Latest Articles and News

Is Now the Time to Host Your Own Website?

If you've been thinking about hosting your own website, why not start now? There are many options out there that can make it easier than you may think. For example, if you want to start a blog, you can look at a site like WordPress or Blogger. They make it simple to get started and offer templates so you can have a site that reflects your style even if you're not able to do the coding necessary to create one on your own.

Businesses in this day and age are virtually required by the market to get a website. Even if it's just a basic site that features your hours, what your company can offer, a few testimonials, people are likely to choose a company with a website versus one without. There are many free hosting options out there that can set you up with the template you need to bring your business to the 21^st century.

Article Posted by Expert Author: 1 on 01/05/2014
Article Posted In:   Web Hosting Information  

Is It Possible to Backup Computer Online?

There are many ways in which to backup a computer, but which way is best for you? Many people don't even know that they can backup their computer online. The process is actually rather simple. You can sign up for a site that will either do it when you tell it to, i.e. you'd visit the site and run the backup program, or you could have it do it automatically. This would require you to download their software. Typically when you backup online you're backing up to a cloud.

What does it mean to backup computer online to a cloud? A cloud refers to a virtual location where files are stored. For example, Google Documents saves files to the cloud. They're there when you need them, but they're not stored on your computer. There are disadvantages to online services. Those who are very concerned about security may not feel comfortable having their files saved virtually.

Article Posted by Expert Author: 5 on 12/16/2013
Article Posted In:   Online Computer Backup  

Are There Free Hosting Options for Web Hosting for Business?

Many businesses who need hosting automatically assume that this is an expense they must take on. However, there may be free options that make sense for your company. The first question to ask yourself is how much work you'll be able to do on your own – or your employees will be able to do on your behalf. Many free options offer little support and few tutorials, so they are typically best suited for those who are able to do much if not all of the design and programming without assistance.

The next question you need to ask yourself about free web hosting for business is whether or not you're comfortable with ads. Some free hosts do require ads, while others don't. Finally, ask yourself how much disc space and bandwidth you need. Most free hosts will have caps on both. However, it's always possible to start with a free host and upgrade to a paid one when you start to need more disc space and bandwidth.

Article Posted by Expert Author: 3 on 11/22/2013
Article Posted In:   Web Hosting Information  

Web Host Testing and Comparison – Choosing the Right Web Host

There are many things to consider when you're choosing a web hosting company. In fact, for many people, the sheer number of options makes it feel impossible to narrow it down to just a few, let alone decide on the one to work with. The first step towards making that decision is to identify exactly what you want. Too frequently people will first look at their options and then try and decide what they're looking for. This can confuse the process and it's best to have a clear idea of what you're looking for before you even start looking.

Once you know what you're looking for the process of web host testing and comparison becomes much easier. Identify which companies can meet your needs. Then read reviews or comparison sites that show you how they all stack up. Once you have all the information you'll find it much easier to make a final decision.

Article Posted by Expert Author: 1 on 11/01/2013
Article Posted In:   Best Web Hosting Sites  

Reseller Web Hosting Vs. VPS Hosting: Understanding the difference

Understanding each product, understanding the features as well as knowing what the best fit is for you can be daunting as the catalog of offerings can be rather large. So let’s take a look at the differences.

Shared Website hosting

In a nutshell, shared hosting describes an environment where websites are installed on a partition of a main server. This partition is not exclusive to one client and can be shared among a large number of clients and sites. So how are resources allocated? This is all done by the hosting provider at the administrator level and varies from company to company. There can be restrictions in place that help counter abuse, but for the most part, the amount of resources are enough for the average size website. The other benefit is that you don’t need to understand the programming language of the server operating system. Most of the time you will have some type of control panel that will allow you to control your partition, install applications and manage users among other things.

 

• Scalability: The very nature of shared hosting is to provide a user friendly environment for simple hosting needs. However, if you are planning on scaling your website and acquire a large amount of visitors, this environment is very limited in terms of configuring the server for optimum performance. Page speed as an example is a big ranking factor and if the server is not optimally configured, this can hurt your rankings in the search engines. We definitely recommend moving to a VPS if you are considering you website as a long term investment.
• Billing: For the most part, shared hosting is billed on a monthly basis and varies based on the amount of resources you want on your partition. These resources include memory, bandwidth, disk space, emails, databases and others to choose from. If you have a question regarding the resources you may need please contact us and we will be more than happy to help.
• Windows Vs. Linux: Simply put, most experts recommend Linux by far for its stable environment when it comes to server operating systems.

Shared Hosting Is A Good Fit For:

• Small and medium sized businesses that are in need of a brochure type website.
• For SMB’s and individuals who want a simple blog or forum.
• CMS type or template based websites
• And if cost is an issue, this is usually a great place to start.

 

VPS Hosting or Virtual Private Web Hosting

A VPS hosting setup is still considered a shared environment, but comes with the advantages of a dedicated server without the high price tag. Basically instead of individual accounts, a virtual private server will act as a full server installation. Since most websites do not need the resources that come with an entire dedicated server, this has become a very popular and good alternative. Another differentiation is that in a shared hosting environment, there is not guarantee on how much CPU power or memory will be available at any given time. If a website on a shared hosting plan receives a large amount of visitors, this can cause pages on someone else’s site not to load or to load so slowly causing visitor dissatisfaction. In a VPS environment, you are basically guaranteed a certain amount of performance and this will not be affected by any bad neighbors on the server. In a VPS setup you also have more control over configuration and administration at the server level vs. account level.

• Scalability: This is a much better solution for long term planning since the memory thresholds accommodate large websites. Many times hosting companies can seamlessly increase your resources to a more comprehensive plan.
• Billing: If you can afford it, we highly recommend paying for a full year ahead of time when dealing with reputable companies. It is not uncommon to receive 30%+ discounts when choosing the yearly billing option. Another tip is to not set a hosting plan for auto renew if you are considering the yearly plan. Auto-renews are usually charged full price while some hosting companies will apply discounts with manual renewals.
• Admin Access: VPS hosting allows for a greater control of the root access to the server. This allows for the installation and configuration of your own applications among other server level configurations. You can even setup a reseller hosting account and host other sites.

 

VPS Web Hosting Is A Good Fit For

• Reseller Hosting – Setting up your own hosting business
• Marketing firms that may host client sites
• Large websites that may potentially have heavy use of databases and a large visitor base
• Companies that may launch multiple sites over time
• Sites that cannot be down from time to time because of server overload.

 

While virtually all web hosts have a 99.9% uptime guarantee, this is a bit misleading. Uptime as they define it is if your site will load, regardless of how fast it will load. Our advice and we have sites on dedicated, VPS and shared hosting is that if your site is important to your clients or makes money online, you should consider VPS at minimum. Shared hosting is hit or miss. HostingAndBackup.com has had shared hosting plans that performed magnificently for years and when we setup additional shared hosting plans from the same company, these took forever to load so were forced to switch over to VPS and host multiple sites from there.

Article Posted by Expert Author: 3 on 10/02/2013
Article Posted In:   Web Hosting Information  

How to Block Someone from Visiting Your Site

Whether you're having trouble with a troll or just want to prevent any future attacks on your virtual home, it may become necessary to learn how to block certain IP addresses from gaining access to your web site at all. Whether you plan to do this temporarily or for the long term, you'll be happy to know that doing so is fairly easy.

.htaccess

This method can be applied if you own a blog and want to keep your useful comments available, but filter out those which serve no purpose to your readers. The .htaccess file controls how your site behaves, how secure it is and how well it performs.

The .htaccess file can actually be used in a number of ways, including redirecting visitors, providing customized error responses, and speeding up the response time for your site. But when you want to block people from visiting your spot on the web, you will want to create a file that deals with authentication and authorization.

If you have one site, using .htaccess can be a very efficient way to control who visits it. In order to do this, you will need to locate the IP addresses of those people who left spam comments on your site.

Locating the IP Addresses of Unwanted Visitors

You can locate the address of the offending visitor by finding the area of your blog which deals with the comments section. Every IP address of each commenter should be listed there. If your blog doesn't have this feature, you can try and check your server logs, which should list your visitors.

Once you've navigated to the offensive comment and have the IP address, it's time to block the individual.

Blocking

You can block your visitor by going to the Root directory of your web site. This can be done by opening your FTP program and logging into your web site. Once in the root directory - which is often the default directory when you log into a site's control panel with FTP - you will see a file called '.htaccess'. This will need to be downloaded to your computer.

Once downloaded, it's a good idea to create a copy of the .htaccess file so that the original can be restored if a mistake is made.

Then, open the file in Notepad or a similar program. Scrolling to the end of the document, add these lines:

<Limit GET POST PUT>
order allow,deny
allow from all
deny from xx.xx.xx.xx
< /Limit>

Then, just replace the exes above with the IP address of your unwanted visitor. To add more than one IP addres, simply copy the "deny from xx.xx.xx.xx" line as many times as needed, entering in each IP address to replace the exes.

Blocking by Country

There are many webmaster who wonder whether it's possible to block an entire country from visiting a web site. This is possible. And there are many free sites which offer lists of country-specific IP addresses. Once you have the IP addresses you want, you will have to go into your site's .htaccess file and deny them using the technique above.

Should You Place a Time Limit on Blocked IPs?

Generally, the rule is that not all of the people you block should be banned from your site forever. The reasoning for this is that not all IPs will point to the same individuals forever. And so if left long enough, you could end up blocking sites which are perfectly legitimate. Many times, a person who tries to visit a web site and gets denied is highly unlikely to revisit.

While blocking specific IP addresses from visiting your site may be a necessity from time to time, it's important to keep in mind that no solution may work 100%, or for the amount of time that you need it to. Checking online resources for available ways to block IPs will yield many options that can be executed when another option has failed.

At HostingAndBackup.com, we are dedicated to helping consumers answer important technical questions related to their websites.  We provide useful how-to articles such as this one that help you protect your online asset and make the most of your website on the worldwide web.

Article Posted by Expert Author: 3 on 10/02/2013
Article Posted In:   Tutorials  

What to Look for In Web Hosting Sites

There are many sites out there that can help you host your own website. In fact, while it's great that there are so many options, the sheer number of those options can make it difficult to make the right choice. The good news is that if you focus on a few key factors you'll find just what you're looking for. First of all, consider how much space you need. There are many free sites but one trade-off is that they typically limit the amount of data and bandwidth available to you.

Another factor to consider as you look at free versus paid web hosting sites is whether or not you care if there are advertisements on your site. There are options out there that can provide you exceptional services but they do put ads on your site. For someone setting up a site as a hobby or as a way to keep in touch with family, this can be fine. On the other hand, a business site may not look as professional if it's running ads for other companies.

Article Posted by Expert Author: 5 on 09/27/2013
Article Posted In:   Best Web Hosting Sites  

Top Five Ways To Benefit From Pinterest

Pinterest, developed in 2009, allows users to create and manage theme-based image collections online. It's one of the fastest-growing web sites in existence. Recently, it was noted that use of the service had skyrocketed to over ten million visitors monthly, a rate that neither Facebook nor Twitter can yet boast of.

But what's so great about Pinterest? Isn't it just random people showcasing their random collections of favorite outfits and works of art online for the world to see? Not exactly. Pinterest offers much more value to some users than it may initially reveal. There are several ways to use this unique service to benefit on both a business and personal level, 5 of which are detailed below.

As a website owner, understanding how people are using Pinterest to manage their lives can give you insights into how you can utilize this tool to promote your online presence.

Mobile Business Marketing

In order to get your business out there, you need many pairs of eyes to see it. And Pinterest definitely offers that. Any Pinterest board you create can have a link attached to it. And this kind of traffic generation appears to be effective. Tracking reveals that Pinterest is responsible for more traffic to sites than Google+ or Facebook. Speaking of Facebook, Pinterest also allows you to link your board to your business's page, in addition to your Twitter account. And, Twitter will automatically tweet any pins you make from your board, even if you do it on the go with your wireless internet connection and mobile device.

Comparison Shopping On The Go

Many companies have now begun to use Pinterest as a way to connect with their customers. Whether you're searching for a new wireless internet provider or want to know who has the best deal on the electronics you're looking to buy, Pinterest may end up being your go-to place. And the best part is that you can find deals for a specific area, which can greatly benefit you if you are looking for a company that services your neighborhood.

Your favorite brands may also be a few taps or swipes away. Using Pinterest to check their boards for coupons and other deals can mean that you save money the next time you go shopping. Or, you can save money while you're still in the store, just by checking the boards on your phone.

Travel Ideas As You Travel

We have all dreamed of traveling. But visiting your local travel agent can result in enough pamphlets to leave you overwhelmed. So why not go wireless instead? Using Pinterest allows you to pin anything online as a theme. Even if you see something in a store window that you like, it can be pinned in seconds; all you need is the camera that's on your phone and your internet connection. When you've returned home from your journeys, you can even post your vacation photos on your board to share with family and friends.

Cooking On The Fly

If you're thinking about scouring Kijiji for find extra storage for all of those recipe books, note cards and bits of paper, Pinterest could be the ultimate solution. Not only can your favorite dishes be pinned to your board, but you can also pin whatever else you find while you're surfing for new nosh. Did you walk by a café and smell something delicious? Post your ingredient guesses with your mobile and see if you get some dish suggestions.

More Savings With Easy Ideas And Online Deals

As well as looking at flyers online and printing coupons for the items you use, you can also go online to see how others are keeping more money in their pockets. For example, do you really need to buy a new case for your mobile phone, or are there instructions for how to make one on the cheap? Can the boring items in your closet be transformed into brand new outfits you never thought of? And could you be doing something less expensive to make more room in your home than renovating? The answers to all of these questions will be an enthusiastic "Yes!" when you've spent some time surfing the Pinterest boards.

At HostingAndBackup.com, we are dedicated to helping people find solid advice and achieve success when they are trouble shooting both the technical as well as the practical aspects of setting up, managing and promoting a website.  Check back often for more useful information.

Article Posted by Expert Author: 3 on 09/09/2013
Article Posted In:   Useful Tips  

What Does the Tumblr / Yahoo Deal Really Mean for You?

Many people who use Tumblr were less than enthused when they heard that the web hosting site had been bought out by Yahoo. While Yahoo has been a big name in the industry for many years, it's also true that their recent track record has been less than stellar. This is a company who has made mistakes in the last few years, and what's been more concerning is that they have seemed to be unaware of those mistakes.

Those who have reservations precisely because of this problem can breath a sigh of relief, as Yahoo has not only admitted to recent problems but has said that they're taking steps to ensure they won't affect Tumblr. No transition is every flawless, but with a company like Yahoo recognizing where they've gone wrong, we can feel relatively confident that they'll be taking steps to avoid making past mistakes all over again.

Article Posted by Expert Author: 5 on 09/04/2013
Article Posted In:   Industry News & Articles  

The Best Web Hosting Sites – Are They Worth the Advertisements?

As you research the best places to host your website, one thing you'll have to consider is whether or not to choose a free site. Free sites have many advantages, mainly that they're free, but they can have some drawbacks too. One main one is that you're typically limited on the amount of data they will host. This isn't a problem for those with a blog or simple website, but it can be a huge issue for a company trying to set up a complicated website.

Another possible drawback from selecting a free site from the best web hosting sites is that they may require advertisements to be placed on your site. They're typically placed relatively discreetly and don't affect the navigability of your site, but if you're a business yourself then you may not want other advertisements on your site. Some free sites have tiers of service so you can start with their free site, and if you're not happy with it then you can pay to upgrade.

Article Posted by Expert Author: 5 on 08/20/2013
Article Posted In:   Best Web Hosting Sites  

Computer Safety in the Workplace

A common misconception by many using computers in their place of work is that there is nothing they need to do in order to be more secure. This misconception most often occurs because people assume that if their office has an IT department, that any threats to any computers in the network are already being prevented. But the truth is that there are many ways for office computer security to be breached, and they may have nothing to do with the IT department at your office location.

Email

One example includes email. Even though your office's IT department may have email scanners galore, viruses can still get through. The main thing to understand is that no anti-virus method is going to be 100% successful. And so, it becomes up to the individual user to know the signs to look for, as well as the appropriate steps to take when a suspicious email has been received.

If you receive an email with an attachment that you were not expecting, do not open it under any circumstances. Even if someone you do know has sent you the message, the message could still have become infected without the sender's knowledge. Similarly, the sender's computer may have been being used by another party with the sender's permission. Speaking with the sender to ensure what was sent is the best way to know whether an attachment is legitimate.

Authorization

Do you know how many people are authorized to use your particular computer? If not, this may be something to take a second look at, because the more who are authorized, the more likely a breach may be to occur. If there are a large number of people listed as being authorized, perhaps looking at the permissions each person has may help to limit the risk.

In limiting what others are able to do while at your workstation, you can greatly minimize the risk of infected emails being sent, as well as reduce the chance that suspicious files will be downloaded while you aren't there to see what is going on. It may have been awhile since the IT department has set permissions for particular workstations. If no permissions have ever been set, then it may be time to hand this task over to the IT department.

Media

Limiting the use of external media like CDs and flash drives at a workstation can also contribute to the optimal safety of your workplace's network. It is not uncommon for a company to order computers that don't have a slot for a DVD burner or USB port for flash drives, as this prevents workers from saving company data on this external media.

A good idea may be to have computers with such abilities, but in a secure area such as the IT department itself, where the use of the media can be monitored. Some experts say that there should be no reason for those who are considered to be regular employees to have burners or USB ports on the computers they use while at work.

Privacy vs. Security

Some employees may wonder about their right to privacy in this kind of situation. And while it's true that some security measures will raise eyebrows among employees, recent mandates have revealed that where the protection of a company is concerned, employers are well within their rights to monitor the actions of their employees.

The best way to avoid conflict between employer and employee over safety measures is to ensure that every employee is aware not only that security measures are in place, but what kind of measures are being employed. In addition, employees must be given information packets which contain all of these policies and procedures, in addition to guidelines for the safe use of their work computer.

Clear communication about the measures put in place by a company to protect both itself and its employees is the best way to ensure there are no misunderstandings about the reasons for security measures or the implications of not adhering to the guidelines given.

Safeguarding Digital Files

The best laid plans can go up in smoke if you have some type of problem that wipes out your digital files.  Companies should provide a comprehensive way for employees to regularly backup computer files.  Look for ways to streamline the process by enabling scheduled backups, either incrementally, with selective backups or even periodic full backups of your entire system.

Article Posted by Expert Author: 5 on 07/10/2013
Article Posted In:   Useful Tips  

Free Web Hosting Sites Vs. Paid – Which One is Right for You?

While everyone wants to know whether they should take advantage of a free hosting site or if it's worth it to pay a little and have the pros do it, the truth is that there isn't one simple answer for everyone. The needs of one site are drastically different from the needs of other sites. For example, consider how different a personal blog's needs are from the needs of a huge online retailer who handles millions of visitors and thousands of orders per day.

To decide whether free web hosting sites are good enough for your site, start by thinking about what your needs are. Do you simply need somewhere to put your site, without a ton of bells and whistles? If so, then free may be the way to go. Do you have a ton of data you'd like to put on your site, like widgets, pictures, videos, and more? If so, then you may not like the data restrictions of free sites.

Article Posted by Expert Author: 5 on 06/14/2013
Article Posted In:   Web Hosting Information  

Types Of Encryption

The proper definition of encryption is the use of an algorithmic scheme in order to encode a message. Online, encryption is used to protect the data within credit card transactions. And most often, SSL, or Secure Socket Layer encryption is used. Encryption is needed more and more as we increasingly rely on our computers to communicate and store information.

Encryption can be applied to everything from financial transactions to e-mail. And there are three types: volume and virtual disk encryption, full disk encryption and file/folder encryption. A volume is like the boot or system volumes on your computer at home. These can be encrypted and then set to require the proper authentication before access can be granted. The virtual disk involves encrypting a container, which can contain any number of folders and files. Again, proper authentication is required to access those files. But the difference is that a container can be copied from one medium to the other without affecting its encryption.

Full disk encryption is also known as FDE, and is a process whereby all data on a hard drive that's used to boot a computer is encrypted. This includes the computer's operating system. Access to the data that's been encrypted with the FDE process can only occur on successful authentication. File and folder encryption occurs when individual files on any kind of storage medium have been encrypted. Folder encryption protects the folder from unauthorized access, while file encryption protects each file.

There are many types of software available to successfully apply encryption. One popular solution is the software which can encrypt all the files and folders that exist on a disk. However, no encryption method is 100%. If the encryption software has not been updated, there could be much vulnerability which can easily be exploited to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information.

At www.hostingandbackup.com we provide answers to common questions that new or future webmasters may have regarding setting up their own website.  We also give unbiased reviews of the top web hosting sites and online backup services available.

Article Posted by Expert Author: 5 on 06/11/2013
Article Posted In:   Useful Tips  Tutorials  

Compare Web Hosting Performance and Choose the Right Option

There are many things to consider when choosing the best web host. For some, a free host is just fine and gets them all they need. For others, a paid host may be the right move. It all depends on what your site is all about, how many services you need, and how much assistance you need. Those who have a simple site will have different needs than those with a more complicated site, and those who can do everything themselves – without templates – will have different needs than those who are setting up a site for the first time.

An easy option is to compare web hosting performance while paying close attention to your own needs. For example, you may not care if there is a strict limit on bandwidth if your page will be mostly text. Or a person may not care if there are live representatives available to help them if they are experts at creating websites. It's important to look at performance such as what we have done at HostingAndBackup.com. but always keep your unique needs in mind.

 

Article Posted by Expert Author: 5 on 06/04/2013
Article Posted In:   Best Web Hosting Sites  

How to Sell Your Domain

Just as with everything else in life, things change. Sometimes we need to get rid of some clutter in order to make room for new additions. And the same is true for domain names. When a business changes its direction, the time may come to procure a new domain name for the company. But what happens if the old company's name was popular and attracted a lot of visitors and business?

Most often, domain names like this are worth money. And so instead of simply thinking of a new name and walking away from the old one, selling the name becomes an option. And this can either be done  by the business owner themselves, or via a domain name broker.

Doing It Yourself

The first thing that will need to be done in the domain selling process is to let people know it's for sale. This will have to be done whether or not you are doing it yourself. There are many free and low cost advertising methods at your disposal for doing this, including social media.

You may find that creating a simple web site for your domain name offer is a good way to begin. All it takes is one page that has been connected to your domain name. And all that needs to be said is something similar to "This domain name is for sale. Please contact you@youremailaddress.com for more information." If you've recently relocated your business from that web address, you can notify your customers using this page as well.

Even if someone gets in touch with an offer for your name that's a long way below your asking price, it's important to respond. Also important is keeping an open mind about the process; if this is your first time selling your own domain name, then you will benefit greatly by reading the experiences of others. Much information is available to help guide you through any rough patches you may encounter.

Even the best advertisers may have to wait awhile before receiving any enquiries about their domain name. This is true even if you decide to go with a broker to help you sell it.

Hiring a Broker

A domain name broker is simply a company who is in the business of helping domain name owners like you to sell them. But many don’t' know where to start with finding one. The good news is that finding a good broker is just like any other worthy product or service; with a little bit of research.

A good broker should have extensive knowledge and experience in all aspects of selling domain names. This means understanding the ins and outs of domain name valuations, how to find and connect with buyers and how to close the deal.

The broker you choose should have no problem being persistent about selling your name, and should be willing to work together with you as a team. Your goals should be the same: to sell your domain name for the highest possible price with the best possible terms.

Using an Escrow Service

Another available option to selling your domain name is to use an escrow service. This involves storing everything associated with the sale of your domain name into an escrow account which is run by a third, unbiased party. Once the deal has been completed, the third party's job is to release the funds and the domain name to seller and buyer respectively.

But one thing to note is that all escrow services will differ. Some may not transfer funds or ownership until certain conditions have been met. As well, there are many fly-by-night escrow operations who are also doing business. One way to avoid these is to not work with any individual who will only work with one particular service.

At HostingAndBackup.com, we are dedicated to answering all pertinent questions related to your online presence, from web hosting to content management systems and website builders and other related topics.  Make us your go-to resource for learning about managing your own website.

Article Posted by Expert Author: 3 on 05/17/2013
Article Posted In:   Useful Tips  

How to Build a Strong Business Website

There are two types of small business website owners: those who want their sites to connect and engage their customers, and those who don't. If you find yourself in the first camp, then there are a few things you will need to ensure are in place before you can say your website is ready to receive all the customers it can handle.

Website Design

A clean layout that's easy for customers to follow is key. Even the simplest-looking website can have a professional look when it's been done properly.  In addition to a clean layout, it's crucial to make sure that the navigation at your web site makes it easy for customers to locate the information they want.

In addition to having a professional web site for customers who visit with their computers, every small business owner would do well to consider also having a mobile version of their web site. Why? Because more and more consumers are shopping with their mobile devices, and this number is only going to increase. In having a mobile version of your site, you can open yourself up to twice the customers, which could skyrocket your revenue.

If website design isn't your forte, it may be best to leave it to the professionals. Ensure the one you hire can show you a portfolio of previous work and has other proven experience in languages like CSS and Java.

Hosting and Domain Name

You will need to find a company that will provide your web site with online real estate. Your hosting provider should offer not only top-notch customer service, but a high percentage of uptime and redundancy. Redundancy means that the company has solutions in place in case anything happens which can compromise your site`s accessibility, such as a hacker attack or a power outage.

Your domain name can be either had for free or for a yearly fee. There is much controversy about which type is best; some say that free domain names look unprofessional. However, it can be difficult to tell which domain names are free and which aren`t these days. If choosing a paid domain name, ensure that it is one that is easy to remember, but that isn`t too long. The best choice for domain name type is completely individual, and will depend on many factors which are unique to your business.

Content

Most web users are savvy enough to know whether the site they`re visiting is genuine or not. Although it may be tempting, trying to disguise advertising with quality content is risky. And when it`s your business, the price may be too high, which is why most experts advise against

Just as with web design, hiring a professional to write your content and keep that content current may be a good idea. Even though you may want to wear all the hats with your small business, it can mean that your talents may not get used to their full potential.  And you can`t put a price on effective communication with your customers via your web site`s content.

Of course, there are many items that should be on any small business website owner`s checklist. Taking the time to research the essentials of business website ownership can give you a lot of direction when the time comes to make the many decisions that will face you as a business owner.  For more information visit resources at http://www.hostingandbackup.com/.

Article Posted by Expert Author: 3 on 05/03/2013
Article Posted In:   Tutorials  

15% Off Carbonite Business Plans - Deal Ends May 8th

Cloud storage is the way of the future for document and media storage. And Carbonite makes it incredibly easy to do. All of your files are backed up automatically and protected from prying eyes. So your business gets the ultimate in convenience, whether you need an important file for that upcoming meeting or your employees need to conduct business on the go.

Carbonite definitely offers many affordable solutions. And if you haven't tried it, this may be the best time do so, as they are offering 10% off all two-year business plans, and 15% off their three-year business plans. That means your business can get up to 250G of space for just $583 when you order a three-year plan. Business Premier plans get you 500G of storage for just $1078 when you order a two-year plan. Either way, your business wins.  For more information on Carbonite or to compare other options, view our online computer backup page.

Article Posted by Expert Author: 1 on 05/03/2013
Article Posted In:   Online Computer Backup  

All About The Dedicated Server

In your search for a web host, you have most likely come across the term 'dedicated server'. The dedicated server is just that: a server dedicated to you and you alone. Usually, a web site is hosted in a space that's shared by other users, hence the term 'shared hosting'. Where shared hosting may be less expensive, it also allows for slower data transfer rates.

If you need a lot of space to store large files or a large number of files, and if you want a higher degree of security, then a dedicated server may be something to consider. A dedicated server gives you full control over your web site. Conversely, if you don't have the time to keep a dedicated server up and running or you need to own your own server, then the dedicated server option is likely not for you.

Having a dedicated server means much more responsibility on your part. This is because in a dedicated server scenario, all of the maintenance is up to you. If your server happens to crash, it will be up to you to fix it. If a new version of web server software is released, the onus is on you to install it as soon as possible so that your site will be less vulnerable to hacker attacks.

Having a dedicated server also means that, despite all of the control, you don't actually own the server itself. This means that you cannot move the server to another location or perform upgrades on the server hardware. Last, but not least, the cost to obtain a dedicated server can run you into hundreds of dollars every month. This is for the dedicated service as well as the bandwidth you use as a result of the traffic your web site receives.

If you are looking for tips on finding the best web hosting sites, you have come to the right place.  We have assembled information for newbies to make sense on web hosting and online backup providers.

Article Posted by Expert Author: 5 on 04/17/2013
Article Posted In:   Web Hosting Information  Useful Tips  

Network And Server Backup

These days, backing up your data, whether it's on your personal computer or with your web host is critical. There are simply just too many ways in which our data can be compromised. Where your web host is concerned, there are many methods of data backup that can help protect your files in the event of a crash or hacking attempt.

The complete back-up involves the selection of all files and folders on a network or server. While the process of backing up the data can take a long time to complete and uses a lot of storage space, the good news is that restoring any data following an event can be done very quickly. Most web hosts will have a schedule by which they back up their network or server. Common intervals are weekly or monthly.

The incremental back-up denotes only the backing up of only those files which have changed since the last complete back-up. An incremental back-up can be very useful in situations where there is only a limited time to perform a back-up and not much storage space to do so. The dump back-up means just that; dumping a file system or disk partition in its entirety to the backup medium without making any changes to it beforehand.

The differential back-up is a method that must occur each night. This is because the differential method will store only those files which were created or modified since the last differential back-up. Where the incremental or complete back-up methods mark individual items which were stored, the differential back-up does not.

Daily back-ups concentrate on any folders, data or files which were created or modified on a particular day. And like the differential back-up, the daily method does not mark files or folders. It is not necessary to perform a daily back-up if differential back-ups are already being executed each night.

The The Web Host Guru we strive to bring you useful information in one easy-to-use resource that answers your questions regarding website hosting and online backup services.  Make sure you subscribe to our RSS feed or bookmark us for easy access when you have a question.

Article Posted by Expert Author: 5 on 02/08/2013
Article Posted In:   Online Computer Backup  Tutorials  

The Different Types Of Data Compression

Data compression is something that is done with many different file types. For example, in order for a web site owner to ensure their site loads as quickly as possible, they may have compressed the images on their site. But web site hosts also use data compression in order to save both bandwidth and storage space on their server.

A common type of data compression is called lossless. This is an algorithm, or procedure, which allows the exact original data to be reconstructed from the compressed data. This type of compression is most often used in situations where the data of the original and decompressed files need to be identical, or where not having the two files identical can result in negative consequences. Examples include executable programs, and source code, such as the kind found in the 'guts' of a web page.

Another common type of compression is known as differential data compression. This compression type is usually used by data back up companies in order to minimize the amount of bandwidth used when files are transferred. In differential data compression, only the information that has changed in a file is transferred, instead of the entire file. This way, only the new information found in the file is sent to the servers.

Additionally, here at The Web Host Guru we have found that HTTP compression can also result in faster downloading of the elements on your site by your visitors. This compression type is useful if your web host only has a limited amount of bandwidth to offer you and you have to use it more efficiently. However, understanding this type of compression can be a daunting task, and so a web host who can do this for you will be a definite plus if you are just beginning to explore web site ownership and creation.

Article Posted by Expert Author: 5 on 02/07/2013
Article Posted In:   Web Hosting Information  Tutorials  

Bandwidth, And Your Web Site's Host

Anyone on the hunt for a web site host or having an account with an internet provider will encounter the term 'bandwidth'. Bandwidth refers to the amount of data which is transferred over a specified period of time. Higher bandwidth will mean faster transfer of files from one location to another. Any web host can offer a number of bandwidth options for those looking for web site space.

Where web sites are concerned, bandwidth means the amount of traffic which can travel between your site and the internet itself. The amount of bandwidth you will be allowed to have for your web site will depend on the network connections that your web host has internally to their data centers and externally to the rest of the internet. Bandwidth is akin to the number of lanes on a highway, and traffic to the number of cars.

Hosting plan prices are largely determined by bandwidth, and the amount of bandwidth you require will be unique to your situation. Most web site hosts will offer monthly bandwidth allowances, which means you will have to estimate how much bandwidth your site will need each month.

Bandwidth throttling occurs when a web site customer uses a high amount of the memory on the web host's server. When excessive use occurs, many web hosts will throttle, or close some lanes of the data highway to your site, making it more difficult for visitors to get to. Should the excessive load on a host's server continue, the offending web site can face suspension or termination.

Bandwidth throttling is most often applied by web hosts who offer shared hosting services. In throttling the bandwidth of one offending customer's account, the other accounts on the server are saved from experiencing slowdowns at their own sites. Before signing up with a web host, it is always advisable to find and read their policy regarding bandwidth.

Make sure you check in regularly at http://www.hostingandbackup.com/ or subscribe to our RSS feed for updates related to web hosting and online backup.  We are a free resource that provides tutorials, useful tips and non-biased reviews of web hosting companies and online backup services.

Article Posted by Expert Author: 5 on 02/07/2013
Article Posted In:   Web Hosting Information  Tutorials  

Your IP Address

When the time comes to have your own web site, your IP address will certainly become an important part of the equation. This is because your IP address is essential for other visitors on other computers to communicate with you. Your IP address is a unique number. And in it contains the information needed to specify networks and hosts. Any machine that is connected to the internet has an IP address.

There are two types of IP addresses today. These are IPV4 and IPV6. IPV6 is a new format, having recently been released due to the number of available variations of IPV4 addresses running out. An IPV4 address looks like this: 123.456.789.0. Where the hosting of your web site is concerned, your IP address is specified by a name, which is your domain name, or www.yoursite.com.

The domain name represents the name of a network that's associated with some kind of organization. In the United States, a specific form is usually used, which is organization name.organization type. So for example, the form www.yoursite.com refers to a server on the internet called 'www', which resides in the yoursite.com domain.

Although every machine has a single IP address, it can also have several host names, or aliases. But these aliases are mainly for service providers, as they make it easier for providers to move their services to other locations without interrupting your connection.

The best website hosting really depends on your individual needs.  Our website can help you ask the right questions and dig out the best answers so that you are happy with your decision.

Article Posted by Expert Author: 5 on 02/06/2013
Article Posted In:   Web Hosting Information  Tutorials  

About Continuous Backup

Even if you're relatively new to computers and web hosting in general, you have likely learned the importance of backing up your information. After all, in the event a disaster occurs, you have no recourse to recover lost information. And the thing is that not only you are vulnerable to disasters; your web site host is as well.

As much as we try and prepare for something going awry, we can sometimes be caught off guard. In the case of your web site, finding out what kind of back up your host offers is always a smart thing to do. Continuous Back Up, or Continuous Data Protection means that a web site host routinely saves the information from all of its clients web sites.

But the important thing here is to find out how often a web host will back up your data. Some will back up every 24 hours, while some may actually do this more frequently. It all depends on the nature of the data being stored on a web site host's servers. The type of back up is also something to take note of. For example, a web site host which backs up data at the disk sector level  instead of just at the file level will be able to offer a higher degree of security for the information you've stored on their servers.

Of course, it isn't enough to simply rely on your web host to ensure that all of your information is safely saved. You too must take responsibility for your data. And this means keeping your own copies of your site's content. This can be done by storing it on an external drive, on a series of CDs or even on the servers of another web host.  At http://www.hostingandbackup.com/ we can help not only with web hosting, but also online backup services to protect your important files.

Article Posted by Expert Author: 5 on 02/06/2013
Article Posted In:   Online Computer Backup  Web Hosting Information  

Domain Parking

If you want to be able to own your domain name before you get your web site created and published, then domain parking is a great way to reserve your space on the web. Your domain name is the address of your website, and what you would put on a business card or in an email when you want people to be able to learn more about you.

A common issue is that most people purchase a domain name before they create their web site, which means there's no place to point their domain name to. But with domain parking, the registrar, or company via which you've registered your domain lets you point your domain to a 'dummy' page. This benefits you, because anyone who types in your domain name, they will get a message that something great - your site - is coming soon. You may even be able to place your own message for future visitors to see.

Domain parking is a great solution when you have several ideas for a business name, but haven't chosen one yet. It can also come in handy if you have many future sites in mind that you will need domain names for. Most people will park their domain names on a very temporary basis. But there is different advice for those who will be parking their domain names for a long period of time.

The 'dummy' page mentioned before will, much of the time contain content put there by your registrar. And even though it is a placeholder, if left there for a long time, it risks becoming associated with your web site once you create and publish it. Taking a close look at the content your registrar has placed on your placeholder page is a good idea so that you can ensure that your visitors will understand that any advertising on that page is not yours, but your registrar's.

Here at The Web Host Guru we enjoy helping those less experienced than us benefit from our years hosting websites.  We hope that these articles, reviews and tutorials will help make your life easier as you learn the ins and outs of being a webmaster.

Article Posted by Expert Author: 5 on 02/05/2013
Article Posted In:   Useful Tips  Tutorials  

File Transfer Protocol (FTP)

When you upload files to or download files from your web site, there are usually two main methods of transfer. You can either use your site's web-based interface, or transfer your files via FTP with a computer program. FTP stands for file transfer protocol, and requires you to have software installed on your computer so that it can communicate with your web site.

FTP clients can generally be had for no cost. A quick search will reveal many options for free FTP clients. This fast and reliable method of transferring files requires having a server address for the FTP program to connect to. This address can be retrieved from your web site's host, usually in the profile or settings section of your web site account. You will also need the username and password of your web site account.

FTP provides convenience when transferring large numbers of files. When you upload an archive, this means that you are transferring a large chunk of files as one file. An archive can include several types of files, and an additional benefit of this format is that it automatically compresses the files, which greatly reduces transfer time.

The kinds of files that can be transmitted with FTP include images, web pages, documents and programs. However, it is important to note that any files you plan to upload to your website that aren't of your own creation were obtained with the permission of the original creator and/or owner of the files. In addition, it's advised that you list the name and content information of the creator on your site in order to provide proper credit and avoid copyright infringement accusations.

Although using FTP may seem like a confusing process for the first-time user, there are many resources available which can take you through the steps. The first place to look for advice about using FTP may be at your site host, as they may have a section of their site which is dedicated to tutorials of this kind.

Article Posted by Expert Author: 5 on 02/05/2013
Article Posted In:   Web Hosting Information  Useful Tips  

Web Hosting and Database Support

Database support as it relates to web hosting refers to the type of storage your web host may offer. Different kinds of storage will be needed in order for your web site to have various functions. For example, if you want your site to have a forum where members of the online community can gather to share their thoughts, then you will likely need a PHP database. Business web sites requiring shopping carts will need access to a database like OSCommerce or ZenCart.

Many users wonder why text isn't a sufficient way to store data. After all, it does sound much simpler! However, a text database would only allow one person at a time to access it. If your web site were to become popular, how would all of your visitors be able to post their comments in your forum or order the same product from you at the same time? This is where database support comes in. Just like a spreadsheet, database support offers multiple options for organizing data, as well as allowing a large number of people to access, record and use the data at the same time. 

SQL is probably the most common database in use on modern web sites. SQL stands for Structured Query Language, and represents a standard method of modifying and retrieving data from a database. It's essential that any website having database support be as reliable as possible, which will require regular maintenance and the best tech support from your web site hosting company.

Choosing the best type of database support for your website is not always an easy task. But you can contact your web host or list of prospective hosts and ask them which kinds of servers and operating systems they would recommend to you. It may also be a good idea to ask the host about the advantages and disadvantages of each option so that you can make an informed decision.

At HostingAndBackup.com our goal is to help people new to the web hosting and online backup scene to grasp how to navigate various tasks, and to understand the flexibility they have in utilizing these services.  We will continue to provide useful articles that are quick to read and clear to understand so that you can learn at your own pace.

Article Posted by Expert Author: 5 on 02/04/2013
Article Posted In:   Web Hosting Information  Useful Tips  

Tutorial - How To Change Your NameServers And Point Them To Your Host

In this tutorial we will explain how to set the nameservers through your registrar so they point at the appropriate host. If you received a free domain or have your domain registered with your Hosting company, you don't need to do anything since the hosting company will have this done for you. Setting your nameservers should only take a few minutes from start to finish.

1. You will want to locate your Welcome email from your hosting company. On the welcome email there will be important information about your account that you will need to help you setup various features on your account so be sure to keep the email in a safe place. In the email you will want to look for the name servers. Most of the time there will be 2 but from time to time there can be up to 4. The name servers will likely be in the following format NS1.domainxyz.com and NS2.domainxyz.com. Write both of those down or copy them into a notepad for future use.
2. Login to your Registrars account - For this example, we will use Godaddy, but all registrars will have a similar process. You will want to go to "My Accounts" and then click on "Launch" next to the domains section. For other registrars simply locate the domains section and proceed. Once you are in the domain manager, click on the domain name you want to work on.
3. Under Nameservers, click on "Set Nameservers." This will open a small window that will allow you to input the 2 new nameservers that you wrote down earlier.
4. Click OK - The process can take up to 2 hours, but we usually are up and running in a couple of minutes.

You are done! It really is that simple. Now you will want to get started with your website and loading those files at your hosting account either directly or through FTP. If you are planning on installing a wordpress blog you can either upload and configure files or utilize the auto installer.

If you are new to all of this, it can seem overwhelming.  At HostingAndBackup.com, we are dedicated to helping newbies with important tasks related to setting up a website.  Please visit soon for more tutorials related to the subject!

Article Posted by Expert Author: 3 on 02/01/2013
Article Posted In:   Useful Tips  Tutorials  

Do I Have to Register All My Domains With My Hosting Company?

If you are planning on only having 1 domain, then you might as well take advantage of the freebie. Usually, hosting companies will give you a free domain for the first year along with the hosting plan and then charge higher than normal prices to renew each year. For example at the time of this article in 2013, the renewal cost with JustHost was $13.99 per year. If you only have 1 domain it is better to have everything in one place and the renewal price difference isn’t significant once you average in your free year.

However, if you are planning on having more than one domain, we suggest keeping all the domains in one place with a company that specializes in domains. Without a shadow of a doubt, we recommend Godaddy which holds approximately 32.5% of the market share among ICANN Registrars. eNom with 8% and Tucows with 6.7% are options, but are priced higher. Their customer support is by far the best experience I have ever had in any industry. You can take our word for it or ask any of their customers and you will get the same response. Their pricing at the time of this article was $8.19/year. They also offer additional discounts for multi-year registrations.

Once you register your domains you can then point the nameservers to the new host. If you are not familiar with Nameservers, we have an easy tutorial - Changing Your Nameservers - that will quickly get you on your way.

Why not choose Godaddy for Hosting as well?

Their entry level plan is only supports one domain. We have hosted with them in the past, but when you have multiple domains, it is definitely an advantage to have the ability to host multiple domains under the same package. Their next tier offers unlimited domains, but limits the number of databases and this is at a higher price than some of the other companies that specialize in “hosting.”

What to Watch Out for – What is Domain Hijacking

Some hosting companies actually will register your domain under their name giving them full control of the actual domain. If you ever want to move the domain over to a different host or registrar, they either won’t do it or will charge astronomical fees. We have experienced this in the past and rather than single out companies, we simply suggest keeping domains with domain companies and hosting with hosting companies.

If you found this article useful, please help HostingAndBackup.com earn some brownie points and spread the word.  Our promise to you - to provide great articles and tips to help you navigate the sometimes technical world of website hosting.

Article Posted by Expert Author: 3 on 02/01/2013
Article Posted In:   Useful Tips  

Categories: Tutorials,  Useful Tips,  Best Web Hosting Sites,  Web Hosting Information,  Online Computer Backup,  Industry News & Articles,