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SSD vs HDD

Posted on April 22, 2019 by Hosting

The post SSD vs HDD appeared first on HostGator Blog . Every year, the technological devices we use—and increasingly depend on—seem to get smaller and more powerful. And yet somehow these machines manage to hold large quantities of files, media, and applications. That’s possible because of the data storage technology available to manufacturers and consumers today. And in the world of storage technology, there are two main options: SSD and HDD . Your average consumer rarely has to worry about the difference between the two, but for the tech savvy, understanding the difference in how they work and the relative benefits of each can be valuable. This article will compare SSD vs HDD to help you decide which option is the right one for you. What is SSD (Solid-State Drive)? The solid-state drive is a relatively recent data storage technology that uses memory chips to store information. SSDs use the same technology that flash drives do, but on a larger scale. Specifically, they’re made up of NAND (negative-and) memory chips that house a number of memory cells. There are three types of memory cells: Single-level cells (SLC) Multi-level cells (MLC) Triple-level cells (TLC) SLCs can only hold two bits of data (a 1 or 0), which means a higher level of precision, but higher cost. MLCs hold two bits of data per cell, and TLCs three—each increase in bits leads to a tradeoff in precision and speed, but means greater affordability. With technological advances over time, SSDs have been able to hold more NAND chips with more memory cells, increasing power and storage capacity, while reducing cost. Many new computer models now come with SSD hardware and external hard drives that use SSD drive technology have become more common and accessible. SSD Pros: 6 Reasons to Consider SSD Over HDD SSDs are growing in popularity for good reason. The technology has a number of important benefits that make them a good choice for most tech manufacturers and users alike. Here are six of the main reasons to consider SSD over HDD. 1. They’re fast. Because a SSD drive has fewer moving parts in the way they function, it works more efficiently. On the user end, that means your devices work much faster. If you’re tired of watching the spinning ball of death (or throbber , if you prefer the more technical term) while you wait for files to open or pages to load, then you need a data storage option that works faster. This is a significant category where SSDs win, which is one of the biggest reasons many prefer them. The speed at which your computer or other devices you rely on work makes a discernible difference in your day to day life. SSDs increase convenience and efficiency, and thus make your life easier. 2. They’re quiet. Another benefit of SSDs using technology that doesn’t involve a lot of moving parts is that it means they can run without making as much noise. SSDs are virtually silent. If you prefer to do your work (and play) without the extra white noise that HDDs make when they get into gear, then SSDs are your best choice. 3. They’re reliable. Fewer parts also means fewer opportunities for pieces to break or wear out. SSDs can generally be counted on to last years, or even decades, without needing any repairs. And like most technologies, the longer companies work on them, the more reliable they become. Every year only increases the lifespan of new SSDs, which was already long to begin with. 4. They don’t use much energy. The efficiency in how SSDs work also means that they don’t use as much energy as HDDs. That means your computer’s battery power will last longer, and your electric bills could be lower. For anyone conscious about their energy usage and looking for ways to cut down, this is one small choice that can make a difference. 5. They’re light and portable. This is especially convenient when it comes to laptops or other devices you need to move from one place to another frequently. The technology SSDs use is relatively small and lightweight, which means products that use an SSD will be more convenient to carry around. 6. They’re versatile. Because SSDs can be made with different types of memory cells, numbers of chips, and design approaches, you have a lot of options when it comes to their shapes and sizes. While replacing the drive in your computer requires finding something that’s the right fit, for other purposes like choosing an external drive, you have more choices. SSD Cons While the pros are compelling, there are a few potential downsides to consider when it comes to SSDs. 1. They’re expensive. The biggest drawback of SSD in relation to HDD is that it’s more expensive. While the technology is getting more affordable every year, SSD is still quite a bit more expensive than HDD drives. And the types of SSDs that deliver better performance or more storage space, such as those with SLC or multiple NAND chips cost more. 2. They often have a smaller capacity. Related to cost is the issue of storage capacity. The more files and data you have to store, the more you’ll have to spend on an SSD big enough to fit them all. For creators with especially high data storage capacity needs, SSD is often prohibitively expensive, where HDD drives with a comparable storage size cost quite a bit less. 3. In some cases, you’ll face compatibility issues. If you’re looking to replace the drive you have in your current computer and the device now has an HDD, there’s a chance that an SSD won’t be compatible. Many computers that now come with HDDs are designed to be compatible with both types of storage drives, so you have the choice to trade up down the line. But older devices, or more affordable ones, may only be HDD-compatible, so you have to make sure switching to SDD is even an option before you consider it. What is HDD (Hard Disk Drive)? A hard disk drive, sometimes just called a hard drive, is a data storage device that stores information on rotating magnetic disks. The technology includes an arm with a head that floats above the disks until called on to write data on the disks in tiny tracks, much like a miniature record player, then “read” or retrieve the data as needed. It’s an older form of computer storage, developed in the early days of computers and refined in the decades since. For a long time it was the dominant computer data storage option, but as SSD technology has gotten more advanced and, crucially, more affordable, it has begun to lose ground in popularity.  Nonetheless, it’s still easy to find and a better option in some use cases. HDD Pros: 3 Reasons People Prefer Them Over SSDs Hard disk drives have a different set of benefits they offer in comparison to SSDs. Here are the main reasons some people prefer them. 1. They’re more affordable. HDDs cost quite a bit less than SDDs, and always have. While over time as SDD technology advances, the difference in cost narrows, it’s still considerable enough that you can expect to spend a lot less if you opt for an HDD. This is true across use cases—computers, external hard drives, and web hosting servers that use HDDs will consistently be cheaper than those of a comparable size that use SDDs. If price is your biggest deciding factor, you can check out our cheap dedicated server hosting plans here. 2. They’re better for high-capacity storage. For anyone that has a lot of files, media, and applications that require a significant amount of space, HDDs are an affordable option for managing larger amounts of storage. HDDs can go up to two terabytes in laptops and ten terabytes in desktops. 3. They’re a proven technology. While both technologies have been around for some time now, HDDs are the legacy tech of the two. The longer a technology has existed, the more time companies have had to work out any kinks and improve upon it, and HDDs have existed for decades. Part of the reason you get to pay less for an HDD is because of that extra time experts have had to advance the tech and make it work better for less. HDD Cons There’s a tradeoff to any choice you make, and HDDs of course have several areas in which they’re the weaker choice. Here are the main reasons not to go with an HDD. 1. They’re slower than SSDs. As previously mentioned, the technology behind HDDs is simply less efficient. For users that means everything you do with them will be slower. With your computer, you’d face a longer time waiting for the device to boot up and slower load times when opening files and media. With external drives, it means backups and transfers take longer. And with web hosting, it can potentially mean slower load times for your website. All those times you spend waiting can really add up and make your days more inefficient. 2. They’re loud. The technology behind HDDs involves spinning disks and that spinning makes noise. Whenever the drive goes into high gear saving or accessing data, it gets louder. If you have a device that uses HDD, then you’re probably all too familiar with the spinning noise. It can be distracting as you work, and cause problems with family members or roommates you share a space with. If you care about keeping some peace and quiet in your home or workspace, an HDD can work against you. 3. They’re vulnerable to damage. Because the technology involves a number of different moving parts, there are more opportunities for parts to wear out or break. HDDs therefore tend to have a shorter lifespan than SDDs, and are more prone to needing repairs. While they cost less upfront, HDDs can cost you extra down the line when you have to replace them sooner, hire a professional to fix them, or deal with lost productivity because they’re not working properly. 3 Main Uses for Different Storage Solutions As we’ve touched on a bit in the comparison, there are three main use cases where you’ll have a choice to make between SSD vs HDD. 1. Computers All computers need a hard drive to store the operating system, applications, and various files users need to store on the device. When you’re looking for a new computer, you can find both models that use SSD and HDD. Typically, SSD computers are higher end and will cost you more upfront, and most Apple computers now come only in SSD versions. But for those needing to pinch pennies, or who want more storage for the money they spend, you can find HDD models as well. 2. External Hard Drives External hard drives come in handy both for making backups, and storing any files you don’t want taking up space on your computer. If you own a lot of games, movies, or other files that take up a significant amount of space, storing them externally can open up space on the computer itself so you don’t run out as fast. You can find plenty of choices for external hard drives, both SSD and HDD. HDD options are typically cheaper and sometimes much larger. SSD ones are smaller, lighter, and more costly for the amount of storage you get. 3. Web Hosting Servers A sometimes overlooked area where you have a choice between HDD and SSD is when it comes to choosing your web hosting, particularly if you invest in dedicated server hosting . Some web hosting providers will allow you to choose between an SSD or HDD plan. As you’d expect by this point in the piece, and SSD plan will typically cost more but deliver more speed (twice as much, in the case of HostGator’s plan). But for websites with less storage or bandwidth needs, an HDD plan can offer savings. Other Storage Options While SSD and HDD are your main options in many contexts, we now also have a couple of alternatives in some use cases. Hybrid Drives While not as common as SSDs or HDDs, in the past few years an alternative that combines the best of both worlds has come onto the scene. You can find computers and external drives that use both types of technology in order to provide the faster speed of an SSD, with the affordable higher capacity of an HDD. A hybrid drive will store the files you access most on the SSD part of the device, so you can load them quickly; while the files that mostly stay in storage without frequent access can be stored on the HDD part of the device.   Cloud Storage While computers require a physical drive to function, for many other data storage needs you can now turn to cloud options. Cloud storage is a popular choice for backups and any files or programs you have that won’t fit on your computer. And web hosting companies now frequently offer cloud hosting plans as well that offer significant storage options and faster speeds. Make the Right Data Storage Choice For You All of your data storage options have unique benefits and drawbacks. Deciding between SSD vs HDD will require figuring out your particular situation and priorities. Do you have a tight budget and need a large amount of storage space? Or is convenience and speed more important than cost? Now you’ll know how to make an informed choice that best suits your needs. Find the post on the HostGator Blog Continue reading →

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4 Proven Methods to Increase Your Website Conversions

Posted on February 21, 2019 by Hosting

The post 4 Proven Methods to Increase Your Website Conversions appeared first on HostGator Blog . Are you actively creating new content for your website or blog, only to find that you seem to be wasting more time than anything else? If so, then you will find a lot of value in today’s article. With more than a BILLION active websites and blogs on the internet today, there are a few things you need to know: There is now more competition than ever to rank in Google Every topic has already been written about a thousand times over For content to make money, it needs to have traffic and call-to-action The best business models are ones with a direct focus and need on their audience Remarketing similar products and services to your site visitors is key By reminding yourself of these five key points, you will find a lot more success in blogging and content creation . It’s also important to remember that people are using the internet for three main reasons, which are 1) to buy something, 2) to find information, 3) to be entertained. Cater to any of these needs with an ending call-to-action, and you are on the right track. At the same time, it’s extremely important to make sure you have a marketing plan in place as well. Just creating content and hoping to rank in the search results is no longer a viable plan. With all of this in mind, let’s take a look at a some of the many different ways to create valuable content and marketing methods that continues to make money time and time again. 1. Have a Great Call-To-Action on Your Main Page When you look at any of the top websites on the internet today (especially in online marketing and business services), you will see that most of them have a direct call-to-action, or CTA , on their main page. Here’s an example of HostGator’s: There are plenty of reasons for this, but two of the most obvious are that you only have a few seconds to make a great first impression and to get the user to act on whatever you have to offer. Another reason, is that simple micro-sized actions usually have much higher conversions and engagement in the long run. Let’s take a look at a couple examples of this below. With more entrepreneurs, content creators, and affiliates jumping into the world of ecommerce, there is a huge untapped market that is searching for answers daily. One of the biggest problems ecommerce sites are facing, is trying to find winning products that are in demand, have low competition, and also offer higher profit margins. All of this can be summed up nicely in the “Find products for your store in minutes” call-to-action that is found right on the home page of Oberlo . Throw in the addition of the product image and a visual on the retail price and potential profit, and you can only imagine the conversion rate on this homepage alone. At the same time, when having any type of product or service, it’s a huge benefit if your brand is actually using that same solution itself. Another example of this can be seen on OptinMonster , which is a popular WordPress plugin that has a whole collection of popup and call-to-action lead generation tools for site owners to use. Once you start to scroll away from their site and appear to close it out, they have a popup window that appears and discusses the topic of “Cart Abandonment.” For anyone already visiting the site, they are likely already interested in how to improve their business and user engagement for the better, and this is a perfect way to show not only what their service has to offer, but how it can work for other site owners and brands as well. These are just a few working examples of how to create excellent home page calls-to-action that grab the interest of your audience and make them want to convert and become a paying customer right away. 2. Focus on How To Content, Case Studies and Live Webinars When most people visit Google, they are often searching for information to solve a problem or to help them with a decision or process. By creating content that caters to this audience, gives them value, and then direction, not only will you be providing a service, you can also turn such traffic into leads and sales as well. “How To” guides and “Tutorials” are some of the best ways to accomplish this. Just think about what your service or business offers, then reverse the process and recommend it to your audience as the solution to their problem. For example, thousands of individuals and brands are starting a new website or blog for the first time. While this might seems like nothing for the majority of us, it can be quite a daunting task for anyone attempting this the first time around. HostGator has a whole slew of tutorials and reference guides on our site for how to get started, and we also offer several live webinars as well. And just like how millions of people will be starting a new website or blog today, the same is true with social media. It’s not just about how many people will actively go live on new platform, but also how they use it for their business or brand. Even if they aren’t new to the social platform, they might be new to the concept of advertising with them — and those businesses and services out there that cater to this need will continue to generate new business as well. Another example of how to use case studies and brand examples to provide new leads and sales for your business, is to show how other companies are doing something right (such as social media marketing), and then how your customers can follow along and do the same. This Zappos case study is a great example of how a site is leveraging the success and branding of another brand, then offering a relevant service to their audience — hoping to turn them into customers. Often times, these types of case studies and resource guides go into super detail on how complex and time-consuming it actually is to create a winning strategy, and then sell that formula and service instead. Again, this all goes back to knowing your target audience and catering to their needs. These are just a few examples to consider when trying to come up with new content ideas and calls-to-action for your site, while also driving new traffic and leads in the process. 3. Product Information, Review Articles and Testimonials Matter We already know that a ton of people are going to Google everyday to learn new things and to research processes to accomplish whatever their personal or business goals are. But what about product and service information? Sure, there are millions of websites about products and services out there, but some do it better than others. Just having a product page with generic information will get you nowhere. Instead, shopping comparison and niche review sites do this extremely well. This is something Amazon has revolutionized over the past several years. Just take a look at any product on their site, and then you will see a ton of product recommendations based on other customer viewing and purchases. Just imagine how much of an increase Amazon sees in order size, thanks to these little recommendations and ratings throughout their site. This method also works very well for affiliate marketing and commission-based lead generation as well. Since site owners and bloggers are pretty good at social media and SEO, it’s actually one of the most popular and effective ways to drive traffic and revenue to some of the top sites on the internet. A perfect example of this can be seen in this HostGator review , which highlights nearly all aspects of the hosting platform. You can bet that anyone looking for a hosting plan and coming across this page will find all of the information they need, and are most certainly ready to take action in the process. At the same time, there are also user reviews and ratings placed throughout the site as well. And with Inc.com recently reporting that “ 84 percent of people trust online reviews as much as friends ”, you can only imagine how well such testimonials and reviews work, even when we don’t actually know the individuals posting them. These examples show how product ratings and testimonials can make a huge improvement to conversions on a shopping or review site, but this method can be effective for any kind of business, from solopreneurs to small businesses . A couple more content ideas are product/service “alternatives” and “review” style posts. You can also write content on your competition and then recommend your own services or products as the better option. If you know your target audience, cater content to exactly what they are looking for, and provide them with real value — they will then likely take action while they are on your site. 4. Run Your Business with EverGreen Content Many of the methods highlighted in the points above are focused on engagement and impulse buying, while some are specifically targeted towards audiences that are already in buying mode. If someone is searching for information on an individual process or product, they are likely already in action mode. Why not create valuable content that can keep working for you for several months and years to come? This is often referred to as “ evergreen content .” In short, this means it’s something that is always in demand and won’t go out of style anytime soon. Here are a few ideas on winning evergreen topics: health/weight loss finance/making money education/employment birthdays, weddings & graduations If you have content (or a business) that caters to any of these areas, you can continually generate traffic and leads everyday of the year. This is usually easier for businesses that already have a focus in these areas, but there are also plenty of opportunities for any brand to tap into these evergreen markets as well. A winning evergreen content strategy can look something like the chart below. It’s not just about pushing out as much content as possible, but instead creating as much value within one post, which can also be promoted and referenced to time and time again. The good news is that this type of content can be created for nearly any type of business model or customer audience that you might have in place. For example, starting a new website or blog isn’t limited to just those who are tech-savvy. Through the use of articles focused on topics like “How to Lose Weight and Blog Your Journey ” or “ Create a Site for Your Upcoming Wedding! “, site owners can create compelling content for an audience, while also monetizing it through the use of HostGator and their affiliate program . Again, this goes back to the providing your audience with a “walk through,” having a call-to-action in place, and also adding in the “evergreen” component as well. How to Make a Solid Content Creation and Marketing Plan For the most part, content creation is the easy part. You can take any of the examples and concepts above, reverse engineer your end call-to-action or monetization process, and then create content around it. If you aren’t a good writer, you can simply map out these data points and then hand it off to a freelancer to complete. But as we noted, content creation is only half of the battle. With more than two million sites and blogs going live daily , you need to have an effective marketing strategy in place. It doesn’t matter if you focus on paid, SEO, or social media — as long as you have at least one in place. Before you leave this article, run through the list one more time, take some notes and then start thinking about how you can improve your business model and engagement with better main page call-to-actions, using reference guides and webinars, and also implementing evergreen content in the mix. Your competition is likely already doing many of these, and now it’s time for you to do the same. Find the post on the HostGator Blog Continue reading →

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8 Best Apps to Process Credit Cards on Your Website

Posted on January 23, 2019 by Hosting

The post 8 Best Apps to Process Credit Cards on Your Website appeared first on HostGator Blog . The internet makes it easier than ever to start a business or reach a larger clientele for the business you already have. But one of the most basic things you need in order to make money online is a way to accept payments on your website. In this article we review the top apps for processing credit card payments on your website, and walk you through how to choose the right app for your site. What You Need in a Payment Processing App No matter what type of business you’re in—or even if you’re just a blogger ready to accept donations— to accept payments through your website, you need to make sure of two things:   1. It’s secure. If people are going to give you their sensitive financial information, it’s your responsibility to make sure that doing so doesn’t put them at risk. You have to take the proper precautions to make sure you can accept payments securely. That means investing in basic security measures like an SSL certificate and security software , and using a reliable program for processing payments. Some hosting providers offer security packages that cover most of your bases, and picking the right credit card processing app will cover the rest.   2. It’s easy. Convenience is key when selling online. People aren’t going to take the time to write a check and put it in the mail or provide their bank account information for a transfer. In short, you have to accept credit cards. All of the best online payment processing apps make this possible and keep it convenient for your customers.   8 Top Credit Card Processing Apps for Websites Luckily, there’s a whole industry of products designed specifically to enable websites to safely and easily accept online payments. Here are eight of your top choices.   1. Flint Flint was specifically developed with small businesses in mind, so it’s easy to use and affordable. They promise security measures that are in compliance with PCI standards. And you can easily get it setup on your website within minutes, without having to use any coding. Their Pro plan costs $99.99 a year and allows for unlimited online sales.   2. Flagship Merchant Services Flagship ’s online payment product enables processing f or all major credit cards, as well as bank transfers. As with other payment processing apps, they offer a secure and convenient transaction process. They also have features to make recurring billing easier for repeat and subscription customers, and can be set up to sync with Quickbooks to easily import your sales details into the accounting software. They offer a number of pricing models that businesses can choose based on what works best for the way you do business.     3. Stripe S tripe ’s payment processing app allows you to accept both credit cards and wallets (like Google Pay and Apple Pay). They have a UI toolkit that lets you build your own checkout form. And they use an encryption process for security that’s in compliance with all the highest industry standards. They price per credit card transaction, with each sale costing 30 cents, plus 2.9% of the total charge.     4. Braintree Braintree  allows you to accept payments via credit cards, PayPal, Venmo and wallets.  They offer both a drop-in UI you can use to easily set up your checkout process, or a custom UI that allows you to tailor the details. They offer Level 1 PCI compliance for security, as well as additional features you can use for fraud protection. And they have features that make it easy to save billing info for repeat customers to make check out easier. They charge a per transaction fee of 30 cents, plus 2.9% of the total purchase.   5. 2Checkout 2Checkout ’s shopping cart product is easy to get set up and provides both an inline cart you can use that’s designed to be intuitive, and a gallery of different templates you can work from if you want a different cart design. All of their cart options are responsive, so you can count on them to work seamlessly on mobile as well as desktop. They accept payments from all the major credit cards, Paypal, Apple Pay, and bank transfers, and can process payments from all over the world. Their fees start at 3.5%, plus 35 cents for each sale.     6. PayPal Payments Pro The familiar brand for all types of online payments and money transfers also provides a product for accepting eCommerce payments through a website.  PayPal Payments Pro allows you to accept payments using credit cards or PayPal accounts. They offer a customizable API, if you want to create a particular checkout experience, and provide the option of financing, which can be useful for businesses selling big ticket items. They charge $30 per month, plus 30 cents and 2.9% for each transaction.   7. Authorize Authorize promises advanced fraud protection using a number of filters (velocity, IP, shipping, and transaction) to help you avoid scammers. They process all major credit cards, Apple Pay, PayPal, and Visa checkout. And they make recurring and repeat payments easier for customers. Getting set up is as simple as copying and pasting some html code into your site. The app costs $25 monthly, as well as 2.9% and 30 cents per charge.   8. Payline Payline promises PCI compliance for data security, as well as fraud protection features. They allow you to accept all major credit card options, as well as ACH transfers. They also offer free subscription billing features and integration with over 175 online shopping cart products. They charge a $10 monthly fee, as well as a 20 cent per transaction fee, and 2.3% for all credit card charges.   Get Paid Quickly and Easily The last thing you want is to make your customers feel like they’re jumping through hoops to give you their money. These payment processing apps make the purchasing process on your website quick and painless, so you get a higher conversion rate and more profits. Find the post on the HostGator Blog Continue reading →

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Best Practices for Referencing Your Business Location Online

Posted on January 22, 2019 by Hosting

The post Best Practices for Referencing Your Business Location Online appeared first on HostGator Blog . Advertising your business online can get confusing. With so many available options to promote your business online like Google My Business, social media and your own website, it can be difficult to know where to start. When you have a local business, there is another layer that you have to consider when promoting your business online: your address . As you go along building your online presence for your brick and mortar business, you need to take that extra step to ensure that your business location is listed in every possible place. After all, the more people that know your address, the more people that can come visit it. While you should list your business’ information online in as many places you can, the list below contains websites that your contact information and location should be listed on at the very least. Google My Business Google My Business is an essential place to reference your business online. Basically, Google My Business allows you to manage how your business looks in Google search results. With Google My Business you can manage your business’ maps, knowledge graphs, online reviews and even your organic search results – which will all lead to more traffic (online and foot) to your business. The added bonus of setting up and continuing to update a Google My Business listing is searchers will start seeing your business information appearing in a knowledge panel. A knowledge panel allows a potential visitor to quickly see your business information like your address or phone number. This easy-to-use knowledge panel will greatly increase the accessibility of your business to customers by providing a way for customers to quickly contact you and visit your business. Social Media While not the most obvious, social media is one of the easiest places to reference your local business online. After all, the platforms are readily available (and you’re hopefully already using them), you just need to input your business’ contact information into them. To start, you will want to ensure that you’re choosing the business versions of your favorite social media platforms, like Facebook Business Pages and Instagram for Business. This is important because these business versions will have “About” pages. Your contact information will live on your “About” page. On your “About” page you have the opportunity to list not only your address and phone number, but also your additional social media channels and hours of business. This information will be vital in gaining and retaining customers that you connect with via social media.   Online Directories Online directories might be one of the most underutilized places to reference your business online. Often sorted by industry, online directories offer a place for your business to be listed among your business peers. For example, someone searching for a plumber might come across a online directory for plumbers where they would then find your business, listed by city. Many online directories are free to submit your business to, so there is no additional cost, it will just take time submitting your business to these sites. An additional bonus of listing your business in these online directories is it gives you quick backlinks .   Review Sites Before people give you their business, they are most likely going to search for your business online to see what other people have said about you. They will look to review sites to give them the information they’re looking for, so you will want to ensure your business is listed there. Make sure that you’re listed on places like Yelp , and other review sites for physical businesses. Like online directories, review sites give potential customers another chance to find your business, as well as giving you additional backlinks . One thing to note about listing your business on review sites is to monitor your reviews . It won’t matter if your business is listed on these review sites if you only have poor reviews.   Business Website Although listed last in this article, having a business website is the most important online place that your contact information and business location can live. Why? Because you own it. As you design your website , include your location and contact information in an easy-to-find place, ideally on its own contact page. Your contact page should include your phone number, email address, physical address and an interactive map of your location. You will also want to ensure that all of this information is linkable for your mobile visitors. When your contact information is linkable, it becomes more accessible to mobile users. For example, think about someone someone who is on their way to your business. With linkable and clickable contact information, a customer can visit your website, click your address and be prompted to open your address in the map so they can easily visit you. Or they can click on your phone number and they’re immediately prompted to give your business a call. Besides your contact page, an additional place to list your contact information address would be the footer of your website. This provides a quick and easy way for customers to find your location without them having to go through your menu of pages.   Help Customers Find Your Business Online Accessibility is key when it comes to local businesses. With the rise of online retailers offering goods quickly online, the last thing you want to do is provide another barrier for potential customers to visit you in person. You want to make sure that customers can quickly find your address so your business can be easily visited. You can quickly and easily get your business set up online with our business plan hosting. Get your local business online today! Find the post on the HostGator Blog Continue reading →

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How Much Does Dedicated Hosting Cost?

Posted on December 21, 2018 by Hosting

The post How Much Does Dedicated Hosting Cost? appeared first on HostGator Blog . When the time comes to choose the right kind of web hosting for your needs you’re going to have a lot of options to sort through. If you’re a beginner who’s  learning how to build a website , then shared hosting is the way to go. But, what about when your site grows beyond the initial stage? What about when you’re turning a profit and your traffic only continues to rise? If your site reaches this point then you’ll have a few different hosting options to consider. One of the main forms of hosting is dedicated hosting . But, making the decision to jump to dedicated hosting shouldn’t be taken lightly. The dedicated hosting cost  in general is one of the most expensive forms of hosting. It does bring you some serious benefits, but it’s a decision you’ll want to spend time researching. Below we look at what dedicated hosting actually is, the kind of benefits it offers your site, and which types of sites dedicated hosting is perfect for. Finally, we break down the costs for dedicated hosting and review how to get the most out of your dedicated hosting site. What is Dedicated Hosting? Dedicated hosting is a form of hosting where an entire server is dedicated to a single client or website. Contrast this with a very popular form of web hosting called shared hosting. When discussing the basics of shared hosting , it means hundreds of users and even more websites are sharing this same server’s resources. With dedicated hosting, you have full access to the server’s bandwidth, RAM, storage, and even the ability to control the software configuration. To bring this down to earth let’s take the example of housing. With a dedicated server hosting service, you’re renting an entire home. There are multiple bedrooms, no other tenants, and it’s yours to do whatever you want with. Compare that to shared hosting, which operates more like an apartment building. You have multiple tenants using the same building resources, and there are certain rules for what you can and can’t do. However, if something breaks then you’ll usually have included maintenance that will fix any issues. With dedicated server hosting services, as with a home you own, where you’re responsible for continued maintenance and fixing any issues with your server. Basically, with dedicated hosting, you have more server resources at your disposal, more control and flexibility over your setup, but you’ll generally be tasked with server maintenance as well (depending on your provider).   Linux vs. Windows Dedicated Servers The two main types of dedicated servers you’ll come across are Linux and Windows. Some hosts will specialize in one or the other, but generally, you’ll be given a choice. The server environment you choose will depend upon what programming languages you’re using or the types of databases that your website uses. The most popular form of dedicated server is a Linux server. The chances are high that this will be the type of server setup you require. Here’s how both Linux and Windows servers stack up:   1. Operating System You could probably guess that one of the main differences between the two is the type of operating system you’ll be using. Linux servers will run on Linux while Windows servers will run on Windows. With each operating system, you’ll have different layouts, functions, and commands. So, if you’re used to using one kind of OS it’s best to stick to this, especially if you aren’t going to be using an interface-based control panel to manage your server.   2. Control Panel Choice The most common control panel for Linux servers is cPanel. If you’ve used any kind of shared hosting in the past, then you’re probably familiar with this tool. With Windows, you’ll most likely be using Plesk. Overall, these two control panel’s offer pretty similar features, but if you’re used to using one over the other, then you’ll probably want to stick with it. With cPanel you can easily install a ton of different software packages, create your own MySQL databases, and program in PHP. All of these are necessities if you’re running a WordPress site. With Plesk, you’ll have a similar feature to cPanel, but you’ll also get Windows-specific features like the ability to run a LAMP stack.   3. Your Website Type If you’re choosing a Windows dedicated server you’ll usually be doing so because you need to run certain software that’s only Windows compatible. The is often the case for older, large, enterprise websites. Most website owners will probably get the most out of a Linux dedicated server. With this, you’ll get a server that’s engineered for performance. Plus, if you’re a developer you’ll be able to easily customize and configure your server environment to ensure you’re getting the highest levels of performance possible.   Benefits of Dedicated Hosting Dedicated hosting isn’t for everyone. But, this style of hosting can be incredibly advantageous for the right kind of website. Here are some of the biggest benefits dedicated hosting can offer.   1. Improved Uptime and Security One of the main reasons to upgrade to a dedicated server is if your site requires a high level of uptime. Think about it, every second your site is offline it’s potentially costing you revenue. Depending on the size of your site, this could be a lot of money. Dedicated servers are built to help ensure a high level of uptime from sites that receive a high volume of traffic, or a high level of user interaction, like an eCommerce site. Plus, nearly every dedicated server will have built-in server redundancy, so that any failures or issues with server software and hardware won’t result in your site going offline. There’s also the added benefit of not sharing the server with any other users or websites. Sometimes sharing a server with other users can lead to a loss in performance for your own site. So, any threat from these other sites, whether that’s related to your site’s performance or even it’s security, will be non-existent.   2. Unique Server Configuration With a dedicated host, you can completely customize your own server hardware and software. With something like shared hosting, you have to fit your site into preexisting hardware or software setups. You’ll be able to choose your own software setup, operating system, and even customize your server hardware to a certain extent as well. This will help with getting the highest levels of performance out of your site. Plus, with root server access it’ll be much easier to manage your site and your server. For technical users or those with a large tech team, this level of server control will be a blessing.   3. Incredible Performance With a dedicated server, you won’t have to compete with any other sites on the same server. This gives you complete control and use over all of your server’s resources. A dedicated server gives you access to incredibly high-bandwidth, along with the ability to use all of that bandwidth if the needs arise. Not only that, but you can fully optimize and utilize your server’s disk space.   4. Increased Ability to Scale When you’re using a dedicated server you’ll also be equipped to handle any fluctuations in traffic. When you purchase a dedicated server there will be built-in resource headroom to account for any traffic spikes, or even increased site growth. Since you have full access to your server you can also switch up the hardware or software configuration to help account for increased resource needs.   What Kind of Site Owner Should Use Dedicated Hosting? Not every type of site will need this type of dedicated hosting service.. But, for fast-growing sites, it’s one of the options you’ll want to consider. Here are a few examples of websites that can greatly benefit from using dedicated hosting:   1. High Traffic Websites When your site outgrows its current hosting setup you’ll have a few different hosting options available. As a high traffic website, you’re going to have very different needs than most other sites. A few of those considerations being, unparalleled performance, very high or perfect uptime, along with enhanced security and other features. With a dedicated server, you get all of that and more. You’ll be able to rely on your host to support your site in delivering the best possible user experience.   2. Massive eCommerce Sites With eCommerce any time your site spends offline results in a loss in sales. Finding a hosting solution that has near zero downtime is incredibly important. Plus, you’ll want to be able to handle traffic surges, when you’re running promotions, or during busy shopping times of the year, like the holiday season. With a dedicated host, you’ll have room to scale your site, plus downtime will never be an issue.   3. Agency Owners With High Profile Clients If you’re a high-end digital agency that creates, hosts and manages sites for clients, then you’re going to need a way to deliver reliable white-label hosting to your clients. If this sounds like you, then dedicated hosting is the way to go. You’ll be able to offer your clients unparalleled performance, and incredible reliability. Two things you’ll need to deliver on if you want to keep your clients for the long-term.   4. Websites With Unique Server Configurations Sometimes your site might have very unique requirements from your server. Maybe you’re running a piece of software that requires a custom setup. Or, maybe your team of engineers has found a hardware and software configuration that can help you get the highest levels of performance. With a dedicated server, you have greater control over your hardware, software, and operating system selection and setup.   5. Those Running Gaming Servers This isn’t technically related to your website, but a lot of users run into issues when they’re running an online gaming server, whether it’s for a Minecraft server , or another popular game. Most of these performance issues related to online gaming can be fixed with a dedicated server setup. Since you’ll have access to greater memory, CPU, as well as greater server customization, lag, and other gaming issues will be a thing of the past.   How Much Does Dedicated Hosting Cost ? Now, it’s time for the question you’ve been waiting for: how does much does dedicated hosting actually cost? Unfortunately, it’s not that straightforward. Like any kind of online service, there’s a range of applicable prices, depending on your service provider, the type of dedicated hosting you require, and the length of your hosting contract. As a general basis, you’ll be looking at paying at least $75+ per month, with high-level dedicated hosting being way beyond that. At HostGator, you can pick up a dedicated hosting plan for as little as $119 per month. The prices will rise depending on the level of storage and memory you require. You’ll also find pricing differences between managed and semi-managed dedicated servers. Managed dedicated servers have a more in-depth support team that can help you through any technical issues, as well as having access to more user-friendly tools like control panel installation, backups, and server optimization. Semi-managed servers require a greater level of technical skills to both manage and configure the server. For this level of dedicated server, you’ll probably want to have a technical team that can help to manage and optimize your server environment.   What to Look for in Dedicated Server Hosting When you’re looking for the perfect dedicated server hosting for you there are a few main factors you’ll want to use to compare different packages and providers. Keep these in mind throughout your search: Storage/Bandwidth – A solid amount of RAM and bandwidth available for high traffic. Hardware/Security – Up to date server hardware, the right operating system, along with regular security scale. Managed/Non-managed – If you’re non-technical you’ll need a managed dedicated server solution, or have the budget to hire a tech team to support and configure your server for you. Uptime/Reliability – Look for the highest uptime possible, along with a knowledgeable support team who can help you work through any technical issues.   Dedicated Hosting for Your Website Hopefully, you have a better understanding of what dedicated hosting actually is, the types of benefits it can bring your website, and how much it will cost for you to implement. We hope by this article you can now decide whether or not you need dedicated hosting for your website. If price is your biggest concern when it comes to upgrading to dedicated hosting, then keep in mind that the average price you should be expecting to pay is around $150. Ideally, if your site requires a dedicated host in order to operate at a higher level of performance, then you’ll be generating more than enough revenue to cover that cost. Before you decide to upgrade to a dedicated server make sure you spend your time researching the different options you have available. There are a ton of solutions available to you, some which might be better suited for your needs than others. Find the post on the HostGator Blog Continue reading →

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