There are differences in the hosting platforms of Windows and Linux. Both OS Platforms have their advantages and disadvantages. Windows has the advantage of running Access and MS SQL that is Microsoft software Another advantage of Microsoft is that the servers offer great support for web developers. The programming environments on these servers include ASP, Visual Basic Scripts and the MS Index Server. This support is very important to many web developers.

Because Linux is an open source system, it is much more cost-effective in maintenance and operation. The cost of hosting Linux is less than that of Windows hosting. The open-source feature of the Linux platform minimizes the cost because you only need one license. Windows requires associated licensing for the hosting company and this cost is transferred to the end user.

Linux has other advantages besides the cost. In respect to performance, Linux offers scalability because of the wide range of software, applications, languages and databases it supports. This includes PH, Perl, PostGre, MySQL, PostSQL and others. One disadvantage of the Linux hosting platform is that it does not support some Microsoft technologies.

Although Linux is an open source platform, that does not mean it is not secure. Security is very important and proactive steps are taken regularly to ensure security. Modifications and software updates are done on a regular basis to make sure the latest security and performance patches are installed. Security is handled well in both platforms. It is important to note that security is more dependent on the server administrator than the actual platform.

Scripting is the factor that may influence what actual platform you choose. If your site holds a blog, shopping cart or a forum, this active content will require scripting. And, in this case, should you require applications such as ASP, ASP.Net, Access or MS SQL, Windows is the better option. If this is not the case, Linux will do just fine. Both platforms are comparable in performance and security. However, the cost advantage goes to the Linux platform. The support advantage is tipped in favor of Windows platform based on the scripting factor.

General Business · Hosting · Small business · Small businesses · UK web hosting

If you are considering registering a new domain, securing your privacy is very important. Failing to do so exposes your personal information to everybody with access to a computer. The process of registering a new domain involves providing contact information such as phone number, email address, name, city, and post office address. ICANN, the body that is tasked with overseeing domain name registration requires this information. While this is for noble purposes, unscrupulous individuals can misuse this information. The following reasons show why it is important to have domain privacy.

Avoid Spamming
The Whois database is freely available and anyone can login and get details unhindered. Spammers have created spam bots and used them to trawl the site for owner email addresses. This contact information is then sold or used to send unsolicited junk mail to your inbox. Spamming is the first doorway before things become more serious and scary.

Avoid Hacking
Your unprotected domain details can be used by hackers to gain access to your site. If you are just starting out, the cash to set up a secure site might be limited. Hackers are quite adept at taking advantage of such loopholes to penetrate your site. You may not even not notice that you site has been compromised. This could come to light after serious security breaches prompt you to call in the experts.

Avoid Identity Theft
This is very serious and has happened to site owners who only took steps when it was too late. Someone can use your details to engage in criminal activities which in turn could land you in serious legal trouble.

While this is certainly frightening, there are steps you can take to keep your personal information safe. To start with, IT experts agree unanimously that domain privacy is your first line of defense. This ensures that your contact details and personal information is not freely available. Domain registrars provide this service for an extra fee. Anyone who tries to look up your details on the Whois database will only see the registrar details. This security is invaluable compared with the damage hackers can wreak with access to personal details. You can also rest easy at night safe in the knowledge that no one is going to turn up uninvited to harass your family.

Domain · Hosting · Small business · Small businesses · Web Hosting

There are dozens of companies offering web hosting on the market today, so why would you want to trust us with hosting your data?  The main reason is that we have over 11 years of experience in handling hosting on a massive scale, and are uniquely qualified to handle yours as well.  We also offer a chat system that makes customer service more convenient than ever before, and if you sign up now, you will be eligible for a free domain name too!

We are particularly proud of our history, however.  We have over eleven years of experience, having started our company very early in the internet’s lifespan.  We have seen practically every problem and difficulty come and go, and have learned how to safeguard our clients’ information in the face of an emergency.

For instance, we do frequent backups of your data, not because we are obligated to do so, but because we want to ensure that if your site is hacked or otherwise broken, we can have you up and running again in very little time.  This security should be redundant on your own – in other words, you should run backups of your own data as well, but if you simply cannot resuscitate your site, you can contact us and we will help you out.

If you do need to contact our help desk, we have made it as easy as possible for you through our live chat support.  Instead of waiting on line during our busy hours, you can simply chat with us.  Our system will put you into a queue, where you will be notified once an agent is available.  This allows you to get along with your day instead of having to sit on the phone and wait for us to get to you.

Because we are so confident in our product, we are offering new customers a free domain name to help them get their first website started.  This is just a small way we can show that we are truly serious about doing a good job.  If you are looking for a professional web hosting company that will be available to help you 24 hours a day, we believe we are the best company on the market to help you.

General Business · Hosting · Small businesses · Web Hosting

Web hosting. At first glance it’s a simple service and it may take you no more than a few minutes to choose a web hosting company. After all, for most small businesses, all you need is a decent amount of storage space, bandwidth and maybe a database or two. You then upload you website and the world can see what your business is all about.

In reality, of course, web hosting is the single most important service you are likely to use in relation to your website. It’s the connection between you and your potential customers – if your web hosting suffers interruption to service, your website is offline and you are effectively closed for business.

What’s more, if your web hosting company doesn’t offer sufficient support through telephone or live web chat, your business may well be closed for a while.

So, when considering web hosting, look for a proven track record from your web hosting company. How long have they been in business? What sort of websites do they host? Are they based in the UK? (It’s better to have your web hosting company in your own time zone to be confident of getting help when you need it.)

The truth is that most web hosting companies offer similar features. However, support will vary substantially. If your website is at all critical to your business, make sure you are happy with the level of support on offer.

choosing a web host · Small businesses · UK web hosting · web host · Web Hosting

It was not that long ago that the last Labour chancellor of the exchequer was roundly castigated for painting a bleak picture of the UK economy and for suggesting that we might have to make some ‘difficult choices’.

There was an initial denial of any pending doom by his boss followed by a reluctant acknowledgment of ‘economic challenges’ and eventually the widespread use of the ‘c’ word. In fact, with the run up to the election, there were daily pronouncements on spending cuts by the main parties trying to outdo each other.

Today, the new government now firmly in place and some £6 billion worth of cuts already announced, David Cameron has dispensed with euphemism and is talking about ‘painful cuts’ that will “affect our whole way of life”.

Even the Financial Times gets pretty vivid seeing echoes of King Lear in the prime minister’s speech this week: “David Cameron will do such things; what they are he knows not, but they shall be the terrors of the earth.”.

I think we all agree that the message is clear. Major and wholesale spending cuts are on their way. However, the details aren’t still forthcoming. In fact, this morning ministers are asking the public for suggestions as to where the axe should fall.

Certainly, as a UK web hosting company, we have a reasonable understanding of what some of our small business customers would like to see cut or ring fenced.

Today, we are asking you as to where you think the government should focus its efforts to save money and where it should invest in order to ensure the fragile economic recovery doesn’t stall or fall into reverse. Please write to spendingcuts@freezone.co.uk with your thoughts.

Small businesses · Spending cuts · UK web hosting · Web Hosting