OS For Your Web Hosting Service?
( The Best Web Hosting Service )- Before you order a web hosting plan for your website, you’ll first want to decide which operating system (OS) you’ll be using. What is an OS, and which one really fits your requirements? Here are guidelines to help you plan and choose.
What Is an OS?
An OS is a system software program responsible for managing and distributing the server’s resources. Program and user requests are prioritized, making sure that content of users on the server will not get in the way of other users. Your server could not work without one, as it is the backbone enabling the server to run software and programs.
Which OS to Use?
For shared web hosting, the most common OS in use are Windows and Linux. A common misconception about selecting a web hosting OS is that if you design your website on and use Windows, you should have a Windows web hosting plan too. This is not so. Both your PC and a web server have an OS, but they do not require that they run the same OS to work together.
The operating system you computer uses should not affect your choice of web host server. You could design a website using Dreamweaver on a Microsoft Windows PC, then upload to a Linux server without great problems.
Usually, Linux or Windows works, but there are also differences that may get in the way, making one or the other a better match with your website. Actually, the major difference between Windows and Linux web hosting is the server-side databases along with the scripts they support.
You may also consider the price difference between Windows and Linux. The former is often slightly more expensive because it is a proprietary system, so your web host has to pay Microsoft the rights to use it. While Linux is open source, and there is no licensing fee needed when you use it.
When you have to use a particular database or script, select the OS that supports your requirements. Often, a simple brochure website not needing the use of more advanced features right away, will save you a long way, as when you use Linux.
10 Web Hosting Terms Explained
( The Best Web Hosting Service )- It is quite impossible to attain online presence nowadays without having your own blog or website. Blogging platforms like WordPress are offered free, but in a way you are limited to things you can and want to do. Have you considered web hosting? Newbies can sometimes be confused and insecure about technical terms and turn away, but this does not have to be the case.
Here are some web hosting terms you can use so you can take advantage of what’s being offered without fear:
Web hosting. Web hosting allows you to have a “home’ for your website. The host is like the real estate where your online home or website is located. For those with a self-hosted website, customers may find it hard to find you because the internet is massive indeed. With so much traffic on the web, you do not want to miss on the relevant passers-by, do you?
Having a web hosting space, you are allowed to upload files and images to your website, thus creating a site which would be available to an unlimited number of people around the world.
Domain name. The domain name refers to your address on the web, with the web host as your real estate. But rather than a street number and name, you have a domain name (www.yourdomain.com). You could either have a domain name of your choice upon registering an account, or buy it from a domain name registrar.
Database. A database is just a file containing organized information like other files, images, music, and others. Its purpose is mainly to allow users to access information digitally when they login. The owner could login to the administrator section of the blog, for example, while visitors can browse through the internet, without login, unless it’s a private blog.
MySQL. MySQL, meaning “Structured Query Language,” is the most popular database where everyone can enter and use the software however they need it. Many hosts now use MySQL databases because of their ability to deal with web languages and give a rather dynamic setup.
Disk Space. Disk space is the “virtual floorspace” given by the web hosting company. The disk space acts as your web server from your host. Many people begin with a small disk space, then increase it as they enlarge or expand their website.
Bandwidth. Bandwidth may be compared with the amount of traffic that comes your way each month. As more number of visitors come your way, then more data will be utilized. If you have a homepage of 40KB, then your visitors also have access to 40KB of data. Multiplied by the number of visitors monthly and your own visits too, that’s your bandwidth. Exceeding this at any month often means an extra charge from your hosting company. Try to monitor your usage by the web stats program in the cPanel admin.
cPanel. : cPanel, a UNIX-based web host interface, is simply your control panel where you can login as a webmaster to perform maintenance tasks.
Web Stats. Web stats, accessed through your cPanel admin, give you significant insights into website visitors’ behaviors. It is useful to check your stats about once a week to discover how your visitors behave, what attracts and what repels them to your site. As you monitor stats, you discover what you really need for your website.
FTP. Meaning “File transfer protocol,” an FTP client uploads files to your host or server. You access FTP features from your host account’s cPanel, or download software directly onto your computer.
POP 3 Email. Most webhosting packages now offer POP 3 email account. It allows you to make one or more email addresses depending on the package you get, which you can forward to your computer through POP 3. Without needing to login to your account, you can read your email simply in Outlook Express or some similar program.
What’s great about domain specific emails is their professionalism passed on to readers. You’d prefer a better sounding email like (yourname@yourdomain.com) rather than something like (popeye1010@yahoo.com).
Hopefully, webhosting terms are now not like a foreign language to you. You can better familiarize yourself with them when you do get yourself a webhosting package to use yourself.
The Google Dance – What Is It?
( The Best Web Hosting Service )- You have probably been visiting a lot of forums and other blogs and seen the words “Google Dance” floating around on the Internet. Every site that desires high listing on Google will go through what is called the “Google Dance.”. This is simply where you site will be ranked on the 1st page of google 5th or so and then fly off to the 3rd page of Google. Then again go on the first page and off again. Urggh! Now Google is not penalizing you, don’t worry.
To put it in black and white Google is just trying to determine where your site should be ranked. Better yet, I know it can be very mind bending to see your site way up there on Google and then just fly off the map. In a lot of cases it will completely fly off Google all together for a week or so. Don’t worry one bit, though!
No one really knows why this happens except Google themselves. Nearly every site does go through it at some point though.
From my 3 years of experience I have learned that it is just a temporary thing that you can not control. This could be for a number of reasons, adding more backlinks, adding more content, and even changing the format of your site can do it. I honestly believe Google does this because they want it to me great user experience; they do not one someone going around manipulating their system in order to get first page Google rankings. That would be classified as Blackhat seo. Another reason for the dance is the Google search engine is content based, which has to be a prime factor for the dance in the first place.
So don’t worry if you are are doing everything ethical, in terms of SEO your site will be back up and settle at a position in a matter of a couple weeks. Just remember to be patient with SEO and if you have a very good site that actually people like (not just Google spiders) you will have absolutely nothing to worry about.
Best Dedicated Web Hosting – Gaining Control for Optimal Performance
( The Best Web Hosting Service )- Most website owners opt for web hosting platform on shared servers where bandwidth, disk space and other resources are typically shared with several other users. This works fine with websites that don’t require that much power and can sufficiently run on system resources provided by normal hosting. But for larger businesses with complex or busy websites that demand powerful and high-end performance, shared hosting may not be the totally viable option; several intolerable issues could arise, such as security breach, restricted access and traffic jam problems, to mention a few.
For websites that require enormous amounts of disk space and bandwidth and extensive software development/installation outside what the web hosting provider offers, a dedicated server or more widely known as dedicated web hosting may be the best route to take.
Administrative Authority + Control = Optimum Performance
Dedicated hosting is often dubbed as the Rolls Royce of the web hosting industry. As the term implies, a dedicated server is allocated and purely committed to provide services to a single company or network. In a dedicated web hosting, you lease a powerful computer stored in the data center of the hosting company, totally and exclusively reserved for the purpose of catering to the needs and requirements of your business; no other users or customers utilize the same machine except your website.
An exclusive server of your own increases opportunities for you to gain authority and control of server features and functions. With dedicated hosting you have the ability to choose the software programs you want to install; from the operating system and control panel to security applications and script/programming languages. The greater storage capacity of a dedicated server allows more software options without the need to align any features or coding with other users.
The leased hardware is configured and actively operated and maintained in the web hosting provider’s data center, generally providing Internet connectivity, routing equipment and network monitoring; while still allowing you to remotely manage and customize the server through installed software. Take note, however, that a dedicated server is owned by the web hosting provider and can only be assigned for use to function as a resource server; you don’t have physical access to it. Nevertheless, dedicated web hosting is one of the most scalable and flexible hosting solutions, since you don’t have to share resources with other users; you can efficiently plan for upgrades whenever you see fit.
Essential Elements and Crucial Factors
Choosing a suitable dedicated web hosting requires careful planning. Before you decide on leasing and setting up the server, there are vital elements and critical factors that you have to take into account to get the best possible performance.
• Physical Server/Hardware. Whatever potential benefits you can get from dedicated web hosting become null and void from the start without the element of highly reliable, top-performance equipment. This is one of the most significant aspects of dedicated web hosting solution; thus, it is imperative to find out from prospective web hosting providers the kind of hardware they maintain as well as its components, namely: hard drives, RAM and processors.
• Storage Space and Bandwidth Allocation. These are very influential key aspects of the Internet in general and web hosting in particular. Some hosting companies do not provide specific storage space and bandwidth allotment. It is therefore a good move to choose a dedicated hosting package that offers a precise figure rather than one that simply states “unlimited” bandwidth and storage space. Check out how much bandwidth and storage space you are allocated per month; and while you’re at it, find out the requirements for acquiring more should the need to get additional space and bandwidth arise as your business expands.
• Network Connection and Reliability. Along with other resources, you’re supposed to get a dedicated Internet connectivity on dedicated web hosting. You certainly want to find out how efficient and effective the provider’s network connectivity is. Among the relevant questions you should be asking are: Does the provider have redundant connections? Is it going to provide you with a T1 or T3 line? How about the backbone providers; are they reliable? Realistically, uptime and reliability could never be guaranteed. Although most web hosting companies offer seemingly adequate uptime guarantee, you should prod a little bit more and ask pertinent questions, such as: Are there discrepancies in actual vis-à-vis guaranteed uptime of the network and the server? How do you get compensated in the event that the guarantee is not sustained? By getting all information through these queries and determining how things work, you get a general idea on the kind of reliability and performance quality of dedicated web hosting solution you can expect from a particular web hosting provider.
• Server Security and IP Options. It is expected that dedicated web hosting can provide enormously increased security to your websites, as there are no other users utilizing the same work and storage space. Errors and simple mistakes by other webmaster are virtually eliminated. The elimination of such threats is also partly because a dedicated server often guarantees one distinct and unique IP address, at the very least; however, there may be occasions when two or more IP addresses are necessary for security purposes. If you are running more than one Ecommerce stores, for example, bear in mind that each SSL certificate requires individual IP address to be installed on the server. It is important that you check the presence and stability of this feature.
• Technical Support. Although dedicated web hosting is generally perceived as a do-it-yourself type of hosting to some extent, remember that you don’t have physical access to the hardware and network; thus, there has to be appropriate and adequate arrangement to ensure that you are never left out in the cold in times when you need technical support. You have to be aware of the level of technical support you can get from the web hosting provider and must make sure that you can easily get in touch with the company 24/7, either by phone or through e-mail.
• Backup and Restoration. Most customers neglect the significance of backup and restoration options when choosing dedicated web hosting. You must realize that this one consideration that you need to emphasize and put a lot of weight on when you search for the most suitable dedicated web hosting provider. In the uncertain world of the Internet and web hosting, there’s always the perennial risk that data may get lost or corrupted; whether from sabotage, theft, systems failure or natural disasters. Dedicated web hosting providers generally offer typical backup/restoration services, but don’t get too complacent and explore a variety of proactive measures to make certain that the data on your server is sufficiently and consistently backed up and can be restored in the event of any untoward incident.
HostGator: The Superb Choice for Best Dedicated Web Hosting
Choosing HostGator as your dedicated web hosting provider would probably be the most brilliant choice you’d ever make when it comes to hosting your websites. HostGator does not only provide resources to go outside the limitations shared hosting; it also offers a more powerful and dynamic speed, uptime and security levels you cannot get from any other dedicated web hosting providers.
While it is true that dedicated web hosting plans cost considerably higher than shared hosting, having HostGator as your dedicated web hosting provider assures you that you get much more value for your money. The Best Dedicated Web Hosting, HostGator, is not just a typical server; it s a completely managed hosting solution purposely designed to take your online business to the next level. There are currently four HostGator dedicated web hosting plans you can choose from. Likewise, you have the option whether to go for Linux or Windows dedicated server.
Basic Dedicated Web Hosting Plan
Priced at $174 per month, this package is the cheapest among HostGator dedicated server options. The features you get are anything but cheap, though. With 1GB DDR memory, Intel Xeon 3040 (Dual Core), a bandwidth of 1500GB and 250GB hard drive space, the HostGator basic dedicated server definitely gives you the edge of super fast surfing speeds and a reliable server that’s unlikely to go down. This package also includes 5 dedicated IP addresses.
Standard Dedicated Web Hosting Plan
Considered the most popular among HostGator plans, this option is essentially an upgrade of the Basic Plan and the monthly cost of $219 includes 4GB memory with super speeds on Intel Xeon 3110 (Dual Core), 1500 GB bandwidth allocation, 500 GB hard drive space and 10 distinct IP addresses.
Elite Dedicated Web Hosting Plan
Pegged at $279 a month, this plan fundamentally has the same features as the other web hosting plans except that it boasts of lightning speed brought by upgrades that include 13 unique dedicated IP addresses, Intel Xeon 3210 (Quad Core), 4GB of RAM, 2 hard drives at 500 GB each for a total disk space of 1000 GB, and 2500 GB bandwidth.
Pro Dedicated Web Hosting Plan
This is one of the most potent and powerful dedicated web hosting options in the industry ever. It is also one of the more expensive plans at $374 per month, but if your website demands the best possible performance, then this is the perfect dedicated web hosting plan for you. You are provided with 8GB RAM, bandwidth at 2500 GB, two 500 GB hard drives, with 13 dedicated IP addresses thrown in.
HostGator has proven its reliability when it comes to providing superior, top-quality services, with 99.9% server uptime and world-class, award winning customer/technical support. What’s even better is you are not tied up to long term contracts; you can just go ahead and pay on a monthly basis. For details of the HostGator features, read the HostGator Full Review and find out more why HostGator is the Best Dedicated Web Hosting option to consider.
-
Recommended:
BlueHost
FatCow
Gate.com
HostGator
HostMonster
InMotion
iPage
Lunarpages
Omnis Network
PacificHost
PowWeb
Web.com
WebHostingBuzz
eCommerce Reviews
BigCommerce Review
