Monthly Archives: April 2019

Banner Designer – WHT’s #1 choice for banner design. Looking to attract new customers? – Get started

Posted on April 30, 2019 by Hosting

We create awesome banners that convert and bring you new customers! Using tried and tested methods for over 12 years, you can count on us to… | Read the rest of http://www.webhostingtalk.com/showthread.php?t=1762798&goto=newpost Continue reading →

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How to Backup Your Website & Why It’s Important

Posted on April 30, 2019 by Hosting

The post How to Backup Your Website & Why It’s Important appeared first on HostGator Blog . You probably already have regular computer backups in place. You may manually back up all your important files to an external hard drive, or you may have found a way to automate the process. Do you do the same thing for your website? Backing up your computer helps prevent data loss if anything unfortunate occurs—like your computer gets damaged or hacked and you need to reinstall your OS and start from scratch. Just as your computer is susceptible to online threats, so is your website. Perhaps even more so. Beyond taking the necessary security precautions to protect your website , you’ll also want to regularly backup your website. That way, if something unfortunate does occur, you won’t have to completely start over. Instead, you can simply restore your site from a previous backup. Below you’ll learn what an online data backup service is, why you’ll want one, and the benefits it’ll bring you, so you can decide which website backup service is best for your needs. What Is a Website Backup? Simply put, a website backup is a copy of all of your website data. What the backup storage encompasses will depend upon your online backup provider. As a general rule of thumb, the more data that’s included in the data backup, the better. This is especially the case if your website runs on a content management system like WordPress, where you’ll need all of your site’s files, content, media, and databases to get it up and running again. How Often Should You Back Up Your Website? Like computer backups, website backups should also be done on a regular basis. It won’t do you much good to restore your site from a backup that’s a few years old. The best case scenario is either daily or weekly backups. Whether you go with daily or weekly depends on how often you update your website. If you only publish a single blog post per week, and that’s the only update you make to your site, then weekly backups will suffice. Why You Need to Backup Your Site It’s hard to imagine what losing all of your website data feels like until you’ve gone through it yourself. Regardless, it isn’t a fun experience. More importantly, it’s something that’s completely avoidable with the right online backup software behind you. Here are three unfortunate situations that could occur when you don’t backup your site: 1. You Lose All the Work You’ve Done Building a website takes a ton of time and energy. This effort only multiplies the longer you’ve been running your site. Could you imagine losing years of work on your website overnight? All the customizations you’ve done to your site. All of the content you’ve created. All the time spent getting everything just right. If you don’t have any backups to restore from, then you’ll have to recreate all of this from the very beginning. Or, if you hired someone to make customizations to your codebase, then you might have to hire them to do it all again. 2. Loss of Site Revenue During Recovery If your site has been generating revenue via content, products, or services, then you run the risk of all of this being lost. If your site is content driven, then you’ll have to create all of this content from scratch. If you run an eCommerce website, you’ll have to completely recreate your product pages, category pages, and more. When your site is offline, any existing revenue will completely stop until you can completely restore your website. Depending on how much data you’ve lost this could be a long time—especially if you’re a small business or solopreneur and you’ve created every piece of content yourself. 3. Loss of Time During Site Rebuild You should spend time growing and managing the day to day of running your website, not having to re-do tasks you’ve already done. Imagine the frustration of trying to re-do years’ worth of work. Some sites that have been running for years will have hundreds of blog posts or product pages. If you haven’t done a single backup since starting your site, then you’ll have to create all of this again. If it took you years to do once, then it might take you years just to get back to your starting point. Of course, this is the worst case scenario. With regular website backups, this nightmare won’t happen to you. How Website Backup Services Work Online backup companies help to simplify the process of backing up your website. By way of example, let’s talk about an online backup service for documents, like Dropbox. If you have a Dropbox account, you drag and drop files into the application, and a copy of your files are stored on a cloud server. It’s pretty seamless, but it still requires you to select which files you need to back up. This is great for documents and other media files, but backing up an entire website is a bit more technical in nature. Websites have a ton of moving parts and a variety of files required just for your website to load the right way. Forget to backup a crucial file and your website might not load properly. If you’ve ever played around with the code of your own website, then you’re probably familiar with how changing a single line of code can bring your website offline. Yeah, not fun. When you use an online backup service, all of this is taken care of for you. You’re not the one individually backing up every website element and file yourself. The service does it automatically in the background. This helps to ensure that every single file is backed up and you can easily restore your site if the need arises. Once you choose your online website backup software of choice and configure it to your website, you won’t have to touch it again. Just select the website you’d like backed up, and choose the frequency. The application will then run in the background, silently backing up data in your site to your preferred guidelines. This helps to take the headache out of backing up your site while giving you a safe and secure backup if you ever need to restore your site to a previous version. 3 Benefits of Using an Online Backup Service If you don’t know how to backup your website , online backup services can greatly simplify the process. All you have to do is sign up for a service and the rest is taken care of for you. You don’t have to worry about remembering to backup your site, or even securing your backups the right way. All of this and more will be taken care of by your online backup service. Here are some of the biggest benefits you’ll realize from using an online backup service: 1. Backups Are Effortless With an online backup service, you don’t have to think twice about whether or not your site is going to be backed up. All you have to do is sign up for the service and the rest is taken care of for you. Cloud-based backup solutions are very efficient. Instead of having to manage your backups yourself and ensure they’re properly stored, the entire process happens automatically behind the scenes, and your site’s files and folders are stored securely on a remote server. You also don’t have to worry about the maintenance, or physical protection of your data storage devices as well. All of this is taken care of by your website backup provider. Usually, your website data will be stored across multiple different storage locations as well, in case one becomes corrupted, or damaged in some way. 2. Enhanced Security Protocols If you’re manually backing up your site and using a basic storage solution, then your levels of security won’t be as high as what a cloud backup solution can provide. Simply using an HDD backup can open your files up to all sorts of risks like data corruption, storage malfunction, physical damage, and more. Even if you’re regularly backing up your site, it’s no use if you can’t actually access your data. Online backup services not only have multiple layers of security to protect your files, but they’ll be stored on redundant servers. This means that copies of your site’s files are stored across multiple server physical servers. It’ll be near impossible to get this level of security and data recovery when managing your backups yourself. 3. Speedy Site Recovery One of the biggest benefits of using an online backup service is being able to restore your site to a previous version in an instant. With quick website recovery and data restoration times it’ll be like your site never took any damage in the first place. When you’re managing your own backups this will be a much slower process, especially if you don’t have the necessary technical skills. A lot of online backup services will also offer technical assistance for restoring your site or even have one-click recovery options. This is a must-have for website owners who don’t want to go through the technical process of restoring their sites themselves. Choosing the Best Website Backup Service When you’re looking for a solid website backup service there are certain features you’ll want to keep an eye out for. The last thing you want to do is choose a low-quality online backup service. Here are three key features you’ll want to keep an eye out for when choosing a backup service: 1. Off-Site Backups You want your backups to be protected from hackers and hardware failure. This means that your backups need to be stored in an off-site protected location, not just on a traditional website server. Look for an online backup service that offers off-site backups as part of their service offering. 2. Automated Backups If you have to create your backups yourself, then you’ll probably never get around to it. Our lives are busy, and you probably have a handful of website-oriented tasks you’re trying to complete every day as well. The last thing you’ll remember to do is backing up your website. Plus, it’s a simple enough task that it’s easy to put off until “tomorrow”. With automated backups, you don’t have to think twice about backing up your website. Just sign up for a service, create a backup schedule, and the rest is taken care of for you. Automation is one of the most important aspects of an online backup service. Without automation, the task probably won’t get done. 3. Redundant Backups Another very important feature of your online backup service is redundant backups. This is where your website files and folders will be stored in multiple server locations. Or, you’re having backups of backups made. This ensures that a single event won’t bring down your backups or storage, and you have multiple lines of defense, instead of a single point of failure. Introducing the CodeGuard Backup Solution If you’re already a HostGator customer then you should probably consider CodeGuard as your preferred backup solution. Think of CodeGuard as a time machine for your website. Have a website update that goes wrong? Or, your site gets hacked and your site will barely function? Or, maybe your site is going haywire for no reason at all? In one-click, you can restore your site to a previous version that functions how it should. CodeGuard is equipped with features like: Daily automatic backups (or whatever frequency you prefer) One-click restore of your entire website, or a single file that’s been corrupted Email alerts for any unauthorized changes that are made to your website 24/7 website monitoring and scheduled scans The ability to backup multiple different websites in a single storage space Download a zip version of your entire site for manual backups (if you want even more stored versions of your site) If you’re already hosting your site with HostGator and looking for a backup solution, then CodeGuard is a no brainer. It immediately integrates with your existing web hosting plan, so configuration is a breeze. Just choose your backup plan, select the websites you want to save, and this tool will do the rest. Hopefully, you have a better understanding of why website backups are so important , and something you must do before an unfortunate incident occurs. With a solid website backup solution behind you and an experienced web hosting provider to rely on, you’ll protect the future of your site from any risks that are lurking online. Find the post on the HostGator Blog Continue reading →

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Application Server vs Web Server

Posted on April 30, 2019 by Hosting

The post Application Server vs Web Server appeared first on HostGator Blog . Technical terms can get confusing, but understanding the definitions of different terms and how they relate to each other can be important to understanding how things work. Two terms you may come across in similar contexts are application server and web server. Based on how they’re used, you’re likely to wonder how they differ. Here’s the rundown on application servers vs. web servers, what you should know about the difference, and how they relate to application hosting . What is a Web Server? A web server is the technology that serves up a website to users when they visit a URL. On the technical side of things, what that means is that it handles the hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP). When a client (which is usually a browser or mobile app) queries the server (by visiting a URL or accessing the app), the web server does the work of processing that request and delivering up the web page—or at least the static parts of the web page. How Web Servers Are Used This is all what happens on the backend when you visit a website. People don’t usually have to think much about what web servers are or how they work in order to browse the web, or even to run a website. Unless working with web servers is your job, the only time you’re likely to have any reason to think about them is when you’re launching a website and you need to find website hosting. For most website owners, having your own web server is impractical. The power needed to store all the files that make up a website and deliver HTTP protocol to the hundreds or thousands of visitors that come to a site is beyond what most individuals can take care of with their own resources. The physical hardware that powers web servers is large and sensitive. It wouldn’t easily fit in your average three-bedroom home, and even most offices don’t have good facilities for managing a web server well. In addition to the space involved, web servers also need the right kind of care. They must be stored in climate-controlled environments to avoid overheating. They need regular maintenance from skilled professionals to stay in working order. And for the web hosting they provide to stay secure from hackers, they need to be equipped with the proper firewalls and other security measures that keep the websites they power safe. Web hosting companies take care of all that and rent out space on their servers for a monthly or annual fee. How web hosting works is that every website you visit online lives on a web server somewhere that does the work of delivering each web page you view on your browser. But for the most part, those web servers do their job in the background, far away from the people running the websites and the people viewing them alike. What is an Application Server? An application server is a little harder to describe in layman’s terms. It’s the software server that both web applications and desktop applications run on. Application servers host what you call business logic, which is the code that provides the functionality needed to build and run dynamic content. If that’s still a little too technical for you, an application server is essentially the software framework that allows programs and websites to create and serve up dynamic content. It’s used for websites that include dynamic features ( features that change based on specific parameters, such as where the visitor is geographically or whether an item is currently in stock). But it’s not exclusively used for websites. Application servers can be used for other types of platforms and applications as well, particularly at the enterprise level. Mobile Application Servers As mobile use soars, mobile application servers are now a growing subset of application servers. These work in a similar way to other servers, but for mobile apps. They essentially serve as the middle component between the backend system and mobile devices, making sure that the different components of an app or web page show up appropriately on a mobile device. Since mobile devices have certain features and limitations, mobile application servers often have to do the work of ensuring the mobile version of a program or website functions well in spite of the limited connectivity, power, and bandwidth that’s normal with mobile devices. For mobile technology used by businesses, mobile application servers contain the software that provides access across device types and process important elements of that access such as authentication, security features, and updates.    How Are Application Servers and Web Servers Different? Application servers and web servers provide similar functionality and have a lot in common in the role they play, but the differences are worth being aware of. Application servers work with more than just http protocol. Web servers basically have one primary job: they process HTTP requests in order to display websites. Application servers often have this ability as well, but they go further and provide additional functionality. They work both with websites and with other types of programs. And they can add a layer of adaptivity to the information they deliver. Web servers serve static content. Web servers on their own provide static web pages to browsers. While you can visit a website that includes adaptive components, those are powered by additional technology beyond the web server itself. The part the web server provides when you type a URL into a browser is the same regardless of the place a person is, the device they’re using, or any other factors that might otherwise influence what they see. Application servers can enable additional functionality. The websites and applications that use application servers often need to provide features that go beyond the static functionality web servers provide. Application servers can enable features like transactions, personalization, and messaging services. These enhanced features are increasingly used and expected for websites of all types.   It’s Not Either-Or The framing of “application servers vs web servers” isn’t really accurate. Generally speaking, it’s not a matter of choosing between the two or deciding which is better. Most of the time, they’re a package deal. Application servers can contain web servers. Web servers are usually one part of an application server. In addition to the other functionality they provide, they also tend to enable HTTP protocol. Sometimes the web server function is an important part of the other features an application server offers. Most often, when you hear someone talk about application servers, you can assume a web server is one part of what they’re describing. Web servers and application servers often work in tandem. Even though many application servers include a web server, application servers are most commonly  used alongside web servers. You can get speedier and better results by having a web server that takes care of the static portion of serving up a website, and an application server that handles any dynamic functions. Web servers can handle caching and simple requests that don’t require much bandwidth, leaving the application server to exert its power only on the more complex requests that require it. That way, simple web requests don’t overtax or slow down the application server and both pieces of the overall solution do their jobs better. Developers can ensure that a website knows how to recognize which requests only require the web server, and can incorporate a filtering technique to identify dynamic content requests and automatically forward them to the application server. By working together, the two types of technology provide better results all around. How Are Application Servers and Web Servers Alike? While the ways they differ matter, web servers and application servers are more alike than they are different at the end of the day. Both serve as the middleware or bridge between the back systems that keep a website running and what the user sees when they access it. They help translate the technical side of things into something web designers and everyday web users can interact with in a way that’s intuitive and helpful. And while they’re both invisible to the vast majority of users, they help power the web we all depend on every single day. Which Do I Need? For most web users, the distinction won’t really matter. And often the terms are used interchangeably, in part because the vast majority of us don’t need to worry about what the difference is. In practice, what you need is a reliable web hosting provider who takes care of the web servers for you and provides compatibility with any applications you use in order to bring all the functionality you need to your website. Don’t feel like you have to choose between one or the other. A good application web hosting plan can do both. How to Find the Right Web Hosting Plan A good web hosting provider will have the right bandwidth and features to enable all your static and dynamic website needs. You won’t have to worry about what’s happening on the backend, you can simply enjoy the results of it for your website and visitors. You don’t even have to think about it during the designing process, especially if you use a website builder that makes it extra easy. But the market for web hosting plans is large. To find a good web hosting provider that will take all the complicated aspects of worrying about web servers and applications out of your hands, here’s a short list of the main things to look for. 99% uptime Possibly the most important responsibility a web hosting company has is making sure your website is consistently up and available for your visitors. Web servers must occasionally go offline for maintenance. But the best web hosting companies make sure those times are so rare you barely notice it. With less reputable companies, your website can go offline for a variety of reasons: insufficient maintenance, repairs, hardware glitches, hacker attacks, or weather problems like the the server warehouse flooding. In the industry, the amount of time your website is available to visitors is called uptime. And uptime is one of the main differences you’ll find between different service providers. The reason you pay a web hosting company is to do the work of maintaining the web servers for you. For your money, find a company that does it well. The best web hosting companies promise at least 99% uptime. And some (like HostGator) actually go so far as to assure 99.9% uptime with a money-back guarantee. Ease of Use You don’t have to know the technical ins and outs of how your web hosting technology works. With an intuitive web hosting provider, you just need to know how to log into your account and cover the basics: managing domain names , setting up redirects, and keeping your billing up to date. If you’ll be using a popular content management system (CMS) or other application to build your website with, then you also want a web hosting plan that makes installation easy and provides compatibility, And a good web hosting plan will provide plenty of resources on how to use the account management and cPanel tools you’ll use to manage your website. 24/7 customer service If reading about the technical side of web and application servers leaves you feeling confused, have no fear. You don’t have to shoulder the responsibility of the technical side of running your website alone. Any good web hosting provider will offer customer support to help you figure out a range of issues related to building and running your website. And while having any access at all to customer support makes a difference, it’s that much more valuable to have consistent access at the moment you need it. Find a web hosting company that offers customer support 24/7 and has a good reputation for the level of support they provide. Security features Website hacks are all too common in the modern world. And if your website will collect personal information from visitors, the risk is that much more serious. Choosing the right web hosting provider is the first step in creating a secure website. Check that your web hosting company invests in infrastructure that keeps their web servers safe and sets up firewalls to keep hackers out. And look for additional features or add-ons such as an SSL certificate or security software. Some simple additions can make your website that much safer. Choose Application Web Hosting Solutions While it can be valuable to understand the distinction, you don’t have to choose between an application server and a web server. When you choose an application web hosting plan, you can be confident that your web hosting service provides all the functionality you need. They’ll take care of managing the web servers and application servers on their end and make sure everything works together as it should. You can focus on building an awesome website that delivers the experience you want your visitors to have. Regardless if you’re looking into shared hosting, dedicated server hosting , or any other hosting plan, HostGator can help. Contact our team of experts today for further assistance on our website hosting plans. Find the post on the HostGator Blog Continue reading →

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High Performance Dedicated Servers | 10 % OFF on E3-1220v2 E5-2630 v2 | 1 GBPS | Limited Stock

Posted on April 30, 2019 by Hosting

eLite Server Management offers SuperMicro High Performance Dedicated Servers on a stable, multi-homed network from our Dallas Data Centers!… | Read the rest of http://www.webhostingtalk.com/showthread.php?t=1762767&goto=newpost Continue reading →

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A2 hosting Windows servers down for 4 days.

Posted on April 30, 2019 by Hosting

Our websites were down from Tuesday April 23,2019 to Saturday April 27, 2019. Their entire Windows server fleet were taken down. Two month… | Read the rest of http://www.webhostingtalk.com/showthread.php?t=1762766&goto=newpost Continue reading →

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