Web Hosting FAQ

• Q:How Is Site Traffic Analyzed?
  • Web site traffic is usually very inconsistent, especially if it originates from organic search results. Thus, the need to track traffic precisely is very evident in the web hosting industry.
  • If you are focusing on marketing and selling products, then you need to understand what is working and what is not. With this information, you can put more effort into the traffic generation techniques that are working. Having access to comprehensive traffic analysis tools within your control panel gives you the ability to fine tune your traffic generation skills.
  • Fortunately, every web hosting control panel includes traffic tracing utilities that can be used to analyze every aspect of web site traffic. Tools like Webalizer and Awstats break down all facets of web traffic statistics, and they present all of this information in a neat and organized manner. You can even create comprehensive traffic reports based on a weekly or monthly basis.
• Q:What Are Subdomains?
  • A: Subdomains are extensions of a main domain or web site, which can be used as a separate site with separate software configurations. Most people use subdomains to categorize their main domain into other more specific sections.
  • The name of a subdomain appears before the main domain name. For example, a site may have the main domain name of "example.com" with a subdomain entitled "subdomain.example.com."
  • Sub domains are often used by larger web sites that need to store specific data in different web directories. Subdomains can have their own FTP accounts associated with them, which makes it easy for you to manage them individually. Most web hosting providers will let you create unlimited subdomains on you main domain.
  • Aside from being a separate directory, subdomains are also often used to enhance search engine optimization techniques.
• Q:How Do You Add Domains to a Web Hosting Account?
  • A: Adding domains to your web hosting account is actually very simple. All you need to do is access the domain manager in both your web hosting account and your domain registrar account.
  • Access your domain name server settings in the registrar account. Then head over to your web hosting account and find the nameserver information. Your nameservers should appear as something like NS1.nameserver.com. Input this information into your web hosting account and then wait a few minutes.
  • After the nameservers have been changed for your domain, then you can go to the web hosting control panel and verify your ownership of the domain. In a few minutes, you will be able to access your new domain in your web hosting control panel. Every control panel is slightly different, so if you need assistance, don't be afraid to contact your web hosting support
• Q:What are DNS Servers?
  • A: DNS servers are web servers that are specifically used to connect on the domain name system. The domain name system is a massive network of information that stores the server coordinates and domain names of all of the sites on the internet. In fact, the domain name system is the largest database in existence.
  • DNS servers convert the IP addresses of web sites into names that can be typed into the address bar of a browser. Without DNS servers, your site would have an address similar to 127.0.0.1 instead of domain.com. Obviously, remembering an IP address is much more difficult than remembering a domain name, which is why DNS servers are so important to the internet industry.
  • DNS servers use special networking software to transmit information from the server to site visitors and web servers. Most DNS servers are connected to the internet for the majority of their existence
• Q:What Are Domain Name Registrars?
  • A: Domain name registrars are companies with access to DNS servers that connect to the domain name system. One of the most famous domain name registrars is GoDaddy.com, which has registered millions of web sites for people around the world. Most domain name registrars sell domains for similar prices, with the costs ranging from $1 to $10 depending upon the domain extension. Dot com sites cost around ten dollars from most domain registrars, while .info domains only cost about a dollar.
  • Domain registrars often offer web hosting services as well, and it is possible to receive a discount if you buy packages that contain several domains or web hosting services. However, keep in mind that you have the power to host your new domain with any web host you'd like, even if you purchased it from a separate domain name registrar.
• Q:What are Parked Domains?
  • A: Parked domains are very common types of domains. In fact, every web site begins as a parked domain until the nameservers are changed and the site is placed under its own hosting account. Parked domains are simply sites that not being used by their owner, and instead they are used to advertise links and banners of other companies.
  • There are two kinds of parked domains – those that are parked by the domain name registrar by default, and those that are parked intentionally for a small monthly fee. As a webmaster, you have the right to park your domain at any time, as you can find domain parking sites that will pay you a very small amount each month to use your site as a parked domain. If you have ever purchased a web site and looked at it immediately afterwards, you have seen a parked domains.
• Q:How Do I Backup My Website?
  • A: Backing up a web site is extremely simple using your web hosting control panel. Most web hosting plans come with the popular control panel cPanel, which includes an excellent backup utility that you can use to schedule backup dates and keep your site's databases safe at all times.
  • cPanel is not the only control panel with a backup utility however, as every major web hosting provider includes such a tool. With all the work put into building and maintaining your site, it is absolutely imperative to create a backup of your web site routinely. If you are having trouble making a backup of your website within your web hosting control panel, then do not hesitate to contact your web hosting support staff.