7 Phone, Email and Live Chat Support
ANYTIME Money Back Guarantee
For a somebody in the UK sometimes it is important to search for UK based web hosting and with offices in the UK, US & Australia Just Host is the perfect match for thousands of UK businesses and UK individuals worldwide.
You may be left feeling miles away from help when your host is US based and closed for the weekend! The US web hosting marker is huge and it's always a good idea to help companies in your own country first especially in times of an economic crisis.
Best UK Web Host 2009 Price Setup Domain Disk Space Data Transfer Money
Back
Just Host £2.95 Free 1 Free Unlimited Unlimited Anytime
Just Host Premium £6.95 Free 3 Free Unlimited Unlimited Anytime
Just Host UK Hosting:
Web Hosting at Just Host is available in over 195 countries worldwide and is the UK’s fastest growing web hosting company. Being a U.S based web hosting provider, Just Host offers far more than other UK web host including unlimited web space & bandwidth.
JustHost.com has just two plans that includes many benefits such as:
Free Domain Name for Life
Free Instant Setup & ZERO Hidden Fees
Live 24/7 Phone, Email and Live Chat Support
ANYTIME Money Back Guarantee
For a somebody in the UK sometimes it is important to search for UK based web hosting and with offices in the UK, US & Australia Just Host is the perfect match for thousands of UK businesses and UK individuals worldwide.
Best MySql Web Hosting 2009 Sites
MySQL Databases are usually used by advanced programmers but are also required when running Wordpress or PHPBB for example. If you have never heard of MySQL before then it is nothing to worry about
Best MySQL Web Host 2009 Price Setup Domain Disk Space Data Transfer Money
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Host Clear - Home $3.95 Free Free Unlimited Unlimited Anytime
Host Clear - Business $5.95 Free Free Unlimited Unlimited Anytime
Host Clear - Business Pro $9.95 Free Free Unlimited Unlimited Anytime
HostClear MySQL Web Hosting:
HostClear.com host thousands of business users worldwide who rely on their servers to deliver fast loading pages and super fast & responsive MySQL databases. No other web hosting provider invest as much into the speed and technology of their servers so if your website relies on something as critical as MySQL, look no further than HostClear.com
Unlimited Web Space & Bandwidth
Unlimited MySQL Databases
Free Domain Name & Free Instant Setup
Unlimited Email Accounts & Unlimited Hosted Domains
24/7 Phone, Email & Live Chat Support
Anytime Money Back Guarantee
For a powerful server with the capacity to power complex MySQl Databases, than Host Clear is the perfect choice!
Best MySQL Web Host 2009 Price Setup Domain Disk Space Data Transfer Money
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Host Clear - Home $3.95 Free Free Unlimited Unlimited Anytime
Host Clear - Business $5.95 Free Free Unlimited Unlimited Anytime
Host Clear - Business Pro $9.95 Free Free Unlimited Unlimited Anytime
HostClear MySQL Web Hosting:
HostClear.com host thousands of business users worldwide who rely on their servers to deliver fast loading pages and super fast & responsive MySQL databases. No other web hosting provider invest as much into the speed and technology of their servers so if your website relies on something as critical as MySQL, look no further than HostClear.com
Unlimited Web Space & Bandwidth
Unlimited MySQL Databases
Free Domain Name & Free Instant Setup
Unlimited Email Accounts & Unlimited Hosted Domains
24/7 Phone, Email & Live Chat Support
Anytime Money Back Guarantee
For a powerful server with the capacity to power complex MySQl Databases, than Host Clear is the perfect choice!
Virtual Private Server (VPS) Hosting
A virtual private server, more commonly known as a VPS, has much more power than a shared hosting account without the cost of a dedicated server. VPS technology allows a single computer to be partitioned into multiple exclusive environments. These "virtual" servers are very close to a dedicated server for control, flexibility, performance and security, but are closer to shared hosting in cost.
Like a Dedicated Server, VPS hosting can be managed and unmanaged. Cost wise, the managed will be more expensive, but can save you a lot of headache. Also, some virtual private server providers have a control panel pre-installed allowing for a seamless transition from shared to VPS. Some providers do not provide a control panel or you must pay extra. We recommend going with a provider that includes a control panel. cPanel is the best in this case.
When you are looking at a VPS, providers will allow you to use a certain amount of disk space, bandwidth, RAM and CPU. The RAM and CPU can be different. Some VPS hosting providers will limit the exact memory amount alloted to each environment while others allow for burstable memory over your limits to ensure your site will not break during times of high resource usage.
VPS hosting providers are known to handle CPU cycle usage of their accounts differently. Some providers offer an equal share of the CPUs while others limit the usage for each customer. Platforms that utilize fixed CPU allocations will be less flexible with overages.
Not all hosting companies provide virtual private servers and the level of personal support can vary greatly by company. Dedicated IP addresses, custom set-ups, and backups are all features that leading VPS providers should include. VPS hosting is a great solution for customers outgrowing their shared hosting capacity but are not ready to have their own dedicated server.
Like a Dedicated Server, VPS hosting can be managed and unmanaged. Cost wise, the managed will be more expensive, but can save you a lot of headache. Also, some virtual private server providers have a control panel pre-installed allowing for a seamless transition from shared to VPS. Some providers do not provide a control panel or you must pay extra. We recommend going with a provider that includes a control panel. cPanel is the best in this case.
When you are looking at a VPS, providers will allow you to use a certain amount of disk space, bandwidth, RAM and CPU. The RAM and CPU can be different. Some VPS hosting providers will limit the exact memory amount alloted to each environment while others allow for burstable memory over your limits to ensure your site will not break during times of high resource usage.
VPS hosting providers are known to handle CPU cycle usage of their accounts differently. Some providers offer an equal share of the CPUs while others limit the usage for each customer. Platforms that utilize fixed CPU allocations will be less flexible with overages.
Not all hosting companies provide virtual private servers and the level of personal support can vary greatly by company. Dedicated IP addresses, custom set-ups, and backups are all features that leading VPS providers should include. VPS hosting is a great solution for customers outgrowing their shared hosting capacity but are not ready to have their own dedicated server.
Bandwidth
Bandwidth (data transfer) is usually measured in gigabytes. A gigabyte is roughly one billion bytes. Each letter on this page is one byte. Images can take up a large amount of kilobytes (thousands of bytes), and file downloads can be several megabytes (millions of bytes) in size.
You need to realistically think of how much bandwidth your site will need. Unless your site has a lot of downloads or a large advertising push, it will be unlikely that you will need many gigabytes of transfer - 5 gigabytes should be enough. Any more, and you will just be paying extra for something to use. On that note though, you should be careful and make sure you always do have some extra bandwidth - many hosts charge $2.00 and more for every gigabyte of transfer you use extra. That can add up very quickly
Like most things, bandwidth is not created equally. There are varying degrees of performance delivered by carriers (the actual companies that provide the internet connection). One company may provide expensive, but super-fast connections while another could provide slow but cheap bandwidth. It is good to test it yourself by visiting the web host's page multiple times throughout the day to see how fast their response loads up. A slow loading website could be a sign of a slow and over-loaded internet connection.
Also like most things, internet connections can break. To ensure that your site does not go down, most hosts use multiple carriers for their internet connection. It is a good thing to look up a host's network of connection (usually found on its own or in the about section) and see that they have multiple connections. It is also important to note carriers designated as 'backup connections.' These carriers are only used when the primary connections go down. So while a web host might have a large network of internet connections, that does not matter if only a couple are actually being used.
Lastly, the size of the pipe should be noticed. The 'pipe' is the actual internet connection, and its size refers to the speed at which data is transferred. Just like a home connection can be 33.6k and 56k (which refers to the speed of the connection), internet connections are measured in Gig-E, OC3, DS3, and so forth. The faster the pipe, the more data it can handle, and thus usually the better it is.
You need to realistically think of how much bandwidth your site will need. Unless your site has a lot of downloads or a large advertising push, it will be unlikely that you will need many gigabytes of transfer - 5 gigabytes should be enough. Any more, and you will just be paying extra for something to use. On that note though, you should be careful and make sure you always do have some extra bandwidth - many hosts charge $2.00 and more for every gigabyte of transfer you use extra. That can add up very quickly
Like most things, bandwidth is not created equally. There are varying degrees of performance delivered by carriers (the actual companies that provide the internet connection). One company may provide expensive, but super-fast connections while another could provide slow but cheap bandwidth. It is good to test it yourself by visiting the web host's page multiple times throughout the day to see how fast their response loads up. A slow loading website could be a sign of a slow and over-loaded internet connection.
Also like most things, internet connections can break. To ensure that your site does not go down, most hosts use multiple carriers for their internet connection. It is a good thing to look up a host's network of connection (usually found on its own or in the about section) and see that they have multiple connections. It is also important to note carriers designated as 'backup connections.' These carriers are only used when the primary connections go down. So while a web host might have a large network of internet connections, that does not matter if only a couple are actually being used.
Lastly, the size of the pipe should be noticed. The 'pipe' is the actual internet connection, and its size refers to the speed at which data is transferred. Just like a home connection can be 33.6k and 56k (which refers to the speed of the connection), internet connections are measured in Gig-E, OC3, DS3, and so forth. The faster the pipe, the more data it can handle, and thus usually the better it is.
Web Hosting Scams
In order to help you avoid getting scammed by the unscrupulous hosts that do exist, we have tried to put together the 'tricks' used by such companies to ensnare you:
1.Unlimited bandwidth/space - it is simply impossible for a company to offer unlimited space or bandwidth to use. As hosting companies and their associated technologies are themselves limited (i.e. bandwidth or hard disk space), unlimited offerings are usually just an advertising gimmick. Often you will find clauses embedded deep within the company's terms of service contract that negate the unlimited offering. The clauses are usually arbitrary, such as excessive CPU usage will be grounds for account termination.
UnlimBand is a good resource to learn more.
2.No Contact - some hosts simply make it impossible to contact them! Even getting an email address so that you can get a hold of them can be a chore. Many cheap hosts prefer to keep communication down.
3.Long term contracts only - while cheaper plans may warrant an annual only plan, some hosts provide annual service exclusively. There is no guarantee that even though you have paid them for 12 months that you will get 12 months of service.
4.Domain Registration not in your Name - some devious web hosts, while offering to register you domain for you, legally register the domain in their own name! This means that if you try switching hosts, you will lose the domain name - legally it is their posession, and you have no claim on it!
5.No Money Back Guarantee - a host should fully satisfy your needs - if not, your money should be returned.
6.Complicated uptime Guarantee - some hosts hide behind their TOS with complicated procedures such as the customer having to report the downtime for any downtime. Be careful of this.
1.Unlimited bandwidth/space - it is simply impossible for a company to offer unlimited space or bandwidth to use. As hosting companies and their associated technologies are themselves limited (i.e. bandwidth or hard disk space), unlimited offerings are usually just an advertising gimmick. Often you will find clauses embedded deep within the company's terms of service contract that negate the unlimited offering. The clauses are usually arbitrary, such as excessive CPU usage will be grounds for account termination.
UnlimBand is a good resource to learn more.
2.No Contact - some hosts simply make it impossible to contact them! Even getting an email address so that you can get a hold of them can be a chore. Many cheap hosts prefer to keep communication down.
3.Long term contracts only - while cheaper plans may warrant an annual only plan, some hosts provide annual service exclusively. There is no guarantee that even though you have paid them for 12 months that you will get 12 months of service.
4.Domain Registration not in your Name - some devious web hosts, while offering to register you domain for you, legally register the domain in their own name! This means that if you try switching hosts, you will lose the domain name - legally it is their posession, and you have no claim on it!
5.No Money Back Guarantee - a host should fully satisfy your needs - if not, your money should be returned.
6.Complicated uptime Guarantee - some hosts hide behind their TOS with complicated procedures such as the customer having to report the downtime for any downtime. Be careful of this.
Domains
A domain is your identity online. It separates you from everyone else - once yours, as long as you keep renewing it, no one else may have it.
There are two parts to a domain - the domain name itself, and the TLD (top level domain) extension.
The most popular TLD is the .com extension - it is synonymous with online business. But due to its popularity, getting a good domain name with '.com' is hard - most have been bought and are not available.
Most TLDs have a meaning behind them - .EDUs are used by educational institutes, and .ORGs are supposed to be used by non-profit organizations. A domain with a TLD of 'co.uk' is very likely British-based. There are other TLDs too, such as .cc, .tv, and .tk. These are all associated with either a company or with a country.
Many hosts will register a domain for you if you do not have one (it must be available though). You need to be careful that the domain is registered in your name and not theirs. Also make sure that they are not overcharging - some hosts charge over twice the average.
There are quite a few companies that will register your domain for you. The biggest and oldest is Network Solutions, which is also known as VeriSign. Personally, we use and recommend GoDaddy. At $10.67 per year, they are much cheaper than Network Solutions ($35.00 a year), while offering better support and full features. We have a list of hosts that register domains for you.
For most domains, the minimum registration duration is one year. Some TLDs such as .US require a minimum of two years. However, most TLDs only require a one year commitment.
The information related to you when buying a domain is publicly available. It is illegal to put in false information, so your personal information can be traced back. If you are worried about that, some registrars like Go Daddy will register for you as a proxy - your information will not be public. Be prepared for some spam to be sent to that address.
Once you have registered a domain, as long as you remember to keep renewing it, no one will be able to take the domain. You may sell the domain to someone else (or even buy somebody else's domain), but no one will be able to just take the domain.
Having your own domain is very important for your business. It sets you apart from everybody else, and gives you a brand to work with.
There are two parts to a domain - the domain name itself, and the TLD (top level domain) extension.
The most popular TLD is the .com extension - it is synonymous with online business. But due to its popularity, getting a good domain name with '.com' is hard - most have been bought and are not available.
Most TLDs have a meaning behind them - .EDUs are used by educational institutes, and .ORGs are supposed to be used by non-profit organizations. A domain with a TLD of 'co.uk' is very likely British-based. There are other TLDs too, such as .cc, .tv, and .tk. These are all associated with either a company or with a country.
Many hosts will register a domain for you if you do not have one (it must be available though). You need to be careful that the domain is registered in your name and not theirs. Also make sure that they are not overcharging - some hosts charge over twice the average.
There are quite a few companies that will register your domain for you. The biggest and oldest is Network Solutions, which is also known as VeriSign. Personally, we use and recommend GoDaddy. At $10.67 per year, they are much cheaper than Network Solutions ($35.00 a year), while offering better support and full features. We have a list of hosts that register domains for you.
For most domains, the minimum registration duration is one year. Some TLDs such as .US require a minimum of two years. However, most TLDs only require a one year commitment.
The information related to you when buying a domain is publicly available. It is illegal to put in false information, so your personal information can be traced back. If you are worried about that, some registrars like Go Daddy will register for you as a proxy - your information will not be public. Be prepared for some spam to be sent to that address.
Once you have registered a domain, as long as you remember to keep renewing it, no one will be able to take the domain. You may sell the domain to someone else (or even buy somebody else's domain), but no one will be able to just take the domain.
Having your own domain is very important for your business. It sets you apart from everybody else, and gives you a brand to work with.
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