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Windows or Linux Hosting for Your Internet Business
Jan 4th
Are you looking for hosting services for your Internet business? If you visit any hosting website, you will probably come across a comparison table, offering all the different hosting packages side by side. At a glance, you should be able to see the difference between the various hosting packages, and that will make your buying decision easier.
However, if you are new to web hosting, you may find some of the features unfamiliar, and you are not sure how those features are going to help you building your Internet business. Hopefully, this article will help you.
In general, you will see two different types of servers in the market – Windows based servers, and Linux based servers. These are operating systems, and they differ in terms of performance, features, and pricing.
Since Linux is an open source operating system, you can expect Linux hosting to be more affordable. Features wise, it all depends on the programming language you are familiar with. If you are mainly going to upload static HTML pages, then you can use any type of server you want. But you are going to use PHP as your core language, Linux servers would be a better choice. Modern Windows servers do support PHP, but they are initially built for Windows programming languages only. Therefore, they are more ideal with Windows based programming languages such as classic ASP or ASP.NET. Dot Net is Microsoft’s latest framework, and developers are warming up quickly to this powerful framework.
Many popular online software such as forum software, blogs, and content management systems are available for free on the Internet. Linux servers even come with the popular Cpanel control panel, which allows you to install numerous applications for free without any technical knowledge. For instance, if you want to set up a WordPress blog, you can easily install WordPress on your server with just a few simple clicks.
Many Internet business owners prefer Linux hosting because of Cpanel. It allows them to install additional software easily, at no extra cost. Hence, they save on software development costs.
Windows servers also have a rather popular control panel known as HELM. Using the control panel, you can add new websites, manage domains, add POP email accounts, subdomains, etc. You can do all that without having to email your hosting company. You can even install your own databases from the control panel.
Linux servers usually offer support for MySQL database, while Windows servers may offer support for Access Databases, MySQL databases, and MSSQL databases.
One frequently seen question in hosting forums is, “Which is a more reliable operating system as a server?” The best answer to that question is that both are reliable servers, but the reliability of the servers depend on the experience of the server administrators. Under the skillful hands of highly experienced server administrators, both types of servers can be very stable and reliable.
So don’t just choose based on the operating system. Remember to learn more about the people behind the hosting services as well.
Hire a Web Consultant for Valuable Business Suggestions
Dec 27th
Web consultation services helps in jolting down the framework required for website creation and its execution. Professionals segregate all essential parts of work and defines goal for them. Proper planning for execution is done.
You can expect solutions to your web based queries from web consultants right from web designing to seo application. Experts have latest information about the ongoing trend and the market. The consultants should be well informed and educated in using various marketing techniques. They are able to guide their clients about the product planning, positioning and approach required to achieve the desired goal.
You would also get assistance in building a brand name for your company and reach out to the targeted customers block. Website design is an important part of any site which can make or destroy a company’s online business. Website that is attractive and reliable never falls short of visitors and establish a good name for itself in World Wide Web.
Web consultants play significant role at this stage also. Simply having an attractive looking website does not help and do not guarantee success. A website that is functional in nature with appealing design is what is needed. The consultants after research, let you know what elements can make your site work and yield positive results.
Therefore before a web designer, web consultant is needed. These professionals provide the way in which designing task should be done to give the expected result. Good designers are not hard to find but the trick is to make them do the right kind of work that meets up our goals. Web consultants do the work of studying the market, form a strategy for it and implement them. A good and potential consultant can work wonders and make correct decisions for your online business.
However apart from designing aspect, they can also suggest ways out for promoting the business by deciding on techniques for online marketing. They can tell what ways of online advertising could work wonders for your industry.
Apart from big organizations, small and medium businesses also profit by this service. Organized and managed websites stand better chance of being viewed as reliable destination for sales/purchase. These people do the work of deciding which web services in what format can help your company to achieve the desired goal.
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Computer Support Services Play a fundamental part in the well-organized Running of a Business
Dec 27th
If you want to make the mark of your website/online business, be sure to have immaculate web design and effective internet marketing, yet to find reliable and effective and customer satisfaction compliance is a Herculean task. Thanks to the state-of-the-art internet facility, every individual wants to present themselves in a dazzling, attractive form. Yet certain restraints like lack of adequate knowledge or insufficient funds for the sole purpose sometimes do not pave the way for a man to seek his fortune in the maze of the internet.
Many small scale IT solution sectors in India offer services and solutions in accordance of your internet related needs. Whether it is Social Media Optimization, Web Design or Software Development, Indian IT solution services had their presence felt in all online rich media solutions. And while Search Engine Optimization services, portal development, flash development are in being, these firms have huge knowledge and experience in all the domains and fortes.
When it comes to Web Designing, India IT solution services sectors have great many local and foreign clients in their collection. While other low scale IT companies are at the disposal in providing solutions viz. XHTML templates, Word press, website development services etc. These firms and companies also offer solutions for web flash development and multimedia presentation etc. Not only they help design and develop their clients’ websites, they also provide hosting and maintenance services at very affordable rates.
Concerning Web Marketing, these companies address all major search engines like Google, Yahoo and MSN for SEO for websites. They also specialize in providing services and solutions for back linking, content creation & syndication, affordable social media optimization services and indexing web pages into search engine results. They also lead themselves in providing high ranking and maintaining keywords rank, niches as well. Certain IT Solution providers also provide consultancy on website design for SEO purport in order to make it search engine friendly.
What’s more, some others offer solutions and services for program coding like .NET, PHP, Visual Basic and other web based implementations. This sector is also specialized in software development thereby ensuring that software pursues stringent techniques during its development phase. You can also expect hardware solution from these companies.
Indian IT industry strictly goes hand in hand to bridge unbreakable relationships with their clients and customers and embraces any joint any venture or partnership related ventures. They are also ready to provide benchmark back-to-back solution for their clients.
Custom Web Design Creates a Distinct Identity for Your Business
Dec 27th
Every business strives to create a distinct image to bring potential customers to its folds. Actually, the manner in which your business image is presented determines its success. A company or business website is a powerful medium to serve your purpose. Instead of creating a template-based web design that is being used by many others, companies now prefer a customized website design to portray and define their business image in a professional and sophisticated manner. Web design is a highly specialized field and must make use of latest technologies in vogue for innovativeness.
Business establishments that seek to generate a unique design for their websites must opt for a customized website. A custom web design makes the site exclusive and best reflects the company’s style, work culture and professionalism. You must design your site in such a manner to suit your target audience and display the products and services in a more refined way.
Let’s now discuss the concept of custom web design. It has seen many makeovers, but firmly stands on the fundamental principle of making the application development easier by allowing the layout and content to be plugged into a solitary framework. Adopting custom web design, a business can best illustrate its products and services, thereby enhancing the brand visibility of the business. The benefits of a customized website can also be felt in the areas of any business’s offline and online branding, marketing and promotion strategies and communications. Now, take a glance at some of the requirements for custom website design:
· An average visitor spends a little bit of time on any website. You can convert a visitor to a potential customer through the unique web design and the functionality that gives him a pleasurable experience.
· Design must be easy to understand and simple. It shouldn’t force the visitors to think about it. At the same time, the design must be descriptive and instructive to arouse interests in visitors.
· Any web design must satisfy various usability factors to taste success. All the pages must be properly interlinked with sound navigation system in place.
Every business has some unique requirements as far as web design is concerned. Imitating other designs can’t fulfill its own business objectives. A transparent image in the industry makes the business stand out from the crowd.
To avail outstanding services in the field of web design, website development, SEO and domain hosting, you can count on http://www.ecns.ltd.uk/ – your trustworthy network solution provider.
Create a Website for Business Success by Dedicated Web Design Company
Dec 26th
If you want to stand out and excel in your business, you must have a website that becomes your mirror to the online world. Choosing the best web design company for your site is extremely important .A sophisticated website developed by proficient web design company presents you and your business worldwide to millions of people. A web design company understands that the internet is currently among the most effective marketing tools available.
The web design company you choose should be able to provide you with the tools and materials to promote your new endeavor effectively, leading to successful online business. Professional Web Design Company offers comprehensive, effective web design services, along with internet marketing solutions. An expert web design company should be able to provide you with ideas, advice, assistance and solutions to creating an effective web site.
Today, there are many web design companies that are specialized in web development and design. As there are different companies, it is essential for a website design company to get the entire information about the area of business. Your design of a website plays a vital role in building large volume of traffic .Elegant web design company creates a search engine friendly website with an attractive look and feel, high functionality and navigational framework. Dedicated web Design Company offers superior quality and cost-effective SEO optimized website that presents company’s vision, client’s needs products and services to the audience.
Web design company India offers different types of web designing services such as static web designing, dynamic web designing, flash web designing and many others. A truly great web design company will listen to exactly what you want, will ask good questions, and will deliver a solid professional web site design in precisely the way that you want it done.
Services offers by a superior web design company Delhi should include website development, database development and integration, e-business and shopping cart applications, branding and advertising, search engine optimization (SEO), site statistics and system management services.
Get comprehensive and effective internet services from top web Design Company.
Starting A Website Development Business With Typo3 Customization
Dec 25th
Why Us?
DRC Systems is a young and dynamic team of professionals offering wide range of services in the fields of web development, software development. Our specialization and core expertise is TYPO3 customization services, customize TYPO3 Applications.
We have enhanced our capabilities and TYPO3 development skills to be among the trusted TYPO3 providers.
We offer TYPO3 integration and development services. We create efficient and innovative solutions using TYPO3.
Our TYPO3 Service Offering:
TYPO3 Extension development
TYPO3 template development
TYPO3 Extension modifications
About CMS (Content Management System):
A content management system is web based application used to create, edit, manage and publish content in an organized way. CMS is very often used for publishing, versioning, controlling and storing contents. The contents may include text files, image files or audio files.
About TYPO3:
TYPO3 is a free open source content management system. It is a feature rich CMS for enterprise purpose on the web and intranets. TYPO3 offers full flexibility and extendibility. It has readymade interfaces, functions and modules.
As per BAAR report; TYPO3 has been downloaded over 3.000.000 times from Sourceforge.org which makes it one of the World’s leading Enterprise Open Source products.
The main focus of the 4.2 version is improving usability. There are many enhancements for system administrators and developers. There are nearly 650 enhancements in the new version.
TYPO3 Features:
Ease of Use: TYPO3 provides in-built editors that are compatible with all major browsers. The editors enable users to easily format and publish content on the website. Editors are customizable as per individual requirements.
Templating: The TYPO3 template library provides array of templates that can be used to develop the applications. It supports customized template creation using external applications like Photoshop, Dreamweaver, etc and import them into TYPO3.
Right Management: An extensive admin module is provided with TYPO3 with the help of which administrators can manage and administer the website.
Administrators can view audit trails for all the pages of the website. Also have an option for roll back changes made to any pages. Proper access-level permission management.
Open Architecture: The repository stores all the extensions available with TYPO3. Download and install the desired extension from the repository at any time. Developers can create custom extension and upload them to the repository where it can be accessed by others.
Extension/Feature Richness: An Extension development wizard is included which enables to easily create a basic structure/framework for the application. PHP scripting is used to customize the structure. Developers can create their own extension using Extension Development Tool. A wide array of extensions are freely available that can be integrated with the application to provide the advanced functionality.
Configuration: TYPO3 provides configuration language – Typoscript – that can be used to configure and customize the templates that are being used to develop an application.
Multiple Sites/Domains: TYPO3 has built-in provision that enables multiple domains to point to a single TYPO3 application.
Multiple Installs: Multiple versions can be parallel run through.
TYPO3 Advantage:
Free open source CMS and feature rich.
Virtually any type of website can be developed with TYPO3, from e-Commerce sites to informational websites.
Highly customizable and expandable. There are more than 1000 extensions available for TYPO3.
Establishes and secure. There are more than 122 servers with TYPO3 (source: TYPO3.COM).
Ideal solution for the advanced management of website as it allows a refined log in for users and administrators of the website.
Effective graphics and content management.
For More Information Contact us. Our Sales Team will present you with a fully customized proposal detailing the specific services needed to achieve your requirements fulfilled.
Best Way to build a Professional Online Business
Dec 25th
With the advent of the Internet, including early scripting and html coding, came the desire to bring products and services to the Internet. Early on the Internet seemed limitless for such a goal but throughout the years it has become increasingly difficult to bring a product to the online market. As more and more technologies have been developed with more and more people involved in the creation of online store fronts, the question has become: what is the best method to bring my products online?
Through years of trial and error I have come to realize that although there are hundreds of options out there for creating an ecommerce site, the best route to take is the one that you have the most control over and upgrade-ability. A popular choice for years, and still to some extent today, has been the Yahoo Business (Yahoo Store) route where you can build a site with little coding experience or have someone build it to your specifications (although this could be costly). There are two problems with such proprietary software: 1. They charge a monthly rental fee – usually $50-$100 plus a certain percentage of each sale price and 2. The site is rigid and uses unpopular coding languages which makes it hard to change and adjust to your needs.
The best option for opening an online store is to use open-source technologies. Open-source refers to any software that has been developed with out a licence and can be modified as long as it is not sold. One of the best choices for online software is Os-commerce. The Os-commerce store front gives the business owner the ability to design a site to their own specifications and link it to a powerful database and inventory management application that is free to use. Os-commerce gives you the ability to easily post new products, descriptions, price levels, sales, stock levels and many more with just a few clicks. The application is built with popular PHP/MySQL software and can easily be implemented.
Before we get ahead of ourselves, I’d recommend getting a professional logo made. Your logo is the face of your online business and gives your organization recognition. A professional and easily identifiable log, to your liking, can be made for less than $250. A professional artist/logo design company can be found easily through a simple google search. The logo designer will ask you a few questions about the look, color, and shapes that you prefer to get them started. They will then give you several different rough sketches, out of which you will pick a few. A good design company should allow you to make at least three revisions to the final logo choice (many now do unlimited revisions). They will then email you the final logo in multiple formats.
After the logo is done, you should search as many ecommerce template sites to find a website template you feel best suits your needs. If you decide to implement Oscommerce, be advised that the best and most affordable route to take is that of an oscommerce template. By choosing an Oscommerce template you save a lot of time and money because the site has been designed around the Oscommerce framework. A website template is the best route to go because, often, the most expensive part of a web design project is the many hours it takes to come up with a look, color scheme, and layout. By choosing a template from a list of hundreds or even thousdands of templates, you are essentially by-passing this initial road block. A great looking template should cost less than $150-$200.
The next step is to choose a domain name and hosting plan. The most popular choice is to go through Godaddy.com. They offer very reasonable prices (if not the lowest) on domain names and hosting packages. You will need to sign up for a hosting plan that includes PHP and MySQL setup. Don’t go overboard with the amount of storage because you can always upgrade later if you need. You will need the PHP/MySQL option because you will be installing Oscommerce which requires it. This should cost you $60-$100 for a year. I would also recommend buying a hidden domain and a security seal. Many merchant account providers (for accepting credit cards) will require your site to have a security seal and have SSL implemented so that the information your customers enter are hidden and encrypted from third parties or potential hackers.
Now comes the fun part: putting together you site. The best option for this step is to find a freelance, but highly qualified web designer with PHP/MysQL/Oscommerce experience. A great site to find such a web provider is Odesk.com. This is a site that brings companies and freelance providers together where they post their credentials, resumes, and portfolios for potential jobs. One can easily post a job, requirements, and pay range and sit back and wait for the candidates to quickly begin applying for your posted job. The best part about Odesk.com is that there are designers from all across the world so you have the potential to get your site put together and programmed by highly educated, talented, and qualified individuals for less than $12-$14 per hour…or a few hundred dollars for a complex site. I have had the best luck with developers from India as they are highly qualified and hard working. Be sure to thoroughly interview the applicants and look carefully through their credentials, reviews from past clients, and their portfolio. The great thing about Odesk is that there is little chance of dissatisfaction as long as you are clear about your requirements. The Odesk software carefully monitors the work of the individual working on your site and requires them to take pictures and post it in a diary so that you know you are paying only for actual time spent working on your site. Also, the work is backed by Odesk and you can dispute any billed hours you don’t agree with, making the Odesk team judge fairly to see if you are right or not and adjusting the bill.
In my next article I will discuss the best options for accepting credit cards for your store.
Alan Neville has been an online entrepreneur for over 10 years and has had many successful ventures. He is a web designer, artist, entrepreneur and an avid writer. His newest design is for boutique glass site http://www.basinpipes.com You can communicate with him easily via twitter @Alan_Neville.
All Grown Up: Why your Small Business Needs a Web Solution not a Website
Dec 23rd
Raise your hand if you have a website for your small business. Now keep it raised if it is generating a significant volume of prospects or sales. Not holding your hand up anymore? You are not alone.
Just a few years ago, small companies flocked to the web in droves, rushing to post their first website, anxious at the prospect of low-cost instant exposure. The web was going to be the great equalizer, putting small business on par with the big brand names, dangling the promise of visitors flocking to a company’s site to purchase its wares or partake in its services. Sound familiar? Unfortunately, for most small businesses and organizations, the promise fell short and company sales did not skyrocket from an unending march of site visitors.
So, what happened? For one, the web quickly became ultra competitive. Millions of sites sprang up in every business category making it virtually impossible to be found in the search engines. What little bit of traffic the businesses may have enjoyed when the site was first launched began to dry up. Also, as the web evolved to become a more interactive user experience, it became more technologically complex and many small business websites did not keep up. The other part of the problem was in the approach; not understanding that just putting together a website, even a pretty one, and finding some faceless company offering cheap web hosting services is not likely to make you the next great success story. A large hurdle that many small business owners and managers face is the tendency to compartmentalize the web into a few oversimplified tasks: grab a cheap domain name, find a budget small business website design and development person, look for some impossibly low-priced website hosting, and then expect their website to magically appear on page one of Google. Unfortunately, this ends up being a waste of time and money.
A Solutions-Based Approach with Professional Guidance
To create an effective web presence requires a solutions-based approach with clear ideas about what you want to accomplish and who the audience is you are targeting. The right elements have to be present; a well orchestrated website design with cohesive branding, solid technical acumen, clearly defined objectives for the organization, reliable small business web hosting services and some method of marketing your site and tracking the results. The web is constantly evolving and search engine competition is fierce. Being successful on the web requires consistently evaluating the site’s effectiveness based on your objectives, understanding the latest technologies and trends, having a dynamic website marketing plan and constantly fine tuning.
While you don’t have to spend a fortune to create real value on the web, you should also be realistic. Understand that being successful will require an investment that you should plan for and a clear vision of how your website fits into the goals and objectives of the organization. If you don’t have the experience and technical resources in-house, working with a professional web solutions provider, preferably one specializing in small business web design and development can provide great benefits. A good starting point in the process is to have an understanding of the core elements that are part of a successful website strategy and how they fit together.
The Elements of a Web Solution
1) Domain names – Choosing the right domain name is an important branding decision which impacts how your organization is perceived and also how it is found in the search engines. Purchasing from a cheap bulk registrar or choosing can spell trouble.
2) Website Design & Development Services – Find a provider that specializes in small business web design and development. An organization that offers a solutions-based approach can assist your company in doing thorough needs analysis and in designing all of the elements to work well together. First impressions count!
3) E-mail Management – E-mail is a key communication tool for your business. The right system will help you maximize communications within the company, on the road and with your customers.
4) Social Media – Social media such as blogging, Podcasting and other web 2.0 tools can greatly enhance customer communications. Your web services company should be able to help you evaluate how social media tools can best benefit your web presence and business objects.
5) Small Business Website Hosting Services – All web hosting is NOT created equal. There are many nuances and technical consideration involved with hosting solutions. It is best to stay away from budget hosting companies. Look for a managed hosting provider who can help you select the right plan for your web solution goals, get your website up and running and support you as it grows and evolves.
6) Website Maintenance – How will your site be maintained and updated? Having both small business web development and managed web site hosting as a package is immensely helpful for maximizing web server resources, identifying problems and keeping the site maintained and updated.
7) E-Commerce – Will you be actually selling on your site or using it for lead generation or information dissemination? If you are selling products, who will create and maintain your product database. How will transactions be handled? What about web server requirements? Working with a professional can help ensure you make the right choices for your e-commerce site.
Business Process Interaction (database development, customer relationship management, integration with your business management systems) – A website needs to be more than just an ad on the Internet to be effective as a business tool. There are many ways the web can be used to improve your business processes and integrate with your existing systems such as accounting or contact management.
9) Website Marketing – How will people find you on the web? Will you optimize your site for organic search or employ paid marketing techniques or a combination? What directories should you list your site in? Search engine marketing has evolved to be a complex specialty. It’s critical that you understand the tools available for driving traffic to your site and if needed, know how to evaluate and engage a web marketing specialist.
10) Website Analytics and Conversion – Having a great site isn’t enough if your visitors aren’t doing what you intended; buying something, contacting your company or using your site for an information source. Does your site have usability issues? What kind of reporting will you use to track site visitors? What do you need to know and do to convert your visitors into action-takers?
It’s a Process and a Work in Progress
While there is certainly a lot to think about, creating the best possible website solution for your business doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Your website can and should be a work in progress, evolving as your business grows. Because most small businesses do not have an internal IT staff to handle the technical elements of web development and planning, working with a web solutions provider that specializes in small business website hosting services and small business web design and development is a good start. Such an organization can help you identify your goals, manage the technical aspects of your site and guide you in your marketing efforts. They can also help you work within your budget to develop a plan that combines all the elements into a cohesive whole for creating and maintaining a successful web presence.
Conclusion
The web has grown up to be a terrific marketing medium for small businesses and organizations. Done right, it can be the most cost effective and powerful marketing and communication tool in your arsenal. The promise is still there. However, to truly leverage the power of the web, it is important to take a good, hard look at the website you currently have or the one you are thinking about creating. The elements of a successful web presence: small business web hosting, website design and development and web marketing are only the framework for a well thought-out web solution designed to reach your customers and truly benefit your business.
Start Your Own MLM Business With AJ Matrix DNA Script :: AJ Square Inc
Dec 23rd
AJ Square Consultancy Private Limited has launched ‘Matrix DNA’, a feature-rich & Bug-free program. Runs on PHP with MySql database, so it’s extremely fast! AJ Matrix strategy was especially developed to help small home-based network marketers to start an MLM company while completely eliminating the huge expenses of starting an MLM operation. The quality and reliability with the end-less features makes it the right solution for small-medium-enterprise business.
An excellent tool to get ease of MLM Management difficulties with customizable features and infinite possibilities.
An Affordable software solution for membership based business, direct sales, MLM, Member Get Member, Network Marketing, Affiliate businesses and others. Offering the quality and reliability at a fraction of the cost of similar software, AJ Matrix is the right solution for small-medium-enterprise business. AJ Matrix helps you and your business Attract Sneezers, Attain momentum, and Accrue profits
What is AJ Matrix DNA?
AJ Matrix DNA in which DNA stands for
* Downline Builder
* Network Marketing.
* Affiliate Marketing.
AJ Square has developed the first and only web-based AJ Matrix DNA, which takes network marketing one step further, bringing, for the first time, this powerful technique to network-marketers. You can reaches tens of thousands of prospects in your organization, enough to start their own, privately owned, home-based MLM company.
AJ Matrix DNA is the most powerful yet cost effective solution for MLM Start-ups.
AJ Matrix DNA Features List:
AJ Matrix DNA (Downline Builder, Network Marketing, Affiliate Marketing) will provide you a secure services to suit your needs and help you build your network marketing and/or business.
1. Complete membership management system.
2. Runs on PHP with MySQL database, so it’s extremely fast!
3. Fully customizable and loaded with features.
4. Easy web based administration; all management is done through your browser.
5. Easy installation script. No editing of the PHP source files! Upload and install with easy.
6. Major web browser compatibility.
7. Web based setup wizard.
8. Fully customizable templates.
9. SEO User Friendliness.
10. Automatic resize of images added.
Its excellence delivers you to take control using some important stunning features like m x n Matrix, MLM Capability – Unlimited Level Deep, Australian X-Up System. (Any Pass Up), Binary Referral System, Auto Spill Over, Forced Matrix, Multiple Straight Line Matrix, Unilevel Referral, Australian Referral System ect.,
AJSCPL is a major player in web-ware products like auction, classifieds, article script, E-commerce, CMS and Investment planner tools to cater the specific need of verticals, delivering business value to customers through a combination of process excellence, quality framework and service delivery innovation.
Start your very own HIGHLY profitable Multi-level marketing today!
Sources: http://www.ajmatrix.com/
Web Hosting for Business
Dec 21st
Every business has different needs, whether it is a brick and mortar type or a fully web based operation. Several factors influence the costs of running an online business, and as many online entrepreneurs know, hosting is just one of those services we can’t escape unless we own several specialized servers to keep our web sites up and running 24/7.
At this point many will think, “well just how much does it cost to have my own server?”, this actually depends on many variables such as: electric bills and consumption, system maintenance, data maintenance, security updates, software licensing, technical know-how, etc. If you are comfortable using different operating systems, applying patches, security updates and such , then owning your own box(es) will save you a lot of money (in the long run) as far as hosting expenses.
But most webmasters simply do not know how to deal with “Pearl modules”, “CGI Scripts”, Linux-Unix system installation and maintenance, etc. As business owners and regular human beings we just want the technology to work for us regardless of how the intricate technological system is organized and maintained, and this brings us to business based hosting services.
Having this type of service through a reliable company (after doing some research!) will give us the piece of mind of knowing that all our data and web sites are taken care of and are always ready to be served to visitors around the globe.
The first aspect an online business owner needs to assess is the technical support. This is perhaps the most valuable service as far as hosting features. It is extremely important to know that a professional team of experts is available around the clock to answer our time sensitive questions.
The second aspect is script support and feature variety. Having the right script installed and working in our servers enables us to expand our web site’s functionality and offer a better experience to the user. Examples of such scripts are: Zend Optimizer, shopping cart & ecommerce scripts, etc. Other important features are SSI functionality, ASP as well as PHP installations. What these scripts do is help us optimize our sites in such a way that repetitive tasks become automated to help us save time.
The third variable we need to consider is the traffic volume we can “realistically expect”. We refer to realistic expectations because if you dream of having one million page views a month, that nice feeling alone will not bring you the traffic; on the other hand, if you plan for little traffic and get thousands of hits then you might run into traffic overage charges which WILL be expensive. The best way to manage bandwidth is by constantly monitoring traffic usage statistics and talking to your hosting support team about periodical upgrade options; that way if you traffic grows you can change from a virtual account to a collocated, VPS or dedicated system which has a greater bandwidth allowance, thus saving you money along the way.
Good planning, management and communication are the skills necessary to succeed on the web; added to the right hosting company can increase your productivity and minimize your expenses. In the web as in real life, business is all about opportunity cost.
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