web hosting

Control Panel Options for Resellers

As a reseller, one of the most important decisions you will have to make is choosing a control panel.  When selecting the right software, you can save yourself a lot of time, money and frustration.  This article will give you an overview on some of the most popular control panels available for reseller hosting.

cPanel

cPanel makes a great choice for reselling because it is incredibly easy to use and loaded with features.  The standard cPanel reseller package comes with two separate applications: WHM and cPanel.  WHM (Web Host Manager) is the control panel used to create user accounts and web hosting packages.  Other features include the ability to modify plans, add and suspend sites, park domains, view bandwidth statistics and perform other administrative tasks.  Clients of the reseller are provided with the end-user version of cPanel to manage their own sites.

A cPanel reseller hosting package also includes an optional application called WHM Autopilot.  This program allows you to configure account creation and suspensions, email notifications and other automated functions.  WHM Autopilot can be seamlessly integrated with numerous payment gateways and includes a built-in helpdesk, invoice module and several administrative tools.

H-Sphere

H-Sphere is a cross-platform control panel that allows resellers to set up hosting plans on both Windows and Linux systems.  It provides the unique ability to manage sites on different servers from a single interface even though the control panel is actually on a separate server.  H-Sphere completely automates the management processing, allowing you to easily make configurations, process credit card payments, handle domain name registrations and send out email notifications.  This control panel also has a built-in helpdesk, a billing module and supports more than 20 payment gateways.

The advanced features and functionality of H-Sphere results in a steeper learning curve than other control panels.  For this reason, beginners may find this software a bit too complex for their needs.  On the other hand, more advanced users appreciate the flexibility and control H-Sphere offers.  Aside from the features mentioned, H-Sphere also comes with the SiteStudio website builder that allows end-users to create websites from a number of pre-designed themes.  This gives domain owners the ability to build professional sites regardless of their experience with FTP or HTML.

Plesk

The Plesk control panel is known as one of the most stable and secure on the market.  Resellers and end-users both admire the software’s clean interface, simple navigation and professional appearance.  Plesk offers control on four different levels: Server administrator, Client/Reseller, Domain owner and Mail user.  Each level gives users control of their particular level along with the level below them.  For instance, the server administrator can view information about the reseller, the reseller can view the details on their clients and so forth.

Plesk’s developer Swsoft, also offers Site Builder through the control panel, a program that provides end-users with an easy way to create their sites.  Site Builder has more than 300 templates in numerous categories, allowing reseller clients to create sites with no programming or FTP knowledge.  When combined with HSPcomplete, another Swsoft creation, Plesk delivers automation that allows you to process credit card payments, send email notifications and much more.

Understanding Domain Name Transfers

There may come a point in your internet life when you need to transfer a domain name.  Perhaps you are unhappy with the current service and want to take your domain to a new registrar.  Whatever the reason is, you should know what to expect in order to ensure a smooth transition.

What is a Domain Name Transfer?

A domain name transfer describes the process of taking the name you registered with one registrar and moving it to another.  This simply means you only want to switch your domain name service provider.  Everything about your website and actual domain name remains the same.  Keep in mind that a domain name transfer isn’t the same as transferring your website from one server to another.

The Transfer Process

The first step in transferring a domain name is initiating the transfer.  While it is up to you to make the request, only the new registrar can initiate the transfer.  After purchasing an account and getting set up with the new registrar, you should see a link or button that reads “transfer domain”.  In most cases, you will be prompted to enter the domain name, confirm and click “OK”.

What you don’t see behind the scenes is the email exchange between the new registrar and the WHOIS database regarding your domain.  The transfer process moves along once the WHOIS administrative contact accepts the transfer by clicking on a link in the email.  Once the transfer has been approved, the new registrar sends notification to the TLD Registry (Top Level Domain) for further approval.

In order for your domain name to work, it be must active.  If it is inactive, pending, or locked, you will not be able to make the transfer.  This is why it is recommended to transfer your domain name well before the expiration date to avoid such issues.  If your domain is active and registered for 60 days or more, the TLD registry will inform the new registrar that the transfer can continue.   From there, the registry lets the old registrar known that a transfer request has been made.  The old registrar generally has about five days to respond to the TLD registry.  If they do not respond in the given amount of time, the registry will automatically assume approval by default.  While this helps you make a transfer from a hesitant registrar, it also increases the potential of domain theft.  For this reason, it is advisable to sign up with a registrar that offers domain locking and other protective features.

If the registrar actively approves the transfer, they will do so by responding to the TLD registry.  The registry then takes the name from the old registrar, notifies the new registrar and adds it to their account.  That is the domain name transfer process in a nutshell.  As long as you know what to expect, it can all be a painless task.  Although most support staff members are more than willingly to walk you through the process, it is always good to understand what goes on for yourself.

Content Management with Post Nuke

Open-source content management systems are available by the masses and getting hold of one is no difficult task.  While there are many systems to choose from, few of them offer the power and user-friendliness of Post Nuke.

What is Post Nuke?

Post Nuke began as a fork of the original PHP Nuke CMS.  The project was initiated because many of its users believed the development environment should be more open and demographic.  Users realized that the only way to achieve this was to create their own CMS.  Post Nuke has grown and stands on its own merits apart from PHP Nuke.  Fully modular and capable of running on both Apache and IIS web servers, this CMS offers a wide range of benefits to anyone who interacts with the software.

Benefits of Post Nuke

Cost-effective – Released under the GPL license, Post Nuke is an open-source application that can be used, modified and distributed for free.  The software can be downloaded from online and easily incorporated into your hosting environment.

Easy to Use – Post Nuke is the ultimate CMS, providing a way to easily create and maintain a large community website.  Users can post comments, share messages internally, publish news articles, search the site by word or phrase and much more.

Access Control – The Post Nuke CMS offers a Permissions Control feature that lets certain users access specific areas based on settings made by the website administrator.  This same feature also provides the ability to create a subscriber-based site where users are given additional administrative privileges.

Flexibility – With Post Nuke, administrators can control the look and feel of a website through the software’s comprehensive, flexible theme system.  Those with a basic knowledge of HTML can instantly enhance the presentation of their site without needing to code with PHP.

Fast and Efficient – Post Nuke comes with a built-in catching system that results in a high-performance website that offers excellent value to the end-user.

W3C Compliant - The Post Nuke system is well designed and in accordance with W3C guidelines.  This allows visitors to get the most out of a Post Nuke website from their browser.

Efficient Banner System – An integrated banner module makes it easy for affiliates to keep up with click counts and activity for their banner ads placed on a Post Nuke website.

Quality Support – One of the greatest attributes of Post Nuke is that the software is supported by a large community of developers and users across the world.  These people make sure that bugs and problems are addressed and fixed quickly.  You will find many Post Nuke forums around the web where active users offer tips to help out the user community.

Development for Post Nuke ceased in 2007 but it still remains one of the most widely used content management systems on the open-source market.  The software is robust, feature-rich and easier to use than most other systems.  The only downside is that with the halt in development, finding a web host that supports Post Nuke may be harder than before.

Introduction to ASP Hosting

The types of web hosting can be grouped in many classifications.  Some of them are actually extensions of other types of hosting.  One that falls under the Windows branch is ASP hosting, a type of hosting that revolves around ASP.  Short for Active Server Pages, ASP is Microsoft’s answer to open-source server-side programming languages such as PHP and Python.  Though used to create dynamic web pages like other technologies, ASP was developed to function specifically with Microsoft’s IIS (Internet Information Services) web server application.  Originally released with IIS version 3.0, ASP quickly became one of most the popular scripting technologies available.  Though overshadowed by its successor ASP.NET, ASP is still widely used today.

Inside ASP Hosting

The ASP language utilizes various built-in objects that correspond to specific functions when creating dynamic web pages.  Whereas static web pages are merely composed of basic text and graphics, dynamic pages contain content that changes and allows users to interact.  The data on a dynamic web page can change before your eyes without the need to be reloaded or refreshed.  The makeup of ASP gives it more functionality than alternative solutions, allowing experienced developers to create more appealing websites with ease.  In fact, almost anyone familiar with client-side programming languages such as VBscript can excel with ASP.

Since the initial launch, Microsoft has released numerous versions of ASP, with the most recent being ASP 3.0.  The company has decided to phase out this language with ASP.NET which is faster, more robust and often considered the next generation of web development.  The original language is now referred to as Classic ASP.   However, ASP 3.0 remains popular because its built-in objects tend to be easier to work with.  One of them is the Session object that administers numerous functions for web pages and applications.

The Benefits of ASP Hosting

Companies who specialize in ASP hosting are only providing their customers with the basics of the language.  The host enjoys the most benefits as administers have direct access to IIS and the Windows operating system.  Web hosts with ASP and ASP.NET installed on their servers get the best of server-side scripting along with other Microsoft technologies such as MS Access and the SQL Server.  ASP allows these companies to create and manage powerful websites of their own.  Many of them use scripts to run special promotions, limited time offerings, collect data and even sell products and services with ASP shopping carts.  The enhanced functionality of ASP makes it the preferred choice for businesses of all types and sizes.

Finding ASP Hosting

Just as with any type of hosting, it always best to shop around and compare ASP hosts.  Aside from complimenting Microsoft technologies, you should also concentrate on finding a company able to suit your needs in other areas.  If you are not familiar with the language, it would be wise to find a solution that offers extensive support and documentation on ASP to shorten the learning curve.  Without a capable and reliable web hosting company behind you, it will be very difficult to enjoy all the benefits ASP has to offer.

Popular Shopping Cart Scripts

The very core of any e-commerce website is the shopping cart.  These programs are aptly named after the shopping baskets commonly used in supermarkets and retail stores.  Conventional shopping carts allow customers to walk through the aisles and select the items they want to purchase.  We all know it is a simple process as you can add and remove products without much thought or effort.  Shopping cart software offers functionality that translates the control and ease of purchasing items in the real world to the electronic world of e-commerce.  In this regard, a shopping cart is merely an extension of the basic order form, allowing customers to select certain products and choose from various options.

There are numerous shopping carts available, most of which are created by different programming technologies.  This article will introduce you to some of the most common and detail their advantages and disadvantages.

ASP Shopping Carts

Short for Active Server Pages, ASP is a server-side programming language developed by Microsoft.  ASP is quite advantageous in the e-commerce field and shopping carts are no different.  The power of the language makes an ASP shopping cart easy to develop and maintain.  Most software scripted in this language gives you a comprehensive back office to easily manage all the components of your online business.  Like most technologies created by Microsoft, ASP shopping carts tend to be more expensive than those scripted in other languages.

CGI Shopping Carts

CGI is one of the oldest development tools and responsible for powering many of today’s active shopping carts.  The biggest advantage of CGI shopping carts is that they are compatible with all major web browsers.  The downside is that they can be difficult to maintain, sluggish and consume precious system resources.

Cookie Shopping Carts

Cookie shopping carts are both easy to setup and manage.  They tend to be faster than CGI shopping carts and consume fewer system resources.  The major disadvantage is that they are not compatible with web browsers that do not support cookies.  This makes a CGI shopping cart useless for customers who disable cookies in their browsers.

Java Shopping Carts

Many shopping carts are scripted in Java, a client-side language that offers advanced functionality beyond HTML.  Java shopping carts are feature-rich and visually appealing.  Because this type of software calls for you to build your online store inside of an applet, it is generally slower and more difficult to customize.

Javascript Shopping Carts

Javascript shopping carts are fast, easy to set up and manage.  They are also easy to customize and light on critical system features.  The major drawback is that they are not compatible with web browsers that do not support Javascript or cookies.  Additionally, a Javascript shopping cart is not equipped to handle larger e-commerce stores.

These are just a few of the many types of shopping carts on the market.  Regardless of the programming technologies behind the software, it is always best to choose a shopping cart that offers the features you need and supports the number of products you want to sell.