Web Hosting

The Pros and Cons of Windows VPS Hosting

Short for virtual private server, VPS represents an increasingly popular type of web hosting that is established by partitioning a single physical server into multiple virtual servers.  Each server has its own private environment and is capable of running independently from its counterparts.  A VPS has its own fully developed operating system and can also be rebooted independent of the other virtual servers on the machine.  A VPS offers much greater performance than a shared server and while it still lacks in comparison to a dedicated server, it does share many of the same qualities.  A virtual private server provides you with a great deal of freedom and has garnered the reputation of being notably more affordable than a single physical server.

Microsoft’s Contribution

VPS hosting in enabled by a certain type of software that has the ability to control the multiple servers.  With the introduction of Windows Server 2008 and Hyper-V, hosting providers have access to a more secure and reliable platform to deliver VPS solutions.  Windows VPS hosting received its big start with Windows Virtual Server 2007,  a platform that while serviceable, could not complete with offerings on the market by vendors such as VMWare.  Thanks to Microsoft’s recent innovations, Windows VPS hosting customers are now ensured a dramatically improved performance that can be enhanced through integration with VMWare and other virtualization software packages.

The Advantages of Windows VPS

A Windows VPS platform offers an environment most administrators and developers really appreciate.  The familiar Windows desktop interface makes setting up an account a seamless and easy process.  Because of this, most users can easily adapt to and thrive in this environment.  A Windows VPS server is ideal for individuals and businesses that have a need to run high-traffic websites, complex web applications, or custom services that simply aren’t recommended for a shared server.   With the array of new security features implemented into the Windows Server 2008 operating system, the Windows platform has become one of the most secure VPS hosting solutions available.

The Disadvantages of Windows VPS

There is one major drawback to a Windows VPS and that is the significant amount of resources it demands from the server.  The good thing is that this problem can addressed by running the Windows 2008 Core installation.  This gives you a scaled down version of the platform with select features and services.  If you have a need to run a large number of applications, you might be better suited for a dedicated server as it will give you the best possible performance.

When comparing it to the open-source Linux operating system, another knock on Windows VPS hosting could be the cost factor.  Linux and its core components are released under a license that allows them to be freely distributed and this is often reflected in the cost of service.  Windows on the other hand, comes attached with costly licenses that can send the price soaring.

Minor drawbacks aside, Windows is an excellent choice for running a virtual private server. With the backing of reliable hardware, the superb performance, flexibility and security it offers makes it a VPS solution you definitely want to consider.

Finding the Service You Need Through Web Hosting Reviews

Finding a company to host your website is not a difficult task.  On the other hand, landing one you can trust is a different story.  This article will introduce you to one of the most effective resources for locating an ideal service – the web hosting review.

Narrow Your Choices

It is rather easy to become lost in the array of web hosting providers and types of hosting on the market.  You have many considerations, including companies that offer budget hosting as well as those that allow you to lease your own server with a dedicated hosting package.  The search gets even more confusing when factoring in features and technical jargon such as disk storage, data transfer and domains.

All of this can be very overwhelming for someone who does not possess the first clue of which type of service is best for their particular needs, and due to the sea of options, these feelings can even be perceived by seasoned webmasters.   A good way to arm yourself with knowledge about the web hosting market is to read many reviews.  Some of the review sites categorize these hosting providers based on their niche, price and the type of service they offer.  When reading over the details, you can gain valuable insight on which service you can afford and what company you can trust.

Avoid the Disasters

The web hosting industry has become immensely popular in recent years and with this popularity came many sharks and shady practices.  Today, it can be rather difficult to pick out the reliable hosting providers from those simply out to make a buck or a run a scam.  By turning to web hosting reviews, you can avoid these shady companies and find yourself one that can actually be relied upon.  Best of all, the chances of you landing a great deal are tremendous.  The review game has become a business in its own right so the individuals running these sites make it a habit to list providers offering the lowest price on the best service.

Learn About the Hosting Market

Web hosting reviews can help you become more familiar with the market and give you a better idea of what to expect.  They tend to highlight key areas that the novice may not be aware of but should know before purchasing a hosting plan.  When reading reviews you generally learn about the features offered, server capacity, the level of security and more.  In the end, this could help you save precious time you would have otherwise spent researching web hosting companies that may or may not live up to your expectations.  What you can take from these review sites is a list of potential hosting providers and a piece of mind by knowing that you don’t have to overloaded with the rigorous investigating process.

Conclusion

Though researching a web host for yourself is never a bad idea, taking the time to read reviews can let you know just what’s out there and give you an idea of what company may be able to pave the road to your success online.  Whether you need a simple personal site or plan to start up a web-based business, some good reviews will put you in the right direction.

Enhancing Your Website with phpBB Hosting

Since being released in the year 2000, phpBB has been one of the most widely used bulletin board solutions on the market.  Today it stands alone at the top as the number one open-source forum software in the world.  While the platform has been greatly improved over the years, phpBB has always offered a powerful set of features such as private messaging, intuitive permission systems, search functionality, a customizable template and language system and support for popular databases.

Key phpBB Features

The phpBB forum software is loaded with features that appeal to administrators, moderators and end-users.  Some of the most noteworthy features include:

Private Messages

- Send messages to multiple recipients

- Send messages to groups

- Send BCCs (Blind Carbon Copies)

- Forward messages

- Export messages

- Friends list (address book)

- Attach files to private messages

- Private message drafts

- Private message folders

- Private message filters

- Conversation view

Registration

- Limit registration attempts

- Set minimum and maximum login ID length

- Set minimum and maximum password length

- Regulate login ID characters

- Establish password complexity requirements

- Enforce password changes

- Enable and disable COPPA

- Allow and deny email address re-usage

Built-in Search Engine

- Search topics within the site

- Search within topics

- Search through multiple categories and forums

- Search within first post of a specific topic

- Enable search flood interval to reduce server load

- Search capabilities within backend database

Administrative Control Panel

- Enhanced interface with more accessible and flexible tab layout

- Modular system provides for easy extensibility

- Allow and deny access to various administrative functions

- Founder status bulletin board creation

- New design for easier use

Moderator Control Panel

- Easy management of moderation queue

- Comprehensive lists of warnings and reports

- Forum, topic and post detail views

Polls

- Multiple options for each user

- Allow and deny vote changes

Usergroups

- Multiple group leaders

- Set display color specific group members

- Set group ranking

- Create group avatars

Profile View

- Comprehensive user statistics on profile view

- Usergroups on profile view

- Signature on profile view

Permissions System

- Enhanced and more flexible system

- Easy permissions via assigned roles

- Enhanced administrator and moderator access

- Global moderators

User Management

- Advanced user interface

- Modify user preferences

- Modify group memberships

- Display and edit all user attachments

- View permissions directly

Availability and Requirements

Incorporating a forum into your website is a great way to establish a community and encourage audience participation.  There are a number of programs that can help you achieve these goals and some of the best ones are of the open-source variety.  Being that the software has become so incredibly popular, most web hosting providers offer full support for phpBB.  Hosts that utilize cPanel as their control panel allow you to install the application right through Fantastico.  In just a few easy clicks, your website can be enhanced by one of the most powerful online bulletin board systems in the world.   All you need to run phpBB efficiently is a web server equipped with the PHP programming language and a supported database.  Although MySQL is the database used most often, the platform also supports database management systems such as PostgreSQL, Microsoft SQL Server, SQLite, Oracle, Firebird, OpenLink Virtuoso and several others.

Rackspace Cloud Powers WWDC 2009

Last week, Rackspace’s cloud hosting solution helped to deliver live blog coverage of Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference 2009.  Hosted at blog site live.gdgt.com, the robust platform easily handled 4.7 million page views in under two hours.

Ryan Block, live.gdgt.com co-founder, was able to present a real-world demonstration on the power and value of cloud computing through his blog using Rackspace’s Cloud Sites solution.  With the help of his photographer, he was able to simultaneously capture and upload images in real-time to the Cloud Files service, which is automatically integrated into the site.  This activity all took place while serving an estimated 656 page views per second to worldwide viewers with minimal cost and hassle.

Mr. Block said the Rackspace Cloud enabled his team to quickly iterate and scale their live coverage without needing to make major investments in hardware or operations.  He says that the Rackspace support staff went above and beyond to help prepare for the event, providing essential input and attentiveness to maintain availability despite the unbelievably heavy traffic load.

The Cloud Sites solutions sells for $100 per month while Cloud Files is available on a pay-as-you-go basis with service starting at $0.15 per GB of data.  With Cloud Files, customers have the option of serving content files leveraging the Limelight Networks CDN (content delivery network) in real-time without any extra efforts and only paying for what they need.  Rackspace customers also get the benefit of 24/7 Fanatical Support for any questions of concerns they may have about their hosting account at no additional cost.

The approximate cost difference between the DIY hosting approach opposed to deploying Cloud Sites or Cloud Files for this type of event portrays the cost benefits of cloud computing.  Physical space, hardware, software and management costs for a state of the art data center capable of handling such a traffic load would cost tens of thousands of dollars.  When utilizing Rackspace’s cloud solutions, it is likely to only cost a couple hundred dollars.

The Rackspace Cloud delivers on-demand website, application and storage hosting backed by some of the best support in the industry.  Through a suite of cloud solutions in Cloud Sites, Cloud Files and Cloud Servers, the Rackspace Cloud gives knowledgeable IT managers and developers the ability to reduce the high-cost investments and hassles associated with dedicated hardware, all while allowing them to easily scale their hosting resources.

About Rackspace

A leader in the industry of hosting services, Rackspace Hosting is changing the way businesses around the world approach their IT operations.  The company provides a number of solutions including computing-as-a-service, incorporating the latest innovations into a highly flexible offering that makes computing more reliable and affordable.  Rackspace specializes in solutions that enable businesses and IT teams to be more efficient.  Distinguished by its award-winning Fanatical Support, the company continues on its mission be one of the best service providers in the world.  The Rackspace portfolio includes a number of hosted IT services such as Managed Hosting, Cloud hosting, email and application hosting.

Critical Factors to Consider When Evaluating Application Hosting

Application hosting services are increasing in demand as more business come to realize that outsourcing to a qualified managed service provider can greatly enhance the deployment process and reduce costs across the board.  To help you find a service that meets the needs and expectations of your organization, we have listed some of the important factors that must be considered for an application hosting solution.

Storage Requirements

Because storage can be a rather costly proposition, it is best to take a just-in-time approach towards your inventory.  By answering the questions below, you can draw a more accurate picture that might defer costs until they are absolutely vital:

- How much storage do you need now?

- How much storage will you need in the next 3 to 5 years

- How much additional storage will you require each year?

- Will you need to archive data and pull it from the main storage area?  If so, how much and when?

Applications to be Hosted

How many applications do you need to host and what type of applications are they?  Staging, testing, development and deployment are just some of the environments you may need hosted.  In most cases, each environment has different hosting requirements in terms of availability, operational tasks, access and support.  Make sure you assess the use and flow of data within and between these applications to precisely determine the requirements for each one.

Backup and Restore and Disaster Recovery

Before deciding on an application hosting provider, it is critical to define what is to be backed up, when and how often.  When focusing on this area, it is also a good idea to keep disasters in mind and think of what would happen if something bad occurred and the provider’s data center became completely unusable.  This is a place where you need to put a business continuity plan into effect.

SLA Monitoring and Reporting

Key performance indicators come in handy, but only when they detail what is important to your organization.  Make sure you know what levels of availability the service level agreement covers as well as the applications that will be monitored.  If monitoring reports are available, find out how they are to be structured and provided.

Root Access

System root access usually isn’t given to parties outside of the data center staff.  It is also important to know that some application providers will waive their SLAs if they can determine that a non-root access account is the cause of an outage.  Because this can have a major impact on your availability, it is vital that you inquire within the provider about their root access policies before signing the contract.

The Service Contract

When it comes to application hosting, contracts define much more than what products or services will be provided and how much they cost.  They also explain how organizations are to interact with each other.  It is wise that you go over the contract with a fine tooth comb to prevent confusion and enable a framework for dispute resolution and continuous enhancements.

Yahoo Releases its Distribution of Hadoop

Internet powerhouse Yahoo, just made its distribution of Hadoop available while hosting the Second Annual Hadoop Summit.  Under the Apache Hadoop project, Hadoop is a distributed file system and parallel execution environment that allows users to process large amounts of data.  Acting on requests from the user community, Yahoo decided to open up its investment in quality engineering for the benefit of the larger ecosystem and aid in the innovation of open collaborative research and development.  Its distribution of Hadoop has been thoroughly tested and deployed on the world’s largest Hadoop clusters.

Justin Erenkrantz, Apache Software Foundation President, noted his excitement to see how the Apache Hadoop project has progressed over the last few years.  He says the foundation is looking forward to witnessing the community’s growth accelerate with Yahoo’s continuous support and commitment to quality, factors that will ultimately attract more contributors to the Apache Hadoop project.

Mike Olson, CEO of Cloudera, states that the general availability of Yahoo’s Hadoop source code will make its own distribution of Hadoop more robust and scalable.  He says Cloudera will continue to work with Yahoo to implement the tried and tested source code into its commercial distribution.  According to Olson, the Cloudera distribution of Hadoop is an enterprise-ready version complete with key tools, utilities, customer service and technical support, features designed to help enterprises deploy and maintain the Hadoop platform for larger scale data processing and management needs.

Considered one of the pioneers, Yahoo has led the way in development and is now the leading contributor to the Apache Hadoop project.  Doug Cutting, Hadoop founder, joined Yahoo in 2006 and the company immediately began making significant investments in developing the project.  Hadoop currently underpins several of Yahoo’s properties, including Yahoo Search, Yahoo mail and a variety of its content and advertising services.  In Yahoo data centers, Hadoop runs on well over 25,000 servers and analyzes billions of web pages, petabytes of storage and billions of new records on a daily basis.

To demonstrate the community collaboration of the Hadoop project, Yahoo hosted the second annual Hadoop Summit on June 10 in Santa Clara, California.  Co-sponsoring the event was Cloudera, Amazon Web Services, IBM, Sun Startup Essentials and Lightspeed Venture Partners.  The event brought hundreds of members from the Hadoop user and developer communities together to learn and share ideas with each other.  The Hadoop Summit focused on all the advancements made in the development and deployment of the project and its related technologies.  It also touched on case studies of the applications being created and deployed on Hadoop as well as discussions on the platforms’ future directions.

Yahoo’s distribution of Hadoop is available via the Yahoo Developer Network.  Cloudera’s distribution, which includes the Yahoo source code, is available at cloudera.com.

About Yahoo

Headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, Yahoo is a globally renown internet brand and leading web hosting provider.  The company is dedicated to empowering its community of customers, users, publishers, advertisers, and developers by establishing indispensable services based on trust and reliability.  The Yahoo brand is currently one of the most trafficked internet destinations in the world.

The Insecurity of Web Upload Forms

Convenience aside, allowing anonymous visitors to upload files to your site is pretty much like opening the gates and telling malicious users it is okay to compromise your server.  This puts you, the website owner, in a very tough position when considering that such permissions have become a commonality on today’s internet and has proven to increase business efficiency.

Having the ability to upload files is a regular occurrence on social networking sites such as FaceBook, MySpace and Twitter as well blogs, forums and online banking sites.  This feature is also prevalent in corporate portals as it allows end-users to share files with business employees.  In these environments, users are permitted to upload documents, pictures, music, videos and several other types of files.  The more functionality an end-user is provided with, the greater the probability of creating a vulnerable web application.  It is a known fact that many internet users abuse their privileges to gain access to a specific site or compromise a web server.

During recent tests, security experts have discovered that an alarming number of widely used web applications are not making use of secure upload forms.   According to their findings, many of these vulnerabilities were easily detected and exploited, allowing experts to gain full access to the file system on the web server hosting those applications.   Most of these vulnerabilities were the direct result of improper security configurations, essentially permitting intruders to roll right in.

Viable Solutions

Below is a list of practices you or your system administrator should enforce when file uploads are allowed to your website or web applications:

- Create an .htaccess file that only permits access to files with allowed extensions

- Do not the put the .htaccess file in the same directory where the files uploaded by users will be stored.  This file should be stored in the parent directory that your visitors do not have access to.

- The average .htaccess file that only allows files such as jpg, jpeg, gif and png files should include the following lines:

“deny from all

<Files ~ “^\w+\.(gif|jpe?g|png)$”>

order deny,allow

allow from all

</Files>”

These lines can be adjusted to suit your own personal needs.  Editing the .htaccess file in this manner will not only assure that only these file types are allowed, but also protect you from double extension attacks.

- If at all possible, make sure the files uploaded by users are placed in a directory outside of the server root.

- Do not allow existing files to be overwritten.  This will prevent exploits such as the .hataccess overwrite attack.

- Do not rely solely on client-side validation.  This is simply not enough to ensure an adequate level of security.  It is advisable to implement both client-side and server-side validation.

Conclusion

There are several ways a malicious user can bypass the security configurations applied to a file upload form.  When incorporating such a feature into your web applications, you should make it a priority to follow the best security practices and put them to the test on a regular basis.  While this requires a considerable amount of security expertise, it is worth every bit of time to make sure your website is protected.

Common E-commerce Hosting Terminology

Choosing an e-commerce hosting plan can be extremely difficult for two reasons.  One is because there are so many options available to you.  The second is all the confusing terminology and technical jargon a hosting provider will throw at you.  This article will aim to clear up some of that confusion.

Affiliate Program – An affiliate program refers to a revenue sharing program where webmasters can earn commission by generating leads, traffic or sales of a web hosting service.  If you feel that have signed up with a respectable hosting provider, you may be interested in their affiliate program to earn some extra cash.

ASP - Active Server Pages is a technology that allows developers to create dynamic, database-driven websites.  The web server processes the ASP code and then translates it into HTML for your visitors to view.

Auto Responder – An auto responder is an automated program that can be configured to acknowledge the receipt of an email, and automatically sends a reply to the sender.  This is an effective tool for keeping base with clients when you’re away from the desk or on vacation.

Backbone - A backbone refers to a single high-speed line or a series of connections that enable a pathway to a network such as the internet.  The more backbones or the higher the capacity, the higher level of availability your site will enjoy.

CGI Scripts - Common Gateway Interface scripts are small programs installed into a web server.  They are designed to perform specific tasks and enable functionality that a simple HTML document cannot.

Control Panel – A control panel is a software package that allows hosting providers and customers to simplify various web server tasks.  This type of application gives you the ability to easily maintain your mailboxes, files, manage domains and more even if you have little to no experience.

Dedicated Server – Also called dedicated hosting, a dedicated server describes a situation where you lease service from a hosting provider and get the entire server to yourself.  This in contrast to shared hosting, which hence, calls for you to share the server with other customers.

IP Address – An IP address is a unique numerical code used to specify hosts (computers) and networks.  Every machine connected to the internet has its own IP address.

Reseller Hosting – Reseller hosting is a type of hosting where a customer purchases service from a provider and then sells hosting package to customers of their own.  This has become a popular and affordable way for entrepreneurs and small businesses to profit from the web hosting market.

Shared Hosting - Shared hosting refers to a hosting arrangement where multiple websites are stored on a single server.  This is the most affordable and common type of web hosting there is.

Web Host – The web host is the company who provides you with the e-commerce hosting solution.  They run computers known as severs that have dedicated lines to the internet.  The purpose of a web host is to serve your pages to internet users and assure its availability.

HostMySite Hosting.com Merger Births Two New Cloud Solutions

Recently merged web hosting provider HostMySite.com/Hosting.com, have combined two powerful solutions to strengthen its presence in the hosting marketplace.  Made immediately available, the two new products dubbed as Cloud 9 Enterprise and Cloud 9 Private provide customers with access to shared and dedicated cloud hosting, IaaS (Infrastructure-as-a-Service) and PaaS (Platform-as-a-Service) environments.  The Cloud 9 Enterprise solution offers enhancements that include on-demand provisioning, interconnecting to private cloud environments and rapid deployment of disk and computing resources.

Prior to the merger in May of 2009, both providers operated their VMware-based cloud hosting solutions independently.  Thanks to their strikingly similar infrastructures, scalable platforms and dedication to support, the integration process was seamless, going off without a hitch.

Art Zeile, HostMySite CEO, revealed that the company will continue to integrate HostMySite and Hosting.com cloud computing solutions at a fast pace to deliver highly sought after, client-centric services to the virtual and cloud markets.  He says the name Cloud 9 was chosen because it is already an established cloud hosting band.  According to Zeile, these two new solutions will provide customers with an unparalleled level of flexibility and control.

Cloud 9 Enterprise provides customers with an on-demand cloud hosting solution via a secure web portal, giving businesses the ability to quickly deploy virtual servers and modify their resources on an as-needed basis.  The service is quite comparable to a virtual private server yet offers the additional benefits of high availability and adaptability.  Cloud 9 Enterprise doesn’t require any contracts, allowing customers to provision and incorporate resources such as RAM, storage and RAM online in a matter of minutes.

Cloud 9 Private delivers virtual, clustered environments at a price considerably lower than traditional dedicated server solutions.  The service provides an enhanced level of scalability, fault tolerance and security in an isolated environment occupied by a single tenant.

News of the merger was HostMySite.com’s first major announcement since acquiring Hosting.com.  Company reps are confident that several business clients will make use of the Cloud 9 Enterprise and Cloud 9 Private solutions to extend their internal cloud environments to geographically distributed infrastructures in its SAS 70 Type II certified data centers.

HostMySite/Hosting.com is said to be working closely with the VMware platform to deliver enterprise-class cloud hosting solutions to businesses of all sizes.  The company is actively participating in the VMware vCloud Initiative and working side by side with VMware to launch trial-offer cloud hosting services for virtual appliances and general hosting needs.  Enterprise and small to medium sized businesses can leverage the benefits of the VMware virtualization platform via both the Cloud 9 Enterprise and Cloud 9 Private solutions.

About HostMySite/Hosting.com

As a fully merged entity, HostingMySite/Hosting.com provides enterprise-level dedicated and colocation hosting, managed hosting, cloud computing, disaster recovery and business continuity services to a global base of customers.  The company operates multiple world-class data centers in California, Delaware and Kentucky with another facility currently being constructed in Denver, Colorado.  The HostMySite/Hosting.com infrastructure is designed to support business clients who run mission-critical operations and demand a high level of availability.

Top 5 Benefits of Managed Hosting

Today, businesses have a countless number of pressures to handle, global standards to satisfy and ever evolving demands to meet and manage.  To better deal with these complexities, more organizations are seeking managed hosting services as a solution to minimize IT pressures and put greater emphasis on their core business operations.

Whether it is software applications, databases, the actual server or other components underpinning critical business processes, managed hosting can provide cost advantages and numerous efficiencies to companies of all types.  This service allows small and mid-sized businesses to save money on an expensive in-house infrastructure and still get the necessary resources to maintain their IT environment and obtain the scalability to compensate evolving needs.  In addition, larger businesses can achieve a tighter integration of IT and access to technical expertise to support their operations and customer base.

There are many reasons to choose a managed hosting service instead of trying to build and maintain your IT infrastructure in-house.  Below are the top 5.

1.) Optimal Utilization of IT Resources – The typical IT infrastructure calls for an organization to not only spend big on costly resources, but spend time maintaining them as well.  A managed hosting provider frees up IT teams, allowing them to provide greater value to the company by placing their focus on non-critical IT tasks.  In most cases, the hosting provider is better to handles such tasks anyway.

2.) Lower, Fixed Cost of Ownership – Internally hosted and managed systems come with multiple costs, including major capital expenditures as well as operating costs and unexpected fees that result from system failures, maintenance and others situations.  By turning to a managed hosting service, you can save tremendously on upfront capital expenses and greatly reduce operating costs.  It is the hosting provider that takes care of the management aspects and all the expenses related to the infrastructure.  You don’t have to worry about unexpected occurrences as you simply pay a fixed annual or monthly fee.

3.) Enhanced Performance and Increased Availability – Managed hosting companies are making continuous investments in various technologies to enhance their infrastructure and deliver a greater value to the customer.  Thanks to the state of the art data centers of today, these companies are able to offer higher levels of performance, security and availability, essentially meaning that your business will continuously thrive under a wide range of conditions, all of which you won’t have to worry about.

4.) Around the Clock IT Expertise - The best managed hosting solutions are complimented by 24/7 technical support and customer service.  Managed providers act as an extension of the client’s IT team, making it easier for the business to access the skills they need at any time.  With the right service, this expertise will come in handy when it is time to integrate or upgrade.

5.) Incredible Value – A reputable managed hosting provider has dealt with and overcome the adversities associated with a complex IT infrastructure.  Its systems and solutions are tried and tested, easy and fast to deploy.  Boasting the ability to scale according to the needs of the customers, managed hosting providers allow businesses of all sizes to instantly reap the value of their services.

Choosing Between a Dedicated Server and Managed Hosting

The more popular your website becomes and the bigger it grows, thus, the more likely you will get to the point where you want to automate as many as the essential management processes as possible.  With success comes more complications, something that definitely holds true for a thriving website.  When you reach this point, it is critical that you start to seek out products and solutions that can be dedicated to performing the tasks you can no longer afford to handle in order to expand your web presence.  For most, this comes down to making a decision between a dedicated server or managed hosting plan.

The Cost Aspect

While it is true that managed web hosting has traditionally been more expensive than leasing a dedicated server, if you look a little closer, you will see that there are tremendous cost savings to be obtained.  The cost benefits of managed service can be observed from the ability it provides to dramatically cut down on the resources needed to power your website or business.  With this type of solution, you can start saving by subtracting from your staffing requirements as you will not need anywhere near the amount of physical resources.  In addition, you can pocket substantial savings on operating costs, office space requirements and all the expenses needed to ensure that your business continues to run smoothly on a day-to-day basis.  Aside from saving money, a managed hosting service also spares you valuable time.  All the time-consuming tasks will be shifted the shoulders of the hosting provider while you set your focus on the less technical aspects.

Less Control, More Freedom

Indeed, a dedicated server provides you with added flexibility and complete control of your entire web-based operation.  However, with this option, maintaining your presence can become a full-time job in its own right.  For those who do not have the time or expertise to deal with the hassles that come along with a dedicated server, managed hosting providers step in to lift the burden, allowing you to expand and grow your website.  Over the years, these services have gained a reputation for being hassle free and rather cost efficient when compared to trying to maintain the same systems in-house.  In addition, there are many companies that will allow you to choose only the services you need, providing you with a comfortable level of control and the freedom to focus your efforts in other areas.

Conclusion

In theory, your job as a website or business owner should be to continuously develop new ways to increase your visibility and bottom line.  However, this is much more difficult when you are scrambling to hire a competent IT staff and trying to ensure that the systems remain available.  By opting for managed hosting service, you will have the time and freedom needed to focus on the tasks necessary to ensure the growth and stability of your web presence.  Sometimes it takes a little help to truly succeed online and a reliable managed hosting service can be that assisting crutch.