Host Gator asked:


Selecting the right web server is considered very crucial decision in online business. It is due to the fact that the web server can either make the business or can even destroy one’s business.

There are two types of servers, one is Virtual Web Hosting and the other is Virtual Private Servers.

Since several years Virtual Web Hosting has been the only way to go when selecting a web server. One of the reasons for the Virtual Web Hosting’s popularity is that they supports the necessary files and allows one to have more freedom than any other conventional web hosts. But now one can have more freedom than ever before with Virtual Private Servers. However, Virtual Private Servers should not be confused with Virtual Hosts, as they both are entirely different from each other.

In this article the difference between a Virtual Host and a Virtual Private Server is explained. Moreover the advantages and disadvantages of both the servers are also explained in order to give understanding as to which server should be chosen for business.

Virtual Hosting

Virtual Hosting is also known as Shared web hosting, where one can share the physical server and a single set of software applications with other users. Virtual Hosting was very popular in the past due to features like fast deployment, strong resources, and attractive price. Another advantage offered by Virtual Hosting is that it provides a powerful, reliable, and professionally managed server and it can be easily handled without having to have advanced technical skills, thus making it ideal for an individual, small business, or even a fresher webmaster.

The greatest disadvantage of Virtual Hosting is that the server is shared with other users, which are configured and even controlled by an administrator, not user. Thus there is no control in the hands of the users and in case of adjusting or setting configuration one have to contact the administrator every time. Even if one manages to get a hold of the administrator, then also they may not fulfill the request. It’s all up to them as they are the administrator. Thus these are the limitations faced by users when control is not in their hands.

Virtual Private Servers

Virtual Private Servers are very popular now days for giving the good and satisfactory results. A Virtual Private Server is a single server that is partitioned at the root into multiple dedicated servers. This enables one to share the cost of the network connectivity, hardware, and system maintenance with other hosting customers, with maintaining the flexibility and freedom.

The most important advantage of Virtual Private Servers is that they allow complete control to users and they have security advantages of a dedicated server at very low cost. Thus one can have access to the virtual root, Telnet, web configuration files, and full CGI-BIN access. Not only that, they also provide access to one’s password and send mail configuration files to their users. Thus after considering above advantages it can be concluded that a Virtual Private Server is an excellent solution for small to medium size businesses having complex requirements.

However, there is one disadvantage with Virtual Private Servers, i.e. one need to have some program knowledge in order to control and configure the settings. But this advantage is also evaded by most businesses that offer Virtual Private Servers as they provide detailed manuals making them easier to configure and control. Thus no need to learn the programs as well.

Now one can decide which server is right for him/her. However it all depends on user’s requirement as well as the size of your network.

If one plans on having just one web site and have absolutely no programming knowledge, for him/her Virtual Hosting serves as a best as its quite economical as well. A Virtual Host costs around $20 to $50 per month for an account, as against a $100 or more charged by a Virtual Private Server.

On the other hand, if one is having a larger network requiring multiple web sites and user is having some programming knowledge, then a Virtual Private Server can serves a best. One can host up to 50 web sites on a Virtual Private Server account, instead of having multiple Virtual Hosting accounts, which is quite expensive.

Thus one must make sure while selecting a server that it is as per requirement and it supports essential software for a flourishing online business.



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Pedro Montero asked:


 

Is it really possible to hire a web designer and manage to go all the way from the start of your website to the very end with out a moment of frustration and disappointment? I think it is! It is a matter of knowing how to explain your needs to your web designer and also allowing him to advice you what the best options are for you.

So let’s start by asking ourselves what a web designer needs from you;

 

It is good to start by informing your web designer of the business you are conducting. Giving him a brief description of what you do should be more than enough. It will help if you provide your web designer with links to your competitors. Let him know what you like and dislike of your competitor’s website.  Once you have shown your web designer links to your competitor’s websites, it will be a good idea to show him other links to websites you like. Let him know about your color preferences, layout and graphics you would like your website to have. Provide your web designer with the content for your website in an organized manner. The best way to give your content to your web designer is in a word format or text format and you should actually use a word file per page in you future website. Let say that you have 3 pages; Home, about us, and our mission then you should have separated files for each page. In addition to that you should include a separated file called instructions. You will use this file to explain the web designer how to proceed with the content you have given him. Give your web designer THE FREEDOM TO DESIGN! One of the major catastrophes in web design is when the client thinks he can design a website. Firs of all; web designers are not the same as graphic designers. There are many variables to consider when you design for the web. Designing a website is not the same as designing a paper flyer.

Allow your web designer to design, he knows better than you. The one thing you can do is to let him know if you like what he is doing or not, and make suggestions but always listen to what he has to say. A good web designer will confront you and your ideas if you are going in the wrong direction. There are several stages when designing a website; the first one is creating a mock up. Your web designer will create a sample template of your website to illustrate the layout, colors, and the position of all those objects that will make your website com alive.

This first stage is crucial. You need to be very positive that you like the mock up before you give the ok to start designing your website. The reason is very simple; a mock up is nothing more than an illustration. What comes after that stage is the real deal; converting the template into a fully functional website. Trust me when I tell you that you do not want to tell your web designer to change the color of the back ground once you have approved the mock up. Your web designer will most probably get a tantrum and after that he will have to charge you an additional fee for extra labor. One final issue which is major and contributes to the patience of a web designer is the grammar of your content. Web designers are not secretaries. A web designer will gather together all the information you have given him for your website and he will make this work on the web. If today you give your web designer the text that belongs to the about us page, but tomorrow you change your mind and you send him again new text for the about us page he will not be very happy.

I have been designing websites for a long time now and these are real facts that occur to me as well as to many web designers out there every day. You can have a web designer create a great website for you, but you need to know that everything that relates to the web takes a long time to accomplish so the more you help us the better your website will be designed.

Designed By Lucas

 



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