When was the last time you revisited your current hosting plan to make sure it’s truly meeting your needs? No one wants to pay more than they need to for hosting, so it’s wise to make sure you’re getting the best value for your current plan by shopping around at least once per year. By ensuring that your hosting is living up to your expectations, you can make better use of your budget and ensure that you’re receiving the best service possible. However, when you begin comparing your current plan to those offered by other hosting companies, you’ll need to keep a few key factors in mind. Uptime Percentages and Reliability Reliability is one of the most important things to look for in a web host, so if you're not getting it, it's time to look elsewhere. Has your server experienced unexpected downtime in the past several months? If so, you

For decades, hard disk drives (HDDs) have been the standard when it comes to hard drive storage, both on personal computers and dedicated servers. In recent years, however, solid state drives (SSDs) have become increasingly popular – and for good reason. Combine the many benefits of solid state drives with recent advancements in this technology, and it's easy to see why SSDs are truly the dedicated server hardware of the future. SSD vs. HDD Storage When setting up a dedicated server, you’ll have two distinct storage choices – a solid state drive or a hard disk drive. ReliableSite is proud to offer both options to users, allowing them to choose which type of storage they would like to add to their hosting account. While there are a variety of differences between SSDs and HDDs, the main characteristic that sets a solid state drive apart is its lack of moving parts. Unlike

Whether you’re building a simple mobile app or a complex computer program, testing is an integral part of the software development lifecycle (SDLC). However, many developers struggle with finding a reliable and secure location to build and host beta software. Luckily, dedicated servers provide an effective solution. If you aren’t already hosting your beta software on a dedicated server, now may be the time to make the switch. Understanding the Software Development Life cycle The software development life cycle is a series of steps that must be completed before a product can be released to a client or the general public. This includes a development phase, a testing phase, user acceptance testing, staging, demonstrating, and final production. No matter what kind of software you’re building, it’s vital to have a secure, flexible, and reliable place to carry out each step of the SDLC. Dedicated servers provide all of this and

Dedicated servers can be used for a variety of practical applications, including hosting websites, company emails, online games, and video streams. But did you know that dedicated hosting can also be beneficial for call centers? Specifically, a dedicated server can be used to place and receive high-quality phone calls through a Voice over IP (VoIP) system. Let’s take a closer look at how dedicated servers can benefit professional call centers across all industries. 1.     Customized Service Whether you’re looking for better-quality phone service for a small, privately owned call center or a large corporation, a dedicated hosting company can deliver. Unlike a traditional phone service provider, a dedicated server host makes it easy to fully customize your plan to suit your business’s specific needs. Dedicated servers come with a variety of customization options, giving you the flexibility you need to truly benefit from your hosting service. For example, you can

These days, even some of the largest corporations and organizations in the world are falling victim to data breaches and other security issues at an alarming rate. It seems as though nobody is safe from the threat of a cyber-attack – which puts many businesses in a difficult position. While companies have an inherent responsibility to protect their clients’ sensitive data, digital security isn’t a one-and-done process. Rather, it requires a multitude of steps that work together to create a comprehensive security protocol. One of the most critical steps in a robust security plan is to set up a File Transfer Protocol (FTP) backup. This can help you avoid losing sensitive data in the event of an attack. Specifically, an FTP backup involves saving copies of all of your important files on a dedicated server that’s stored in a remote location. Below, we’re breaking down the benefits of FTP backups

No matter what size web hosting budget you may be working with, one fact likely remains – you don’t want to spend more than you need to for quality service. One of the most common questions people have when they begin to consider dedicated server hosting is how much it will cost. Unfortunately, there’s no easy answer to this question, as dedicated hosting costs can vary greatly depending on several factors. However, by having a solid understanding of what affects web hosting costs, you can have a better idea of what to expect. 1. Your Operating System When you sign up for a dedicated hosting plan, one of the first decisions you'll need to make is which operating system (OS) you want your server to run on. Most hosting companies allow users to choose between a Linux or Windows OS. Linux is typically a more affordable option, as it’s a free and

When most people think about dedicated servers, website hosting usually comes to mind – and for good reason. Web hosting is one of the most common ways in which people use dedicated servers. However, there are many other useful applications for these servers, from gaming to email storage and more. Let’s take a closer look at these uses and how they could benefit you. Dedicated Servers for Gaming Whether you’re a casual gamer or a professional streamer, having a dedicated server can help you take your gameplay to the next level. This application is especially useful for online multi-player games like Minecraft. When you use dedicated hosting for gaming, you’ll enjoy greater reliability and less lag, which can help you improve your overall experience. It's also a great way to exercise more control over your gameplay by hosting your own game with players of your choosing. Dedicated Servers for Email Whether

Having security issues on your website can be detrimental in a number of ways. First, consider how you would feel if a site you frequently visit fell victim to security issues. Most likely, you would avoid it going forward, and its reputation would be tarnished in your mind. Security problems can also pose a threat to your site’s uptime, as certain types of cyber attacks can cause your server to go down completely. No matter what type of website you run, keeping it as secure as possible will always be in your best interest. Fortunately, there are several steps you can follow to avoid security vulnerabilities on your site – even if you don't have experience with IT maintenance. 1.     Install Updates and Patches Regularly When developing a cyber security plan, you should start by staying on top of all patches and updates. Typically, patches are released when a known security vulnerability

Websites serve a variety of purposes for nonprofit organizations, from educating visitors about the cause to hosting a portal for donations. Therefore, it’s important to choose a reliable, trustworthy hosting company for your charity’s website. You want to ensure your site can handle traffic influxes, is protected against cyber threats, and loads quickly. Unfortunately, not all hosting solutions are created equal. However, by having a better understanding of what your hosting options are and what to look for, you can make a confident choice that suits your organization. Understanding Your Hosting Options As a nonprofit, you may be entitled to free hosting. Many companies offer free shared hosting for organizations that can show proof of their current nonprofit status. However, you should err with caution when it comes to these hosting options. While this type of plan can save your organization money, it might not be very reliable. If you’re

If you’ve just made the switch to dedicated hosting, chances are you’re feeling a bit unsure about your ability to maintain a server. While the prospect of handling dedicated server maintenance on your own may seem intimidating, it doesn’t have to be difficult. By following some basic steps, even total beginners can successfully manage and maintain their servers. Back-Up Your Information Having a data backup plan in place is a must when it comes to managing your dedicated server and improving your overall security. While these servers are quite secure on their own, it's always a good idea to have a remote backup in place to protect your sensitive information. Fortunately, ReliableSite offers a wide range of storage options to suit your needs, including an easy-to-use File Transfer Protocol (FTP) backup service. With this type of backup, you’ll always have a recent copy of your information stored elsewhere for quick