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

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

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

When it comes to data security, one of the most effective things you can do is to make sure you have a reliable backup in place at all times. A backup ensures that, even if your primary source of data is compromised, you'll have recent copies of all of your files and information to fall back on. However, what a lot of people don't realize is that not all data backups are created equal. In fact, there are some significant differences between on-site and off-site backups. So, which option is best for you? Let’s take a closer look. On-Site vs. Off-Site Data Backups As the name would suggest, an on-site data backup is one that you keep at your place of business. For example, you might choose to back up your information on an external hard drive, CD, or flash drive that you store in your office. An off-site backup, on the other

These days, there's no good excuse not to have your data backed up. This is especially true when you consider how frequent web attacks and data breaches are becoming. No matter how big or small your business may be, your sensitive information could be at risk. Luckily, with a data backup in place, you’ll have copies of your confidential information in the event that it’s compromised. What is an Off-Site Backup? When it comes to backing up your data, you have a variety of options. First, you can back up your information on a physical hard drive that you keep at your place of business or even at your home. Certain shared hosting plans also offer backups, which is a cost-effective option for many individuals. However, the best option you can select when protecting your sensitive data is an off-site backup on a dedicated server. With a dedicated server, you won’t have to share

There’s a lot to consider when shopping for a dedicated server. From hardware specifications and pricing to data center security and customization options, you want to find a web host that checks off every box on your list. However, some factors you won't want to overlook are web hosting support, technical support, and customer service. The Importance of 24/7 Support Ideally, you'll want to find a hosting company that offers technical support 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and 365 days a year. That way, if you need assistance or run into a problem with your hosting, you can get in touch with someone right away to begin working on a resolution. This is especially important if you experience a server issue that prevents visitors from accessing your website. In this situation, available and responsive support can make all the difference. In addition to having reliable support, your hosting company's staff members

Whether your business is run entirely online or simply has an eCommerce component,   having an easy-to-use and reliable website is a must. However, you may not realize how large of a role your web hosting can play in your site's overall speed, reliability, and user experience. A dedicated server for eCommerce provides your website with the stable and speedy hosting it needs in today's competitive online market. By having a better understanding of how a dedicated server can increase your site's revenue, you can make the right hosting decisions moving forward. Improve Your Online Reputation If you've ever been stuck in a long check-out line at your local store, you're probably familiar with the frustration that comes along with this experience. Maybe you've even abandoned your items and left the store altogether. Believe it or not, consumers will make similar decisions when shopping online. If your site has slow-loading pages, customers may

When choosing a web hosting company, you want to select one that is known for its excellent security features. All too often, however, there is a greater focus on virtual security than on physical protection. In reality, on-site security (that is, physical precautions at your server's data center) is just as important when it comes to protecting your information. As you're exploring your dedicated server hosting options, there are a few key questions worth asking that will help you make a confident choice. 1.     What Redundancies Are in Place? Natural disasters, unexpected power outages, and fires can pose a considerable risk to your server if your data center and hosting company aren't prepared. Therefore, it’s crucial to choose a hosting company that has redundancies and contingency plans in place for these scenarios. From a security standpoint, these precautions can make all the difference. Specifically, your hosting company should offer guarantees for uptime on critical

Choosing a website hosting plan can be difficult. Not only do you need to select the type of hosting that's right for you, but you must also find a trustworthy web hosting company. At the same time, you may have a strict budget to adhere to when it comes to your plan. You don't want to pay more than you need to, but you should also make sure you're not cutting corners in your search for affordable web hosting. Web hosting costs can vary greatly depending on the plan you choose and the company you turn to. However, for many, a dedicated hosting plan from a reputable company offers the best balance of affordability, reliability, security, and speed. Is Dedicated Hosting Worth the Cost? Compared to shared servers and virtual private server (VPS) hosting, dedicated web hosting tends to be the most expensive option out there. However, it's important to weigh the benefits

Launching your first website can be both exciting and intimidating. There are many decisions to make regarding your site, but one you definitely won't want to overlook is which web hosting option to choose. The right web host will not only fit your budget but will also be reliable and fast enough to keep your site running smoothly. There are three main hosting types to consider as you prepare to launch your site – shared, virtual private server (VPS), and dedicated hosting. By getting to know how these hosting types differ and the potential benefits and drawbacks of each, you can ultimately make the right choice. Shared Hosting For many websites that are just starting out, shared hosting is a popular choice due to its low cost. Shared hosting works just as the name implies; your site shares its server and resources with many other websites. The specific number of websites