Web Hosting Box

Establishing and operating an online business requires knowledge, skill and perseverance. However, even with the right mindset and skill set it is impossible to succeed without tools and resources. In order to ensure the optimal functionality of your website you’ll need access to a powerful web server that can transfer data to hundreds of computers simultaneously without sacrificing performance.

Although most webmasters start with a shared web hosting plan, it is important to note that 90% of successful online business owners will upgrade to a more powerful plan eventually. In order to prevent the unnecessary hassle of site relocation and data migration, it is best to consider the needs of your site and choose a competent plan initially. Dedicated and eCommerce hosting plans are perfect for online businesses, however each one presents unique advantages and disadvantages.

Dedicated Hosting

Dedicated hosting is a service in which you can lease a powerful web server that is dedicated exclusively to your web sites. This kind of private server environment is ideal for larger sites that are in need of extensive server resources. Dedicated web servers are synonymous with the most powerful kind of web hosting plans in the world. With a seemingly unlimited amount of disk space and bandwidth it is possible to host sites that have massive product catalogs and thousands of daily visitors. Although dedicated hosting plans provide powerful servers, it is important to note that they are not made for novice webmasters and many of the tools needed to operate an online store are not included.

eCommerce Hosting

Although eCommerce web servers are not as strong as dedicated servers, eCommerce hosting was designed specifically for online retail shops. Many prefer eCommerce plans because they are an “out-of-the-box” solution for online store owners that need a plethora of eCommerce tools in an inclusive package. Ecommerce hosting plans come with site building tools, shopping carts, product catalog creation and management applications, payment processing integration, SSL certificates and other resources that simplify, expedite and facilitate the establishment and operation of a secure and successful online storefront.

Conclusion

Both eCommerce and dedicated hosting plans come in various sizes and packages, so the capabilities of each plan will depend entirely upon the hosting provider and the chosen service. In general, dedicated servers are for more experienced webmasters that need a powerful solution for many web sites, or one large site. eCommerce hosting plans are perfect for novice webmasters, or online business owners that do not have the time or technical skills to manage and set up all of the necessary eCommerce tools on a dedicated server.

It is important to note that dedicated servers can host all of the aforementioned eCommerce applications such as shopping carts and product catalogs, however in many cases these tools are not automatically integrated. Ultimately the decision will depend upon your skill level, budget, and needs as a webmaster.

Your website is the focal point of your online business, as it represents your online identity and reputation on a continual basis. The performance, appearance and presence of your site directly affect the way your visitors perceive the professionalism of your online business. Every site operates on a web server, and this server ultimately dictates the full functionality and performance limitations of every web page on the site. Every time a page is loaded a small burden is placed on the web server, and if the load is too heavy the site performance begins to suffer, in the form of slow page loads, and even site down time. The likelihood of this decreased site performance occurring depends entirely upon the kind of web server being used, as some are more powerful than others. Shared web servers are perhaps  the least beneficial, simply because all of the server resources are shared amongst various sites simultaneously.

How Much Is Shared?

Fortunately, sensitive site information  (such as financial data) is not shared between unrelated sites in a shared hosting plan. However all of the server resources, such as bandwidth, data transfer, and even storage space are shared with other users that are renting a hosting plan with your web host. Your site’s IP address is also shared with these users as well, which means that their actions may reflect on both the legal credibility and search engine ranking of your site.  Since you are sharing all of these attributes with sites that are not under your control, it is possible that unforeseen circumstances could arise, such as being de-indexed from search engines, or even having your site taken offline temporarily.

How Much Can You Save?

The main reason why anyone would purchase a shared hosting plan would be to save money. However, when you factor in the issues that could result from sharing all of your server resources with dozens of other sites, it becomes clear that you may not be saving anything at all. In fact, the percentage of people that will eventually upgrade from a shared hosting plan is rather high. Therefore if you’re inevitably going to upgrade in the future, then there may be little sense in paying for a plan which will soon be obsolete. The truth is you can save a lot of time and money by starting with a plan that is right for you.

When Would Shared Hosting Be Optimal?

If you are operating a personal blog, or a .info domain that is not of high importance to you, then a shared hosting plan could accommodate your needs. Shared hosting is only recommended for individuals, and is not an ideal solution for the online business owner. If you are currently using a shared hosting account for your online business, you may want to consider switching to a VPS or Dedicated hosting account instead. Dedicated and VPS hosting plans offer flexibility, privacy and capabilities that cannot be found in any shared hosting service.

The success of your online business is directly derived from the amount of time, money, and hard work you pour into it. If you already own an offline business then you are certainly familiar with this concept. It is not foolish to want the best for your website, as this will be your virtual home, and a digital representation of your business. Price should not be an issue when constructing an online empire, as it is important to remember that quality produces success in any venue. However, the main problem people have with web hosting is that the best plans seem to require the most knowledge to operate. For example, dedicated hosting gives you access to a private server with an immense amount of resources at your disposal. However, an unmanaged dedicated hosting plan would be quite useless to most online business owners. The solution to this problem is managed dedicated hosting.

What is Managed Dedicated Hosting?

Having a dedicated web server is almost pointless if you don’t have the ability to use it to its full potential. Web servers require frequent maintenance in order to perform optimally, and unless you have the ability to perform such maintenance yourself you’ll be paying for a hosting plan that is of very little use to you. Managed dedicated hosting offers you complete technical assistance, which means your hosting provider will handle the server administration tasks for you, allowing you to focus on the more serious tasks.

Fully Managed Vs. Partially Managed

Before you rush into purchasing a managed web hosting plan, it is important that you realize the various types of managed hosting. Some web hosting providers advertise managed hosting plans, however many of these plans still require a great deal of maintenance. What some hosting companies consider fully managed may be partially managed in the eyes of other companies. A good rule of thumb is – the cheaper the plan, the less technical support and server administration assistance you’ll receive. If you want an automated server solution then your best bet would be to find a reputable hosting company and purchase their most expensive managed dedicated hosting plan.

The Boundaries of a Managed Hosting Plan

Although you should feel entitled to quality support and superior server administration, there are some tasks that your hosting company is simply not responsible for. It can be easy to blur the line between web hosting and other internet-based industries such as web design and programming. Many people get upset when they find out their web hosting company cannot help them with a certain problem.  It can be extremely frustrating to find out that you’re paying for a top notch hosting plan and there is simply no department dedicated to helping you with your problem. To prevent this disappointment you need to understand the boundaries of your managed hosting plan before you purchase one. It may help to speak with a customer service representative to find out which parts of your online business are dealt with within your hosting plan.

The front end of an online business is somewhat transparent, in that everyone can see the products that are available, the prices and even the shipping methods. However, what is not seen is what goes on behind the scenes that keeps the site functioning optimally. The backend of the site consists of a user interface known as the control panel, which is used by the site owner or webmaster to perform administrative tasks on a daily basis. This control panel can be customized through the use of various third-party applications that can be installed with ease, using modules such as Simple Scripts or Fantastico.

There are many applications that can be installed within the control panel which enhance the convenience of both the shopper’s and the webmaster’s online experience. Some hosting accounts, such as eCommerce hosting plans, come with these applications pre-installed. However they can also be used within traditional hosting accounts as well.

Shopping Carts

A shopping cart is perhaps the most important aspect of any online store, since it ultimately shapes the user’s final experience, and influences their decision to return to your site. Without a quality shopping cart, it is nearly impossible to close a sale and provide an enjoyable shopping experience. There are many shopping cart applications available that can be installed on your site with ease, and you do not have to have an eCommerce hosting account to use a shopping cart on your site. Xcart is a great example of a shopping cart that can be installed and used on any hosting account.

Product Catalogs

Product catalogs are just as crucial as the shopping cart, since they are the digital salesmen of your site. Without a properly organized product catalog your site visitors could not find what they are looking for in a timely and convenient manner. Thus, having correctly categorized items complete with eye-catching photographs and a user-friendly site search engine is a sure way to boost sales and generate instant interest in new site visitors. Product catalog applications are often included within eCommerce hosting accounts, however they can be installed on regular hosting accounts as well.

Why Choose eCommerce?

The fact is, if needed you can use a standard / traditional hosting account to operate an online storefront. However it is far more convenient and ideal to purchase an eCommerce account instead. Ecommerce hosting accounts come with all of the tools and server resources needed to create a professional online shop in very little time. Instead of buying separate applications to be used with your current hosting account, it may be beneficial to simply purchase an eCommerce hosting plan which comes complete with everything needed to conduct business online. Aside from the aforementioned applications, eCommerce hosting accounts also offer payment processing features that are not seen by default in a standard hosting account.

If you want your online business to thrive, then it would be wise to utilize all of the tools available in order to maximize your productivity and minimize your initial investments. Ecommerce hosting accounts let you forget about all of the complexities of establishing a successful internet shop.

Domain name selection is particularly important when starting an online business. This is the website address that is going to represent the company and convey the content of the site. There are many areas to consider when choosing a name and its best to thoroughly deliberate the following rules.

Primary Rules

There are nine main rules for choosing an effective domain name. These include:

• The domain name should be the website name
• The domain name should be the brand name
• Shorter domain names are beneficial
• Select a name not easily confused with others
• Avoid hyphenated names
• Avoid plurals
• Avoid copyright infringement
• Don’t follow the latest trends
• Use an Ajax domain selection tool

Naming the domain name after the website is an effective idea so when visitors think of a website, they think of it by name. This allows them to instantly know where to go for a specific product or service. Also, the domain name should be the name of the brand being sold since that is generally what the public will first type into their browser.

A common debate is shorter versus longer domain names. Shorter domain names have the advantage of being easier to remember and easier to type with less of a chance of misspelling a word. Similarly, it’s good practice to select a domain name that cannot be easily confused with others. Slightly changing a word or adding letters, punctuation and short words confuse customers which deplete the site’s brand image.

Other rules include avoiding hyphenated names and avoiding plurals. Hyphenated names are easy to forget when typing and when sites are verbally recommended, there’s more room for error with saying “hyphen” or adding an ‘s’ to the end of the site than without. Additionally, it’s a typing annoyance to constantly have to hyphenate words, especially in a browser.

Along the same lines, copyright infringement was established so customers do not get confused by similar sounding websites. Any copyright infringement will undoubtedly add complications to the website’s success. It’s best to first check the US Patent and Trademark Database or copyright.gov to verify.

There are many website naming trends that have come and gone. It’s best not to become wrapped up in this since the trend will change as fast as it came. The most recent trends are found with Web 2.0 naming conventions that oddly misspell regular words. Also, utilizing a domain selection tool such as AjaxWhois will help identify those names that are available for use.

These are the most important rules for initially selecting a domain name. As more names are chosen, naming conventions will change to allow new website owners to stand out over the competition. These basic rules will remain consistent for domain name choices.