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Visual Website Optimizer: A Better Way to Perform A/B Testing

January 25th, 2012 by Micro Services
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Marketing is rough. No matter how you slice it, finding your target demographic, supplying them with advertisements that work, and actually moving products or creating new services is a tough gig. Furthermore, without the right kind of data you might as well be throwing shots into the dark: Gaining valuable marketing and advertising information that’s guaranteed to produce results is often much tricker than actually producing the advertisements and campaigns. Thankfully, though, if you rely on web services, or your website itself to create traffic, you have a unique tool on hand to deal with the marketing conundrum: A/B testing. /> id="more-4546"> /> What is A/B Testing?

The best way to think about A/B testing is through ye olden, brick and mortar advertising techniques. Let’s imagine you own a bakery on one end of town, and another branch at the far side of the city. Your advertisements have not been driving as many sales as you might like, so you decide to create a new campaign. However, you’ve got two fantastic ideas, and you’d like to know which is more appealing to the end-consumer. Obviously, you could do some polls, but a better way would be to simply initiate one campaign at one branch, and the other at the second store. By closely monitoring which branch enjoys an increase in sales and traffic, you’ll have a very good idea about which campaign is worth pursuing.

In much the same way, A/B testing allows you to use your website and emails to perform similar tests. With the technology at hand, you can change the banners and graphics of your site in multiple variations, and then market those changes to targeted groups of visitors. By monitoring which set performs the best, you can decide which direction(s) should be a permanent addition. And if you hadn’t guessed by now, we’ve got a great place for you start, if you’re interested in using A/B testing: Visual Website Optimizer.

What is Visual Website Optimizer Is, and How Does it Help? /> /> When creating variations of your Web content to perform tests, you’ll quickly find yourself up to your eyeballs in complex HTML editing and performance code. Visual Website Optimizer makes the creation process much simpler, allowing you to visually and directly edit any element of your site. Once the changes have been put into action, you can then specify your target goals and groups, as well as what you’d like those individuals to do. It’s fluid, dynamic, and supremely easy, especially when compared to other A/B testing platforms. Still don’t believe us? We don’t blame you. With that in mind, let’s dive a bit deeper into the visual editor at the heart of the software.

Cutting and Pasting Made Easy

With Visual Website Optimizer, creating variations of your site is simple. All a web master needs to do is load the site into the software’s WYSIWYG editor (that’s a complex acronym for “visual HTML editor,” a bit like WordPress) and then get cranking. Any aspect of the site can be altered, whether it’s a photograph, banner advertisement, piece of text, or link. These changes are integrated directly into the variation, and if you have a need for more complex modifications, Visual Website Optimizer also fully supports direct HTML editing. However, none of this is too inventive, is it? After all, programs like WordPress do make it easy to alter code.

If that’s what you’re thinking, you’re right. However, the beauty of Visual Website Optimizer is in its visual nature: You can directly see the changes as their made, and as each and every modification is stored as a unique variation, you’re free to review all of these modifications in real time. This is an unbelievably powerful platform, especially if you’re not into digging through lines of code on your day off. /> src="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/visual-website-optimizer-pricing.png" alt="visual website optimizer pricing" title="visual website optimizer pricing" width="660" height="286" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4571" /> /> The Tests Are Golden

Additionally, Visual Website Optimizer also makes it easy to define and monitor tests. Each and every variation of your website can be attached to a specific goal: Whether this is an increase in page visits, clicked links, or even just form submissions, Visual Website Optimizer allows you to track it. And again, all of this functionality is served up with a wonderfully visual presentation. You’re free to look directly at the tests as they’re being performed. And trust us, there’s nothing cooler than having your goals laid out directly on your screen, resting in front of your eyes.

We also appreciate the mountain of available testing formats, as Visual Website Optimizer covers just about every measurement you could ever hope for. To provide a short list, Visual Website Optimizer offers: Multiple conversion goals, heat map reports of visitor clicks and views, segmented and targeted group dynamics, cross-domain tracking, revenue monitoring, integration with Google Analytics, and even multiple permission-based logins for collaboration with your new schemas. And with an HTML test editor, the sky is the limit, if you’d like to create your own parameters. You make it, Visual Website Optimizer will track it: Guaranteed.

But How Does it Compare to Google? /> src="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/visual-website-optimizer-features.png" alt="visual website optimizer features" title="visual website optimizer features" width="660" height="217" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4566" /> /> If you’ve been in the business long, you’ve likely heard of Google Website Optimizer. The software provided by the Big-G provides a roughly equivalent experience to Visual Website Optimizer, but with a few notable differences. Sure, both softwares will track your website variations, providing you with analytical data to use in your next marketing campaign. But only Visual Website Optimizer provides you with a rich and visual editor to create your new variations. Google, on the other hand, relies entirely on your knowledge of code, as well as your ability to successfully implement market segmentation and targeting. Visual Website Optimizer instead does most of the work for you. The software allows you to visually compare changes, attach hardwired goals to those modifications, and then effortlessly track the results. Sure, there’s a $ 49 per month charge attached, but where Google Website Optimizer might be free, it can never provide the same quality of experience as Visual Website Optimizer.

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Tags: Better · Optimizer · Perform · Testing · Visual · WebsiteNo Comments.

Data Backup and Recovery Solutions

January 20th, 2012 by Micro Services
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Since the era of the computer came into full effect in the mid to late 20^th century, data is often considered to be one of the most important aspects of running any type of company. Because sensitive data is so valuable to all organizations in the current global marketplace, it has become a necessity from a business perspective for organizations of all shapes, sizes, and forms, to have the ability to use cloud backup services and other types of backup and recovery options, which make it possible to recover data in a timely fashion should disaster strike. /> id="more-4541"> /> Backup and Recovery Basics

For many business owners, finding the most suitable backup options for their specific needs and organization can be a nightmare, without first knowing the basics, and inner workings that go in to the various options that are available to them. Thus, it goes without saying, that proper research and homework should be the first step any organization makes when even beginning to consider what type of service they want to use to protect their valuable data with. In the modern day world of IT, being in charge of backing up data generally implies two main tasks in particular: backup administrations and operations. A backup operator is in charge of completing daily tasks, such as ejecting tapes from a library and replacing them with scratch tapes or ensuring that all backups have been completed.

The most common types of backup services available include a full backup, differential backup and incremental backup. Other types may include cloud backup services, reverse incremental, mirroring, synthetic full backups, and continuous data protection. Virtual tape libraries also gained some traction in recent years due to an absence of new software and little reconfiguration required. However, this is not the best option for everybody.

Testing Backups

Testing and configuration is all too frequently the main missing link when it comes to making backups. Far too often, a company will take the time to back up their data with cloud backup services or other available options, only to find out that there was something wrong with the configuration. Backup reporting tools are designed specifically to analyze backups and report back on them, and these can help as a preventive measure to faulty backup recovery.

Such tools have evolved in recent years, so many now include additional analysis features, including trending features, in order to provide better planning for growth in backing up data – this is a valuable asset for companies who back their data onto tape, as well as to disk media.

Security for Data Backup

Whenever data backup enters the mainstream news, it often features stories regarding data breaches, and security holes. Thus, it is also very important to keep up to date with the latest solutions for backup security that are available at the time. Storage administrators are more frequently relying on tape encryption as a means of protecting highly sensitive data. Using encryption can affect the backup process in a number of different ways, depending on whether it is done with a host, tape, or appliance based scheme.

The question of how, where and when encryption should be employed is best only answered after first answering the most critical question: Why are you encrypting data?

VMware Backup and Data Protection

Data protection has been changing, and this is due in part to VMware virtualization. However, though there are a number of benefits provided by VMware, there still exist numerous challenges of backup and recovery services that must be addressed. In addition to being a costly and time consuming type of backup service to manage, desktops can create data recovery and security vulnerabilities as they are arguably one of the least protected assets of IT.

Virtual machine backup has always been a bit of an issue when it comes to backup administrators. However, VMware vSphere has offered a number of improvements for backup and recovery.

Data Deduplication

The technology known as data deduplication is perhaps one of the hottest topics with regard to backup services in today’s world. However, though global data deduplication offers many advantages, there still remain many different myths and misconceptions that surround data deduplication. There exist several different sorts of data deduplication technologies, which means it can be a bit difficult to figure out which one is the best suited for your particular organization.

Many backup administrators wind up so focused with backing up data that they lose sight of how important recovery is. After all, your backups do not mean anything if you cannot recover them – the same is true with deduped data. This means you must focus on having a good recovery setup whether you intend to go with data deduplication or not.

Online Data Backup

One popular alternative to tape-based backup is online data backup. There are numerous online cloud backup providers that allow companies to store their data online to avoid physical damage that could come with tapes used for backup; after all, tapes are a good means for backing up your library until the tapes are damaged along with your servers. Cloud services take this into consideration, storing them elsewhere and even allowing them to be accessed anywhere with the proper authorization.

Though a relatively new idea, there are a number of well-known companies which provide such services, like Box, Amazon, and Mozy.

As a final note, before you jump to any conclusions and make up your mind on what is the right type of backup and recovery system for your business, do make sure that you have done the proper research, and have at the very least consulted with a few third party sources, to know what you are getting into before it is too late to change your mind.

A guest post by: Gaelen Hallenbeck

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January 3, 2012 – Battle of the Giants: Linux and Windows Compared

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November 19, 2011 – The Future of Cloud Computing – Where it’s Going, and What it Means for You

Tags: Backup · Data · Recovery · SolutionsNo Comments.

InMotion Hosting In-Depth Analysis

January 19th, 2012 by Micro Services
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When it comes to web hosting, there are easily as many options available as there are stars in the sky. In fact, without a little bit of prior information on either the business, functions, or classes of hosting one might be looking to purchase, we haven’t a clue at all how a conscientious web master could ever make an optimal decision. With that in mind, we feel it’s our duty to bring you the absolute best and the absolute worst on the most popular web hosting providers in town: And falling squarely into the former category, may we now present InMotion Hosting, a long standing industry leader and innovator within the field.

InMotion Hosting is one of our favorite options for personal, business, and dedicated hosting, offering a wealth of plans, features, and support designed to keep your Web presence running smoothly. But then again, all of that stuff can be ascribed to just about every web hosting business in the book. So, when the quick hits the bone, who in the heck really are InMotion? Read our InMotion Hosting user reviews. /> id="more-4440">

Who They Really Are

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InMotion first took on its name and business way back when in 2001, arriving out of a merger between business and Internet capability. As such, the provider offers a unique focus to the business consumer, bringing an unparalleled level of services and support aimed at keeping Web-necessary content online at any and all times—even during periods of extreme stress.

Todd Robinson, president of InMotion Hosting.

InMotion Hosting Awards

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The company has been winning awards for these stellar services since as early as 2003, racking up a truly astonishing number of commendations since. Among these are the Drupal Association “Organization Member” aware, a CNET Certified Service Provider, an A-Rated Accredited Business with the BBB, the “Best Business Web Hosting“, the “Best Ecommerce Web Hosting“, the “Best VPS Hosting” awards from WebHostingGeeks.com, and the “Best Business Hosting” award from 100WebHosting.com—all of these given in the latest 2011 year. In other words, the company has existed for more than a decade, but has not slacked off on its duties during any time in that period.

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To see all awards of InMotion Hosting click here.

InMotion Hosting Customers

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Backed by a team of experts with diverse technical backgrounds, the company claims to be committed to its customer base, and according to its continued growth, it seems to be living up to all the talk.

As mentioned before, InMotion comes absolutely loaded to the gills with all kinds of awards, commendations, customer testimonials, and general pats on the back. The company has been turning heads since its initial inception a decade ago, and now supports a track record few—if any—other web hosting providers can match.

That all might be well and grand, but when it comes down to things, what in fact are those services that are so award-winning? Is it possible to knock them down into only a few bullets? In fact yes, yes it is!

Blazing Fast Hosting

One of the things we love most about InMotion is that it allows the user to choose their server of origin, an unprecedented level of control that we can’t match to any other web host. Typically, a shared hosting experience assigns the user a databank somewhere in the country. This datacenter may or may not be closest to the user’s home demographic, potentially stripping the consumer’s site of all useable performance. In comparison, InMotion offers two East and West coast oriented options, based on their Max Speed Zones system.

West Coast Data Center

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East Coast Data Center

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This system provides unparalleled protection and performance across the board, no matter what market you’re attempting to reach within the continental United States. In addition, for those hard to reach spots (like our native Denver) InMotion offers peer-based connectivity to give extra boosts as needed.

Green Like A City-Slicker Rancher

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Believe it or not, server banks are actually one of the premier causes of pollution in modern times. InMotion is one of only a few select companies to recognize this fact, and to have taken measures to lessen their initial impact. For example, the company now runs its technology and cutting-edge cooling systems that reduce server grid drain by as much as 70%. There’s also the fact that InMotion plants 5,000 trees a year to offset any negative impact it may put into the ecosystem. All in all, InMotion is green as it gets, and that’s an incredible thing. /> class="clear"/>

InMotion Hosting Support

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However, it isn’t just features, or general overviews, that get our goat about the web hosting company. In fact, almost more than anything else, it’s their unique dedication to solving and preventing customer complications as they arise. InMotion offers a fully operational 24/7 chat line for customers to call, day or night, for resolutions to their web hosting conundrums as they appear.

Should you find yourself without a telephone, there’s absolutely no reason to panic. In fact, InMotion offers more than enough additional ways to get the job done, and have your website back up and running in no time. This includes a dedicated email support ticket system, live chat to aide you day-or-night directly from your computer, traditional email, and of course, the social networks.

Telephone Sales: 888-321-4678 x1 or 757-416-6575 x1 /> Telephone Support: 888-321-4678 x2 or 757-416-6575 x2

Email Sales: sales@inmotionhosting.com /> Email Support: support@inmotionhosting.com

Live Chat: click here

Google+: https://plus.google.com/109777154476249834137/ /> Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/inmotionhosting /> Twitter: https://twitter.com/inmotionhosting

More ways to contact InMotion Hosting: http://www.inmotionhosting.com/contact.html.

InMotion Hosting Help Center

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In addition, InMotion also offers a full support center that’s loaded with a knowledge base of Alexandrian proportions. There’s website and email tutorials, as well as domain name set-up information, and even tutorials on general website education. It’s as if InMotion secretly has an hidden agenda, and it’s to make you smarter than you were when you went in! And when all else fails, there’s also a community support forum where you’re free to ask other customers for their time-earned and trial-and-error advice.

All in all, InMotion offers quite an impressive package on paper. They’re award-winning, have lasted over a decade, and offer a set of features that can be boiled down into a simple list, yet still strike the reader with a sense of overwhelming pizzazz. But don’t think we’re done with the company just yet: In fact, we’re only just warming up! Stick around, as we now change gears, and head directly into the hosting plans themselves to look for even more reasons why InMotion is one of the premier choices in online Web hosting.

Web Hosting Plans

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We have detailed a few of the ways in which InMotion might appeal to the carefully selective web master, and we have given a few of the ways in which InMotion is prepared to help its customers with any technical problems, should they arise. However, what we have not yet discussed was perhaps the most crucial part of the whole scheme—the hosting plans themselves! To this end, we are now prepared to dish the full details on the topic. So without further ado, dive on below to peep the full details on what makes InMotion’s web hosting plans absolutely essential for the conscientious business with a desire for a firmer Web presence.

Shared Hosting (For Personal or Business Use)

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Without a doubt, shared web hosting is certainly the largest part of the market, and we have a feeling most of our readers will be looking for a quality package in this category. Shared web hosting is, after all, a great way to save on initial overhead while still garnering an incredible level of performance and Net presence. But how does InMotion stack up? Is it possible to achieve this level of success with the web host? The short answer: Totally yeah!

Right off the bat, InMotion promises to deliver the performance you want at the price you need. Just take this quote, which we’ve pulled directly from the company’s shared hosting page:

“Rest assured, you will get the best quality hosting from InMotion – even if you are shopping for ‘cheap hosting’.”

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We’re willing to take InMotion at face value, but the facts are all there to support exactly this sort of claim. Consider the fact that the company offers not one, but two different shared hosting plans.

One, the Value Class Hosting is fast, offers SPAM protection, 2 MB attachment size, and even a web site builder. Should you need a little more oomph, there’s also the Business Class Hosting tier, which offers 50% faster server speeds, thanks to the Max Speed Zone capability, as well as increased attachment size, daily backups, 5 bandwidth providers, and a premium-style website creation tool.

And across the board, InMotion offers a mammoth amount of functionality, including MySQL support, dedicated email accounts, FTP access, shared SSL, additional sub domains, and even support for popular coding and development platforms like WordPress, PHP, HTML5, and CSS. All in all, it’s an impressive package, and one that starts at as little as $ 3.00 a month.

Visit http://www.inmotionhosting.com for more information.

VPS Hosting (For Ecommerce Websites)

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But what if you’d like just a step-up, but aren’t quite ready to commit to a full-on dedicated server with your business? What if you’d prefer to have your data physically separated from all the other tenants of the server, but can’t quite cough up the budget to get it done with a unique hardware set? With InMotion, it’s no trouble at all! The hosting provider offers a wealth of comprehensive and powerful virtual private server hosting options that are guaranteed to meet your needs and then some. Best of all, these plans start at only $ 39.95 a month—a cheaper price than we’ve seen just about anywhere else on the market.

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For that money, users can enjoy a bevy of ground-breaking features. These include 24×7 managed support, exactly as we mentioned in the previous articles. This means that, day-or-night, InMotion is available via phone, live chat, or email to help you with your virtual hosting needs. In addition, the company also offers burstable RAM for when peak periods creep up, as well as full data backups to preserve and protect your site from unwanted down-time. Not to mention a full cPanel and WHM license, granting you unparalleled access to the inner workings of your site—without even any need for complex HTML or CSS coding knowledge!

To throw some last numbers into the mix, consider this: A virtual private server hosting experience with InMotion comes stock with up to 1024 MB of RAM, 3 GB of burstable memory, 1500 GB transfer limits, and 160 GB in RAID 10 Fault Tolerant Disc Space. And if that doesn’t sound like a bargain to you, we don’t know what else we can say (except move on to the next category, Soldier).

More information: http://www.inmotionhosting.com/vps_hosting.html.

Dedicated Servers (For Large Portals)

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And finally, the big one. If you’re looking for the utmost in performance, security, and personal web power, there’s no better option than dedicated server hosting. Typically, this kind of hosting would run you a quick bundle to own. But with InMotion, it’s nearly a walk in the park! Starting at as little as $ 199.95 a month, you can own and operate your very own server without even having to lift a finger. This process is made even more powerful by the fully-capable 24×7 support mentioned earlier, which guarantees your server is managed and operated personally by trained professionals. Should you be dissatisfied with the server’s performance, though, the company offers a full, 30-day money back guarantee: An offer we have not seen anywhere else but InMotion for dedicated hosting.

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To round out this part of our InMotion overview, have a look at some of the raw statistics (and power) behind the servers. A dedicated server with the company earns you up to 2.53 GHz, Intel Xeon Quad Core performance, tied to an 8 MB CPU Cache, and 8 GB RAM. In addition, pans max out at a whopping 500 GB disc space, and a 2500 GB monthly transfer limit. Add to this a full cPanel license, 2-Hour hardware replacement, and no set-up fee, and you’re looking at a solidly budget way to experience top-end performance.

More information: http://www.inmotionhosting.com/dedicated_servers.html.

InMotion Hosting Reviews

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Whether you require a simple personal or business website, a more powerful virtualized environment, or your own dedicated server, InMotion Hosting definitely makes a fine choice for your web hosting needs and our visitors have confirmed that over the years. If you are still not sure about signing up with InMotion, check our user written reviews at http://webhostinggeeks.com/user-reviews/inmotion-hosting/.

I hope you liked this review. Stay tuned, more hosting reviews coming soon!

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Tags: Analysis · Hosting · InDepth · InMotionNo Comments.

Top 4 Ways to Optimize WordPress for Search Engines

January 16th, 2012 by Micro Services
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We like WordPress for a lot of reasons: It’s easy to use, it manages our content in a way we never could on our own, and it also presents a pretty nice front, what with all those loose themes running around. We’re also tremendous fans of its ability to optimize our sites for search engines with little to no effort on our end. However, just because a few plug-ins can handle most of the load, does not mean we’re taking the most steps possible to fully maximize our Google-spotting potential. In fact, WordPress’ functionality in terms of SEO has only been scratched, if you’re still simply relying on the All In One SEO pack. There are plenty more steps (all of which are extremely simple) you can take to ensure your WordPress-powered website is noticed by such heavyweight search engines as Google, Yahoo, Bing, and DogPile. /> id="more-4411"> /> Our best suggestion is that you review our methods below, and then work your hardest to integrate them into your daily workflow. It’s much harder to SEO an entire mountain of content once it has been created. It’s much easier, however, to create SEO-content from the get-go. With that fair warning in mind, may we now present our top ways to optimize your WordPress site for search engine notoriety.

1. Tell WordPress to Rearrange Itself /> src="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/all-in-one-seo-pugin.jpg" alt="all in one seo pugin" title="all in one seo pugin" width="660" height="222" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4428" /> /> As much as we like WordPress, we have noticed it has one or two nasty habits. The most notable we’ve come across is its tendency to put the name of the website itself in front of the title of the blog post. This is problematic for a number of reasons, but we would simply like to mention right off the bat that there is a quick fix: So, in other words, don’t panic and bring your towel. But why is this such a big deal? Well, for starters – search engines use your titles to determine what the blog post is actually about. Typically, a search engine will only crawl (that means search and record) the first 50 to 64 characters of your title, too. With that in mind, having your blog name in front of your blog post title can cause some problems. You’ll want to reverse this, that way sites like Google get an accurate picture of your newly minted content, rather than a repeat of the blog’s name. A quick way to do this is to swap the title and name sequence within the All In One SEO pack. On another note, if you don’t have this plug-in yet, you should go ahead and snag it, as we’ll be referencing it often.

2. Create Unique and Accurate Meta Tags /> src="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/meta-tags.jpg" alt="meta tags" title="meta tags" width="297" height="230" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4430" /> /> A case in point, we will again be using All In One SEO with this point, as well. The idea here is that the automatically created meta tags published by WordPress are typically not specific enough to warrant any interest from the larger search engines. Usually, these self-created tags are somewhat generic, and lack any kind of specificity sites like Google desire. With that in mind, the easiest way to correct the problem is to add meta tags yourself. How does one go about this? Well, the easiest method is through that handy plug-in we mentioned earlier. Using the keywords slot, you’re free to add as many meta tags as your heart desires. Just try to be specific, avoiding generic terms like “iPhone,” “Android,” or “Mac.”

3. Stick Around with Permalinks

When WordPress creates a new post, it typically does so with a URL that’s less-than desirable for search engine optimization. This is because, more often than not, WordPress attaches an incomprehensible string of numbers to each and every new piece of content, allowing URL crawlers no added access to what in the heck your post is about. However, this isn’t hard to change, and typically only requires a quick jaunt over to the WordPress admin panel.

Within this panel, look for the settings tab, and then “Permalinks.” /> src="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/setting-permalinks.jpg" alt="setting permalinks" title="setting permalinks" width="370" height="165" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4431" /> /> You’ll see a list of various URL methods, but the only one you want is called “Custom Structure.” Yes, you’re going to have to enter something here, but lucky for you, we’ve already written the appropriate string. Click this box, and then type: /%category%/%postname% /> src="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/custom-structure-setting.jpg" alt="custom structure setting" title="custom structure setting" width="611" height="267" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4434" /> /> Now, every time you create a new post, it will be listed in the URL as http://sample.com/your-category/the-proper-post-name. This makes your post infinitely more readable to search engines, and can go a long way toward fully search engine optimizing your content.

4. Make Meaningful Connections

Another fantastic way to optimize your site for search engine use is to link related sites and content pieces within your article. /> src="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/link-existing-content.jpg" alt="link existing content" title="link existing content" width="479" height="221" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4436" /> /> This means that words like “phone” should be linked to other articles about similar models, operating systems, etc. Your goal is to create a map within the blog post that directs the user—and search engines—to other content that’s closely related to your own. With that in mind, blindly adding links with no regard for what they mean will not help you at all. If you’ve written an article about how to cook a turkey, and you link it to an animal rights page, Google won’t get much out of it, and may even scrap your site in its ratings. There’s also a limit on how many links Google is willing to stand. If you attach a URL to every word in the post, most search engines will treat it like spam.

A great way to avoid this is to use a “Related Posts” plug-in. There are about a thousand in the WordPress plug-in library, so we won’t offer any specific suggestions. Just know that these create a separate box for these helpful links, alleviating the need to bugger up your viewers’ reading experience with bothersome links. Likewise, there are plenty of plug-ins out there that will automatically generate in-text links, should you decide you’d rather have plenty of those. Typically, they work quite well, but the only way to guarantee your optimization is to add these links yourself.

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September 15, 2011 – Add-Ons That Will Save Your Web Hosting Business

January 26, 2010 – Search Engine Optimization: Keywords vs. Content

January 18, 2010 – Search Engine Optimization – The Basics Explained

July 24, 2009 – Avoid These Five SEO Mistakes

July 23, 2009 – Seven SEO Myths Debunked

December 1, 2011 – The Importance of SEO

September 25, 2011 – Search Engine Optimization tips for Bing

September 21, 2011 – Are Search Engine Optimization Companies – Worthy of the Cost?

September 14, 2011 – The Dummies’ Guide To SEO

September 10, 2011 – Common Advice in Search Engine Optimization

Tags: Engines · Optimize · Search · Ways · WordPressNo Comments.

WordPress Website and WordPress Hosting

January 11th, 2012 by Micro Services
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If we had known WordPress was going to be as popular as it is now, we would have made sure to buy some stock back in the day, assuming the company was public. That being said, nothing is hotter than the content management software right now, especially for bloggers and news-based websites. /> src="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/number-of-wp-websites.jpg" alt="number of wp websites" title="number of wp websites" width="660" height="172" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4350" /> /> And why shouldn’t it be? WordPress makes it incredibly simple to manage, produce, and distribute content on the Internet through your site. And at the heart of things, that’s really what the Web is all about, right? Here are some stats about what people do on wordpress: /> id="more-4329"> /> src="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/wordpress-stats1.jpg" alt="wordpress stats" title="wordpress stats" width="660" height="361" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4354" /> /> Philosophical pander aside, though, there are a few things you’ll want to really look for in a web host when you’re shopping for WordPress compliance. In fact, if you don’t snag just the right features, you may find your CMS blog in high water before the ink is even dry on your contract. With that in mind, here are a few of the top features you want in a web host with WordPress in mind, as well as a few quality places to find WordPress hosting, beginning with:

In-House WordPress Transfers. Often times, we see webmasters start a blog on the traditional WordPress site, only to suddenly find their content inundated with fans and adoring readers. If you’re in a similar boat, and are looking to make the swap to a truly dedicated domain and website, you’ll want to be sure of a few things. First and foremost, you’ll want to be sure your new web host can directly transfer your domain from WordPress, establishing it as a proprietary DNS. From there, you’ll also want to ensure they can port most (if not all) of your content. You worked hard to create it, so why should you have to leave it behind on that old, stuffy WordPress blog? If your new web host can’t help you with your baggage, it’s time to shop more.

Speed and Performance. On a similar note, if you’re swapping your old WordPress account for a dedicated number—or even if you’re just starting from scratch—you’ll want to find a web host that offers totally comprehensive performance and top-notch hardware. WordPress is a lightweight web application, but you’re still running an additional software engine over the server’s operating system. This requires processing power, and if you go with an anemic web host, you may find your blog is no better off with a dedicated location than with your original WordPress spot. And besides, signing to a web host is like buying a new car. If you have the money, why not spring for that souped-up model that packs a real punch? Get the most bang for your dollar and look for speed in a web host.

Easy Installation. Lastly, you’ll want to be sure your web host can provide an easy WordPress installation for your site. A good web host makes this a one or two click process, max. If your web host instead wants you to do a long string of complicated terminal commands that may jeopardize the entire system, it’s time to move elsewhere and cancel the contract.

That’s by no means a survival guide for WordPress shopping where web hosts are concerned, but instead of talking about finding a web host until the cows come home, we thought we might instead offer up a few of our choice suggestions. Beginning with:

InMotion Web Hosting /> src="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/inmotionhosting-logo1.jpg" alt="inmotionhosting logo" title="inmotionhosting logo" width="300" height="77" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4359" /> /> Customer Rating & Reviews /> src="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/inmotion-reviews.jpg" alt="inmotion reviews" title="inmotion reviews" width="520" height="133" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4368" /> /> As an industry leading web hosting provider, InMotion provides all of the features we mentioned above and more. With the company your WordPress installation takes only a click, thanks to the brilliantly inventive, server-side gem Fantastico. Furthermore, InMotion also boasts secure suPHP, the latest versions of both MySQL 5 and PHP 5, as well as free domain transfer. If you’re looking to port over your old WordPress account, like we talked about earlier, InMotion also makes it a smooth process, bringing along your old content and name without any additional hassle on your part. All in all, InMotion is a brilliant (and cheap, clocking in at $ 5.95 a month) option for your WordPress-based site.

HostGator /> src="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/hostgator-logo.jpg" alt="hostgator logo" title="hostgator logo" width="293" height="83" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4360" /> /> Customer Rating & Reviews /> src="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/hostgator-reviews2.jpg" alt="hostgator reviews" title="hostgator reviews" width="520" height="133" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4374" /> /> Another industry veteran, HostGator offers even more features than InMotion, and at a lower price, to boot. Plans with the provider begin at only $ 3.96 a month, and come loaded with 100% WordPress compatibility, a one-click installation of the latest WordPress software, 99.9% up-time, and a full 45 day money back guarantee. Another feature unique to HostGator is its focus on unlimited features. With the provider, users can enjoy fully unlimited disc space and bandwidth, even at the lowest possible plan. And, of course, signing with the provider also earns you the latest versions of Apache, MySQL and PHP. Best of all, transferring your old WordPress site to the provider is easy-peasy using their ready made transfer service. However, we aren’t done with the suggestions quite yet! Hold on to the edge of your seats for:

WebHostingHub /> src="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/webhostinghub-logo.jpg" alt="webhostinghub logo" title="webhostinghub logo" width="300" height="87" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4361" /> /> Customer Rating & Reviews /> src="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/webhostinghub-reviews.jpg" alt="webhostinghub reviews" title="webhostinghub reviews" width="520" height="133" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4373" /> /> Last, though certainly not least, is WebHostingHub. The provider offers unparalleled support for the modern WordPress blogger, besting both HostGator and InMotion in our user review polls. First and foremost, those who choose to sign with the provider gain the full benefits of the latest software, including Apache, MySQL 5, and PHP5. And, of course, all of this technology comes ready loaded with a one-click WordPress installation that requires no additional effort on your part. Add to this about 1,000 unique and custom-made WordPress themes to choose from, as well as simple transfer of old WordPress materials, and you’re looking at a truly impressive offering. However, WebHostingHub is also notable for its unique dedication to hardware optimization. The provider has taken great pains to fully prepare its systems for WordPress, including a full PHP caching overhaul that maximizes available RAM, a reduction in overall I/O requests, and blazing fast base connectivity. All in all, if you’re looking for an incredible, simple, and efficient way to host your new WordPress site, there’s no better option than WebHostingHub.

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December 9, 2011 – WordPress vs. Blogger

October 3, 2011 – WordPress Plugins – Making the Most of the Your Site

September 21, 2011 – Drupal – An Essential Primer

September 15, 2011 – Alternative’s to WordPress – Other Content Management Systems do Exist

September 7, 2011 – An Overview of PHP-Based Content Management Systems Beyond WordPress

September 2, 2011 – When to Transition to a Content Management System

June 15, 2011 – Drupal 7 to Further Simplify Website Management

May 6, 2011 – New Content Management System Released by TYPO 3

January 17, 2011 – Understanding the Benefits of CMS

January 4, 2011 – Content Management Systems in Major Corporations

Tags: Hosting · Website · WordPressNo Comments.

DesignContest – Workflow Innovation

January 10th, 2012 by Micro Services
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Crowd sourcing. No phrase makes more designers cringe than crowd sourcing, except maybe “angry clients with pitchforks.” For whatever reason, the thought of competing with thousands of other users for gigs, clients, and projects is totally appealing, to us as well as most other designers we know. If you happened to grow up and work in an age when your book was still carried in a leather chap with handles, we have a feeling you don’t even know what crowd sourcing is. But is this how it should be? Should all of us creative types be so terrified of the idea of crowd sourcing? To be honest, not at all, and for one very good reason: DesignContest.com. /> id="more-4331"> /> The site combines the best of a traditional design runoff with the best of crowd sourcing, producing an experience that’s simple, easy to learn, and potentially endlessly rewarding. If you’re still not sold on the concept, don’t worry: We’re going to dive into the matter directly, but before we do, we feel we owe the elders and ludites amongst us a quick explanation of the crowd sourcing concept itself. So without further ado, may we present our full in-depth guide to both crowd sourcing and DesignContest.com!

What is Crowd Sourcing, Anyway?

To begin with, you may be wondering just what in the name of all things holy crowd sourcing actually is. (By the way, we’ve also seen it spelled “crowdsourcing” but to avoid any jargony turn-offs, we’re going to opt to spell it in phrase format. No matter the orthography, though, the idea behind the concept is relatively simple: In times gone past, you would hire a specialist to deal with your problems. Do you have a pipe that needs fixing? Hire a plumber. Have to buy a house? Get a realtor. Need a new logo for your business? Find, hire, and coax a graphic design firm into giving you what you want. But what if we took this idea of need-and-purchase and stretched it out over the entire Internet? What if it were possible to use a mountain of producers, instead of a single firm?

Essentially, this is exactly what crowd sourcing does. The whole idea is that a business can access a crowd sourcing site, start the contest of its needs (logo design, website design, t-shirt design, banner design, etc.), and then accept bids and proposals from a sea of Internet-based designers. From this slush heap, the original purchaser can select the best deal, send out a single payment, and then receive the goods. This cuts out entirely the need for complex contracts, messy payments, and long waits at the firm. It’s a beautiful system, but DesignContest.com makes it even more appealing.

How Does it Work? /> /> By nature, DesignContest.com works in the same format listed above, but with a few important distinctions. First and foremost, not just everyone can apply and begin posting on DesignContest.com. All contributing designers must first be pre-qualified for quality, ensuring that the proposals users acquire are professional and of the highest caliber. This is hardly a problem for you, we’re assuming, as we’d be willing to bet you create truly top-notch stuff on a regular basis. If you’re interested in joining DesignContest.com, simply bring along a few choice portfolio pieces, and you’ll have no trouble at all.

Also in direct contrast to other sites, DesignContest.com does not work off of bids and proposals, but finished projects. The company in need posts a project and monetary reward. Then, designers create the project in its entirety, and submit the results. The company then selects the one they feel best fits their needs, and the designer is instantly thrown the reward money. In essence, DesignContest.com takes crowd sourcing and turns it into a contest—it’s like that’s in the name somewhere, you know? And, of course, with each contest there’s only one winner. So what does that mean, you might be asking. If so, you’ve come to the right place:

What if I Don’t Win?

Sadly, not everyone wins all the time. In fact, it is but one lucky designer who happens to pump out the winning design. Thus, what happens to your submitted work when it doesn’t succeed? In essence, nothing! It’s yours to keep, and as the piece was not paid for, there’s no legal implications or issues. In a sense, it’s like you never even submitted it. However, there is an upside to all this, and it has to do with your portfolio.

Every piece you create is worth something, even if it’s just as a showcase of your talents. Theoretically, every piece you submit on DesignContest.com is a testimonial to your prowess, and as each unsuccessful bid is your property, why not throw it in your book? You’ll quickly flesh out your portfolio in no time, and best of all, you may find working on DesignContest.com quickly stretches your creativity and limits in ways you never thought imaginable. Think of it as boot camp for your designs, creating stronger muscles, finished works, and honed skills.

What Else is Essential About DesignContest.com?

There are a few other important features worth noting about DesignContest.com. For example, the company manages a dedicated knowledge-base of design information for you to troll through, expanding your horizons with a better education. Likewise, there’s also a dedicated design forum used by other designers like you. It’s a great place to talk about contests or get feedback from your last project. Add to this superior moderation, a fully updated design blog, and the aforementioned pre-qualification, and you’re looking at a first-rate community of nothing but designers.

All in all, DesignContest.com is an incredible way to hone your skills, expand your creativity, experience new projects, and potentially win a lot of money for your efforts. You never know what doors will open with the site, making it an indispensable tool in our eyes. If you haven’t been already, consider using DesignContest.com for your next design project.

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August 17, 2011 – DesignContest.com – Perfect Design or your Money Back (100% Guaranteed)!

September 7, 2011 – Getting by as a Web Design in our Down Economy

December 11, 2011 – Top 5 Necessities For a Sales Oriented Website

December 7, 2011 – Top 5 Common Web Design Mistakes

December 2, 2011 – Adobe Dreamweaver CS5.5 Review

November 30, 2011 – Top 10 Tips for Web Design

November 23, 2011 – The Evolution of Web Design

November 4, 2011 – Crowdsourcing – what it is, and how you can use it.

October 23, 2011 – Web Design: Do it Yourself or Outsource?

September 17, 2011 – To Blog Or Not To Blog: That is The Question

Tags: DesignContest · Innovation · WorkflowNo Comments.

HostGator In-Depth Analysis

January 8th, 2012 by Micro Services
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When friends ask us for a good web hosting provider (and believe us, they surely do) we have a very solid suggestion for them: WebHostingHub.com or InmotionHosting.com. Both of these hosting companies provide unparalleled support for all of our web hosting needs, and make it easier than ever for us to realize our Internet dreams, turning them into profitable realities.

But today we wanted to talk about HostGator.com (read our HostGator user reviews), another great web host with pretty solid background. All of this excellence begins with their lineage starting in 2002, the year of HostGator’s birth. Since that first initial step in Houston, Texas, the company has grown to support a whopping 12,000 servers, all under direct, controlled management. In addition, HostGator proudly services and aides a network of some 400,000 customers in more than 200 countries. No other web hosting provider can claim to support such a varied network of people, much less put their name to half the global presence HostGator offers. All in all, the company’s track record alone is enough for us to hand over our digital keys. However, we know you might need a bit more convincing. With that in mind, below you’ll find a few of our choice reasons to sign with HostGator, though its hardly a comprehensive list: With HostGator, its hard to find an end to all the pros! id="more-4245">

Varied Web Hosting Solutions

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First and foremost, HostGator offers every kind of hosting imaginable and then some. Furthermore, if you’re a bit lost about which hosting variety is best for your needs, HostGator can help with that, too. For example, let’s say your business already has a shared hosting plan (that’s a plan in which you share a server with potentially thousands of other users) and needs a more stable environment. As such, HostGator offers, and will suggest, their dedicated hosting plan, which provides you with a fully managed server of your very own to place your website on. Though, if you require traditional shared hosting, HostGator is more than happy to provide this level of service as well. Likewise, should you need the localized control and stability of a virtual private server, which blocks your content off from outside abuse through operating system virtualization, HostGator is ready out-of-the-box to help. Not to mention the company’s extensive support for reseller hosting, which allows you to take a chunk of the HostGator network, and redistribute it for a profit to others.

Support When You Need It

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HostGator also offers 24/7, round-the-clock technical support for any and all problems you may encounter. This support can not only be reached when you need, but also where you need it: With phone lines, chat rooms, and email inboxes open all day long, HostGator is sure to return any complaints with a speedy solution—every time!

Bookmark http://www.hostgator.com/contact.shtml just in case you ever need to contact HostGator.

One of the Best Shared Hosting Around

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In terms of sheer quality and performance, no one out does HostGator’s shared hosting plans. To begin with, choosing to sign with HostGator will only cost you $ 3.71 a month with a new contract. That is a special offer for WebHostingGeeks.com visitors! And for that low price of less than four dollars a month, HostGator offers truly unlimited service from the ground up.

HostGator 25% OFF Coupon Code: “GEEKS“.

With unlimited disc space and unlimited bandwidth, you will never again have to worry about size or data transfer limitations. In fact, at the next price range—which begins at only $ 6.36 per mont—you can also enjoy unlimited domains, making shared hosting a definitive reality for your multi-domain business.

Lastly, HostGator’s shared hosting plan comes stock with a wealth of additional features including a 99.9% up-time guarantee, as well as a no contract 45-day money back guarantee. Add to this a world-class cPanel experience, a free website builder, and almost 5,000 free Website templates, and you’ve got one seriously incredible shared hosting plan on your hands.

Unbeatable Reseller Options

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If you’re a new web hosting provider looking to take a superior chunk out of your peers, HostGator’s reselling options will give you an instant leg-up on the competition. The provider works hard to make your reselling experience an easy and efficient one, providing you with the tools you need to please clients and turn a profit. For starters, HostGator provides each and every one of its reseller accounts with fully functional client management and billing software. These tools are indispensable when it comes to managing your growing business, and make the difference in your livelihood as a reseller.

In addition, HostGator also offers a bevy of unlimited options, including unlimited domains, sub domains, email accounts, MySQL databases, cPanels, and FTP accounts. And with plans starting at only $ 19.96, becoming a reseller host has never been cheaper, as well as easier.

Visit HostGator.com for more information about their reseller hosting services.

Virtual Private Servers With a Punch

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If you’re looking for a dedicated server experience without the budget bite of the real thing, there’s no better option than virtual private servers. And if you’re looking for a quality VPS host, there’s no name worthier than HostGator. The provider’s comprehensive VPS plans start at only $ 15.96 a month, earning you a wealth of additional features for far less the cost of a physical dedicated server.

As with its other hosting plans, HostGator offers a menagerie of unlimited options for its VPS costumers. These include unlimited domains, sub domains, email accounts, MySQL databases, and FTP accounts. HostGator’s VPS accounts are also fully managed with cPanel or Plesk, and support several different levels of experience, working to meet your needs where they are.

Yes, the list continued and don’t turn that dial just yet! there is much to say about HostGator. Thus far we have not quite covered all of the critical elements, a fact that should come as no surprise, considering the mountain of features and feature sets that HostGator offers. With that in mind, let us continue to examine the host and offer you, the reader, a deeper look into the incredible services the company offers.

If you’re considering a quality VPS host, shared host, dedicated host, or even reseller host, HostGator is one of the best in the business, and we’re about to show you how! Starting with one of our favorite aspects about the provider, its incredible dedicated hosting potential.

Visit HostGator.com for more information about their VPS hosting solutions.

Linux Based Dedicated Hosting

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Within the realm of dedicated server hosting, HostGator splits its services across two unique operating systems. The first of which is Linux. All HostGator dedicated servers in this category come stock with a free and secure, server edition of CentOS that’s guaranteed to manage your files easily and with the tightest possible safety. Best of all, those with the technical knowledge can benefit from HostGator’s full root access that’s allowed to the webmaster, as well as the available choice between either a 32-bit or 64-bit hosting experience. Even better, all HostGator dedicated servers with a Linux flavoring come loaded to the gills with the latest in web hosting software: This includes cPanel with WHM, Apache Web Server access, MySQL 5, PHP5, Perl support, Python ready hosting, Ruby on Rails, FFMpeg support, and even free WHMCS or WHM client management and billing software. All in all, signing with HostGator for your Linux-oriented dedicated server needs is a great way to get the most bang for your buck, right out of the box.

HostGator’s Linux dedicated server plans begin at only $ 139 a month, a rock-solid bargain for the business or personal user looking to form a dedicated presence on the Internet. For that money, users can enjoy a full Intel Xeon Quad Core processing experience, 2 GB DDR3 memory, a dual 250 GB hard drive, and 10 TB in bandwidth. At a lowly one-hundred and forty dollars a month, that much functionality is an incredible steal, regardless of the budget you’re operating on.

Visit HostGator.com for more information about their linux dedicated servers.

Windows Dedicated Servers

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Like HostGator’s Linux dedicated server hosting, the Windows side of the company’s dedicated options sports an impressive array of features and hooks designed to obtain your business and trust. For example, all HostGator Windows servers come stock with Windows Server 2008 R2, complete with remote desktop and a 64-bit system on demand. Likewise, the latest in Parallels Plesk is offered here in conjunction with IIS Web Server, MSSSQL, MySQL, FTP Server, DNS Server, and even a SmarterMail Professional Mail Server. All of this functionality, of course, is kept under guard by a secure Firewall and IPsec Policy. And like HostGator’s Linux servers, all Windows dedicated offerings are fully managed, requiring no additional overhead for you or your board to worry about. All in all, HostGator is simply one of the best places to find secure, stable, and up-to-date Windows dedicated hosting.

Visit HostGator.com for more information about their windows dedicated servers.

HostGator Superior Control Panels

And it’s not just server excellence that HostGator is offering: The company is also responsible for some seriously killer control panels, too! With every Linux-based shared hosting account, users are given full, unrestricted access to the latest edition of the popular cPanel platform. This platform comes totally loaded with Website statistics thanks to such quality plug-ins as AWStats, Webalizer, Raw Log Manager, Referrer and Error Logs. There’s also support for popular services like Fantastico, password protected directories, and custom error pages for all of your sites. In addition, users who choose such an account can benefit from an easy-to-use and graphic file manager that makes moving and creating files a cinch.

If you recently purchased a new account with HostGator, you should type the following information into the address bar of your browser:

http://yoursitesIPaddress/cpanel (For example, type http://50.22.22.170/cpanel).

If your domain name is already pointing to HostGator, then you can use the domain name to log into cPanel. Here is an example:

http://www.yourdomainname.com/cpanel or http://cpanel.yourdomainname.com/

Try HostGator’s cPanel Demo.

HostGator Web Host Manager

For everyone else (Reseller accounts, VPS hosting, and Dedicated subscribers) the same cPanel quality can be obtained, even with many of the same features. This includes the latest WHM Control Panel with multi-language support, server status monitoring, package limiting, disc space distribution, and complete control over passwords, DNS accounts, tenant restrictions, and even branded materials like client panels. And, of course, the Windows side of this server coin comes loaded with the extremely popular Plesk control panel, offering all of the above features and more, including an application vault and redirected URLs.

There are a few ways to log into WHM. The best way depends on if your domain name has propagated yet.

If you recently purchased a new account with HostGator or have run out of bandwidth, you will type the following information into the address bar of your browser:

http://yourIPaddress/whm (For example, type http://50.22.22.170/whm).

If the domain name is already propagated, then you can use the domain name to log into WHM. Here is an example:

http://www.yourdomainname.com/whm or http://whm.yourdomainname.com/

Extensive Application Support

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Lastly, we’re blown away by HostGator’s unprecedented support for popular dynamic web applications like WordPress, Joomla, Magento, Wiki Hosting, and phpBB Hosting. Specifically, they’re unprecedented appreciation for the power and potential of WordPress is to be applauded. The company makes it quick, easy, and affordable to create a WordPress-powered website in only minutes, even allowing users to port their old WordPress blog along, adding it to a dedicated space with no additional wrangling. The same applies to other content management systems like Joomla and Drupal, allowing the blossoming blogger to fully realize their potential with hardly a scratch on their budget.

HostGator Awards & Reviews

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All in all, HostGator looks to be one of the largest, most trusted, and most feature rich hosts around. If you’re looking for quality shared, VPS, dedicated or reseller hosting, there’s (on paper) hardly a better choice. The plans are cheaper, the features unbeatable, and the customer support truly rock-solid. The performance itself also looks to be absolutely superb, when compared to other industry leaders. The company has won hundreds of awards over the years, including some of the most prestigious from WebHostingMagazine, FindMyHost, and WebHostDir.

src="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/hostgator-reviews1.jpg" alt="hostgator reviews and ratings" title="hostgator reviews and ratings" width="520" height="133" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4302" />

However, our users here at Web Hosting Geeks have had some other things to add. If you’re looking for a quality web host, HostGator looks a fit to us, but before diving into the provider, be sure to check some of our quality, user written reviews at http://webhostinggeeks.com/user-reviews/hostgator/.

Feel free to inspect the provider yourself at HostGator.com. And, of course, their trained representatives are always standing by, at the ready to field your questions as they arise. In other words, don’t just take our word for it: Let HostGator dazzle you as it’s dazzled us.

If you decide to sign up with HostGator, don’t forget to use our 25% Off Coupon Code “GEEKS“.

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September 14, 2011 – Three Incredible Windows-Based Web Hosts

September 13, 2011 – A Look at the Top 3 Cheap Web Hosting Providers

September 9, 2011 – Top 4 Windows Web Hosting Providers to Consider

January 16, 2011 – Top Three Paid Web Hosting Companies

Tags: Analysis · HostGator · InDepthNo Comments.

Top Reasons to Use, or Not Use, A Control Panel

January 6th, 2012 by Micro Services
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To control panel, or not to control panel? It’s a perennial question, and one all conscientious web masters have had to ask at some point during their career. It doesn’t matter what kind, style, or flavor of website you’re hoping to create: Odds are you’ll have to wage the costs and benefits of using a control panel (like cPanel) to manage your media, or going Bear Grylls and relying entirely on the command shell. However, just because the problem is a ubiquitous one does not mean it has to be a hard one. In fact, with a little foreknowledge and just a smidgen of guidance, you might find the decision between graphical front-ends and pure control is simpler than you think. With that in mind, we’ve compiled a short list of some of the pros and cons of using a control panel alongside your website. It’s by no means a complete listing, but if you’re on the fence, it will certainly help you along the right path. /> id="more-4236"> /> Pros:

1. No Software Required: We may have just modified a Phil Collins song to meet our needs, but that doesn’t make the point any less valid: If you’re using a control panel, there’s absolutely no need to clutter up your home computer with FTP software of any kind. This, after all, is really the point of having a control panel in the first place. With something like cPanel in place, you can access your site from any location around the globe via browser. From there, you’re free to upload, mangle, and download your system’s files as needed. It’s quick, efficient, and saves you hard drive space in the long run.

2.Easy Stats: Another advantage to using a control panel over the traditional terminal are the various statistical tools available for your perusal. Using these tools, you can stay up to date on a minute-by-minute basis with who has been accessing your site, from where, and when down to the second. Want to know how many of your users have been coming from the Southeast? With a control panel in place, it’s no problem at all to find out. In fact, we might even say it’s easy as pie—especially considering pie charts are a definite possibility.

3. Ease of Installation: Another benefit to using a control panel is its ease of software installation. Essentially, with a package like cPanel creating a front-end for your site, you’re allowed to add, remove, or modify web applications as you please. Want to add a forum to your site? No problem, assuming you have a control panel! How about shopping carts, bags, help desks, image galleries, billing software, or even a content management software like WordPress? With all of the above, it’s a done deal, assuming you’ve got the control panel to match. Best of all, these installations can be removed just as easily as they’re added, allowing for an unprecedented level of control over your site’s performance.

4. Know Your Usage: Typically, when a web hosting provider comes stock with a control panel, the panel is capable of tracking your data usage, just like Sprint, Verizon, and AT&T allow users to track their minutes and allowances from the Web. In this way, it’s a cinch to keep a tab on just how much of your plan you’ve been using, allowing you to scale back next month if needed, or ramp up the features, should your site experience a sudden hike in popularity.

Cons:

1. Big Tasks Suck: However, a control panel isn’t always sunshine and rainbows. In fact, when it comes to certain filing procedures, they can be a right pain in the derriere. For example, let’s imagine you have a directory that’s currently housing something like 5,000 unique files. Now, what if you wanted to move all 5k of these items to a new folder? How about only the files that begin with a specific phrase? Using a graphical control panel, this could take hours of tedious clicking and sorting. However, with the command line, a single string can take care of the whole operation in only seconds. Now that’s power!

2. Getting Dirty Requires Less: Let’s create another example: Let’s say your server begins acting strangely, and all of your files suddenly change their permission states. With a control panel, sorting out the mess could, again, require hours of manipulation, and even then, privileges are notoriously hard to manage with a graphical front-end. When it comes to such root level functions as modifying folder permissions, visibility, or password protection, using the shell terminal is really the only way to go.

3. Security is Shell-Oriented: Another notch in the terminals favor is the fact that graphical interfaces are typically far less secure. These control panels rely on a software relationship between the hardware, the shell, and the pretty, eye-candy studded panel you deal with on a daily basis. All of this connectivity adds up to an impressive level of control, but also to a lot of compromised security. Not to mention the fact that cPanel’s popularity makes it a prime target for hackers looking to make a quick steal. The shell terminal, on the other hand, is direct, password encrypted, and one-way. With this in mind, it’s nearly impossible to hijack a shell tunnel, providing an infinitely more secure experience, and at no cost to your overall control.

So there you have it! On the whole, there’s really only one quick question you need to ask yourself when considering the application of a graphical control panel: And that is, “How much ease of use am I really after?” If quickly and simply managing your site is of the utmost importance to you, there’s no better way to do it than with a program like cPanel. Otherwise, for the dedicated and control-based webmaster, the shell truly is king.

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January 26, 2009 – Why You Need a Good Control Panel

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September 29, 2011 – The Ins and Outs of DirectAdmin

September 25, 2011 – What To Remember When Moving To A New Control Panel

September 13, 2011 – Choosing Between cPanel and Plesk

September 7, 2011 – The Control Panel B Team – A World Beyond cPanel

January 12, 2011 – Simple cPanel Tutorial – Backing up your Website

December 1, 2010 – Choosing Control Panels: cPanel or Plesk

November 23, 2010 – A Review of JustHost

November 17, 2010 – cPanel’s Expansion below the Equator

Tags: Control · Panel · reasonsNo Comments.

Top Smartphone Picks in the Coming Year

January 5th, 2012 by Micro Services
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We know, we know: This a web hosting blog at heart. So why are we talking about smartphones? Because, they’re becoming a more-and-more ever-present form of communication and software development, that’s why! If you dont’ believe us, just take a jaunt down to your local supermarket and look at what the people there are carrying around. Nine times out of ten, we’d be willing to bet they’ve got a couple bags of groceries in one hand, and a smartphone in the other. If you’re still not sure why this is worth talking about, consider this: All of those people at the supermarket are using their mobile devices to surf the Web. That includes your website, potentially. And with so many people browsing your site while at the supermarket from their smartphone, don’t you think it’s worth knowing what smartphones are popular? Knowledge is power, the old adage goes, and in this case that’s entirely the case. Knowing what platforms are being used to access your content, as well as what devices are running those platforms, gives you a leg-up on your competitors, allowing you to develop and refine your Web content to a polished shine.

So with all of that in mind, what are the hot ticket smartphones now, and in the coming year? Before we dive into the specifics (Which we promise we will, Cowboy, so hold your horses!) it’s first worth talking a bit about market share.

Market Presence and What it Tells Us

src="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/worldwide-smartphone-market.jpg" alt="worldwide smartphone market" title="worldwide smartphone market" width="521" height="330" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4209" />

Using the latest information from this year (available here) it’s extremely clear that Google’s Android mobile operating system has bitten a huge chunk out of the global presence. Controlling a whopping 43% of the total market share, you can safely bet that nearly half the time your website is accessed, it’s being accessed from a Google-powered phone. A few reasons for Android’s dominance include its proliferation amongst lower-end, or budget-minded smartphones, it’s steadily increasing presence in the business world, and its near constant development and update cycle. The platform is also open source—you can download it in its entirety from Google’s website—making it one of the more accessible operating systems for developing phone manufacturers.

Looking at the market shares, it’s somewhat surprising that Symbian manages to hold onto its 22% share of the industry. The unsung operating system relies on cheaper phones to drive its business, and usually garners less attention than the number three smartphone competitor, Apple. On that note, with 18% of the market share, Apple’s iPhone is certainly a force to be reckoned with. If you’re looking to optimize your site for mobile use, testing it on an Apple device is a nearly fail-safe plan, as the company is renowned for its highest quality productions, as well as its rock-solid performance. And, of course, there’s always a level of prestige associated with the name iPhone, as the device was one of the first true smartphones to hit the scene.

Interestingly, RIM holds only a 12% share of the market, whereas it was once the chief operating system for business use. As the company continues to miss the mark with its phone lines and improvements, we feel this share will only decrease, lessening the importance of Blackberry optimization in favor of Android and iOS.

To summarize quickly: The coming year will likely bring an increased focus on Symbian, Android, and iOS, rapidly leaving RIM and Microsoft behind. When optimizing your site for mobile use, be sure to consider the first three companies in your design process.

Top Phones for the Coming Year

So now that we’ve dug into the meat and research of the field, what physical devices are likely to take center stage in the first quarter? We’ve compiled a few of our choice picks below, but keep in mind that new devices are emerging constantly, and it will always be an uphill battle to fully optimize your site for popular use.

HTC Rezound:

src="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/HTC-Rezound.jpg" alt="HTC Rezound" title="HTC Rezound" width="500" height="417" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-3854" />

Clocking in at around $ 149.99 with Verizon Wireless, the HTC Rezound is likely to be one of the more prolific Android-enabled phones on the market in the next few months. The device is perfect for viewing photos and videos, offering a capacitive touch screen with unprecedented detail and performance. The phone also comes optimized for 4G speeds, and with a middle-of-the-road price tag attached, we feel its a true contender for market attention.

iPhone 4S:

src="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/iphone-4s.jpg" alt="Apple iPhone 4S" title="Apple iPhone 4S" width="500" height="460" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-3855" />

As Apple’s latest release (autumn of 2011) you can rest assured that the iPhone 4S will be the company’s flagship model for at least a year. The phone doesn’t bring much in terms of physical improvements over its predecessor, but as the latest in the prestigious line of iPhone smartphones, you can bet your boots it will be out in force among the market. To cut it short, if your website isn’t optimized for iOS use, you’re really shooting your own foot in terms of end-user satisfaction.

Samsung Galaxy S II:

src="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Samsung-Galaxy-S-II1-e1324545377666.jpg" alt="Samsung Galaxy S II" title="Samsung Galaxy S II" width="500" height="430" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-3964" />

We’ve seen many advertisements for this phone lately, and if we have to pick another Android to take the lead, we can’t help but nominate the Galaxy S II. Samsung has a particularly healthy track record, as well as a reputation for producing some of the highest quality screens and hardware sets in the industry. Not to mention the customized version of Android hidden beneath the bonnet. In conclusion, the phone really is an experience device, offering a level of shine and polish that typically isn’t present in a Google-powered phone. In fact, we’d even put the Galaxy S II on-par with the iPhone, in terms of production quality. All in all, it’s certainly a device to keep an eye on, and if you’re looking for a gold standard Android to test your site with, you could certainly do a lot worse than the Galaxy S II by Samsung.

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December 20, 2011 – Top 5 Smartphones 2011 in the United States

October 15, 2011 – The BlackBerry outage – How Critical Was the Failure?

October 12, 2011 – iPhone 4S – Playing to a Tough Crowd

September 20, 2011 – Apple iPhone 4S vs. Blackberry 9900

Tags: Coming · Picks · Smartphone · YearNo Comments.

Top Domain Registration Services

January 4th, 2012 by Micro Services
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Typically, whether they know it or not, when someone talks about founding a website, they’re usually discussing two different elements. Sure, there’s the actual design of the site, as well as the choice of a web host and web hosting medium. But before all of that can even get out of dry dock, the website must first have a professionally registered domain name. That is, unless, they’re willing to saddle their hard work and livelihood with a third-party URL, like a .tumblr account, or some other derivative thereof. But how does one actually go about registering a domain name? Where does one go to do such a thing? And hang it all, what does it even mean to register a domain name? Before you lose your shirt, we’d like to offer a little bit of reassurance. Below, you’ll find our complete guide to not only registering a domain name, but also finding the right registrar for your business. We aren’t big on introductions, so without any further hubbub, here’s your all inclusive guide to registering a domain, as well as our top picks for actually doing so!

What is a Domain Registrar?

Before we dive into the companies that we actually suggest you take your business to, we feel we should first explain why registering your domain name is important. To begin with, not registering the domain of your choosing simply isn’t an option. Do you ever wonder how sites like Yahoo! manage to acquire each and every Yahoo! subdirectory, including the main yahoo.com domain name? To put things simply, Yahoo registered each of these points with a certified registrar, solidifying their claim to them.

src="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/domain-name-structure.jpg" alt="domain name structure" title="domain name structure" width="560" height="306" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4227" />

The idea is relatively simple: When a child is born, the parents saddle the youngster with a name, a name that identifies the individual and also makes it easier for the government to track the little bundle of joy. Perhaps the latter is a bit of paranoia, but it’s much the same idea with the birth of a website. When creating a new website, you must assign a name to it that your viewers can access. And just as new parents submit a name to the State, so will you submit your site’s name to a certified registrar. These are bodies that legally bind and legitimize your claim to that domain name, preventing any other user from obtaining it without your permission—and typically a hefty check! You see, unlike babies, websites cannot have the same name. Otherwise, there’d be no way to access the content your after. This requires places like domain registrars to keep a running tab on all the Web’s domain names, recording who owns what, and what has already been taken.

src="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/country-domain-names.jpg" alt="country code domain names" title="country code domain names" width="560" height="292" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4222" />

If you’re still somewhat confused, think about a domain name in terms of real estate. When constructing a new home, you typically must first purchase the land the house will sit on. A domain name is the same concept as that land underneath your foundation. Without putting your name to it, others will have on idea where to go to find your content—or, in this metaphor, your house.

The 5 largest domain name registrars in the world, according to WebHosting.Info, are GoDaddy, Enom, Tucows, Network Solutions, and Schlund+Partner. Check out their numbers below.

src="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/largest-domain-registrars.jpg" alt="largest domain registrars" title="largest domain registrars" width="548" height="360" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4217" />

src="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/top-domain-registrars-by-country.jpg" alt="top domain registrars by country" title="top domain registrars by country" width="575" height="354" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4218" />

All ICANN-Accredited Domain Registrars can be found at http://www.icann.org/en/registrars/accredited-list.html. But lets have a closer look at some of the most popular domain name registrars in the United States.

GoDaddy

src="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/godaddy-logo.jpg" alt="godaddy-logo" title="godaddy-logo" width="300" height="107" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-3750" />

http://www.godaddy.com/domains/search.aspx.

GoDaddy is a web host and domain registrar that has been around for almost literally ages. If you haven’t heard of them, or seen their expensively scandalous Super Bowl averts, we’d very much like to know what rock you’ve been hiding under. Essentially, if you’re looking for the most trusted and secure way to register a domain, GoDaddy is your best ticket. The site has suffered some recent controversy concerning the authorship of SOPA, but on the whole, GoDaddy benefits from a superb track record, as well as an expanse of services designed to benefit you and your site. If you’d also like to host with the provider, you’ll be granted discounts as far as domain registration. No to mention the company comes loaded with a heap of additional tools and services that help you in the creation and modification of a new website. All in all, GoDaddy is trusted, large, and budget-oriented.

Enom

src="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/enom-domain-registrar-320x93.jpg" alt="enom domain name registrar" title="enom domain name registrar" width="320" height="93" class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-4212" />

http://www.enom.com/domainsearch/default.aspx.

We hesitate to mention Enom, but then again, we just didn’t feel right leaving it out. All in all, this domain registrar handles something like 10 million unique domain names, which is staggering to think about. However, they can only claim about 8 per-cent of the total market share. This is likely because of their slightly cheaper rates (about $ 35 a month). That being said, if you choose to register your domain name with Enom, you’re guaranteed one of the most secure and impressively solid performances in the business. In essence, you’ll get what you pay for and then some, though the payments will certainly be forthcoming.

Register.com

src="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/register.com_.jpg" alt="register.com domain name registrar" title="register.com domain name registrar" width="320" height="80" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4215" />

http://www.register.com/register-domain-names.rcmx.

All together, this registrar has handled something like 2.3 million domains and counting. Their market share is somewhat limited (only about 2 per-cent) but what gets our goat about Register.com is their simply stellar support network. If you have any complications or questions, you can rest assured the provider will work with you to find a solution. The price is on-par with Enom, but if you’re looking for an unbeatably secure and steadfast way to register your choice domain name, there’s no better option.

Moniker

src="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/moniker.com_.jpg" alt="moniker.com domain name registration" title="moniker.com domain name registration" width="320" height="86" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4216" />

http://www.moniker.com/domainname.jsp.

Have you picked the perfect domain name, only to find the listing taken by some lowly name squatter? If so, you may choose to invest in Moniker. The company is not only a domain registrar, but also a domain broker. This means they’ll work with whomever has your domain name to procure the listing, guaranteeing you the market and Web presence you’ve been looking for. Obviously, their rates will be higher for such services, but if you have to have that one domain name, there’s no better solution.

Domain Name Search

src="http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/domain-check-search.gif" alt="domain name check search" title="domain name check search" width="544" height="292" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4225" />

Finding great domain name is an important part of every web project and the process of registering such domain name is getting harder and harder as many of them are already taken.

Luckily, there are dozens of domain search tools that will save your time during this process. One of them is pcnames.com, an online domain search tool that helps finding a domain name in a more organized way. The search results displayed as-you-type, showing the availability of the most popular domain extensions. With the instant domain search feature, pcnames.com makes searching for domain names a breeze. There is no more waiting time on the next page to load to display your results.

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December 19, 2011 – Top 10 Domain Registrars

March 4, 2009 – Beware of Drop Catchers: Secure Your Domain

December 18, 2011 – How to Find Web Hosting Service Provider

December 9, 2011 – NameCheap vs. GoDaddy

December 4, 2011 – The Truth about Unlimited Webhosting

September 30, 2011 – What the New User can Learn from the GoDaddy Account Hack

August 30, 2011 – Top WordPress Hosting Sites Announced

April 29, 2011 – Web Hosting Companies Censor Websites

April 28, 2011 – A Review of the Most Affordable Windows Web Hosting Providers

April 22, 2011 – Becoming a Domain Speculator with No Experience

Tags: Domain · Registration · ServicesNo Comments.

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