Current Feed Content from 7 Oct 08 04:22
PHP Support Web Hosting
Sat, 19 Jan 2008 14:21:44 -0600PHP is a computer programming language that was designed for producing dynamic web pages. Since it is a widely used general purpose scripting language for web development, it generally runs on a web server using the PHP code for input to create the output of web pages.
There are many advantages and limits to having PHP support web hosting. If you are looking for web hosting, you will have to examine very carefully both the benefits and disadvantages to PHP support web hosting to figure out if it is right for you and what you plan on doing for your website in the future. Many concerns come to mind when you are deciding if PHP web hosting is the right solution for you.
The first main consideration is to ensure that your database will be supported with a PHP hosting server. You will not be able to use Windows developed applications, such as Active Server Pages (.ASP), on your website since PHP is based in Unix, an entirely different operating system. In order for .ASP to run and function correctly as they should, you must be using a Windows server. Development tools such as Visual Basic or the .Net framework are not supported on a PHP server and must also be run on a Windows platform. If these applications are important to your website or may be useful to you in the future, you will want to search elsewhere than a PHP web hosting server.
Making sure enough features are available for your website is imperative for the development and growth of your web pages. There is so much competition for ecommerce today in the market, you will want to explore all the options to ensure that you will not be paying more money above what you have already allocated for your monthly hosting charges. Be certain that you have all the features you need at a price that is reasonable for you. In the end, as a bare minimum, you should have a host that will provide a shopping cart, SSL certificate, mailing list software and unlimited databases. Paying extra for additional applications is not a good way to start off your website.
Adequate disk space is essential and an important aspect that many people underestimate for their website. For those who are planning on having a shopping cart, customer database and a large product catalog on your website, having enough disk space is paramount to handle these massive files. There are some web hosting companies that will penalize you for going over your file limits and it can end up being more costly for the additional disk space than if you would have purchased a larger plan amount originally. When it comes to disk space, estimating higher is always better since it gives you room to grow without having to be concerned with running out of space and costing you more in the end.
The cost of bandwidth is one of the more expensive aspects of owning your own website. When running an online store you will need a lot of data transfer and can cost you more money if you exceed your limits with your web hosting company. One thing you want to avoid is having your website suspended for going over your bandwidth limit, giving the public an unprofessional appearance about your company. At least 10 gigabytes of allotted transfer minimum is recommended to avoid any future problems for your website.
Email addresses for your website is important, with the costs adding up if you have over 30 employees or if you plan on organizing your incoming email with separate email addresses. Some PHP web hosting companies can charge up to $5 more per email account, so be sure you are getting the web hosting package that is right for you.
Future growth of your website is a principal point when deciding on a PHP web hosting package. By making sure that your hosting company will be able accommodate you in the future, advancement and use of further applications will make your website run and look better to the public. Advance planning will save you time, money and even anxiety later on if you suddenly need to switch your website’s platform or upgrade your web pages. For this reason, PHP web hosting is a beneficial choice for webmasters who use PHP, CGI and Perl on their websites.
There are some PHP web hosting packages that are less expensive, depending on the features that you want to pay for; otherwise you would be better off choosing a package that is bundled with the attributes beneficial for you.
customerservice@flizard.comUse Domain Free Web Hosting For a Quick and Easy Web Presence
Sun, 06 Jan 2008 20:23:46 -0600Anyone can have a website with domain free web hosting. You don’t have to be experienced with website design. Neither do you have to have any money. If you know what you want to say on your website and have a general idea of the image you want to project, you will be able to create a free website using professional online web creation tools. Furthermore, with the right hosting company you won’t have to pay to get up and running.
There is a vast range of free web hosting options. It is important to carefully read the terms and conditions of service to fully understand what you are agreeing to. For example, many free hosting services will place advertisements on your web site as a form of payment. If you have no control over the types of advertisements on your site, you can end up being embarrassed when they are totally inappropriate. Can you imagine a church website with a large, colorful gambling banner advertisement flashing across the top of it? That’s a real example of the pitfalls of free hosting with the wrong hosting company.
If you need a web presence but don’t expect high traffic, domain free web hosting is a quick, easy, and free way to get started. A number of very reputable hosting companies offer free hosting and an online website creation tool with the obvious expectation that as you grow you will need to pay for hosting. This is because higher traffic sites need a greater bandwidth to function properly. If a site is too slow, visitors will click away and never see your message.
Whereas in the past, free web hosting generally came with basic, unprofessional looking sites, this is no longer the case. It pays to take your time and compare quality, upgrade prices and services of companies offering a free hosting option. Yahoo is now offering such a service and there is talk that Google is planning to do the same. In fact, Google has already introduced what they call small business starter pages. These are free website pages which allow a small business to get a free website presence, however they will have to pay to activate Google Adwords on their mini-site and their ability to market through the site is limited.
If you are seriously considering creating a professional looking website and you want to get your feet wet with free hosting, Weebly.com would have to be one of the best options available, if not the best. Their website creator is easy to use and the result is a professional, clean looking site. Best of all, they don’t put ads on your site. You can purchase your own domain name through them and upgrade easily to paid services whenever you want.
Some hosting companies offer free hosting for domain names purchased through them. However, this form of domain free hosting can ultimately be costly if the hosting services are inadequate and ongoing costs of upgraded services are expensive. Domain names can be purchased relatively inexpensively so the primary consideration in choosing a free hosting provider should be the long term as well as short term benefits they are able to offer you.
Free web hosting provides a wonderful opportunity to get a professional looking website up and running quickly and you don’t have to wait until you have a decent internet marketing budget. However, it is important to choose a hosting company that has reasonably priced, high quality, paid services for when you want to upgrade. You also need to know whether or not the website will be transferable to another hosting company in the future. You may find you are permanently locked in to a hosting company, particularly if you are dependent on their website creation tool.
Free web hosting with the right hosting company can give you an almost immediate web presence. Choose your hosting company wisely and you won’t look back.
About the Author
Fei Lim is the CEO, Founder, and Owner of Flizard Technologies. Flizard Technologies offers unlimited web hosting, affordable web design, and domain name registration services.
customerservice@flizard.comChoosing a Webhost for Ecommerce
Thu, 08 Mar 2007 18:11:19 -0600Ecommerce, which stands for "electronic commerce" is precisely analogous to a marketplace situated on the Internet. Ecommerce consists of the distribution, purchase, selling, marketing and servicing of products of services over computer networks such as the Internet. In the information technology industry, Ecommerce is seen as an electronic business application directed at commercial transactions. Ecommerce can involved electronic transfers of funds, e-marketing, online marketing, online processing of transactions, automated inventory management, and automated systems designed to collect data. The World Wide Web is commonly used at some point in the life cycle of any given ecommerce transaction, whether it be for purchase of a product or support of a service. According to a major research company, as of 2003, ecommerce generated 12.2 billion dollars worth of sales.
The emergence of ecommerce has lowered barriers to entry in selling many types of goods and services. This has allowed many small, home-based proprietors to enter the marketplace, when previously a lack of funds would have prevented them. Ecommerce enables any savvy entrepreneur with an Internet connection to set up a web page to sell goods and services. However, the array of options before you as you set out to offer your product to the world can be dizzying and confusing. So many different choices are laid out, each asking for your attention and proclaiming itself to be the best and most worthwhile. How is a prospective entrepreneur to choose between ecommerce services?
The biggest and most importance choice before you is where and how to host your web site. With most ecommerce traffic coming in through the web, your web site is the entry point for your customers. Without one, they will be unable to find you in the hustle and bustle of activity that is the Internet.
The myriad free site offers that can be found around the web may seem tempting. These sites offer free space, and often easy setup. However, while a free website might be acceptable for personal use, it is a poor choice for ecommerce hosting. Many free sites do not permit commerce in their terms of services. Those sites that will allow you to conduct business are often supported by popup or banner advertisements that can draw traffic away from your page and annoy your customers. Popup ads provide an immediate distraction for your prospective customers when they should be focusing on the products and services you offer.
Free web hosts also give credence to the old saying: "You get what you pay for." Subscribers to a free ecommerce hosting service are at the bottom of the chain of customer service. When it comes to bandwidth, server resources, and support for your site, you could find yourself suffering delays and unreliable service. Most free ecommerce site providers also reserve the right to remove sites at any time, for any reason. This means that your site could vanish in the night without notice. Because of these problems, ecommerce sites hosted with free web space providers are often considered unprofessional and may be passed without notice by your prospective customers.
Thankfully, more professional ecommerce solutions are available without much hassle or expense. A good web space provider can cost as little as ten dollars a month, and provide you with much more reliable service than a free host. When searching for an ecommerce provider, you have a choice of several options. The least expensive is called shared hosting. In this case, your site will be located on a server that provides service to many other personal and ecommerce web sites.
Dedicated server hosting is more expensive, but ensures that you and your ecommerce site receive their own server and thus the best uninterrupted service. Dedicated server hosting is available with and without managed customer support, depending on what you are willing to pay and the amount of knowledge you have about running a website. Dedicated server hosting is best for large ecommerce sites with a lot of traffic. For most small entrepreneurs, a shared hosting situation will suffice for their ecommerce solution.
Ecommerce sites using shared hosting may wish to invest in the purchase of a domain name, to simplify the process of bringing customers to their site. Domain names should ideally be short, memorable, and composed of real words. This will help your customers identify you and return again and again to your ecommerce site.customerservice@flizard.comThe Hosting Blues - When To Change Hosts Switch
Thu, 22 Feb 2007 22:17:39 -0600Sometimes, even if we think we have found a real value in the web hosting we choose, we find that it is more hassle than its worth. Is your current web hosting just not working for you? Are you completely dissatisfied with the way it is ran? Well, there is a solution, change web hosting providers.
Before you change hosts however, you should understand why you want to change hosts. For instance, are you paying too much? If you think you are paying too much for your web hosting services, you should take a look at the services that are offered, and then compare them to other services that may be cheaper.
You should understand that cheaper is not always better and vice versa. Some web hosting providers charge an outlandish monthly fee, while not providing any real value for your money. If this is your current host, you are definitely justified in changing web hosting providers. Find a host that offers the services you are looking for, at a price that you feel comfortable with.
Does your current web hosting provider lack in services that you need? In many cases, we go with a web hosting provider that fits us perfectly at the start. However, as our business grows, our website needs to grow as well, you may out grow your current web hosting in regards to capabilities and services you might need.
At any rate, when you decide to change web hosting providers, there are several things you will want to look at first. For example, you want to make sure you have the ability to transfer your domain name. Most web hosting providers, will allow this, others will not, which may mean you simply need to redirect your domain to your new website host.
You also want to make sure that you can transfer your complete website to the new host. Many different web hosting services offer many different services, some may be the same others may not. For example, you may find that a CGI bin is offer standard on one host, but not a standard choice in services on another. If a CGI bin is necessary for your website, you will definitely want to look into this.
Furthermore, if you are using a shopping cart from the original web hosting provider, you may not be able to carry it over to the new host, depending on the terms and condition of the original provider. This is another thing you will want to look closely at when determining to change web hosting.
Features and benefits are of utmost importance in web hosting. If your current provider offers you a shopping cart for a nominal fee, but after searching the internet, you found another provider that offers a shopping cart free with their services, this may be something you want to consider. However, take into consideration the costs of services too. For example, does your current provider offer a low hosting rate with a specific price for the shopping cart and then the new provider, does it offer a high hosting rate with the free shopping cart. Does it balance out or will you save money?
There are so many different things to consider, it is impossible to name them all. However, here are a few things to look for when trying to determine if you should change web hosting providers.
Customer Service - Make sure that you receive top notched customer service. Some companies offer 24 hour technical support via online chat, email, or telephone. Others only offer support during certain hours and by telephone only. Make sure the one you choose offers a support system that will benefit you.
Price - Make sure you are getting a good value for your money in regards to services offered.
Ease of use - You do not want to go from one very easy to use interface to an interface you cannot understand. Make sure, if changing web hosting, that the interface works well for you.
Features - Make sure, when looking at prices, you also look at features. Ensure that you get all you need and more with the new web hosting provider. For example, you might need to look at certificates, shopping carts, tools, hosting space, transfer rates, and bandwidth.
Essentially, when changing web hosting, you want to make sure you are switching to a provider that offers you more value and services that can benefit your business or personal needs. You definitely do not want to go from bad to worse.customerservice@flizard.comHow to Keep an Accessible Website During a Web Host Switch
Thu, 22 Feb 2007 22:18:09 -0600When you have the need to switch web hosting companies, you can do so without causing any downtime to your web site at all. The fear of changing web host companies should never keep you from looking for a more reliable provider, or a company that offers better customer service or lower expenses. If you do all of the steps for switching hosts correctly, you can ensure that your website remains accessible to your site visitors throughout the entire transition- meaning you don't lose sales, potential customers or receive countless complaints from customers regarding an inaccessible website!
The first step you'll want to complete prior to canceling your current web host is to find a new one. Take some time to compare the features of the new host against the features of your existing host, as well as taking into consideration the features of the current host that go unused. This will allow you to get an accurate understanding of what you really need in a new host. If your current host gives you unlimited email accounts, and you are only making use of 3, why should you pay for a provider that offers so many accounts? Look for one that leaves some room for growth but that isn't charging you extra for all the additional features that you just don't need. When you find a hosting company that will be compatible with your web site needs, create your account and make sure it is fully set up. During this time, you will actually have two web host providers.
Next, log back into your original account with the web host you are looking to leave, and download all of your site files onto your computer. Don't forget any! You can usually do this painlessly using an FTP program, or sometimes a web host will provide an easy to use control panel to drag and drop the files right onto your hard drive. Ask for help from customer service (or a knowledgeable friend) if you need it.
Sign into your account with your new web host provider, and upload the files you saved from your old host. As this gets completed, at this very moment, you will have two websites that are exactly the same on two different web host servers. Verify that everything is working properly on the new host before you move on. If something didn't transfer correctly or it doesn't completely function as it should on the new host, take the time to make any updates or fixes that might be required to get databases, forms or other features to work on the new web host.
The next step is to obtain the name server information from the new hosting company. You might be able to get it from the account area, or you may need to call customer service and ask for it. Either way, make sure you have the correct information and then notify or log into the account where you registered your domain name. This is where you change the "name servers" to the information you obtained from the new host. (It's usually something like ns1.newhost.com).
Throughout this entire process, your customers and site visitors have been able to access your existing website on the existing web host. Once the name servers have been set with the domain registry, you have to wait between twelve and seventy two hours for the site to load from the new hosting servers.
Once the seventy hours have passed, you can cancel your original web host account, as the files are already on the new servers and once the name servers were changed to point at the new host your site has begun loading from the files on the new server. Provided you do all of the steps in order and correctly, you should have no problems switching hosting providers without any website downtime.
About The Author
Fei Lim is the manager of Flizard Technologies which provides web hosting services, sells domain names, and designs websites for personal and businesses. Fei Lim has also been a cable network technician for Aerotek Tek Systems as a cable contractor in 1999. Fei Lim has the knowledge in category 5 stp data and voice cables, bix cross connections, fibre optics, cable splicing, as well as computer hardware knowledge. Fei Lim can troubleshoot any computer problems and also network problems. Fei Lim may be contacted at http://www.flizard.com and toll free number 1-888-623-8880.customerservice@flizard.comWhy Go Dedicated When You Can Share an IP Address?
Thu, 22 Feb 2007 22:19:01 -0600Overwhelmed by hosting options? No need to worry! Even if you have web hosting experience, you still may wonder about the advantages and disadvantages of certain hosting options. For instance, it used to be common for every web site address to have its own, dedicated IP address. With the plethora of web sites being produced, dedicated IP addresses are no longer the norm and now hosting providers not only offer the option, but usually charge more for this option.
IP Address Basics: Each computer has its own numeric address. You may have noticed this, but dismissed it as computer "mumbo-jumbo." The IP address looks somewhat like a social security number, but with dots separating the number sets, for example 201.167.0.142. Before deciding to choose a dedicated or shared IP address for your website, it's important to understand the difference.
Shared IP Address: When you sign-up with a web host, your website will most likely be hosted on a shared IP address. Multiple websites can be hosted on one IP address and it costs hosting companies less to run business this way. But just because it is cost effective for hosting companies does not mean that it is disadvantageous for the customer.
Dedicated IP Address: The dedicated IP address is also called a static IP. What this means is that a website domain is hosted on its own IP address, no sharing. There are advantages to having an IP address for each domain that you have, but these advantages are not necessarily a requirement for everyone.
If you are planning to host a large or a secure e-commerce web site you will want a dedicated IP address. But what if this doesn't describe you? How do you decide?
Benefits of a Dedicated IP Address: If you want your own SSL certificate, you will need a dedicated IP address. A SSL certificate will let you accept credit cards online. Some hosting providers offer an SSL certificate that is shared with other IP addresses, which will allow you to accept credit cards online. If you choose to use the provided SSL certificate, there is no need to have a dedicated IP address. Now, whether you decide to have your own SSL certificate or use one provided by the hosting company is a decision you will need to make.
If you plan to use Anonymous FTP, it may be required to have a dedicated IP address. Anonymous FTP is when a computer allows anyone using the FTP software permission to access a designated directory for files. It is called Anonymous FTP since the user signs in under the name "anonymous" You will need to check with your hosting company if you plan to use this service since some providers require a dedicated IP address in order to run the software.
All hosting companies have a domain name server. But, if you are considering becoming a hosting reseller or wish to have your own name server, you will need a dedicated IP address.
If you are realizing that you need a dedicated IP address and already have your site hosted on a shared IP address, you are not necessarily "stuck." Many hosting companies offer the option to upgrade or move to a dedicated IP. Most companies will charge extra for this service, but not necessarily all. Your site may be down and unavailable while the changes take place, but this will vary by hosting company and should not be too inconvenient.
If you have yet to contract with a hosting provider, it may be best to look not just at what services you need now, but will need for the future. Hopefully your business or service will become tremendously successful! But with success, comes the need to expand and upgrade. When you first started your site, a shared IP address may have been ample, but now that the visitors are coming in droves, you may need to upgrade to a dedicated IP.
There are criteria to consider before you decide to whether to choose a shared or dedicated IP address. For most web masters, a shared IP address is good enough. But, if you plan to host an e-commerce site or want your own SSL certificate and more hosting control, it is worth looking into a dedicated IP.
About The Author
Fei Lim is the manager of Flizard Technologies which provides web hosting services, sells domain names, and designs websites for personal and businesses. Fei Lim has also been a cable network technician for Aerotek Tek Systems as a cable contractor in 1999. Fei Lim has the knowledge in category 5 stp data and voice cables, bix cross connections, fibre optics, cable splicing, as well as computer hardware knowledge. Fei Lim can troubleshoot any computer problems and also network problems. Fei Lim may be contacted at http://www.flizard.com and toll free number 1-888-623-8880.customerservice@flizard.comMy Web Host Promised Reliable Service and Technical Support, What Went Wrong?
Thu, 22 Feb 2007 22:19:43 -0600You would think that, with the countless web hosting providers available, choosing the best would be a snap. Not so. It's hard to know who to trust with your business. After all, you've spent time and money developing a quality website that is sure to please your visitors. A miss-step, like choosing the wrong hosting company, could cost you money and your reputation. But do not fear. There are many good hosting providers. After you calculate the specifics, such as needed bandwidth, disk space allowance and price comparison, you're almost ready to sign with a hosting provider. The last and, maybe the first, key element is who will provide reliable customer service and the much needed technical support to meet your needs?
What is reliable hosting? Well, in a nutshell, a reliable host is a company that offers easily accessible customer service and always accessible technical support. It isn't good enough for a hosting provider to have "customer service" stated on their list of benefits. There are specific criteria that, when met, make for excellent and reliable customer service.
How responsive is their customer service staff?
Reliable customer service is easy to contact and available 24 hours a day. After all, your site is in a market where time stands still. If you're having problems with your site, you've having problems period. The Internet doesn't care if it's 2 am or 2 pm. Even if 24 hour phone support isn't available, there must be other means of contact. Through phone, email and support tickets, a reliable web host provider will offer 24 hours of customer service.
How large is their knowledge base?.
The ability to search through an index of common questions and answers may solve your problem without the need of contacting customer support. This will save you time and get your site working properly in record speed. The addition of an article base is an added bonus. You don't have to find a hosting company that offers a searchable article base, but if they do, it increases confidence that the company continues to provide quality and helpful information to their clients.
Great customer service is a must in your search for a reliable web host. But just as important is reliable technical service. Every hosting company you come across will promise great technical support. But what does this mean?
How easy is it to reach technical support?
Reliable technical support will start with easy access. If the means to reach technical support is somewhat muffled, run away! You will need technical support sooner or later, probably sooner and when you do you're going to want to reach someone A.S.A.P. There should be a toll-free number to contact technical support directly and a means to contact technical support 24 hours a day. The ability to contact "someone" 24 hours a day is not enough. In order to be considered reliable technical support they must be available 24 hours a day.
How do they protect you, the customer?
Does the web host provider continually take care of their own server? If they have technical support to watch out for themselves, they are in turn looking out for you. Because if your web host goes down, everyone goes down. Also look at how often they perform backups. The peace of mind you will have by knowing that your web site is protected and backed-up regularly by your hosting provider is invaluable.
These key elements will help your search for a reliable web hosting company and help alleviate your anxiety about "picking the right one." Along with the above pointers you may want to consider if you need any other support functions. Are you interested in web site management? Are you looking to have a professional design your site for a reasonable fee? If so, wouldn't it be nice to have all your needs met by one company? When one provider offers web site design solutions, reliable customer service and readily available technical support your problems are solved much sooner than if different companies handled each need separately. Remember your needs and you are certain to find a web hosting company that will fit you perfectly.
About The Author
Fei Lim is the manager of Flizard Technologies which provides web hosting services, sells domain names, and designs websites for personal and businesses. Fei Lim has also been a cable network technician for Aerotek Tek Systems as a cable contractor in 1999. Fei Lim has the knowledge in category 5 stp data and voice cables, bix cross connections, fibre optics, cable splicing, as well as computer hardware knowledge. Fei Lim can troubleshoot any computer problems and also network problems. Fei Lim may be contacted at http://www.flizard.com and toll free number 1-888-623-8880.customerservice@flizard.comThe Good, the Bad and the Myths Surrounding Free Web Hosting
Thu, 22 Feb 2007 22:20:15 -0600It seems that about everyone either has their own website or is on their way to getting one online. If you're still contemplating how to get your website online, all the free web hosting options may send your head swimming! "Absolutely free web hosting, " "No strings attached ever, " "Get your site online today!" These promises abound on the World Wide Web. What's a person to do? How do you choose? Not to worry, with a little information you will understand the good, the bad and the myths that surround free web hosting.
First of all, let's look at a few myths surrounding free web hosting.
Myth Number 1: You will not have 24 hour support available with free web hosting. Not necessarily true! Yes, some hosting providers will not offer 24 hour technical support. But, with a little digging, you will find a provider that offers around the clock support.
Myth Number 2: Your website will have much more down time and crash often with free web hosting. Maybe. But again, this depends on who you decide upon as your provider. Find a provider that prides themselves with offering excellent service to all their clients and it will serve you well.
Myth Number 3: Free Web hosting providers will inundate your site with ads. Now this one has the most merit. Until just recently a free web hosting account basically guaranteed an attack of ads on your site. But, with the increasing number of providers offering free hosting, you can now find a provider that promises to keep his or her ads to a minimum.
Before we get into the bad, let's cover the good about free web hosting.
For starters, it's free! If you are developing a personal page with relatively few images, free may just suit you well. Using a free web hosting provider gives you the option to put a site up that you normal would opt not to. An increasingly popular item to host online is a resume. You could also publish a wedding or baby site. Some providers also offer the use of an online web site builder. For a basic site, free hosting is a very good price.
Now for the ugly side of free web hosting. Unless you do your homework, you could very easily end up with sub-par service. Your site may be frequently down. Security measures may be lax, which could allow others to hack into your site. The provider may not offer back-up services and you more than likely won't have access to the root menu.
The silver lining: since there are many providers offering free web hosting you can find one that more than likely offers what you need. If developing a small site, feel free to give free web hosting a try. If it doesn't work out, fire your provider. Either move on to another free provider or pay the small fee for monthly web hosting service.
About The Author
Fei Lim is the manager of Flizard Technologies which provides web hosting services, sells domain names, and designs websites for personal and businesses. Fei Lim has also been a cable network technician for Aerotek Tek Systems as a cable contractor in 1999. Fei Lim has the knowledge in category 5 stp data and voice cables, bix cross connections, fibre optics, cable splicing, as well as computercustomerservice@flizard.comDomain Names and Registrars
Thu, 22 Feb 2007 22:21:03 -0600When choosing what registrar to use when acquisitioning a domain name there are many options. Domain names are hostnames that provide interchanging connections for various internet addresses between each other. They allow for movement from one hostname to another. Corresponding letters make up each domain name and are arranged in accordance with the user's wants and needs.
The first decision to make is do you need a domain name? Knowing what purpose it serves will better enhance your ability to choose what server to use. Will this domain name be for personal use or business? If personal, use your internet service provider for a free page if available. If business, be careful of who you use because in advertising being visible and memorable is very important. So which domain name registrars are good and what services can each provide in comparison to the others? Let's take two examples and compare them.
1stDomain.Net is an international domain registration service. Based in Hawaii it allows super fast connections between the US and Asia. It is also accredited with ICANN, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers. 1stDomain.Net is multinational and multilingual.
They were one of the first companies to register people online. They are also one of the founding members of CORE, the Internet Council of Registrars. So they were there at the very beginning. This is an accredited, seasoned domain name company.
These registrars are necessary for activation of the domain name or web address. They are responsible for any modifications to the site. This is essential to have when becoming an online entity. Working for yourself is hard enough without having to do more work than is necessary. Streamline your options by choosing the right domain registrar that will provide all of the support and tools necessary to do business.
A very important factor to consider when looking for an online registrar is something called real time processing. With 1stDomain.Net it is error free and corrects any problems before the host name is completed. How difficult is it when building your site you have to constantly go back to make corrections? This will not happen with 1stDomain.Net. They fix the problem before it ever happens. This saves time and frustration. They also do any modifications or transfers at no additional cost.
Another newer, smaller company can be found at YellowSart.com. This is an alternative to the bigger, larger, more corporate-based 1stDomain.Net. Each costs around the same amount, depending on what features are chosen.
Some of the many features this site offers include over eight hundred design templates to choose from, a web page editor, unlimited updates, web hosting and spam/virus free e-mail. This is a more streamlined version of registrars. YellowStart.com is a do-it-yourself at its best. Picking and choosing the features you want can be very invigorating and fun.
One newer feature for running your own website is chatting with visitors and tracking their actions on your site. Seeing what visitors are looking at on your business website is important when determining what people use most and what should change to better accommodate customer needs and wants.
YellowStart.com offers unlimited chat. Multiple agents can chat with and assist returning customers. There is also bilingual chatting available. They also provide e-mail that is spam free and comes equipped to handle the potential demand of a website business. All of these features come with a thirty day money back guarantee.
Most registrars are similar in design and versatility. Domain names can cost between five dollars and twelve dollars without any upgrades. Basic plans can range from four dollars a month to fifteen dollars a month. Online tech support systems are in place to assist the user in developmental problems that come up in daily usage.
Security can be an issue for any online vendor. For any potential employees there are background checks. For day to day issues there are periodic security scans done by the agency in charge of monitoring the site. Also, for any system wide disasters, weekly server backups are done to protect the information stored on the site.
Thanks to the remarkable technology available, anything is possible with the correct domain name and servicing company behind it.
About The Author
Fei Lim is the manager of Flizard Technologies which provides web hosting services, sells domain names, and designs websites for personal and businesses. Fei Lim has also been a cable network technician for Aerotek Tek Systems as a cable contractor in 1999. Fei Lim has the knowledge in category 5 stp data and voice cables, bix cross connections, fibre optics, cable splicing, as well as computer hardware knowledge. Fei Lim can troubleshoot any computer problems and also network problems. Fei Lim may be contacted at http://www.flizard.com and toll free number 1-888-623-8880.customerservice@flizard.comIf Unlimited Bandwidth and Transfer Hosting Doesn't Exist - Why Do I See Offers?
Thu, 22 Feb 2007 22:22:03 -0600Mention the word "unlimited" and invariably, you'll get blank faces and wary stares. Almost as infamous as the word "free, " there's just about nothing that is truly "unlimited." Or is there? A quick search of web hosts will bring an on slot of unlimited bandwidth and transfer offers. You will find just about as many naysayers, too. With the promise of unlimited bandwidth and transfer pulling in one direction and bad reviews in another, what's a webmaster to do?
When a hosting company offers unlimited bandwidth or transfer, what they are purposing is to offer unlimited traffic to your site. Bandwidth is the amount of storage you have available to transfer your web pages, which are stored on the server, to the browser of incoming visitors. Each visitor requires a bandwidth amount. Maybe you've plugged a web address into your browser and instead of the site loading, you've received an error message reading something like "this site is currently unavailable: the server has reached its maximum bandwidth allowance." This happens because the owner of the website opted to pay for a set amount of bandwidth and for one reason or another, the site attracted more traffic than the owner paid for.
Before setting out to purchase a plan with unlimited bandwidth hosting, let's address a few of the more common myths you will come across.
"These claims are nothing more than a marketing ploy." Technically speaking, there truly is no such thing as unlimited bandwidth. Since bandwidth is finite in nature, the web hosting company itself has limited resources. Thus, how can they offer you something that they don't have themselves?
Easy. Yes, bandwidth is finite, but a web host has so much of it, that there truly is no chance of using of it all. For example, about everyone has heard of the "Toy" or "Teacup" Yorkshire Terrier that has become incredibly popular. Well, technically there is no such thing. The American Kennel Club has one standard for the Yorkshire Terrier and a "Toy" version is not among these. Yet breeders sell these "Toy" versions since they are smaller than the standard. Technically speaking, there is no such thing as unlimited bandwidth, but that's really just a technicality.
"You'll get the bait and switch." This myth abounds because it can happen. A web host offers unlimited bandwidth, but only for a limited time. However, not all companies operate this way and as they say about a few bad apples . . .
"Scam Alert!" The idea behind this is that a new web host promises unlimited bandwidth hosting just long enough to get a good customer base. Then, when their server starts to drag, they cut and run. Instead of updating their server, they decide to just take your money. This may happen, but an easy way to avoid it is to sign with a host that has a good reputation..
Just the facts ma'am
It's true, bandwidth does cost money. The more bandwidth offered per dollar, the less the hosting company makes. But this does not mean that unlimited bandwidth hosting promises a disaster.
Many web sites use very little bandwidth. And actually may use only a fraction of what's available to them. The larger the provider you sign with, the more accurate the provider can estimate their available resources and promise you unlimited bandwidth hosting.
Some providers refuse to offer cart blanche unlimited bandwidth. This is to protect themselves against server abuse. If a web site has considerable audio or video downloads, the server bandwidth will be eaten up. With more control over what a webmaster can and can't upload, a host provider can offer greater resources to more clients. Because of this most web hosts won't allow audio or video if you sign up for unlimited bandwidth service.
When deciding on a company to provide unlimited bandwidth and transfer hosting keep in mind what your site needs and if this is the best option. Don't be afraid of the bad press associated with unlimited bandwidth offers, many hosts are valid and offer reliable, sound service to their clients.
About The Author
Fei Lim is the manager of Flizard Technologies which provides web hosting services, sells domain names, and designs websites for personal and businesses. Fei Lim has also been a cable network technician for Aerotek Tek Systems as a cable contractor in 1999. Fei Lim has the knowledge in category 5 stp data and voice cables, bix cross connections, fibre optics, cable splicing, as well as computer hardware knowledge. Fei Lim can troubleshoot any computer problems and also network problems. Fei Lim may be contacted at http://www.flizard.com and toll free number 1-888-623-8880.customerservice@flizard.comHow to Choose a Shared Web Host in a Sea of Options
Thu, 22 Feb 2007 22:22:41 -0600What? You want me to share my web hosting? You may wonder what this is all about since you're the one paying for hosting services every month. Actually, most web sites utilize the service of shared web hosting. When it comes to hosting your site, sharing can be quite economical.
How shared web hosting works is that a group of clients share virtual space on the web server. How many accounts share this virtual space varies by host. Some host providers have a few hundred shared accounts on the same server, where as others have a few thousand. Also know as virtual hosting, shared web hosting shares much more than just virtual web space on a server.
If you have a shared web hosting account, you may not realize it, but you also share the cost of server maintenance with other clients. This is a big reason why a shared account is reasonably priced. Also, your provider is expected to be responsible for security updates, installation of server software and any other server responsibilities.
If you have web hosting knowledge or just want to have ultimate control over every aspect of your web site at the drop of a hat, shared web hosting may not be for you. There are many hosts that provide wonderful customer service, but they must have administrative control since the server holds multiple accounts, not just yours. If maintaining your server and having supreme control does not interest you, then shared web hosting is most likely your best bet.
A good web host is not too hard to find. But it's smart to know what you're looking for before committing yourself to a provider. First off, a good shared web hosting plan will offer reliable service. If you opt to sign up with the first provider that comes along, you may just shoot yourself in the foot. Technical difficulties are one of the most frustrating and common experiences with hosting providers. When setting up a new account, expect to need technical support a few times. But once your site is up and running, you should have relatively few technical problems with your hosting provider.
After you feel comfortable with the level of support a provider offers, consider what features are available. A basic understanding of what you know (and what you don't) will help direct your choice. If creating a site from scratch is intimidating, look for a provider that offers free website building software. This will save you from knowing html. You will also need a domain name to get your site up and some shared web hosting providers even offer these for free. A free domain name should not be the main selling point for which provider you choose. After all, you can purchase a domain name from anyone from $2.99 - $12.99/year.
Available disk space and bandwidth availability are key points when choosing a host. If you know the exact requirements for your site then you're a head of the game. Most people don't know exactly what their site will require. Disk space and bandwidth needs significantly vary depending on what type of site you are planning to launch. If a large e-commerce site is your goal you will need more disk space and bandwidth than someone looking to publish a personal site. However, don't think that just because you're launching a large site that shared web hosting is not for you. If you're not launching a large professional site generally 5GB of disk space and 75GB of bandwidth with Cpanel access will be sufficient. One other option that will serve you well is daily backups. If your computer crashes, and you haven't performed a daily backup, all is not lost. Obviously you won't be able to get all your computer data back, but in regards to your web site all is well. Your hosting provider can easily walk you through restoring your site.
As you can see shared web hosting offers a myriad of options with minimal costs. A precursory search will provide ample hosts that offer reasonable prices for reliable service.
About The Author
Fei Lim is the manager of Flizard Technologies which provides web hosting services, sells domain names, and designs websites for personal and businesses. Fei Lim may be contacted at http://www.flizard.comcustomerservice@flizard.comWhich Is Right For Me - Windows Hosting or Linux/Unix Hosting?
Thu, 22 Feb 2007 22:23:25 -0600We all have our preferences when it comes to operating systems some people prefer one of the many flavors of Windows, while others prefer one of the several distributions of Linux. It is all the matter of what works best for you. Another aspect that should be taken into consideration when determining which type of hosting you should use Windows or Linux/Unix, is what you intend to do on your website.
There are many differences between the two operating systems. However, when it comes to hosting there are just as many differences. Some people with Windows operating systems choose to use Linux hosting. On the other side of the coin, some people who use Linux/Unix operating systems choose to use Windows hosting. Do you find this confusing? If so, you are not alone. You may be wondering how this would work.
Well essentially, when you acquire hosting for your website, you are basically paying someone else to host your website on their computer. These computers also have operating systems. Therefore, when you choose Windows or Linux hosting, this will mean that the computer your website is run from is using that chosen operating system.
Windows Hosting
Windows is perhaps one of the most well-known and popular forms of operating systems. There are many advantages to using Windows hosting. Because millions of users have Windows and use the many Microsoft products such, using Windows hosting would allow you to easily integrate any of these products into your website. Windows hosting would also allow you to run ASP (Active Server Pages) on your website, which is placing dynamic content on your website using computer scripts.
What is great about Windows is that it boasts an easy to use interface perfect for beginners. There are usually many options such as ASP mail, Access Database, ASP.NET, and SQL Database, IIS, and PHP. Windows hosting also allows for publishing websites with FrontPage,
As with almost anything in this world, Windows hosting does have its disadvantages. One of the main disadvantages is the costs. One Microsoft server, if buying your own, will cost you a couple of thousand dollars, if you were running the software yourself. You have many choices when it comes to software such as Windows 2003, Advanced, and Windows 2000 server. However, with the competitiveness of the hosting industry, you will find the Windows hosting is extremely affordable when using a remote server.
Linux/Unix Hosting
Linux and UNIX hosting are two different types of operating system that are extremely similar to one another. In essence, the two are closely related something like cousins; therefore, they are generally combined in hosting. Now what is great about Linux/Unix is that you have the ability to integrate unmatched security into your website. There are also many other benefits of the duo that make it the choice for many people.
One such benefit is the fact that Linux/Unix is extremely compatible with PHP, which is the latest craze in programming languages. Cost is another very attractive benefit of the duo. In many cases, the operating system is free. Some distributors have begun to charge for the system, but many are still available for no costs. For little to no cost, additional software can be obtained for Linux/Unix such as BIND, Sendmail, Apache, and APF Firewall.
Security is probably the most popular benefit of using Linux/Unix hosting. The level of security offered by this duo is unmatched by Windows hosting. To add to the benefits, statistics show that this operating system offers more overall stability and control in operation as well.
With Linux/Unix hosting, you have the ability to integrate Chmod permission, Mod Rewrite, Apache Web server, as well as MySQL and PHP.
Of course, as with Windows hosting there are some disadvantages to using Linux/Unix hosting. The main disadvantage being ease of use. Unlike Windows hosting, Linux/Unix hosting does not contain an easy to use, user-friendly interface. Basically, it requires a large list of commands to use and is not recommended for the beginner. This type of hosting requires a great deal of technical knowledge and familiarity to install and control.
Which one is for you?
Well, in short, it depends on what you need. If you need intense security, PHP compatibility, have technical knowledge, and you do not need to have all the latest website features, Linux/Unix hosting may be the right choice for you.
However, if you need a website that offers ASP, an easy to use interface, and the ability to integrate Microsoft products, then Windows hosting is the best decision for you.
As you can see choosing between Windows hosting and Linux/Unix hosting, all depends on what you need on your website, your level of experience, and of course, your overall budget.
About The Author
Fei Lim is the manager of Flizard Technologies which provides web hosting services, sells domain names, and designs websites for personal and businesses. Fei Lim may be contacted at http://www.flizard.comcustomerservice@flizard.comHow Getting A Turnkey Website Can Help and Benefit You And Your Business
Sat, 13 Jan 2007 13:09:42 -0600A turnkey website solution is a complete website and hosting package that is customized to your own business needs. Additionally, a turnkey website doesn't require the webmaster to have any knowledge of the set up, programming and coding of a web page, because someone already does it for you.
Turnkey website solutions are becoming more and more popular for webmasters who would like a customized website, without having to do it themselves. Until turnkey solutions were brought about, webmasters were faced with the problem of hiring coders to privately customize their pages.
The services of a professional coder can be very expensive, the cost of paying someone to customize a website can be anywhere from $90 per hour on upwards of $200 per hour. A customized website done this way can cost a few thousand dollars at best.
Turnkey websites on the other hand are a lot cheaper, and offer webmasters the opportunity to have a customized website, that is built, hosted and updated regularly for a one time fee for set up, and a small monthly fee for maintenance.
There are two types of turnkey websites; those that are designed for E- commerce businesses, or regular business information websites. Depending on the type of business that you are setting up. If you are using an E-commerce model, then you will need a shopping cart mechanism installed to enable you to start taking orders. It's also likely you will need some sort of tracking ability in place as well, not to mention all of the other fancy things that are displayed on E-commerce sites these days. You can expect to pay more for an E-commerce solution due to some of the complexities involved. Although, considering what you get in a turnkey website package, the price range of $150- $300, really isn't a lot of money compared to the traditional approach.
For a brick and mortar business, it is often necessary to help get the word out or keep customers and clients informed with the use of a website. These days the internet is so widely used, a customer or client may prefer to look for information and resources contained on a website, than calling or visiting a physical storefront. What this means for any business is that you are offering a more competitive edge by having a website for your customers to visit.
In business, you probably already have enough things to do then worry about creating a website and maintaining it. A turnkey website that is only around 8 pages showcasing a business will often cost around $60 to create, and $50 a month for its maintenance and hosting fees.
What will a turnkey solution really offer you? There are many other benefits apart from not having to do the work or set it up yourself. Some of the array of benefits include the Turnkey solution company keeping your website running 24/7 for 365 days of the year, you can also access information easily, such as email addresses and information requests easily from the website.
Turnkey solutions mean that you need not hire employees to create and build your site, It also means is that more profits stay in your pocket, rather then being paid out on all the extras to keep things running smoothly.
Now more than ever people are turning to the Internet for entertainment and information, and solutions to their problems. They are visiting websites often enough to know the difference between a professional looking site, and an amateur site. Professional looking sites will promote a company, and give it the competitive edge needed to generate interest and sales from customers.
Getting yourself a customized turnkey solutions website is not as complicated as you think. To begin the process, an enquiry is really all that is needed then the web hosting company will gather information and begin to build your website to your own specifications.
To create the website, you will obviously be responsible for the content of your new site; this can be images, information/Articles or whatever material you would like to have. The turnkey website company will then optimize your site for optimum readability for visitors, and information for search engine spiders. This is called search engine optimization.
Sometimes websites have glitches or bugs that need fixing, and if you are not a professional website tech, this is where one the main benefits kick in! A bug or glitch can have you stumped for days. Turnkey website solutions have expert technicians and programmers that know how to test and find problems and fix them quickly. The turnkey company, or host will also continue to fix any errors or glitches found on the website 24/7.
About The Author
Fei Lim is the manager of Flizard Technologies which provides web hosting services, sells domain names, and designs websites for personal and businesses. Fei Lim may be contacted at http://www.flizard.comcustomerservice@flizard.comSeven Ways to Promote Your New Website
Thu, 22 Feb 2007 22:25:49 -0600Once you have built your new website, you don't have time to sit back and admire your creation, the work is just beginning. Thousands of web pages are being added to the Internet every day and if you want your page to be visited, then you have to make special efforts to promote your site. No two sites are equal and there may be a particular promotion method that works best for you, however, here are seven methods that you can consider before launching your promotion campaign:
1. Get your site listed in the major search engines.
At the present time most Internet traffic is delivered by three search engines: Google, Yahoo and MSN. If you want "free" traffic, then your site must be listed in these search engines and it must appear prominently when someone makes a query using a keyword or phrase that is related to your business or your activity. Getting listed is not a big problem as the three major search engines use "spiders"(robotic programs) that scour the Internet constantly looking for new sites. The best way to be found by the spiders is to get a link to your site from a website that is already listed in the search engines. Ask your web designer, your hosting firm, your friends or business associates to link to your new site.
After a few weeks check to see if your site is listed in the search engines. If you are not listed then you will have to manually submit your site using these urls: Google: http://www.google.com/addurl.html
Yahoo: http://search.yahoo.com/info/submit.html
and MSN: http://search.msn.com/docs/submit.aspx
2. Distribute an Online Press Release.
In the offline world of business, whenever your company does something new you should let the media know about it by issuing a press release. The same goes for the Internet. Write a one page press release, around 400 words, letting the world know about your new website. Put emphasis on the aspect of your business or website that you think is newsworthy. The press release can be distributed through online services such as www.prweb.com . If you write a good release it will picked up by journalists, by blog publishers and webmasters looking for news.
3. Participate in Forums and Blogs Related to Your Industry
The Internet is becoming more interactive with each passing day. If you want to get known then you have to take part in this interactivity. Visit blogs and forums that are of interest to you. Learn something from them, and from time to time leave a comment. Don’t try to push your website or business, but add something useful to the conversation, and of course put your website's address in your signature.
4. Write and distribute articles about your area of expertise
Webmasters and newsletter publishers are hungry for good content. If you write a 500-800 word article about a topic that is related to your business, then you can easily get it published on hundreds of websites around the net. As with your forum participation, you should not try to directly sell your business or products. Rather, if you offer good information people will begin to respect you as an expert in your field and will click on the link to your site which is usually provided in the author-information at the end of your article.
5. Submit your site to directories related to your website's theme
In addition to the major search engines, you should look around and find directories that list sites in your field of activity. For example if you are a web designer, then you would want your site listed in directories of webmaster resources. To find these directories make a search online for something like this: "web hosting directory", "web design directory" and you will find strategic places where you can add your link. Just substitute your field for the term "web hosting."
6. Exchange links with complementary websites
One of the oldest forms of promotion on the Internet is the trading of links between two websites. Make a search for websites that are related to yours and propose an exchange of links with each of these sites. The process works faster and more efficiently if you place a link for the other site before requesting a link to your site.
7. Use paid advertisements
It takes time for some of the promotion methods to pay off. If you want to start doing business immediately, then you will have to pay for online advertising. The most effective way to do this is to participate in Google’s Adwords program. The small advertisements that you see in the right hand column of the Google search results pages, and the advertisements that appear on many websites are placed by advertisers who pay each time someone clicks on the link. Go to http://adwords.google.com to learn more about this program.
If you use a combination of these seven methods to promote your website, then you will be more than satisfied with the results.customerservice@flizard.comHow to select the Right Web Host?
Thu, 22 Feb 2007 22:26:24 -0600How to select the right web host? - The question every person who has just completed the design and about to launch his/her favorite website tend to ask oneself. Well, one must understand in the first place itself that selecting the right web host is not that simple a task. There are thousands of web hosting services existing in each country and many of them provide similar services at almost the same rates as well. Hence, it might take a while and some effort in studying and researching about each service provider before you could proclaim, 'yes, this is the right provider I was looking for'. In this article, we try to change this pattern a bit. The tips that are been included in the next few paragraphs would urge you to view the scenario more rationally and if you follow it precisely, then there is no reason to think why you can’t find the right web hosting service provider.
As a first step, see if the web hosting service provider is offering round the clock customer support. Remember, in the game of servers, memory, and bandwidth, glitches can happen anytime – irrespective of the name and fame of the service provider – and what matters is how quickly and efficiently the provider could fix it in less time. To test this facility, you just ring them up, their customer care. On a general scale, you will be surprised by the number of unanswered calls you find in the process. Always go for those with 24/7 customer care facilities.
It is always a prudent idea to take into account the reviews about a web hosting service provider, especially if it had been written by one of its previous clients. But, at the same time, don't believe the writings found on the company’s forums or in the hosting directories. Most of the times, such reviews will be partisan or might be favoring the company.
Watch out for those web hosting companies that offer or boast a never ending backup of RAM and CPU. Another catch phrase employed by web hosting companies is 'unlimited bandwidth and memory space'. But, one should be intelligent enough to realize that these are just games involving numbers and practically, none of the web servers on this earth has such features in place. Further, if the rate of a web hosting plan and the offer they put forward in terms of server resources are not congruent, it can be safely assumed that the plan is a scam. More server resources definitely cost more. The moral of the story is, don't go by the plans entirely, but use one’s discerning senses as well, to full use.
Finally, go for a domain that is reasonably old in business. Chances for new domains going bust in the fast paced web hosting business race is high. In fact, that is the trend witnessed in the hosting industry with about 95% of the players going out of business within their first year itself. It is easy to be a hosting company, but the difficult part is in sustaining the business.customerservice@flizard.comIdentifying the Right Web Hosting Company
Thu, 22 Feb 2007 22:27:04 -0600With the advent of the internet, businesses are breaking geographical boundaries and attaining quick global dimension. There is no barrier of distance with online buying and selling. The buyer and seller can be located in any part of the world. This has increased the potential of every business to see greater profit. Success in business in today's E-commerce era is directly proportional to the strength of your online presence. In order to have a strong online presence you need a reliable web hosting service provider.
As you know, it is just not sufficient to own a highly interactive and expensive website. There is no use having a highly sophisticated shopping cart if it cannot be accessed by outside world. The main aim is to gain visibility. Your website will be accessible to the public only when it is live online. It requires a 24/7 online presence of your website so that you do not miss out on opportunities that come your way. If the server you are using to host your website is going to break down frequently, then you will be disadvantaged at various levels. So server breakdowns are highly undesirable.
When the server breaks down, people will not be able to access your website and they will get error messages such as, "Page cannot be displayed." If this is going to happen often, then your website will lose a considerable amount of visitor traffic. It will block the new visitors and also frustrate regular visitors.
At another level, poor server uptime will affect your search engine placements. When the search engines crawl the web, they will not be able to access your website and your website will not be indexed. This means that you are going to miss out on the competition until the next indexing, which sometimes takes place only after three months. So, for these three months you will lose your potential visitor traffic.
Sometimes, web hosting companies pack too many websites on the same server on shared hosting. This will lead to server imbalance due to overload. There will be slow loading of your web pages and also the connection to the server will be disconnected often. Sometimes, you will not be able to access your admin panel to upload or manage your ftp account.
To protect yourself from all this, you need to shop around for a reliable web hosting service provider. While considering your web-hosting company and your web-hosting plan take into consideration your specific requirements. One of the common mistakes people make is to search for the cheapest web hosting company available online. They use cost as the main criteria to decide their web-hosting company. You might get a cheap offer, but in the long run it will be a very costly mistake as you lose your website traffic due to poor online performance. With the cut-throat competition in the web hosting industry, you can get hosting plans as low as $9 per year. But you need to take into consideration the post sales service and support that you get. There are many frustrated webmasters who do not get a response from their web host before they send five to six mails and make several follow-up calls to have their problems rectified. It is all the more critical when you happen to face problems with your website on a Friday night, as, often, it has to wait until Monday morning. However, there are many good web-hosting companies that offer 24/7 customer support to its members. So you need to take into consideration all of this before you sign up with your web-hosting company.
Server security could be another concern. Often website databases contain sensitive data such as customer banking details and credit card information that cannot be risked. Your web hosting company is responsible for the security of your data online. You need to find out the security features used by your web host. Regular back up of your data, too, should be part of your web-hosting package. Webmasters normally do not have a back up of their website files in a local system. They rely on their web host’s back up features. If something should go wrong, you should be able to retrieve your website and restore it to its latest functioning point.
Look for hosting configurations that will suit your specific need. If you do not find a suitable package, you can ask for a customized package. You can always play with your hosting configuration and your budget. What you cannot compromise is your server’s uptime.customerservice@flizard.comSix things to look for when choosing a web hosting plan
Thu, 22 Feb 2007 22:27:50 -0600If you have never owned, operated or set up a website, then it can be confusing when it is time to choose a hosting firm or a hosting plan for your new website. The best way to deal with this confusion is to learn as much as you can about web hosting and then ask questions to your prospective web hosting firm about any points that are still not clear for you. To help you out, here are six factors to consider when choosing a hosting plan:
1. Disc Space - This is the amount of space on the server that you will have for your website files. In recent years the cost of disc space has fallen, and most web hosting plans allow you ample space, especially if you are only hosting one website. The files for a normal website should not take up more than 50 mb. However if you plan to host mp3 files or an extensive image collection then it could be much higher. In any case many web hosting plans now allow you several gigabytes of storage.
2. Bandwidth - How much data transfer does your web hosting plan allow you to make in a month? Whenever someone views one of your web pages she is in effect downloading the html file to her computer along with all the image files. If you have a lot of traffic and if your site has large files for downloading or streaming, then you will need a good quota of data transfer every month. It is hard to generalize about bandwidth needs, but many websites hardly use more than one gigabyte of data transfers per month. Once again, as with disc space, many web hosting plans now allow several gigabytes of transfer per month.
3. How many domains can you host? - If you plan to construct more than one website then you should choose a hosting plan that allows you to accommodate more than one domain on your section of the server. Who knows, you may want to set up a satellite website once your first website is established? If you think you need more than one website then look for a plan that allows multiple domain hosting.
4. Email facilities - One of the big advantages of having your own website is the ability to set up email addresses, forwarders and auto responders for yourself and for other members of your organization. Check to see how many email-addresses you can set up, either as POP accounts, which can be read online or downloaded with an email client such as Eudora or Outlook Express, or as aliases that forward to existing email accounts. Again, as with bandwidth and disc space most hosting plans allow you many more email accounts than you will ever use.
5. Control Panel - Before you buy a hosting plan, ask to look at a demo of the control panel which you will be using to administer your site. The control panel is the place where you can check the visitor statistics, add or delete email accounts, install scripts and make other technical changes for your website. The control panel should be easy to use and you should take some time to understand what it is all about before purchasing your hosting plan.
6. Are there pre-installed scripts? - The Internet is becoming more interactive, and you will probably want to add elements that will allow your visitors to contact you or even add content. For example, you may want to install a blog on your site or a bulletin board. It can be quite difficult to install these items if you are not a technical "nerd." However, many hosting firms now provide instant one-click installation of the programs that drive blogs, bulletin boards, guest books and similar interactive elements. If you plan to use any of these interactive features, make sure that the hosting plan that you are getting offers the possibility of easily installing these items.
These are the some of the main things to consider when you are choosing your web hosting plan. But remember one rule of thumb: if you are not sure about any of the features of the hosting plan then ask your web-hosting-firm to explain it to you in plain English.customerservice@flizard.comThe Definitive Guide To Unlimited Bandwidth
Thu, 22 Feb 2007 22:29:15 -0600The storage space and bandwidth are two important things to consider in choosing a web hosting plan. The storage space is the amount of space allotted for the website, while the bandwidth is the amount of data transfer. Website needs the most storage space and bandwidth as much as possible to give room for the website to grow.
As you browse a webpage, you are actually downloading a file. The files are usually an HTML, image, video, or audio. Many web hosting plan limits on how much you can transfer. The optic fiber, cable, or copper wire of the network can only transfer for how much data it holds. Thereby, many Web Hosting Company puts a limit on the bandwidth for each website. In addition, the physical storage can only store up to maximum capacity.
To calculate how much bandwidth you need, you simply sum up the total size of your website, and get the average size of a web page. Then, you estimate how many visitors per day. For example, a home page sums up to 30 kb. And, the home page gets 100 visitors per day. The bandwidth of the home page equals 3, 000 kilobyte (30 kilobyte x 100 visitors). In a month, the home page needs 90 megabyte (3, 000 kilobyte x 30 days). Most web hosting company gives 20 gigabyte bandwidth.
Many website owners worry on the thought of a slow website due to processors, storage, and wire limitations. The truth is that savvy web host constantly loads balance. Load balance refers to balancing of traffic amongst multiple servers. Load balance keeps the speed at optimal level. More importantly, web host can always add more servers, storage, or wires.
Unlimited bandwidth brings peace of mind. For many ambitious website owners, the unlimited bandwidth assures ample supply of bandwidth. Think of it as investing for the future. As the website gains in popularity, the website bandwidth requirement also increases.
Notably, the terms and conditions of web hosting plan tell about how the unlimited bandwidth works. There may be a restriction of what type of website. Since the storage hardware and wires have a finite capacity, the mp3, videos, or audio files are restricted. And, the websites are prohibited to use for download distribution point. This happens for website which allows their patrons to download music and files. Lastly, the storage space of the website is not use for a back up of some sort.
Normally, the websites qualifies for unlimited bandwidth. A number of web hosting companies offer unlimited bandwidth to hook clients. In reality, it is just a marketing scheme. To know the best host plan, it is important to read the terms and conditions. Thus, there are a few companies that truly give unlimited bandwidth. So, you must do a thorough research. Choose web hosting company with high integrity, professionalism, and reputation to avoid disappointment.customerservice@flizard.comThe Potent SiteBuilder
Thu, 22 Feb 2007 22:30:07 -0600The Soholaunch created a potent SiteBuilder that creates and manage web pages on the fly. The SiteBuilder is an easy to use software tool that quickly and easily builds websites. In minutes, the website is set up without technical knowledge.
Nowadays, the company websites become important way to market the company’s service or product. To hire a web developer, and web designer cost too much for many companies. This is especially true for new companies or businesses. Business owners without technical expertise affordably makes user-friendly and professional website thru SiteBuilder.
The SiteBuilder costs between $25 and $200. Rarely, a web hosting company offers SiteBuilder at absolutely nothing as long as you sign up for web hosting plans.
Powerful SiteBuilder includes huge variety of templates ready to use. Templates are design schemes designed by professional at your disposal. Any novice computer user can customize templates without difficulty. All you have to do is choose a template to apply to the entire website or a few web pages.
More importantly, the SiteBuilder are capable to add dynamic and rich content. Dynamic Page means the ability to display or change. First, the web server gets the data from the database. Using the data from the database, the web server instantly creates a page to be display on internet browsers. For example, an online pharmacy sells different medications. The web server dynamically picks up the medications to be display. So, the Dynamic Page displays different medications.
Advance users can drag and drop advance features on the page. Advance Features significantly lifts the functionality of the page. Common Advance Features includes hit counters, pop-up windows, online forms, audio files, video files, documents, PDF files, maps, and photo albums.
Best of all, the SiteBuilder integrates shopping cart and e-commerce to your website. Without typing a single line of code, the user effortlessly set up product categories, shipping, taxes, accepted payment methods, exchange policies, and much more.
The Built-in Site Security adds important trust to customers, and clients. To buy on online store is still out of the comfort zone to many customers and clients. Due to the fact, the customers and clients need to take a chance to pass personal information online to acquire a services or products. Identity thieves are on the rise. So, online stores protect the privacy of their customers and clients.
Moreover, the SiteBuilder comes with administrator tools that manage the community of customers. The administrator tools permits the restricting of access to any page, creating of number of users, authenticating of users to the database, and giving of different access levels.
The site statistics of SiteBuilder generates reports and graphs to learn how customers interact with your websites. To know your customer is the key to reduce shopping cart abandonment, and increase conversion rate. The behavior of customers also tells how the site owner effectively markets the website.
The SiteBuilder are a powerful tool that creates an important web presence, sells the products on the web, and serves the customers in wider market, educates the customers of the business. The site owner reaches more market with website. The website can be seen in any countries. You can only include so much features and tools. The features and tools in this article are only the fraction of the total capability of SiteBuilder. To learn more see live demos and read the user guide.customerservice@flizard.comAffordable Turnkey Solutions Give Important Web Presence
Thu, 22 Feb 2007 22:31:08 -0600In this age, the web presence of a business is more important than ever. However, many businesses find customized website as costly. Customized Website usually costs $5, 000 to $25, 000. Additionally, the labor cost to maintenance could range between $39 per hour to $90 per hour. Web Hosting Companies now offers Turnkey Solutions. They build, update, and host website for a small monthly fee and one time fee.
We are on the internet age. In fact, many people find internet more entertaining than television and radio. The internet users drastically increase thru the years. And, there is no sign of slowing down. And another, seventy percent of the consumers goes to the company or business website before another purchase.
Here are the benefits of Turnkey Solutions
- Business owners do not need tremendous amount of knowledge
- Web Hosting Company builds, update, and host website
- Keeps the website to run for 24 hours a day, and 365 days a year
- Easily access the names, address, phones, and more of the prospects and clients
- Access to useful free literature and information of the website
- No need to hire employees, computers, and equipment
- Enhances the company’s image by professional look website
- Able to show products, promotions, and services
- Usually includes the domain names and hosting package in the small monthly fees
5 Simple Steps of Turnkey Solutions
First, Clients contacts the web hosting company by phone, email, or sign form. The Web Hosting Company gathers information to successfully build and design an effective website. An effective website looks professional, user-friendly, and spider-friendly.
Next, Clients provides images, content, and material if available. Search Engine Optimization requires relevant contents and keyword density. With proper content and keyword, the website ranks better and higher on search results of search engine. Thereby, the website gets outstanding traffic.
Then, the programmers and developers write the source codes which gives life to website. Programmers and developers customized the behavior as per Client’s request.
Depending on the complexity of the website, the programmers, and clients test the website to any possible combinations, scenarios, and situation. The key is to pretend to the user of the website.
Finally, the website goes live to the public. For any bugs, and errors, the web hosting company diligently fixes and repairs for 24 hours a day.
Facts about Turnkey Solutions
By nature, Clients just looks for the cheapest turnkey solutions. Well, each web hosting company offers different solutions. It may include or not what you needs. For $49 monthly fee and $59 one time fee, you would be able to get up to 8 web pages.
Since Ecommerce website degree of difficulty is higher than regular website, the Ecommerce website stands on a different level. The monthly fees and one time fee varies from $149 and $299 respectively. Possibly, the fees include shopping cart, product information, tax calculations, merchant account, sales emails, 10 web pages, and 12 products.customerservice@flizard.com
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