Here are some additional things to consider when considering web hosting’s inherent problems, along with some potential solutions. (View Part 1 for additional hosting tips)
- Prior to purchase, find out if your host has mail restrictions. No shared host will permit spamming, so be sure to tell them it is for an opt-in mailing.
- If your host has too many accounts on the shared server running queries and complex page generations, the CPU might be bogged down. Contact your host immediately and request a transfer to a less populated server, as it is affecting the performance of your site.
- Inquire about the load balancing of the shared server prior to purchasing. When uploading your initial site, be aware of any signs of lag or slow response. These can be the first indicators that your server is unbalanced.
- Similarly, your shared host server can run out of RAM because it is bogged down with request. This goes back to your hosts load balancing. You are entitled to a server that performs at normal capacity. Request a transfer immediately.
- Be sure to do your homework before purchasing and request load statistics on the server you will be assigned. Any established host has good load balancing techniques in place so that these problems due not arise.
- For many reasons, one may want to modify the httpd.conf file. However, a shared host does not allow access to this very powerful file. If your site requires a modification, contact your host and request the tweak.
- When choosing your host, evaluate your sites needs to establish whether it will require modifications to the httpd.conf file. If it does, before buying into a host, ask if these modifications are possible. On a dedicated server, you would be able to modify this file.
- For security and load balancing purposes, the number of FTP accounts may be restricted by a shared host. But, in most cases, acquiring more FTP accounts can be as simple as adding them on as a value-added package or buying a bit larger shared cheap web hosting plan.
- Take an audit of who will need access to your site via FTP prior to choosing your host. Pick a host and a package that meets your future business needs.
- In some cases, access to log files can be very limited on a shared host, if available at all. There are many third party programs you can install that will let you monitor your site statistics, but generally not server statistics if you do not have root access.
- Ask your host if they allow access to log files. If not, investigate third party programs that are capable of producing site logs and statistics.
- A popular control panel, Cpanel, has a great backup/transfer feature that lets you switch your site/databases/mail/settings over to a new server with only two clicks. This cannot be used without root access. Plesk and Ensim have similar capabilities with the same limitation. Your host may be able to provide this service for you, at a minor cost.
- First, check to see which control panel your host is using. Then, see if that offers an easy backup/transfer feature. If it does, investigate the limitations on that feature and required access. Finally, ask your host if your cheap web hosting plan meets the necessary requirements for that feature.
- At home, we can easily format our computers when things just go a bit crazy. The same can be done on a dedicated server. However, a shared server does not and can not allow this type of access without hurting the other users. If your disk is corrupt, it is best to alert your host immediately for repairs or a server transfer.
- Be conscious of what you are loading onto your server. Every file can have an affect on the performance of your server, no matter how minor. If you suspect corruption on your own disk, do not take a risk and upload corrupt files to your server.
- When purchasing a dedicated server, they can come perfectly empty, a blank canvas for you to install software. This can be troublesome, should there be no control panel installed. However, there are many open-source control panels available. Many come packaged with installation instructions. Though this can be time consuming, it is usually not difficult. You can also request assistance from your host, for a small fee most hosts will install a control panel within your cheap web hosting plan.
- Prior to purchasing your dedicated server, request that it come with the control panel of your choice. Typically there is a small setup fee for this type of service, but for less technical users, it can make all the difference.
- Not being able to remote desktop into your server can instantly instill panic. If you were previously able to remote desktop into your server, ensure that your password is correct and you do not caps lock turned on. If you are certain about your password, call your host immediately and ask if any security changes have been made that would prevent you from being able to remote desktop into your server.
- Alert your cheap web hosting solution company that you’d like to be notified in advanced of any security changes to your server. Make your password as complex as possible and store it in a secure place. It should not be similar to any other passwords you use and should contain letters (capital and small) as well as numbers and special characters.
- Though this is not a common issue, it can be very detrimental to your business. Should your web hosting company specifically not allow your software, request an explanation for this inclusion. If there explanation does not change your software preference, it may be time to seek a new host.
- Ask your hosting company about any kind of software restrictions they have in place. Compare that with any software you would like to install on your server. There may be justification for these restrictions (i.e., security risk), so be sure to research the software thoroughly before choosing a new cheap web hosting solution.
- Should you have bought into an IP that was blacklisted, it is best to contact your budget web hosting company and asked to be moved to a new IP. However, if over the course of owning your IP it has been blacklisted, you may petition the blacklist databases for removal, provided you are not using that IP address for spamming.
- Request the IP of the server you are purchasing prior to submitting your credit card. Check this IP against the blacklist databases to see its status. Never send out bulk mail without an opt-in list.
- If you experience a cyclic redundancy error on your server, immediately start backing up your site into a separate backup than your usual backup. The backup data may be corrupted and you may be forced to mesh the two backups to get a somewhat current restore. While you are backing up, contact your cheap web hosting solution company and alert them of the problem. This is imperative. Cyclic Redundancy errors are a big problem that does not go away by itself. Most likely, hardware will need to be switched out.
- Ask your cheap hosting company about the age of the hardware in your server prior to purchasing. Run system tools like disk defrag and scan disk to ensure that your hard drive is functioning at optimum capacity.
- If your data center is slow to do a manual restart, this can affect your sites uptime in a large way, which affects your bottom line. File a formal complaint with your host or data center at the speed of these manual restarts. Usually, it should not take more than 10-20 minutes for a manual restart to occur.
- Ask your host about data center response time prior to purchasing your dedicated server. If something goes terribly wrong with your server and you need someone to physically modify the hardware, you need a quick response time. This is one of the most important metrics you should look at for your dedicated server.
- Should your host have disabled the soft restart option from control panel, you may enable it yourself or request that it may be enabled in the httpd.conf file.
- Ask to see a sample control panel for dedicated servers. Most hosts have a sample server readily available. Check to see if the soft restart option is available within the control panel. If it is not, inquire further to see if there is a reason for it not being there.
- FTP is an essential tool to access your site and no host will disable this feature. Be sure that your FTP address is correct by verifying it within your control panel. Also, be sure the FTP credentials you are using match those within the control panel. You may restart the FTP service within your control panel, if you are certain that your credentials match those that were set up.
- Prior to attempting an FTP connection, ensure that the FTP service is started on your server from within your control. Next, make sure the FTP account information is configured properly and the passwords you have match those that server has.
- Black hole error messages and an inability to connect to your mail server are usually caused by the mail service not being started. This is a quick fix and merely involves logging into your control panel and turning on or restarting the mail service. If you need help completing this, your host could oblige.
- Starting or restarting the mail service should be on your top list of things to do when you purchase a new server, especially if you’ll be receiving mail through that server. Even if it is started, a restart will make sure it is functioning at peak performance levels.
