Selecting the right web server is considered very crucial decision in online business. It is due to the fact that the web server can either make the business or can even destroy one’s business.

There are two types of servers, one is Virtual Web Hosting and the other is Virtual Private Servers.

Since several years Virtual Web Hosting has been the only way to go when selecting a web server. One of the reasons for the Virtual Web Hosting’s popularity is that they supports the necessary files and allows one to have more freedom than any other conventional web hosts. But now one can have more freedom than ever before with Virtual Private Servers. However, Virtual Private Servers should not be confused with Virtual Hosts, as they both are entirely different from each other.

In this article the difference between a Virtual Host and a Virtual Private Server is explained. Moreover the advantages and disadvantages of both the servers are also explained in order to give understanding as to which server should be chosen for business.

Virtual Hosting

Virtual Hosting is also known as Shared web hosting, where one can share the physical server and a single set of software applications with other users. Virtual Hosting was very popular in the past due to features like fast deployment, strong resources, and attractive price. Another advantage offered by Virtual Hosting is that it provides a powerful, reliable, and professionally managed server and it can be easily handled without having to have advanced technical skills, thus making it ideal for an individual, small business, or even a fresher webmaster.

The greatest disadvantage of Virtual Hosting is that the server is shared with other users, which are configured and even controlled by an administrator, not user. Thus there is no control in the hands of the users and in case of adjusting or setting configuration one have to contact the administrator every time. Even if one manages to get a hold of the administrator, then also they may not fulfill the request. It’s all up to them as they are the administrator. Thus these are the limitations faced by users when control is not in their hands.

Virtual Private Servers

Virtual Private Servers are very popular now days for giving the good and satisfactory results. A Virtual Private Server is a single server that is partitioned at the root into multiple dedicated servers. This enables one to share the cost of the network connectivity, hardware, and system maintenance with other hosting customers, with maintaining the flexibility and freedom.

The most important advantage of Virtual Private Servers is that they allow complete control to users and they have security advantages of a dedicated server at very low cost. Thus one can have access to the virtual root, Telnet, web configuration files, and full CGI-BIN access. Not only that, they also provide access to one’s password and send mail configuration files to their users. Thus after considering above advantages it can be concluded that a Virtual Private Server is an excellent solution for small to medium size businesses having complex requirements.

However, there is one disadvantage with Virtual Private Servers, i.e. one need to have some program knowledge in order to control and configure the settings. But this advantage is also evaded by most businesses that offer Virtual Private Servers as they provide detailed manuals making them easier to configure and control. Thus no need to learn the programs as well.

Now one can decide which server is right for him/her. However it all depends on user’s requirement as well as the size of your network.

If one plans on having just one web site and have absolutely no programming knowledge, for him/her Virtual Hosting serves as a best as its quite economical as well. A Virtual Host costs around $20 to $50 per month for an account, as against a $100 or more charged by a Virtual Private Server.

On the other hand, if one is having a larger network requiring multiple web sites and user is having some programming knowledge, then a Virtual Private Server can serves a best. One can host up to 50 web sites on a Virtual Private Server account, instead of having multiple Virtual Hosting accounts, which is quite expensive.

Thus one must make sure while selecting a server that it is as per requirement and it supports essential software for a flourishing online business.

January 14, 2010 - 11:52 pm No Comments
Host Gator asked:




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The Key Ingredients Of An Effective Web Hosting Package

January 14, 2010 - 4:49 pm No Comments
Michelle Bery asked:




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Adding pictures to listings is a great way to draw in potential buyers, grab their attention, and increase sales. First, by using great gallery images that demand attention and help the listing stand out from other listings. Pictures will do much of the selling when a potential buyer is reviewing the product description and making a buying decision. As always, look through the buyers eyes, realize how important it is to include the right number of pictures in any listing. One may be enough for many products but for others, one is considered inadequate.

When it comes to including pictures in listings, realize that eBay gives the first picture for free and each additional picture is anywhere from ten cents to fifteen cents depending on if there is a sale or not. EBay also offers a picture pack option for seventy five cents or one dollar for seven to twelve pictures. To circumvent these costs, host pictures on another site. This is perfectly acceptable to eBay and in the best interest of eBay users, as it will save money.

There is also a self hosting tab. By clicking on the tab the option is given of entering the web address where a picture is being hosted on a different site like an image hosting service. Using this option allows a number of pictures to be included for free. Instead of worrying about the cost of including a few pictures in a listing, use one of the following services and confidently post as many pictures as necessary. The most important thing to consider with an image hosting site is its uptime. Many sites will have a tendency to go down or offline once in a while.

The following sites have an uptime of about ninety-nine percent; it is very rare to ever have a problem with these sites going down. Photobucket.com happens to be the most popular image hosting site in the United States. Photobucket is used by many sellers and could be exactly what is needed. It is completely free. Tinypic.com is also a very reliable site and is completely free of charge. Another great option, which is very popular with eBay sellers, is auctiva.com. This is an auction management service which includes hosting at absolutely no charge; this site is dedicated to eBay sellers.

When it comes to hosting, there are a variety of paid services as well. Incfrog.com is also an auction management service which includes an image hosting package. There is an image hosting package with over a gigabyte of space, room for about 12,000 images available for only $6.95 a month. Vendio.com is also an auction management service which charges a monthly fee. It is one of the most popular paid auction management services available to eBay sellers. They do offer hosting as one of their services which is available for less than $10.00 a month and as low as $2.95 a month, depending on how many pictures there are.

If an online seller already has a hosting account at a site like Go Daddy.com, host gator, or at any one of the hundreds of web-hosting sites out there he/she can post eBay images there and link them into listings.

The great thing about this industry is that it is always changing. For more information please follow the links provided. Thrive Learning Institute is a business consulting firm that specializes in helping people start their own online businesses. To learn more, visit www.thriveli.com or the Thrive Learning Institute elibrary.

January 14, 2010 - 4:55 am No Comments
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There are many people who are not switching to new web host due to fear of old web host and so are bound to suffer from old web host. The users are even ready to pay any amount which can be even ten times more than what they are paying just because of fear of switching over process which they think is quite complicated can even lead to loosing of their website.

The new entries of the customers in this web world will themselves presume that expensive and branded names such as yahoo or MSN or MasterCard can definitely provide the best service.

But there is need to think again.

One should never choose the hosting plan only in terms of money whereas he/she should opt the plan on the basis of return he/she is getting from it.

One can easily find sufficient space for his/her site with all the required features for a mere amount of less than $10 per month – with discounts for paying quarterly or yearly.

The following are the aspects to be looked at while choosing a hosting company-

SPACE: There are several websites, which uses less than 100 Megs of space. However 50-100 megs of space is quite sufficient even if one is planning to build a large community or upload entire albums of photos. By keeping this point in mind one should be able to upgrade with no additional charge.

EMAILS: One should check for a new host that can at least offer 10 Pop3 emails. If one is running a home based business, he/she needs at least 10 addresses or even more if there are many members like own staff or family and friends who would love to use email address and effectively advertise for him/her every time they send out an email. The new host should also offer web-based emails, so as to enable to check emails anywhere.

SUPPORT: One should check if the new host could answer to questions within 24 hours. If this facility is not available then surely it is not the right choice. The host to be selected must offer some sort of live chat capability during regular business hours as well, and a 24-hour a day help desk where one can email in questions. One should also check before signing the contract that proper physical address and phone numbers are available. To ensure one must Email their support or use their chat live capability before agreeing to their service. Thus support is another feature to be taken as serious issue before signing a contract.

USER FRIENDLY RATING: Most important feature to look at is the kind of control panel new host is providing. One should also ask for a demo and should also check if he/she is having a free 24-hour FTP access so as to make modifications as per choice when required. Also it is necessary to have a site builder, bulletin boards, or chat rooms so as to enable one to interact with his/her customer using a new host’s services. One more thing to check is that, if one is having access to popular features such as PHP, CGI, ASP, Java scripts, Perl scripting then will the new host can handle all this?

Now after deciding to shift to new host, there are still some things to take care of like firstly one must make sure that all of the files that have created his/her current site are on his/her computer so that they can be moved. If one has created own pages using something like FrontPage or Site Builder or Dream weaver, then surely he/she is having these files. However if one uses a web based builder, then there is need to download each and every page of his/her site along with their dependent files to a folder on his/her PC.

It seems to be a complicated process but it is not so. One can either use an FTP tool to download files or can download them using the “File – Save As” method outlined below. If one chooses to FTP own files down to own computer, all what is required is just availability of an FTP tool.

In case one opts for another method i.e. to choose the “File – Save As” method, then the following steps must be followed-

The first thing is to do is to go to one’s own browser can be Internet Explorer, Netscape Navigator, or Mozilla. Thereafter find the toolbar and look for the “File” button, as this will be required. Now simply one should go to the first page in his/her website. After it is fully loaded, one must click on “File” then “Save As” and save the file and all dependent files to a folder on his/her website. This procedure is required to be done for every page. After completion of that the possession comes in the hands of owner. It is always advisable to keep one’s site backed up to his/her own computer in a separate folder, as well.

Once one is having all the files the second thing is to make sure that any other files on one’s web host are backed up. In case one is using web-based mail, then he/she should forward emails to an ‘off-network’ email address or even should archive emails to the computer’s hard drive. As soon as user switched to new hosts his/her all mails get deleted. Deleted. Now it’s required to upload all of the new files to the new host’s servers. Also the new host should provide with the FTP info needed and to do this and/or live support one should keep in mind the following things in order to play safe. The next thing to do is to create an email account to match each email account from the old web host. If case one is having 3 email accounts then it is must to have matching accounts on the new servers as this will prevent to have bouncing emails later when the switch goes through. Now one can change the domain name’s name servers and for this the new host will give the

information. Thereafter one will probably have a primary and secondary name server.

If a user is registering own domain name then the registrar should have a management area. However if one registers his/her domain name through the current host, then one must make sure that he/she is having the access to change these items once.

It will take around 24-48 hours for the name server change to propagate so that the domain name is pointing to new servers instead of the old ones. Now one must make modifications as early as possible lets say within a week time else he/she have to suffer from a long waiting period problem. Before canceling the old host one must allow at least a week so that one can make sure that everything works properly on the new host, all the files and email accounts are there and to check if the new host is working as per expectations or not.

However one has to be very careful if he/she is leaving the current host before next billing cycle, as if the cancellation date falls after the normal monthly billing cycle date, then he/she will be billed again for that month’s service and worst is most of the hosts do not give refunds for less than a month of service.

Now after knowing all the pros and cons of providers and the problems that one can face while switching to new host there is need to remember all the above points to remain safe.

January 14, 2010 - 2:24 am No Comments
Host Gator asked:




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New to Web Hosting? Look at Managed Hosting

January 13, 2010 - 9:07 pm No Comments
Host Gator asked:




database hosting


An all round self-skilled web site is the need of the hour for many people. Today the root businesses of many companies are on the shoulders of those sites, which have interactive quality to get a mob of people and can produce the business. Automated features can also play a “behind the scenes” role, by generating the qualities in one’s site like making it easy to use, smooth running and promoting online sales and password protection.

There are several ways by which one can generate such type of automation in his/her site, but all the processes engage either client side or server side scripting. There are several programming languages present specially designed for the web; such programming languages are used for writing scripts. Generally, customer side scripts are written in one of the best web programming languages i.e., Java. But some functions are to be accomplished through the scripting on server side; however, frequently used programming languages on this side are PHP, PERL, and CGI. PHP and PERL are fresher and are on every mouth in the market but one can’t ignore the mother of all web-scripting languages, CGI due to availability of features suitable to it.

Shopping Carts

No one can say that the online sales site is complete without a functioning shopping cart and generally best among them have been written in CGI script. CGI web hosting is ideal for shopping cart scripts because of it’s better interaction with majority of databases, which includes popular MYSQL and MS Access databases, it can be applied with simplicity of similar range on the servers like Windows, UNIX, LINUX, and MACOS, thus simply configured for sales tax and shipping cost calculations. In the market, PHP and PERL are used to apply on the newer shopping cart scripts, but the first choice still prevailing is the use of good old CGI web hosting scripts.

Password Shielding

There are several sites, which require some sort of registration and entry of a password for the user to enter the site’s features. One should need to do it due to the boundations of several reasons like simply a desire to pathway visitors for marketing reasons, like to allow postings on message boards and ensuring that users have paid any required fees associated with use of the site. One should apply the CGI scripts for the automated registration process and in the process of issuing user name/password and generally it is done in this manner only.

Form Managers

There are several people who don’t know about how the forms, they fill out online are handled. They must know that such forms are handled by CGI webhosting. When a user fills in that form and hits the “submit” button, a CGI script takes over and sends the contained data via Email or writes it to a database where the site’s administrator is able to access it later on.

Thus the above mentioned are some of the uses of the uses for CGI scripts on today’s web sites. Like these there are many more and if there is possibility for doing anything on the website, surely it can be done with CGI. PHP and PERL are gaining popularity due to any reasons, but CGI was the one since beginning with the user and is even not going anywhere. So as long as there are web sites, CGI web hosting will remain the Jack of all trade.

January 13, 2010 - 6:10 am No Comments
Bluehost Hosting asked:




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Web Hosting With Multiple Servers – Impact on a Website’s Uptime

January 13, 2010 - 12:57 am No Comments
Host Gator asked:


By this article one can get to know about the technology used in multiple server hosting as well as how to utilize it to maximize one’s site and security and uptime

Now the hosting of site has converted into a commodity where competition has raised to a very higher level and it’s very difficult to discriminate among the hosting plans on the basis of core plans, features and prices. Moreover choosing a host based on the cheapest price is not a better idea rather it thereafter proves to be very expensive in terms of reliability as well as possible loss of sales as a result of website downtime.

Choosing a best out of thousands of providers and resellers is a very scary task, which is rather based on hit and trial method. Even if hosting has become a commodity still while choosing for new host one should look for reliability.

Now at the heart of any hosting company’s reliability is redundancy. Redundancy offers an alternative remedy in case any problem occurs. This is to ensure continuity of work as seamlessly and transparently as possible.

There are several hosts, which employ redundant network connections. These are the high-speed pipes that route data from the server to one’s web browser. As against this, redundant ‘multiple web servers’ are quite rare and expensive and so are rarely used. They are expensive due to use of costly routing equipment, which has previously been used, only in mission critical applications of Fortune 500 companies.

There is yet another very neat but little known Domain Name Server (DNS) feature called ’round robin’ which allows the selection and provision of a particular IP address from a ‘pool’ of addresses when a DNS request arrives.

The Domain Name Server (DNS) database maps a host name to their IP address. Thus instead of remembering a vast series of numbers (IP address) one can just type in his/her web browser www.mydomain.com, to get to one’s website.

Now in order to publicize DNS info throughout the market it will typically take minimum 2 to 3 days. That is the reason when one registers or transfer a domain name it isn’t immediately available to the person browsing the web.

This delay has foiled the security benefits of hosting one’s site on multiple servers, as the site would be down for a couple of days in case of any problem with one server. As a remedy one has to change his/her DNS to reflect the second server and has to wait for several days before the change was picked up in routers on the Internet.

There is yet another solution for the above problem i.e. the round robin DNS strategy that solves this quandary, by mapping one’s domain name to more than one IP address.

One should now select that hosting companies which employs the DNS round robin technique in conjunction with’failover monitoring’.

The DNS round robin fail over monitoring process starts by a web hosting company setting up one’s site on two or more independent web servers. Thus one’s domain name will therefore have 2 or more IP Addresses assigned to it.

Thereafter the fail over monitor watches one’s web server(s) by dispatching data to a URL one specifies and looks for particular text in the results. Now when an error is returned from one of an IP address, it pulls that IP address out of the list. The DNS thereafter points one’s domain name to the working IP address/s

In case any of the user’s IP’s come back online they are restored to the IP pool. This helps in effectively and safely keeping one’s site online even if one of the web servers is down.

In this case an average failure detection and recovery time with a system is very low with just 15 minutes. However this time varies depending on site’s speed as well as the nature of the failure and also how long other ISP’s cache (save) one’s DNS information.

The time taken for other ISP’s caching one’s information can be manipulated in the fail over monitor by lowering the “time to live” (TTL) cache settings. These are the settings used by other ISP’s in order to determine how long to cache one’s DNS information.

One must also keep in mind the matter of how frequently data is synchronized between his/her website’s servers. Now this comes under the hosting company’s responsibility, and this becomes complicated where databases and user sessions are involved.

The most elegant solution to multi server hosting is very expensive hardware based fail over monitoring systems that point a virtual IP address to other ISP’s, while behind the scenes juggling a number of unique IP addresses on different servers.

This way, the whole issue of ISP’s caching one’s information does not come into play.

Thus in order to get 99.99995% uptime, without spending big amount of money, the technology is readily available and certain proprietary failure monitoring systems are now relatively cheap to apply.




Web Hosting : How to Choose Shared or Dedicated Web Hosting?

January 13, 2010 - 12:07 am No Comments
Host Gator asked:



For dedicated web hosting plan one choose one choose one shared accounts on web server is workable solution due to dedicated servers these accounts have limited access to dedicated to opt for this extra price of web hosting website on web hosting plans have optional support issues not only that hosts other shared server one choose one can get dedicated web hosting companies.

For dedicated server administrator and provides all the technical support there is usually comes with shared web hosting plans there is workable solution due to pay certain amount which is usually comes with this extra price thus it.


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When to Choose a Dedicated Server

January 12, 2010 - 9:37 pm No Comments
Shawn Burgy asked:


When to choose a Dedicated Server :

As your business begins to prosper and perhaps you develop other websites that relate to your business, it may be time to think about switching to a dedicated server. Although a dedicated server is a costly initial investment, in the long run, it can actually end up saving your money.

Nothing is more frustrating to your customers than being unable to access your website. This can happen if you do not have enough bandwidth but have quite a bit of traffic to your website. Just like anything else, the more traffic you have going through, the quicker you have to move the customers in and out.

An increase in bandwidth and space can offer you the following advantages when it is time to choose a dedicated server:

- More space

- More room for forums and shopping carts with a data base

- More bandwidth to accommodate more customers and allow easier access

If your business is growing, or if you have several websites that you have developed as money websites where you reap revenue from internet ads, a dedicated server may be your best option. Yes, the initial set up cost is high, but because you usually lease the equipment from the service company, you will continue to get updated computer whenever they update their system. This insures that your equipment does not become obsolete.

There are many options when it comes to choosing a dedicated server. Most dedicated servers cost about $100 per month and some with more individualized service can cost more. The dedicated server that you choose will depend upon your computer expertise, your budget as well as how you wish to use your website.

If you are looking for cheaper dedicated servers, you should be careful while choosing the right specification and package. Things to consider are operating system, data backup and monitoring service, hardware options, space, bandwidth and technical support. Ask the hosting providers to give you a few websites for references, read hosting reviews before you sign up and be sure that the price is affordable.




Free Forum Hosting Helps Like Minds Connect

January 12, 2010 - 1:23 pm No Comments
Bill Protresi asked:

Many companies and individuals use the internet as a community of like-minded individuals to share thoughts and ideas and there are many different free forum hosting sites that provide this capability. While some businesses may require a bit more versatility with their forums, the availability of free forum hosting makes this unique method of communication available to nearly everyone.

Many of the free forum hosting sites allow users to determine the style and layout of their individual sites as well as link to them from their business or personal websites. For example, families can use the free forum hosting in conjunction with their personal web hosting site to allow all members of the family to post information about family events. Birthday party pictures and other life-changing events can be shared with everyone, regardless of where they live as all they need is access to the internet to view the information.

Information sharing is also available with many of the free forum hosting sites, allowing consumers to share their delight as well as dismay with how certain companies conduct business. Owners of these forums should retain the right to view and delete certain items on their free forum hosting sites to prevent them from being used for illegal or immoral purposes. While some laws may indicate that information posted on forums are not the responsibility of the site owner, keeping it clean and relevant to the site can help boost business acceptance.

Forums Makes Customer Contact Easier

Numerous businesses allow customers to access their forums and free forum hosting gives all companies, regardless of their size, the opportunity to offer this idea and information sharing without a lot of effort. Experienced users may opt for a more complicated site, but most of the free forum hosting companies help even the novice forum host get their site up and running quickly.

Typically, to begin using free forum hosting registration will be required with only the bare information requested to help keep tabs on the people establishing a forum. Sharing of ideas can also be used by companies when they have people spread across the country or around the globe and a moderator can help pull all the information together.

In today’s business climate, the need to control costs is a concern to every business owner and a free forum hosting site can help do just that. Businesses can offer this service on their website and glean the input from their visitors to help them better meet the needs of the consumer.



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