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#21
Ecommerce / Article: Choosing Between a Third-Party Payment Processor and a Merchant Account
June 10, 2024, 01:38:10 PM #22
Articles / Choosing Between a 3rd-Party Payment Processor and a Merchant Account for Ecommerce
June 10, 2024, 01:36:38 PM
Choosing Between a Third-Party Payment Processor and a Merchant Account for Your Ecommerce Website
When setting up an ecommerce website, one of the most crucial decisions you'll make is how to accept payments from your customers. Two common options are using a third-party payment processor or setting up your own merchant account. Each choice has its own advantages and disadvantages that are important to consider.
Third-Party Payment Processors: Quick and Easy, but Higher Fees
Third-party payment processors like PayPal, Stripe, and Square offer a fast and convenient way to start accepting payments online. The setup process is simple and can often be completed within hours, with no lengthy underwriting or verification required. These services also handle payment security and fraud protection, so you don't have to worry about those aspects of running an ecommerce business.
However, third-party processors come with some drawbacks. Transaction fees are typically higher, usually around 2.7% or more per transaction. Accounts are also less stable, with a higher risk of sudden holds, freezes, or termination if suspicious activity is detected. You also have less control over the account and may face customer support issues if problems arise.
Merchant Accounts: Lower Fees and More Stability, but Longer Setup
Setting up your own merchant account takes more time and effort upfront. The verification and compliance process can take days or weeks to complete. Merchant accounts may also require longer contracts, sometimes up to 3 years, and have additional fees like monthly minimums.
However, merchant accounts offer several advantages that make them worth considering. Transaction fees are often lower than third-party processors. Accounts are more stable, with little risk of termination or fund holds. You also have more flexibility to negotiate pricing and terms that fit your specific business needs.
Examples of merchant account providers include Chase Merchant Services, Bank of America Merchant Services, and Authorize.Net.
Choosing the Right Option for Your Business
The best payment processing solution for your ecommerce website depends on your specific needs and growth plans. If you value quick setup, have low processing volume, and don't mind higher fees, a third-party payment processor may be the way to go. If you have higher volume, want lower fees, and prioritize long-term stability, a merchant account is likely the better choice.
Ultimately, both options can work well for ecommerce businesses. The key is to carefully evaluate your needs, compare pricing and terms from multiple providers, and choose the solution that aligns best with your goals and budget. With the right payment processing in place, you'll be well on your way to success in the world of online retail.
Key Pros and Cons
Third-Party Payment Processors
Pros:
Cons:
Merchant Accounts
Pros:
Cons:
In summary, third-party payment processors are best for businesses that value quick setup, have low processing volume, and don't mind higher fees. Merchant accounts are better for businesses with higher volume, who want lower fees and more stability long-term. The right choice depends on your specific business needs and growth plans.
What do you use for your ecommerce website? Does it work well?
When setting up an ecommerce website, one of the most crucial decisions you'll make is how to accept payments from your customers. Two common options are using a third-party payment processor or setting up your own merchant account. Each choice has its own advantages and disadvantages that are important to consider.
Third-Party Payment Processors: Quick and Easy, but Higher Fees
Third-party payment processors like PayPal, Stripe, and Square offer a fast and convenient way to start accepting payments online. The setup process is simple and can often be completed within hours, with no lengthy underwriting or verification required. These services also handle payment security and fraud protection, so you don't have to worry about those aspects of running an ecommerce business.
However, third-party processors come with some drawbacks. Transaction fees are typically higher, usually around 2.7% or more per transaction. Accounts are also less stable, with a higher risk of sudden holds, freezes, or termination if suspicious activity is detected. You also have less control over the account and may face customer support issues if problems arise.
Merchant Accounts: Lower Fees and More Stability, but Longer Setup
Setting up your own merchant account takes more time and effort upfront. The verification and compliance process can take days or weeks to complete. Merchant accounts may also require longer contracts, sometimes up to 3 years, and have additional fees like monthly minimums.
However, merchant accounts offer several advantages that make them worth considering. Transaction fees are often lower than third-party processors. Accounts are more stable, with little risk of termination or fund holds. You also have more flexibility to negotiate pricing and terms that fit your specific business needs.
Examples of merchant account providers include Chase Merchant Services, Bank of America Merchant Services, and Authorize.Net.
Choosing the Right Option for Your Business
The best payment processing solution for your ecommerce website depends on your specific needs and growth plans. If you value quick setup, have low processing volume, and don't mind higher fees, a third-party payment processor may be the way to go. If you have higher volume, want lower fees, and prioritize long-term stability, a merchant account is likely the better choice.
Ultimately, both options can work well for ecommerce businesses. The key is to carefully evaluate your needs, compare pricing and terms from multiple providers, and choose the solution that aligns best with your goals and budget. With the right payment processing in place, you'll be well on your way to success in the world of online retail.
Key Pros and Cons
Third-Party Payment Processors
Pros:
- Easy and quick setup, often within hours
- No monthly fees, annual fees, or long-term contracts
- Ability to accept international payments with automatic currency conversion
- Payment security and fraud protection handled by the processor
- Fewer fees, no setup fees or monthly minimums
Cons:
- Higher transaction fees, typically around 2.7% or more per transaction
- Less stable accounts with higher risk of sudden holds, freezes, or termination
- Less control over the account and potential customer support issues
- Strict limits on transaction size and processing volume
Merchant Accounts
Pros:
- More stable accounts with little risk of termination or fund holds
- Lower transaction fees in many cases
- More flexible and customized pricing based on your business needs
- Higher processing volume limits
- Payments go directly from customer to business account without third-party
Cons:
- Longer setup process, often taking days or weeks to complete verification
- May require longer contracts, sometimes up to 3 years, and have more fees like monthly minimums
- Merchant account providers set up individual accounts for each merchant, rather than aggregating funds
In summary, third-party payment processors are best for businesses that value quick setup, have low processing volume, and don't mind higher fees. Merchant accounts are better for businesses with higher volume, who want lower fees and more stability long-term. The right choice depends on your specific business needs and growth plans.
What do you use for your ecommerce website? Does it work well?
#23
SEO and Marketing / Boost Your SEO: Effective Strategies to Acquire High-Quality Backlinks
June 10, 2024, 09:20:11 AM #24
Articles / Boost Your SEO: Effective Strategies to Acquire High-Quality Backlinks
June 10, 2024, 09:16:18 AM
Backlinks are a crucial factor in search engine optimization (SEO), signaling to search engines like Google and Bing that your website is authoritative, relevant, and valuable. However, not all backlinks are created equal – high-quality backlinks from reputable and topically relevant websites carry more weight and can significantly improve your website's visibility and rankings in search results.
Here at HostNed, we understand the importance of a strong backlink profile, and we're here to share some effective strategies to help you acquire high-quality backlinks for your website. Here are some ideas:
1. Create Linkable Assets
Produce high-quality, in-depth, and valuable content that other websites will naturally want to link to, such as data-driven studies, comprehensive guides, infographics, or interactive content. Promote these assets to relevant publications and influencers in your niche.
2. Guest Blogging
Reach out to relevant and authoritative websites in your industry and pitch guest post ideas. If accepted, you can include contextual links back to your website within the guest post content.
3. Leverage Existing Partnerships
If you have existing business partners, suppliers, vendors, or distributors, ask them to link back to your website from their online resources, partner pages, or blog posts.
4. Broken Link Building
Find broken links on high-quality websites and notify the webmasters. Offer your relevant content as a replacement for the broken link, which can earn you a backlink if they update the link.
5. Become a Source for Journalists/Bloggers
Sign up for services like HARO (Help A Reporter Out) and respond to queries from journalists and bloggers seeking expert sources. If your input is featured, you can earn a backlink.
6. Replicate Competitors' Backlinks
Analyze your competitors' backlink profiles and identify high-quality links that you could potentially acquire by replicating their strategies or reaching out to the same linking websites.
7. Publish Original Research
Conduct original research, surveys, case studies, or data analysis on topics relevant to your industry. Other websites are likely to link to your research as a credible source.
8. Leverage News and Trends
Create content around current news, events, or trending topics in your niche. Media outlets and other websites may link to your content when covering related stories.
9. Build Business Profiles
Create profiles for your business on reputable online directories and citation sources, which can provide backlinks to your website.
10. Infographics and Visual Content
Design visually appealing and informative infographics or other visual content assets that others may want to embed or link to from their websites.
The key is to focus on creating high-quality, valuable content for visitors and building relationships with relevant websites and influencers in your industry. Avoid any unethical or spammy link-building tactics, as these can potentially harm your search rankings.
Additionally, if you are not already using Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools, you may want to get started with those services. They are free to use and not only can they help monitor website backlinks, but they can help manage other relevant items like search performance, sitemaps, keyword clicks, and more.
What strategies are you using to acquire quality backlinks? What works for you? Leave a comment and let us know.
Here at HostNed, we understand the importance of a strong backlink profile, and we're here to share some effective strategies to help you acquire high-quality backlinks for your website. Here are some ideas:
1. Create Linkable Assets
Produce high-quality, in-depth, and valuable content that other websites will naturally want to link to, such as data-driven studies, comprehensive guides, infographics, or interactive content. Promote these assets to relevant publications and influencers in your niche.
2. Guest Blogging
Reach out to relevant and authoritative websites in your industry and pitch guest post ideas. If accepted, you can include contextual links back to your website within the guest post content.
3. Leverage Existing Partnerships
If you have existing business partners, suppliers, vendors, or distributors, ask them to link back to your website from their online resources, partner pages, or blog posts.
4. Broken Link Building
Find broken links on high-quality websites and notify the webmasters. Offer your relevant content as a replacement for the broken link, which can earn you a backlink if they update the link.
5. Become a Source for Journalists/Bloggers
Sign up for services like HARO (Help A Reporter Out) and respond to queries from journalists and bloggers seeking expert sources. If your input is featured, you can earn a backlink.
6. Replicate Competitors' Backlinks
Analyze your competitors' backlink profiles and identify high-quality links that you could potentially acquire by replicating their strategies or reaching out to the same linking websites.
7. Publish Original Research
Conduct original research, surveys, case studies, or data analysis on topics relevant to your industry. Other websites are likely to link to your research as a credible source.
8. Leverage News and Trends
Create content around current news, events, or trending topics in your niche. Media outlets and other websites may link to your content when covering related stories.
9. Build Business Profiles
Create profiles for your business on reputable online directories and citation sources, which can provide backlinks to your website.
10. Infographics and Visual Content
Design visually appealing and informative infographics or other visual content assets that others may want to embed or link to from their websites.
The key is to focus on creating high-quality, valuable content for visitors and building relationships with relevant websites and influencers in your industry. Avoid any unethical or spammy link-building tactics, as these can potentially harm your search rankings.
Additionally, if you are not already using Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools, you may want to get started with those services. They are free to use and not only can they help monitor website backlinks, but they can help manage other relevant items like search performance, sitemaps, keyword clicks, and more.
What strategies are you using to acquire quality backlinks? What works for you? Leave a comment and let us know.
#25
Domain Names and DNS / Domain Names FAQ
June 05, 2024, 01:43:53 PM
Q: How do I register a new domain name with HostNed?
A: Registering a new domain name with HostNed is simple. Visit our Domain Names page, enter your desired domain name in the search bar to check its availability, and follow the prompts to complete the registration process.
Q: Can I transfer my existing domain to HostNed?
A: Yes, you can transfer your existing domain to HostNed. To initiate the transfer, you will need to unlock your domain at your current registrar and obtain an authorization code. Then, follow the transfer instructions provided on our Domain Names page.
Q: How long does it take to transfer a domain to HostNed?
A: Domain transfers typically take between 5-7 days to complete. The exact time may vary depending on your current registrar and the type of domain being transferred.
Q: What is the difference between a domain name and web hosting?
A: A domain name is the address of your website (e.g., www.yourwebsite.com), while web hosting is the service that stores your website's files and makes them accessible on the internet. You need both a domain name and web hosting to have a fully functional website.
Q: Can I manage multiple domains with my HostNed account?
A: Yes, you can manage multiple domains from your HostNed account. Our control panel makes it easy to add, manage, and configure multiple domain names.
Q: Do you offer privacy protection for domain registrations?
A: Yes, HostNed offers domain privacy protection. This service hides your personal information from the public WHOIS database, helping to protect your privacy and reduce spam.
Q: What should I do if my desired domain name is already taken?
A: If your desired domain name is already taken, try different variations or consider using a different domain extension (e.g., .net, .org). Our search tool will also suggest alternative domain names that are available.
Q: Can I set up subdomains with my HostNed account?
A: Yes, you can easily set up subdomains (e.g., blog.yourwebsite.com) through the HostNed server control panel (cPanel or Plesk). Subdomains are a great way to organize and manage different sections of your website.
Q: How do I renew my domain name?
A: You can renew your domain name through the myHostNed Account panel. We will send you reminders before your domain expires, and you can choose to renew it manually or set up automatic renewal to ensure your domain always stays active.
Q: What happens if my domain name expires?
A: If your domain name expires, it will go through a grace period during which you can still renew it. If it is not renewed during this period, it may enter a redemption period, and additional fees may apply to recover it. Eventually, the domain will become available for registration by others if it is not renewed.
Q: Do I need to transfer my domain name to HostNed to use it with HostNed hosting?
A: No, you do not need to transfer your domain name to HostNed to use it with our hosting services. You can simply update the domain's nameservers to point to HostNed. This way, you can keep your domain registered with your current registrar while still taking advantage of HostNed's high-quality hosting services. Instructions for updating nameservers are available through this knowledgebase article or from our support team.
A: Registering a new domain name with HostNed is simple. Visit our Domain Names page, enter your desired domain name in the search bar to check its availability, and follow the prompts to complete the registration process.
Q: Can I transfer my existing domain to HostNed?
A: Yes, you can transfer your existing domain to HostNed. To initiate the transfer, you will need to unlock your domain at your current registrar and obtain an authorization code. Then, follow the transfer instructions provided on our Domain Names page.
Q: How long does it take to transfer a domain to HostNed?
A: Domain transfers typically take between 5-7 days to complete. The exact time may vary depending on your current registrar and the type of domain being transferred.
Q: What is the difference between a domain name and web hosting?
A: A domain name is the address of your website (e.g., www.yourwebsite.com), while web hosting is the service that stores your website's files and makes them accessible on the internet. You need both a domain name and web hosting to have a fully functional website.
Q: Can I manage multiple domains with my HostNed account?
A: Yes, you can manage multiple domains from your HostNed account. Our control panel makes it easy to add, manage, and configure multiple domain names.
Q: Do you offer privacy protection for domain registrations?
A: Yes, HostNed offers domain privacy protection. This service hides your personal information from the public WHOIS database, helping to protect your privacy and reduce spam.
Q: What should I do if my desired domain name is already taken?
A: If your desired domain name is already taken, try different variations or consider using a different domain extension (e.g., .net, .org). Our search tool will also suggest alternative domain names that are available.
Q: Can I set up subdomains with my HostNed account?
A: Yes, you can easily set up subdomains (e.g., blog.yourwebsite.com) through the HostNed server control panel (cPanel or Plesk). Subdomains are a great way to organize and manage different sections of your website.
Q: How do I renew my domain name?
A: You can renew your domain name through the myHostNed Account panel. We will send you reminders before your domain expires, and you can choose to renew it manually or set up automatic renewal to ensure your domain always stays active.
Q: What happens if my domain name expires?
A: If your domain name expires, it will go through a grace period during which you can still renew it. If it is not renewed during this period, it may enter a redemption period, and additional fees may apply to recover it. Eventually, the domain will become available for registration by others if it is not renewed.
Q: Do I need to transfer my domain name to HostNed to use it with HostNed hosting?
A: No, you do not need to transfer your domain name to HostNed to use it with our hosting services. You can simply update the domain's nameservers to point to HostNed. This way, you can keep your domain registered with your current registrar while still taking advantage of HostNed's high-quality hosting services. Instructions for updating nameservers are available through this knowledgebase article or from our support team.
#26
Announcements / Announcing PHP 8.2 For Shared Hosting
May 29, 2024, 01:27:51 PM
We are thrilled to announce the availability of PHP 8.2 on our shared web hosting platform. We strive to provide our customers with the latest and most advanced technologies to ensure their websites and applications run smoothly and efficiently.
PHP 8.2 is the newest major release of the popular server-side scripting language, bringing a wealth of improvements and new features that will revolutionize the way you develop web applications.
- Union Types: This feature allows you to define a variable that can hold values of multiple types, making your code more expressive and easier to read.
- Readonly Properties: You can now mark class properties as read-only, preventing accidental modifications and improving code safety.
- Fibers: A new lightweight concurrency model that enables better parallelism and asynchronous programming.
- Improved Type Inference: PHP 8.2 has enhanced type inference capabilities, reducing the need for explicit type declarations and making your code more concise.
Don't miss out on the opportunity to leverage the power of PHP 8.2. Contact our support team today, and we'll guide you through the upgrade process, ensuring a seamless transition to the latest version of PHP.
HOW TO UPGRADE
Upgrading PHP using cPanel's MultiPHP Manager:
1. Log in to WHM (Web Host Manager) as the root user.
2. In the left sidebar, go to Software > MultiPHP Manager.
3. On the right panel, you'll see a list of websites hosted on the server.
4. Select the website you want to upgrade PHP for.
5. From the "PHP Version" dropdown, choose the desired PHP version you want to upgrade to.
6. Click "Apply" to save the changes.
The PHP version for that specific domain will now be upgraded.
Upgrading PHP using Plesk:
1. Log in to your Plesk control panel.
2. Go to Tools & Settings > Updates (under Plesk).
3. On the "Install and Update" page, click "Add/Remove Components".
4. Expand the "Web hosting > PHP interpreter versions" section (for Linux) or "Plesk hosting features" section (for Windows).
5. Select the PHP version you want to install and click "Continue".
6. Once installed, you can set the new PHP version as the default for your domains by going to Websites & Domains > Hosting Settings and selecting the desired PHP version from the dropdown.
Both cPanel's MultiPHP Manager and Plesk allow you to upgrade to the latest PHP versions on a per-domain basis, ensuring compatibility with your existing websites while taking advantage of the latest performance and security improvements in newer PHP releases.
Citations:
[1] https://docs.cpanel.net/cpanel/software/multiphp-manager-for-cpanel/
[2] https://support.plesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/12377435963927-How-to-change-PHP-version-for-a-domain-in-Plesk
PHP 8.2 is the newest major release of the popular server-side scripting language, bringing a wealth of improvements and new features that will revolutionize the way you develop web applications.
- ### Improved Performance and Efficiency
- ### Enhanced Security and Stability
- ### New Features and Improvements
- Union Types: This feature allows you to define a variable that can hold values of multiple types, making your code more expressive and easier to read.
- Readonly Properties: You can now mark class properties as read-only, preventing accidental modifications and improving code safety.
- Fibers: A new lightweight concurrency model that enables better parallelism and asynchronous programming.
- Improved Type Inference: PHP 8.2 has enhanced type inference capabilities, reducing the need for explicit type declarations and making your code more concise.
- ### Stay Ahead of the Curve
Don't miss out on the opportunity to leverage the power of PHP 8.2. Contact our support team today, and we'll guide you through the upgrade process, ensuring a seamless transition to the latest version of PHP.
HOW TO UPGRADE
Upgrading PHP using cPanel's MultiPHP Manager:
1. Log in to WHM (Web Host Manager) as the root user.
2. In the left sidebar, go to Software > MultiPHP Manager.
3. On the right panel, you'll see a list of websites hosted on the server.
4. Select the website you want to upgrade PHP for.
5. From the "PHP Version" dropdown, choose the desired PHP version you want to upgrade to.
6. Click "Apply" to save the changes.
The PHP version for that specific domain will now be upgraded.
Upgrading PHP using Plesk:
1. Log in to your Plesk control panel.
2. Go to Tools & Settings > Updates (under Plesk).
3. On the "Install and Update" page, click "Add/Remove Components".
4. Expand the "Web hosting > PHP interpreter versions" section (for Linux) or "Plesk hosting features" section (for Windows).
5. Select the PHP version you want to install and click "Continue".
6. Once installed, you can set the new PHP version as the default for your domains by going to Websites & Domains > Hosting Settings and selecting the desired PHP version from the dropdown.
Both cPanel's MultiPHP Manager and Plesk allow you to upgrade to the latest PHP versions on a per-domain basis, ensuring compatibility with your existing websites while taking advantage of the latest performance and security improvements in newer PHP releases.
Citations:
[1] https://docs.cpanel.net/cpanel/software/multiphp-manager-for-cpanel/
[2] https://support.plesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/12377435963927-How-to-change-PHP-version-for-a-domain-in-Plesk
#27
Announcements / cPanel System Beefed Up And Upgraded
June 05, 2024, 12:46:19 PM
We're thrilled to share some fantastic news with you! Our cPanel Shared Hosting system has undergone a recent upgrade, bringing you enhanced performance and speed like never before. We've supercharged your web hosting accounts with upgraded processors and NVMe drives, and we can't wait for you to experience the difference.
Here's what you can expect from these upgrades:
We understand the importance of a fast and reliable website, which is why we're always striving to provide you with the best possible hosting experience. These upgrades represent our commitment to ensuring that your websites perform at their very best, helping you engage with your audience more effectively and grow your online presence with confidence.
So sit back, relax, and enjoy the improved performance of your HostNed web hosting accounts! If you have any questions or need assistance, our support team is here to help.
Thank you for choosing HostNed for your web hosting needs. Here's to even better performance and success for your websites!
Warm regards,
HostNed Team
Here's what you can expect from these upgrades:
- Faster Loading Times: With our new AMD EPYC™ processors and NVMe SSDs, your websites will load lightning-fast. Whether you're running a personal blog, an online store, or a business website, your pages will load smoother and quicker than ever before.
- Improved Memory Performance: Our upgraded memory performance means smoother operation for in-memory databases and server-side caches. This translates to a snappier experience for your visitors and better overall performance for your website.
- Reduced Latency: NVMe SSDs are designed for speed, delivering significantly lower latency compared to regular SSDs. This means faster response times for your website, especially if you're handling a large number of transactions or database queries.
We understand the importance of a fast and reliable website, which is why we're always striving to provide you with the best possible hosting experience. These upgrades represent our commitment to ensuring that your websites perform at their very best, helping you engage with your audience more effectively and grow your online presence with confidence.
So sit back, relax, and enjoy the improved performance of your HostNed web hosting accounts! If you have any questions or need assistance, our support team is here to help.
Thank you for choosing HostNed for your web hosting needs. Here's to even better performance and success for your websites!
Warm regards,
HostNed Team
#28
Articles / The Enduring Popularity of WordPress: A Closer Look
May 07, 2024, 11:11:52 AMWordPress continues to be the leading content management system (CMS) in the digital landscape, powering a staggering 43.1% of all websites. This open-source platform has come a long way since its inception in 2003, evolving from a simple blogging tool to a robust CMS that's capable of creating any type of website.
WordPress by the Numbers
The statistics surrounding WordPress are nothing short of impressive:
- Over 455 million websites use WordPress globally.
- It holds a 64.1% share of the CMS market, making its market share ten times larger than the next closest CMS.
- WordPress sites receive over 20 billion page views each month.
- Users publish approximately 41.7 million new posts and 70 million new comments each month.
- The platform is also a polyglot, available in more than 200 languages.
These numbers highlight the platform's widespread adoption and the trust that millions of users place in WordPress for their web presence.
Why WordPress Reigns Supreme
There are several reasons why WordPress has maintained its position as the go-to choice for web designers and developers:
Ease of Use
WordPress is renowned for its user-friendly interface, which is intuitive enough for beginners yet powerful enough for seasoned developers. The Gutenberg editor, with its 'block' approach to content, makes site building and content management accessible to all.
Extensibility
With over 58,250 plugins available, WordPress allows users to extend the functionality of their sites in almost limitless ways. From SEO to social media integration, e-commerce solutions, and beyond, there's a plugin for nearly every need.
Community and Support
The WordPress community is one of the largest and most active in the tech world, with 1,074 WordCamps held so far and a vast number of online resources, forums, and groups dedicated to WordPress development and troubleshooting.
Regular Updates
WordPress is continuously updated with new features, bug fixes, and security enhancements, ensuring that websites remain secure and on the cutting edge of web technology.
HostNed's One-Click WordPress Installation
For those looking to start a WordPress site, HostNed makes it incredibly easy. All of HostNed's shared hosting accounts include a one-click install option for WordPress, available through both cPanel and Plesk control panels. This feature simplifies the process of setting up WordPress, allowing users to launch their website quickly and without the need for technical expertise.
Whether you're a blogger, a small business owner, or managing a large e-commerce site, WordPress's flexibility, combined with HostNed's hosting solutions, provides a powerful and accessible platform for creating a professional online presence.
All-in-all WordPress's extensive features, ease of use, and the strong community have cemented its status as the premier choice for web development. With HostNed's support, launching a WordPress site is more straightforward than ever, making it an ideal solution for users of all skill levels.
#29
Web Hosting / Tips For Moving From Windows Server To Linux Server
May 05, 2024, 08:59:37 AM
Here at HostNed, we ended our offerings of Windows-based web servers years ago. When we did so, our Windows Server-based customers were migrated to Linux servers, and the results were overwhelmingly positive.
Linux servers are becoming increasingly popular due to their reliability, security, and cost-effectiveness. With the rise of cloud computing, many businesses are turning to Linux servers and Linux-based web hosting services for their IT infrastructure needs. Here are some reasons why many people prefer Linux servers over Windows servers:
1. Reliability: Linux servers are known for their stability and uptime. They have a reputation for being more reliable than Windows servers, which can be prone to crashes and downtime.
2. Security: Linux servers are often considered more secure than Windows servers due to their open-source nature. This means that there is less risk of security vulnerabilities and malware attacks.
3. Cost-effectiveness: Linux servers are generally cheaper than Windows servers, as they do not require licensing fees or expensive software updates.
4. Customizability: Linux servers can be customized to meet specific business needs, whereas Windows servers may have limited customization options.
5. Community support: The Linux community is large and active, providing extensive documentation and resources for troubleshooting and problem-solving. This makes it easier for businesses to find help when they need it.
Industry-wide, many people are choosing Linux servers over Windows servers due to their reliability, security, cost-effectiveness, customizability, and community support.
We still have new customers coming on board with us who are migrating their websites to our Linux-based services, either cPanel or Plesk). Unless you are a rare user who requires ASP.net technology, migrations are very successful, but there are some factors that may arise that you need to be aware of.
When migrating web pages from an IIS server (Windows) to an Apache server (Linux), there are some differences in the way that Linux servers handle case-sensitivity. Here are a few key points to consider:
1. File names: In Windows, file names are case-sensitive, meaning that a file named "index.html" will be treated as different from a file named "index.htm". However, in Linux, file names are not case-sensitive, so both files will be treated as the same.
2. URL rewriting: In Windows, URL rewriting is typically done using .htaccess files or server-side scripting languages like PHP or ASP.NET. In Linux, URL rewriting can be done using mod_rewrite, a built-in module for Apache servers. However, this requires some knowledge of the Linux command line and may not be as easy to set up as it is in Windows.
3. Paths: In Windows, file paths are case-sensitive, meaning that a directory named "C:\Program Files" will be treated differently from a directory named "c:\program files". However, in Linux, file paths are not case-sensitive, so both directories will be treated as the same.
4. Permissions: In Windows, permissions are set using NTFS or ACLs, which can be more difficult to manage than in Linux. In Linux, permissions are set using chmod and chown commands, which are easier to use but may require some knowledge of Linux command line.
Sometimes, migrating web pages from an IIS server (Windows) to an Apache server (Linux) can pose a challenge due to the differences in how file names, URLs, paths, permissions, and other aspects are handled. However, we are here to help you make the transition successfully.
Here at HostNed, we offer a technology called mod_speling to help with these differences when migrating websites. Upon request we can activate mod_speling on your domain. This will make your Linux domain respond to your links and URL requests in a way that is very similar to how Windows handled them, making things more case-insensitive. That way you can keep your current code intact without having to rename files and make all the changes to you code.
Want to enable it yourself? Just find the file named .htaccess in your html root (/public_html or /httpdocs) and add this code to the top of the file and save the change:
How cool is that!
Linux servers are becoming increasingly popular due to their reliability, security, and cost-effectiveness. With the rise of cloud computing, many businesses are turning to Linux servers and Linux-based web hosting services for their IT infrastructure needs. Here are some reasons why many people prefer Linux servers over Windows servers:
1. Reliability: Linux servers are known for their stability and uptime. They have a reputation for being more reliable than Windows servers, which can be prone to crashes and downtime.
2. Security: Linux servers are often considered more secure than Windows servers due to their open-source nature. This means that there is less risk of security vulnerabilities and malware attacks.
3. Cost-effectiveness: Linux servers are generally cheaper than Windows servers, as they do not require licensing fees or expensive software updates.
4. Customizability: Linux servers can be customized to meet specific business needs, whereas Windows servers may have limited customization options.
5. Community support: The Linux community is large and active, providing extensive documentation and resources for troubleshooting and problem-solving. This makes it easier for businesses to find help when they need it.
Industry-wide, many people are choosing Linux servers over Windows servers due to their reliability, security, cost-effectiveness, customizability, and community support.
We still have new customers coming on board with us who are migrating their websites to our Linux-based services, either cPanel or Plesk). Unless you are a rare user who requires ASP.net technology, migrations are very successful, but there are some factors that may arise that you need to be aware of.
When migrating web pages from an IIS server (Windows) to an Apache server (Linux), there are some differences in the way that Linux servers handle case-sensitivity. Here are a few key points to consider:
1. File names: In Windows, file names are case-sensitive, meaning that a file named "index.html" will be treated as different from a file named "index.htm". However, in Linux, file names are not case-sensitive, so both files will be treated as the same.
2. URL rewriting: In Windows, URL rewriting is typically done using .htaccess files or server-side scripting languages like PHP or ASP.NET. In Linux, URL rewriting can be done using mod_rewrite, a built-in module for Apache servers. However, this requires some knowledge of the Linux command line and may not be as easy to set up as it is in Windows.
3. Paths: In Windows, file paths are case-sensitive, meaning that a directory named "C:\Program Files" will be treated differently from a directory named "c:\program files". However, in Linux, file paths are not case-sensitive, so both directories will be treated as the same.
4. Permissions: In Windows, permissions are set using NTFS or ACLs, which can be more difficult to manage than in Linux. In Linux, permissions are set using chmod and chown commands, which are easier to use but may require some knowledge of Linux command line.
Sometimes, migrating web pages from an IIS server (Windows) to an Apache server (Linux) can pose a challenge due to the differences in how file names, URLs, paths, permissions, and other aspects are handled. However, we are here to help you make the transition successfully.
Here at HostNed, we offer a technology called mod_speling to help with these differences when migrating websites. Upon request we can activate mod_speling on your domain. This will make your Linux domain respond to your links and URL requests in a way that is very similar to how Windows handled them, making things more case-insensitive. That way you can keep your current code intact without having to rename files and make all the changes to you code.
Want to enable it yourself? Just find the file named .htaccess in your html root (/public_html or /httpdocs) and add this code to the top of the file and save the change:
Code Select
<IfModule mod_speling.c>
CheckCaseOnly on
CheckSpelling on
</IfModule>How cool is that!
#30
Announcements / End-Of-Life for PHP version 7.4
January 12, 2023, 11:10:34 AM
This is an announcement for all Web Hosting customers. It is time again for PHP upgrades.
PHP 7.4 reached EOL
It is highly recommended that you upgrade your PHP version. In the near future, technicians as well as automated systems will be upgrading accounts periodically, however, we highly recommend you upgrade your PHP version yourself if you are using version 7.4 or lesser.
Ensure your PHP scripts are up-to-date
The new version 8.x comes with some degree of incompatibility with some older code. Our techs and systems cannot know for sure if your PHP scripts are compatible with the new versions, so have your software developer check into that for you. Some code syntax that works properly on older versions may not work with 8.x and may display error or warning messages. If you do continue to use the older version in the meantime, you will be susceptible to any remaining bugs or security issues.
For more information, read PHP EOL Documentation.
PHP 7.4 reached EOL
It is highly recommended that you upgrade your PHP version. In the near future, technicians as well as automated systems will be upgrading accounts periodically, however, we highly recommend you upgrade your PHP version yourself if you are using version 7.4 or lesser.
Ensure your PHP scripts are up-to-date
The new version 8.x comes with some degree of incompatibility with some older code. Our techs and systems cannot know for sure if your PHP scripts are compatible with the new versions, so have your software developer check into that for you. Some code syntax that works properly on older versions may not work with 8.x and may display error or warning messages. If you do continue to use the older version in the meantime, you will be susceptible to any remaining bugs or security issues.
For more information, read PHP EOL Documentation.
#31
Windows Hosting / HostNed No Longer Offering Windows Hosting
January 12, 2023, 10:10:13 AM
HostNed has said goodbye to Windows-based hosting. Although it is no longer offered, it is still available and fully supported at DomainsNed. Windows web hosting is perfect for those who use ASP.NET, ASP or Microsoft SQL Server technologies.
Windows-based hosting with Plesk at DomainsNed
Windows-based hosting with Plesk at DomainsNed
#32
Announcements / Happy New Year 2023
January 01, 2023, 10:13:59 AM
Wishing everyone a very happy and prosperous new year!
#33
SEO and Marketing / SEO Product From DomainsNed
May 28, 2022, 09:46:16 AM
SEO (by our partner DomainsNed)
Our SEO tool analyzes your website and gives you step-by-step instructions on how you can optimize for Google®, Yahoo® and Bing®. All it takes is a few clicks, and then you can get back to business.
Bring more traffic to your website with Search Engine Optimization.
More info:
SEO Tool From DomainsNed
Our SEO tool analyzes your website and gives you step-by-step instructions on how you can optimize for Google®, Yahoo® and Bing®. All it takes is a few clicks, and then you can get back to business.
Bring more traffic to your website with Search Engine Optimization.
- Search Optimization: Improve search engine rankings with keyword and suggested topics tool
- Keyword suggestions: Get personalized phrases and words to add to increase traffic to your website and help it rank better
- Tracking your ranking: Track the progress of your website's rank on Google over time
- Create your sitemap: Customize, create and submit a site map to aid search engines in crawling your site
More info:
SEO Tool From DomainsNed
#34
SSL and HTTPS / Force HTTPS Connections
May 08, 2022, 08:18:38 AM
Forcing HTTPS on All Website Traffic
HTTPS is the new standard in secure online connections for web pages. It ensures that connections are not being intercepted and instills confidence for your visitors.
When you enable HTTPS on your web site using an installed SSL certificate, you may still be able to load your pages using the traditional non-HTTPS connections, so to get things as secure as possible, it is recommended to enable https:// connections all the time. It is a good idea to enable this unless there is something that will not work in https mode for some reason. cPanel calls this "Force HTTPS redirect. You can find that setting under DOMAINS in your cPanel area. This is available for your main domain name only, so to force HTTPS connections on your subdomains and/or add-on domains, you can do that by adding some code to your .htaccess file.
Here is how to use the .htaccess file to force HTTPS redirects:
Go to File Manager in cPanel (or Plesk) and find .htaccess inside the public_html folder. Be sure to make a backup copy first just in case something goes wrong. If you can't find it, make sure to unhide hidden files in the settings.
Scroll down to find RewriteEngine On and insert the following lines of code below it:
Save the changes.
Important! Make sure that the line RewriteEngine On is not repeated twice. In case the line already exists, simply copy the rest of the code without it.
Force HTTPS on a Specific Domain Only
Let's say that you have two domains: http://yourdomain1.com and http://yourdomain2.com. Both domains access the same website, but you only want the first one to be redirected to the HTTPS version. In this case, you need to use the following code:
Make sure to replace yourdomain1 with the actual domain you're trying to force HTTPS on.
Forcing HTTPS on a Specific Folder
The .htaccess file can also be used to force HTTPS on specific folders only. However, the .htaccess file should be placed inside the folder that will have the HTTPS connection.
After making the changes, clear your browser's cache and try to connect to your site via HTTP. If everything was added correctly, the browser will automatically redirect you to the HTTPS version.
Even though your connections are now being automatically redirected to HTTPS. you may want to update your links in your website code to the new updated https:// address for best practice.
HTTPS is the new standard in secure online connections for web pages. It ensures that connections are not being intercepted and instills confidence for your visitors.
When you enable HTTPS on your web site using an installed SSL certificate, you may still be able to load your pages using the traditional non-HTTPS connections, so to get things as secure as possible, it is recommended to enable https:// connections all the time. It is a good idea to enable this unless there is something that will not work in https mode for some reason. cPanel calls this "Force HTTPS redirect. You can find that setting under DOMAINS in your cPanel area. This is available for your main domain name only, so to force HTTPS connections on your subdomains and/or add-on domains, you can do that by adding some code to your .htaccess file.
Here is how to use the .htaccess file to force HTTPS redirects:
Go to File Manager in cPanel (or Plesk) and find .htaccess inside the public_html folder. Be sure to make a backup copy first just in case something goes wrong. If you can't find it, make sure to unhide hidden files in the settings.
Scroll down to find RewriteEngine On and insert the following lines of code below it:
Code Select
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [L,R=301]
Save the changes.
Important! Make sure that the line RewriteEngine On is not repeated twice. In case the line already exists, simply copy the rest of the code without it.
Force HTTPS on a Specific Domain Only
Let's say that you have two domains: http://yourdomain1.com and http://yourdomain2.com. Both domains access the same website, but you only want the first one to be redirected to the HTTPS version. In this case, you need to use the following code:
Code Select
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} ^yourdomain1.com [NC]
RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [R=301,L]
Make sure to replace yourdomain1 with the actual domain you're trying to force HTTPS on.
Forcing HTTPS on a Specific Folder
The .htaccess file can also be used to force HTTPS on specific folders only. However, the .htaccess file should be placed inside the folder that will have the HTTPS connection.
Code Select
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off
RewriteRule ^(folder1|folder2|folder3) https://%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [R=301,L]
After making the changes, clear your browser's cache and try to connect to your site via HTTP. If everything was added correctly, the browser will automatically redirect you to the HTTPS version.
Even though your connections are now being automatically redirected to HTTPS. you may want to update your links in your website code to the new updated https:// address for best practice.
#35
Announcements / OPERATION BIG CLOUD
November 17, 2020, 12:29:45 PM
Big changes are coming to HostNed!
Starting 1/1/2021 HostNedbecomes partners closer with DomainsNed and other leaders in cloud computing. Get ahead of the game by upgrading today!
Since 2000, HostNed.com has taken the lead in customized, affordable hosting solutions for small business and personal web hosting. More details to come!
*In association with DomainsNed.com, Secureserver, Godaddy & cPanel
- BIGGER Value
- BIGGER Assistance
- BIGGER Performance
- more SECURITY
- more FUTURE-PROOF
- more PRODUCTIVITY
Starting 1/1/2021 HostNed
Since 2000, HostNed.com has taken the lead in customized, affordable hosting solutions for small business and personal web hosting. More details to come!
*In association with DomainsNed.com, Secureserver, Godaddy & cPanel
#36
Chat about your websites or anything / Security for Wordpress Websites
February 19, 2020, 01:24:52 PM
I manage many different websites that use WordPress and I find that the very best thing I can do for security is to install the WordFence plugin. It is a real WAF (Web Application Firewall) that works in the background to help prevent malicious activity on your website.
Do you use this or something different for WP security?
Do you use this or something different for WP security?
#37
SEO and Marketing / Does HostNed Support Mailing Lists?
January 15, 2019, 10:59:29 AM
Our hosting services are optimized for websites and email for daily use. To keep our services clean and spam-free, we limit the number of emails that your account can send per hour. Although this makes a great environment for most, it is not designed for mass mailings and email marketing campaigns.
Recommended Email Marketing Services:
Recommended Email Marketing Services:
#38
FTP & Connecting / How do I connect to my Web Presence Builder (SiteBuilder)?
September 27, 2018, 10:44:02 AM
Connect to your Web Presence Builder (WPB)
Your WPB is available at the following URL.
https://p5.ssl1.us:8443/
Once logged in, click the EDIT WEBSITE button. I suggest running backups frequently prior to performing changes, just to be safe.
Once published, you will need to refresh the browser to see the new changes.
Please be advised that since you are using the SiteBuilder, it is not recommended to use FTP or File Manager to edit files as doing so could overwrite files that are vital to keep the SiteBuilder functioning properly.
Your WPB is available at the following URL.
https://p5.ssl1.us:8443/
Once logged in, click the EDIT WEBSITE button. I suggest running backups frequently prior to performing changes, just to be safe.
Once published, you will need to refresh the browser to see the new changes.
Please be advised that since you are using the SiteBuilder, it is not recommended to use FTP or File Manager to edit files as doing so could overwrite files that are vital to keep the SiteBuilder functioning properly.
#39
Frontpage / Frontpage Extensions No Longer Supported
September 27, 2018, 10:40:55 AM
We no longer support FPSE (Frontpage Server Extensions) as they are a very old and expired technology that has been abandoned by Microsoft.
Alternatives are:
- Wordpress or other CMS
- Parallels Web Presence Builder (SiteBuilder)
- File Manager (cPanel or Plesk)
Questions? Ready to order?
Contact Us
Alternatives are:
- Wordpress or other CMS
- Parallels Web Presence Builder (SiteBuilder)
- File Manager (cPanel or Plesk)
Questions? Ready to order?
Contact Us
#40
Announcements / Scam Alert: Beware iDNS Domain Renewal Scam
August 10, 2018, 05:01:50 PM
Beware of another Domain Registration Scam. This one from a company named iDNS (Internet Domain Name Services) from Jersey City, New Jersey.
DO NOT CONTACT THIS COMPANY
DO NOT SEND THEM MONEY
If you need help determining your real Domain Registrar, feel free to contact us or use our WHOIS Lookup here..
iDNS are fraudulently sending Domain Expiration Notices pretending to be from your current Domain Name Registrar. Nowhere in their notice do they disclose that they are, in fact, a third party company attempting to get you to switch to them as a Registrar, but that is precisely what they are doing.
Here is an example of the notice.
DO NOT CONTACT THIS COMPANY
DO NOT SEND THEM MONEY
If you need help determining your real Domain Registrar, feel free to contact us or use our WHOIS Lookup here..
iDNS are fraudulently sending Domain Expiration Notices pretending to be from your current Domain Name Registrar. Nowhere in their notice do they disclose that they are, in fact, a third party company attempting to get you to switch to them as a Registrar, but that is precisely what they are doing.
Here is an example of the notice.