These days, it's generally expected that all businesses (regardless of size) should have a website. Even if you're just preparing to launch your small business, your potential customers will expect to be able to visit your company website to learn more about the products or services you offer. One of the most commonly overlooked aspects of online business success, however, is web hosting. If you don't have the right type of hosting in place, your business revenue could be directly impacted. At the end of the day, a dedicated server will provide a number of benefits that a shared or free web hosting service simply cannot. Let’s take a look at how the web hosting you choose can affect your business’s revenue. Reliability Free and shared hosting plans don't come with any type of up-time guarantees or service level agreements. As a result, you'll most likely end up with slow-loading pages if

Becoming a partner through a hosting company's reseller program is a great option for businesses that want to offer dedicated hosting to their customers. It’s also ideal for those who would like to save on their dedicated server hosting plan. Reseller programs allow you to sell web hosting services through your own business without having to manage physical hardware. By learning more about how reseller hosting works and what its benefits are, you can determine whether it may be right for you. How Does Reseller Hosting Work? When you join a reseller hosting program, you’re actually offering your clients a third-party hosting solution. This means that you’re selling plans directly to your customers, while the hosting company you’re partnered with manages all of the hardware. Typically, the partner service will divide large portions of server space into smaller hosting plans. These small plans are then sold through a reseller affiliate. With reseller

Unhappy with your current web host? If so, it may be time to make the switch to a new one. All too often, people will stick with a web hosting company they don't like because they assume that switching will require too much work. In reality, changing web hosts doesn't have to be a headache. Let’s take a look at a few important tips worth keeping in mind before you get started. 1. Migration Services Can Save You Time Depending on the hosting company you're switching to, you may have access to free or discounted migration services, where a dedicated server host will handle the transition for you. Whether you’re new to web hosting or don’t have time to handle all of the details, migration services are worth taking advantage of! 2. Make a Note of Specific Settings If you’ll be handling the transition to a new web host on your own,

Today's web users are more skeptical than ever, especially when it comes to giving out personal or financial information on the internet. With cyber-security threats and data breaches lurking around every corner of the web, it's no wonder why people are so hesitant. Fortunately, Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certification can provide website visitors with added security and peace of mind. If you're looking to boost your site's security and reputation, it's time to familiarize yourself with the benefits of SSL certification. What is an SSL Certificate? An SSL certificate is a series of data files that can be installed on a website's server to activate a virtual "padlock." This lock offers added protection for all connections made across the server and browser. Most often, SSL certificates are used to protect online payment information, usernames and passwords, and files during data transfer. To determine whether or not a website has an SSL certificate,

If you have plans to launch a website in the near future, there are some specific services you may need. This remains true whether you're starting a site for your small business, personal blog, or anything in between. While some services may be easy to do on your own, others may require the help of a professional. Therefore, it’s a good idea to determine what you’re comfortable handling before creating your site. Let’s take a look at a few essential services for launching a website. 1. Domain Registration The very first step of website creation is to purchase and register a domain name – without one, you won't have a website. A domain registration service allows you to secure your website's URL, provided that the name isn't already taken. Registration is inexpensive (usually about $10 per year), and you can set up your URL to auto-renew so it doesn't lapse. In

What would happen if you lost all of the data on your computer or network? What if the HTML files on your server became compromised? More than likely, you'd be in a lot of trouble. Unfortunately, there's a lot that can go wrong online these days. Data breaches are becoming increasingly common, and even a simple hardware failure could result in the permanent loss of important information. That’s why it's more crucial than ever to have a remote backup in place. By familiarizing yourself with what remote backups are, their benefits, and how to set one up, you can better protect your online information. What Is a Remote Backup? Remote backups provide you with a reliable way to store your files and other data off-site. These backups are hosted at a third-party location. That way, even if your server or computer is destroyed, a copy of your data will still

Whether you've recently switched web servers or are thinking about transitioning, one of the most important steps you'll need to take is updating your Domain Name System (DNS) records. If this is the first time you've switched servers, you may be wondering why you need to update these records, how to do it, and – oh, yeah – what are DNS records, anyway? What Is a DNS Record? The primary purpose of a DNS record is to make your website searchable and accessible on the internet. This happens through a series of settings that direct a domain towards your server's unique IP address. The nice thing about DNS records is that they allow you to keep your domain name, even when you change servers. However, when you make the switch over to a new server or hosting company, these records need to be updated so your domain directs site visitors

If you're a business owner looking for the best hosting option for your company website, a dedicated server can be an excellent solution. However, there is some work required on your end. From making sure security updates are installed regularly to running speed audits of your site, maintaining your site's server can be time-consuming and (unless you have prior IT experience) also comes with a learning curve. The good news is that many dedicated server hosting companies offer managed server options, which assign an experienced administrator to your account to handle nearly all aspects of maintaining your server's software and hardware. Yes, a managed hosting plan does cost a bit more than a traditional dedicated server host, but there are many benefits to consider. 1. Save Time, Save Money Perhaps the biggest advantage business owners will realize with a fully managed server is how much time it saves them. This frees up your own

Unrivaled customization and flexibility are a few of the main reasons why people choose dedicated server hosting over other options. However, if you're not customizing your dedicated server to meet your specific needs, you may not be getting the most out of your hosting plan. Not sure where to begin when it comes to optimizing your dedicated server? We've got some tips worth following. 1. Adjust Priority Settings One of the easiest and most effective steps you can take to optimize a server is to adjust your priority settings. This will essentially allow you to control the order in which your server carries out specific tasks and for how long. Most servers, by default, run at "normal priority." You have the option to change this setting to "high priority," which can reduce page-loading times and cut down on overall latency. Your specific priority options can vary depending on your server and operating system,

If you run a business of any size, having a secure server for company emails is a must. Unfortunately, many businesses still rely on shared servers and other unreliable hosting options for their email needs. Not only can this put your company's sensitive information at risk, but (depending on the industry in which your business operates) it could also open you up to HIPAA fines and penalties. By using a dedicated server for email hosting, you can keep sensitive information safe and enjoy many other practical benefits. What is a Dedicated Email Server? A dedicated email server is hosted only for your business email. This type of mail server hosting doesn't share resources with other users but enjoys its very own dedicated hardware and data center space. Benefits of Dedicated Email Server Hosting Using a dedicated hosting company for your email server can benefit your business in a number of ways. For starters, dedicated servers mean never having