Tag Archive 'traffic'

Six Reasons to Rent a Dedicated Server

If you run a website that has a lot of dynamic features and experiences high levels of traffic, you should probably consider moving up to a dedicated server.  This type of hosting will give you the benefit of increased speed, better security and more control over your operation.  In this environment, you don’t have to worry about sharing bandwidth, disk space or even the server with other customers.  The names says it all, the server is dedicated solely to you.  If you’re still not sure about making the transition, this article will give you six reasons why a dedicated server is a smart move.

1.) Greater Capacity – Dedicated hosting gives you a tremendous amount of server capacity.  In this environment, capacity is only limited by the specifications of the server rather than the number of people hosting on it.  You can incorporate more complex features and run more databases without suffering from the performance issues associated with shared hosting.

2.) Better Security – In a shared hosting arrangement, there is always the scary possibility that other users might be able to view your confidential information or even overwrite certain files.  This could be really damaging if you store highly sensitive data on your site.  A dedicated server can be secured to your liking, equipped with the security features you feel provide the most adequate protection.

3.) Full Administrative Control - Perhaps the biggest draw to dedicated hosting is control.  You get to decide what web services and scripts can be run on the server and perform updates at your leisure.

4.) Custom Software Installations – Although shared hosting platforms are usually loaded with features, the actual functionality they offer is quite limited.  For example, most providers will not allow you to incorporate customized software, mainly due to stability and security issues that exist.  A dedicated server allows you to run your own applications and also utilize advanced development tools such as JSP, technologies that are still a rarity in the shared environment.

5.) Multiple Domains – Many customers choose to lease a dedicated server because they have a need to run multiple high traffic websites.  This is an affordable way for a business to maintain their operation opposed to leasing multiple servers from different hosts.  With a good control panel application, you can enjoy a unified platform that streamlines and greatly simplifies administrative tasks.

6.)  Easy Access - Even though the hardware is physically located in the hosting provider’s data center, you still have 24/7 access via remote capabilities.  While you must be handy with the software, there is no need to employ a large number of staff members to maintain the server.  Additionally, you don’t have to purchase or physically maintain any equipment, making dedicated hosting a very cost effective solution.

If these are qualities you need in a hosting solution, it is definitely time for a dedicated server.  Just remember to do a little investing so you can find a company that delivers the best service possible.  Without a reliable host and quality technical support, a dedicated server could end up working to your disadvantage.


cPanel – Webalizer Tutorial

Webalizer is an efficient feature found within the cPanel control panel. This application is very capable and provides a GUI (Graphical User Interface) to analyze the statistics of your website. Not only does it detail the traffic generated, but it also displays them in comprehensive charts and graphs. This program alone makes cPanel one of the most efficient control panels available today.

Accessing Webalizer

To access the Webalizer program, you must first log into cPanel. From there you need to look for the icon labeled “Statistics”. Once you click on this icon, you will be directed to a page that includes the following choices:

Analog

Webalizer

Subdomain Stats

Latest Visitors

Bandwidth

Error Log

Of course you want to click on the “Webalizer” link. When the page loads, you will see a double-column table that says “Select A Domain”. This table contains the following categories:

- Domain - this area is composed of the domains that are currently associated to your web hosting account.

- View - when clicking on the “magnifying glass” icon of this category you will then be able to see the web statistics associated with your primary domain.

After selecting the domain you would like to view statistics for, a new page loads displaying a “Usage Summary”. Here you will find a graphical chart with the amount of activity for your web pages and files viewed, hits, visits and visiting web sites over the last twelve months. If your domain and website have not been active for a full year, Webalizer will only display activity for the appropriate months.

A second chart displays a “Summary by Month” log for the past twelve months. Similar to the first chart, this one will only display the appropriate months if your domain and website has not been active for a full year. It does differ from the fist chart by only displaying the actual number of hits, files, pages and files viewed, visits and visiting sites opposed to a graphical representation. To view statistics, simply click on any month listed in the appropriate column. Once the page loads, it will display the following links:

- Daily Statistics – displays both a bar and numbers chart that represents the number of hits, files and pages viewed, visits and more.

- Hourly Statistics - displays both a bar and numbers chart that represents the number of hits, files and pages viewed, visits and more

- URLs - displays a table with top links accessed on your website which includes hits and kilobytes associated with the URL

- Entry - displays a table with the top entry pages accessed on your website which includes hits and kilobytes associated with the URL

- Exit - displays a table with the top entry pages accessed on your website which includes hits and kilobytes associated with the URL

- Sites – displays a table with the top visitors or web hosting servers used to access your site which includes hits and kilobytes associated with their server

- Referrers – displays a table of referrers or URLs used when accessing your website which includes hits related to the referrer or URL

- Search – displays a table of top keywords visitors used to access your website through a search engine

- Agents – displays a table of top browsers such as Internet Explorer or FireFox along with the type of operating system used when accessing your website. This also includes hit associated with those entities

- Countries – displays a table of a specific country’s top visitors that accessed your website which includes hits and kilobytes associated with that country

Webalizer is without a doubt one of cPanel’s most effective features. It allows you to analyze the status of your website and make improvements where ever needed to enhance marketing efforts and it’s overall success.


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