web hosting

Top Four Reasons to use Cube Panel

Created by software company Biztology, Cube Panel is a control panel application that provides the ultimate in automation to simplify the process of managing a server or website.  Though overshadowed by more popular options such as cPanel and Plesk, this control panel is very capable and a worthy competitor on the market.  If you are currently considering a control panel for your server, this article will give you four reasons why Cube Panel makes an excellent choice.

1.) Powerful and Intuitive

While the software is loaded with a host of features, the Cube Panel interface is simple and refreshingly intuitive.  Similar to cPanel, the main page is where you will find the most essential features and virtually everything you need.  There is a small column to the left of the page that gives a brief overview of your statistics as well as information on resources such as email accounts, FTP accounts and MySQL databases.  Whether it is composing mailing lists or installing SSL certificates, Cube Panel makes sure it can all be done with ease.

2.) Cross-Platform Solution

Unlike cPanel, Cube Panel not only supports the Linux operating system, but Unix and Windows platforms as well.  And unlike Plesk, it does so with maximum efficiency to give you the best performance possible.  This factor alone gives it a considerable advantage over some of the most popular control panel programs.

3.) Integrated Data Backup Functionality

Losing the important data on your server can result in major headaches and detrimental ramifications for your business.  Cube Panel makes this a less likely scenario by providing a built-in utility that enables you to backup every piece of data.  All you have to do is click the “Backup copies” button to launch the Backup Management feature.  From here, you can instantly create a single copy of your website, or choose increments based on a daily, weekly or monthly schedule.  Cube Panel makes it simple to protect your data and easily restore it directly from a user-friendly interface.

4.) Extensive Domain Options

Cube Panel’s domain features serve as a great benefit to the hosting customer.  Its domain options are divided into two separate pages: Domain Permissions and Domain Limits.  The Domain Permissions page gives you an overview of the features specific to your web hosting account.  This includes what type of server-side programming support you have, where you stand in regard to FTP access and so forth.  The Domain Limits page displays all the services and resources specific to your account.  For example, it shows the total number of email accounts you are able to create, how much disk space is available to you, bandwidth allotment and much more.  These features allow you to easily keep track of your account and determine when upgrades are required.

Conclusion

The selling point of Cube Panel is simplicity.  Even though it provides many useful features, the mere design of the software makes for convenient navigation and great performance.  Although a license will cost you around a $100, you can test out it for free with Cube Panel Lite,  a limited version that still lends a great deal of power to server administrators.  Keep your eyes on this control panel because it could be a major player in the very near future.

34SP.com Gets a Facelift

UK-based web hosting provider 34SP.com has restructured its site to better reflect the high level of support and services available to its client base.  According to a recent announcement, the company invested six months of time into designing the new site, which has since been incorporated with a number of enhancements.   Some of 34SP’s upgrades include a new Professional Hosting package attached with free weekly data backups and 30-day money back guarantee.  The most notable change is the focus on testimonials from actual customers and the strong emphasis on the provider’s long-standing commitment to quality and reliability.

34SP.com co-founder Stuart Melling expressed that the company’s existing base of clients already recognize the highly reliable service and excellent support being provided, citing that survey results show 98% of them would recommend the service.  However, Melling also went on to admit that its original message was not being effectively conveyed to new website visitors and potential customers.  For this reason, 34SP made the decision to work closely with its internal team of highly skilled designers and developers to a create a site that devoted more focus on the new visitor.  Melling remarks that the company is very happy with the results.

The new 34SP.com website features moving testimonials from customers who have benefited greatly from the service.  Among these testimonials is a passage from Russell Hirst, an online business owner and employee of Manchester-based award-winning PR agency Tangerine Public Relations.  Aside from being nominated as Marketing Services Company of the Year at the 2009 Drum Awards, the company is renown for garnering publicity for popular brand names such as Atkins, Dulux Paints, SurgiCare, TJ Hughes, Wilkinson Stores and WeightWatchers among others.

Hirst explained how poor service from another hosting provider was ultimately the driving factor that led him to 34SP.  Basically stating that his old web hosting company got too big for its britches, he decided to give 34SP.com a shot for a few microsites.   Mr. Hirst was impressed with responsive support that saw emails being answered in less than an hour along with great prices and unparalleled reliability.  This is one of numerous examples of how 34SP.com has been exceeding the standards for nearly a decade.  Whether it is quickly responding to inquiries or ensuring that customers have the scripting and database support they need, the company has proved time and again it is always there to lend a hand.

About 34SP.com

Founded in the year 2000, 34SP.com specializes in professional web hosting solutions designed to suit the needs of developers, designers and business customers looking for affordable prices.  With headquarters in Manchester, England, the company has a team of IT experts and staff members who deliver world-class customer service and technical support to thousands of clients.  Its current portfolio of hosting services include business hosting, VPS hosting, reseller hosting and UK domain name registration.  All 34SP.com hosting packages come equipped with a money-back guarantee to ensure that the customers are truly satisfied.

Hosting Considerations for E-commerce

When it comes to e-commerce, one must take several factors in consideration.  Apart from deciding what market you want to tackle and thinking of ways to promote the business, you must also factor your online presence into the mix.  Your business site will require a hosting solution and there are so many too choose from.  There is shared hosting, dedicated hosting, managing hosting and a wide variety of niche variations.  You also have the option of hosting your business in-house or going with a provider that specializes in colocation.  Making a choice can be difficult, but it is much easier when matching up a solution with the specific needs of your business.

In-house vs. Colocation

Hosting your e-commerce business in-house is a do-it-yourself solution that calls for you to purchase the hardware, software applications and lease an internet application.  It also means you need an expert staff to maintain these vital components.  You need to think about server administration, network monitoring, data backups, security and much more.  This is independent method is the most costly way to run your business online.

Colocation is the perfect alternative to hosting your business in-house.  This is the kind of arrangement where you store your server hardware in the provider’s data facility.  They supply you with you an internet connection and the power necessary to run the equipment.  The major benefit to colocation in comparison to an in-house solution is cost savings.  The key is finding a provider you can rely on to keep you online.

Shared vs. Dedicated Hosting

Shared hosting is the most affordable way to get your e-commerce business going, a situation where you share a web server with other users.  With this type of hosting, you are sharing the actual hardware along with the operating system and other critical resources.  Shared hosting is often the first choice of small businesses who don’t have demanding needs.  It also quite limited in terms of control and is prone to more stability and security issues when compared to having your own server.

With dedicated hosting, you sign up for a hosting plan and have the server all to yourself.  You have your own internet connection, operating system and all the other resources that are tied up in shared hosting.  The server can be enhanced with your own software applications, programming technologies and security mechanisms.  Because performing these tasks are more complex than a shared hosting solution, managed hosting exists to aid those with limited server administration skills.

Dedicated and managed hosting services are geared towards businesses that receive a high level of traffic and require maximum stability.  The major difference between these solutions and colocation is cost as you are paying a monthly or annual fee just to lease the server opposed to owning it.

Conclusion

As you can see, there is lot more that goes into e-commerce besides opening up a store and marketing your products.  Finding the right type of service is so critical because it forms the very backbone of your online business.  Ultimately, the solution for you depends on your expertise, manpower, budget and requirements.