The Ups and Downs of Reseller Hosting

There are many options for hosting your website these days - shared hosting, dedicated hosting, VPS hosting.  Each type of service will provide a means for you to upload your content to a server and make your pages accessible on the internet.  Contrary to popular belief, this can be achieved with a reseller account as well.  With a reseller account, not only can you host multiple sites for yourself, but sell plans to other clients.  Many small business owners have learned to profit from these services and went onto become successful web hosting providers.

What You Get with Reseller Hosting

A reseller account offers benefits to all walks of life - those with little knowledgeable about the web hosting industry and experienced professionals as well.  One of the biggest advantages to this type of plan is that its more flexible than shared hosting and more affordable than VPS and dedicated server hosting.   With an abundance of reseller plans available for under $30 per month, beginners are able to get into the web hosting business for next to nothing.

When signing up with a reliable company, your job as a reseller will be easier.  A respectable provider will set you up with many of the features of a VPS or dedicated hosting account such as a powerful control panel.  With a program like cPanel or Plesk, you can manage the accounts of all your clients and also provide them with control panels to manage their own sites.  Whether it’s creating hosting packages or checking on monthly resource usage, these tasks can all be performed from one location.

What You Risk with Reseller Hosting

The benefits of reseller hosting make it a very attractive option but there are disadvantages you should be aware of.  One major downside is the fact that reselling is essentially a form of shared hosting, as all of your clients are running their sites on a single web server.  Aside from your business, there are likely to be other resellers operating on the same server.  When examining these factors, it is safe to conclude that reseller hosting isn’t the most reliable solution.  The heavy load on a server could negatively impact your clients which results in bad news for you.   Business owners who are concerned about resource usage may be better off with a VPS or dedicated server.  Even though you can host multiple sites with a reseller account, keep in mind that the server does have its limits.

Another disadvantage of reseller hosting is the lack of root access, a luxury that is typically enjoyed on VPS and dedicated servers.  This means that you are unable to install your own software or scripting languages and are basically limited to what the reseller host provides.  If you are limited, your clients will be as well.

As reseller hosting has become more common, providers are developing more robust solutions to compensate for the disadvantages highlighted in this article.  You will find that companies have a maximum amount of clients allowed on a single server while others offer reseller packages on dedicated servers.  If this is something you’re really interested in, there is sure to be a web host that can make the transition as smooth as possible.

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Dec 19, 2008 : Reseller Web Hosting No responses yet

The Difference Between Shared and Dedicated Server Hosting

For those of you new to the subject, a web hosting service allows you to store your web pages on a server so they can be accessed for private or public viewing.  While web hosting comes in many forms, there are essentially two types that dominate the market: shared and dedicated server hosting.

The classifications of web hosting are based on the servers being utilized and ultimately determines the level of control a user will have over the website.  In this article we will provide you with an overview of both services.

Shared Hosting

Just as the name implies, shared hosting is a service where individuals upload content and run their website on a server that is shared by other users.  This represents the most popular type of hosting as it is the first option for most newcomers, small businesses and even decent sized organizations.  Despite the fact that they have limited resources, many companies will house hundreds to thousands of sites on a single server.

Shared hosting occurs in a managed environment, meaning software installations, security and server maintenance are handled by the provider.  They do however, give some level of control to the user.  Customers are provided with control panel software like cPanel, Plesk and vDeck to manage their hosting account.  The servers are typically administered by more advanced control panels such as Helm and DirectAdmin.  While some shared hosts use Windows or FreeBSD, most of them install the Linux operating system as it is more compatible with the current control panels on the market.

The best part about shared hosting is availability and a cheaper price.  Some shared hosts are able to provide service with numerous features including multiple databases, management tools, additional programming scripts, free software and more.  However, the shared server is more prone to issues of instability and security due to the abundance of users.

Dedicated Server Hosting

When hosting on a dedicated server, that server is dedicated solely to your usage.  In this scenario, you are not to forced to share server space with other users, meaning you have all the resources to yourself.  Dedicated server hosting is more suited for someone who anticipates a high amount of web traffic.  This environment provides you with a greater amount of storage space and bandwidth to support that traffic.  Aside from enjoying resources, you also have your choice of software installations including operating systems and dynamic web-based programs.  You have the option to maintain one site, or extend your web presence by hosting multiple domains.  Many people use these computers to sell server space of their own, a move that basically describes shared hosting.

A dedicated server enables 100% control over your site.  With that freedom comes more  responsibility.  You must ensure that the operation is stable and secure, tasks that require a level of administrative skill.  Your server must receive constant security and monitoring to immediately rectify any problems that may arise.  For those who lack the technical skills to perform these tasks, some dedicated server hosts provide additional services to help users administer their account.

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Dec 11, 2008 : Dedicated Servers No responses yet

Managed Hosting or Colocation? - How to Decide

Managed hosting describes an arrangement where a web hosting company “manages” and provides everything needed to run your website.  This includes the server and network hardware, the software for building the site and managing email, an internet connection, upgrades, backups and so forth.  In this situation, all you really have to do is design the web pages and promote the site.

The Faces of Managed Hosting

The scenario above pretty much describes your shared web hosting account, an arrangement where several customers share a single server and all its resources at one time.  With shared hosting, the provider handles all the technical aspects behind the scenes.  Dedicated hosting is the alternative, a service which is most often used to described managed hosting.  With a dedicated server, you essentially have the entire machine all to yourself.  In most cases, you have enough disk space and bandwidth to host multiple sites and generally have a greater level of control over the server itself, the aspect that distinguishes it the most from shared hosting.  While there are different types of shared and dedicated plans such as VPS and reseller accounts, all of them are basically just different variations of managed hosting.

Colocation

Colocation however, is in a completely different arena.  With this arrangement, you purchase your own server, network equipment, software and all other needed elements needed to run your online business.  Though it shares similarities with the managed dedicated server environment, you are responsible for setting up the hardware and configuring the software.  A colocation host commonly does note provide these components, and often, they do not dictate what can or cannot be purchased, leaving you free to choose the items best suited for your needs.  After getting the equipment together, it is installed in the provider’s data facility, a task the company often assists with.  You get an adequate power supply for the equipment, multiple IP addresses dedicated to your business and an uplink that enables your network equipment to be connected to the internet.  A reliable colocation provider runs a tight infrastructure, keeping their data center staffed 24/7 with redundant systems to prevent overheating, theft or damage and keep the operation going in case of a power failure.  Most companies offer basic support but you are primarily responsible for keeping up the hardware and your applications.  Because of this, you are typically allowed 24-hour access to make upgrades and repairs whenever they are needed.

In short, the colocation host provides you with a facility to store your equipment, which they are responsible for maintaining.  Their job is to make sure the physical storage, power and bandwidth you are provided is not compromised.

Managed hosting is a great option for an individual or company that needs to rely on a web host.  Colocation can be viewed as do it yourself hosting as you are essentially your own provider, simply “co-locating” your operation to someone else’s data center.  This solution is designed for those who have outgrown a shared or dedicated server yet aren’t equipped to host their online business from the home or office.

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Dec 02, 2008 : Managed Hosting No responses yet

Choosing a Dedicated Host

The more popular your site becomes, the more resources your business demands.  Many people make their way on the web with a shared hosting account.  After exceeding their monthly resources they come to find out that the environment is no longer suited for their needs.  For the webmaster who runs a high traffic site or simply desires more flexibility, a dedicated server is the answer.

Unlike a shared server which could store hundreds of sites on a single machine, a dedicated server is made exclusive to one account.  You’re provided with an internet connection of your own, one that isn’t bogged down with other users competing for resources.  This means that your pages will open at lightning speed when visitors stop by, a great asset to the webmaster who experiences a lot of traffic.

One of the biggest advantages to dedicated server hosting is customization.  Since you are leasing the entire machine, you essentially have the power to incorporate various components to make the server more secure and efficient.  Not only can you make the choice of a Windows or Linux operating system, you also get the final say on memory and the size of your hard disk drive.  In the end, a dedicated server can be as powerful as you make it.

Available Options

Dedicated server hosting generally falls in two categories: managed and unmanaged.  A managed service is operated and maintained by a host while you simply provide them with the data.  This reduces a lot of the technical details that most average users are lacking.  A reliable managed host will provide tight security in the way of monitoring and redundant systems along with quality technical support.  The unmanaged solution is the most common situation.  In this scenario, you operate and maintain the server while the host provides you with physical security, bandwidth and connectivity.  Most of the time, the company will offer some form of assistance, although it may come for an additional price.

Accessing Your Needs

When it becomes clear that you need a dedicated server, there are a few important issues that need to be addressed before deciding on a provider.  For instance, you should have an idea of how much space your business needs to grow.  While a dedicated server is more flexible, it is a computer, and every computer has its limitations.  This is why you need to carefully think about your options in regard to bandwidth, disk storage and RAM.

Next, you should find out the level of customization a particular host allows.  For instance, some offer predetermined packages and give you a few choices.  Others offer full customization and give you complete control over your operation.  The best solution for you all depends on the needs of your site.

Lastly, you need to know that the host offers some form of reliable customer service.  Technical support is a very critical aspect of hosting, one that should even be provided by the unmanaged host.  This will come in handy if you need assistance setting up the server, helping to ensure that the operation flows seamlessly when incorporating the essentials for your business.

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Nov 26, 2008 : Dedicated Servers No responses yet

The Shared Hosting Checklist

Are you looking to build a website but are working with limited resources?  If so, shared hosting could be the option for you.  This solution is very affordable and can provide you with a number of tools needed to establish yourself on the web.  Before signing yourself into a lengthy service contract, there are many important things you need to know about this environment.  By reading over this checklist, you will be more likely to find a provider that suits your needs and avoid all the pitfalls of shared hosting.

Overselling

Believe it or not, overselling is a common trait in the shared hosting sector.  What this means is that a company is selling more server resources than they have access to.  For instance, if a provider is offering you 10,000 GB of disk space and bandwidth per month, this might be unlikely if they are hosting 10,000 websites on a single server.  This could result in various problems for your site, especially if most of your neighbors as just active as you intend to be.  Although the 500 GB of storage offered by a dedicated host may not sound as attractive as the unlimited offering of a shared provider, it is however, more likely to be true.  In fact, you should keep in mind that unlimited is merely an advertising gimmick whereas 500 GB is generally more than enough bandwidth and storage.

Reselling

Reselling is any easy and affordable way for people like yourself to generate income from the web hosting business.  You sign up with a company, they you provide you with server space and you sell it to customers of your own to make a profit.  Some succeed at this venture while others fail.  Even worse are the fly-by-night resellers that have no intentions on hosting your site.  Instead, they take your money and sensitive files and make off.   If you decide to host with a reseller, do a little research and find out how long they have been doing business.

Support

Customer service is a critical element of web hosting, especially if you are creating your first website.  To make sure you get the benefit of quality support, you should find out if the company has a phone number, email address or live chat.  You can take this one step further by making contact before signing up to judge their response time.  If they take days to reply or blow you off completely, there is no need to waste your time.

Reviews

One way to find yourself a good shared host is to read reviews online.  This should give you a good idea about who you will be dealing with and what to expect.  At the same time, you shouldn’t rely solely on web hosting reviews.  Some could be written by internal sources at a particular company while others could be written by competitors.  If you want helpful reviews, try to get them from somebody you can trust to provide honest opinions.

Status

Every web host had to start somewhere, but it’s always a good idea to sign up with a company that has been in the business for a while.  Several providers have crumbled despite seeming as if they were off to a good start.  By doing business with trusted names with documentation to back up their claims, you can better assure that your experience with shared hosting will be a positive one.

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Nov 24, 2008 : Shared Hosting No responses yet