Web hosting has always been a fast paced environment where cutting edge software and hardware can change the face of the industry overnight. With the last two years we've seen the rapid development of technologies that are reshaping the way we host our websites and conduct our daily affairs. Follow along as we show you five technologies that are redefining the web hosting industry.
Cloud computing
Cloud computing is a relatively new technology that has been welcomed with open arms by everyone from major businesses to webmasters to average computer users who want to reap the benefits of convenience and security. Cloud computing is a type of Internet-based computing that allows users to use software and applications online when they need it. By utilizing the many features cloud computing has to offer, end users no longer need to download and install software and can instead have access to their most used applications online and from any computer of their choosing. Examples of cloud computing include:
Content management systems
Content Management Systems (CMS) have made it easy for anyone to install, design and update a website. No longer does the average webmaster need to study HTML, CSS and other scripting languages to be able to have their very own website. CMS gives end users a graphical interface with which to install and update web pages with a few clicks of the mouse. Some of today's most popular CMS tools are:
Web hosting control panels
When web hosting first came into being in the early 1990s, clients had little control over their own web hosting space and had to rely on their web hosting company to perform simple day-to-day tasks. With the invention of web hosting control panels, even those with little technological training can:
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Add and delete email accounts
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Install CMS software on-the-fly
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Backup websites
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Add domains and subdomains to accounts
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FTP files
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View and analyze traffic logs
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Upgrade or downgrade hosting plans
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Password protect directories
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Install forums
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..and much, much more!
Browser applications
Web browser add-ons turn any standard Internet browser into a powerhouse! Add-ons and extensions added to web browsers can now:
Social media
Nearly every computer online today is somehow linked to social media. Websites like Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn have changed the way we connect and communicate with others. Courtesy of social media tools, you can now find out from your web host in real time why your hosting server is down and when you can expect to be back online.
Are you using all the technology tools at your disposal?