UNIT-5

WEB HOSTING & CONCEPT OF SEO

Web hosting is a service of providing online space for storage of web pages. These web pages are
made available via World Wide Web. The companies which offer website hosting are known
as Web hosts.
The servers on which web site is hosted remain switched on 24 x7. These servers are run by web
hosting companies. Each server has its own IP address. Since IP addresses are difficult to remember
therefore, webmaster points their domain name to the IP address of the server their website is stored
on.
It is not possible to host your website on your local computer, to do so you would have to leave your
computer on 24 hours a day. This is not practical and cheaper as well. This is where web hosting
companies comes in.

Types of Hosting
The following table describes different types of hosting that can be availed as per the need:

S.N. Hosting Description

1. Shared Hosting
In shared hosting, the hosting company puts thousand of website on the same physical server.
Each customer has their own allocation of physical web space and a set of bandwidth limit. As
all websites share same physical memory, MYSQL server and Apache server, one website on
the server experiencing high traffic load will affect performance of all websites on the server.

2. Virtual Private Server (VPS)

It is also known as Virtual Dedicated Server. It is a server which is partitioned into smaller
servers. In this customer is given their own partition, which is installed with its own operating
system. Unlike shared hosting, VPS doesn’t share memory or processor time rather it allocates
certain amount of memory and CPU to use which means that any problem on a VPS partition
on the same drive will not affect other VPS customers.

3. Dedicated Server
In this kind of hosting, single dedicated server is setup for just one customer. It is commonly
used by the businesses that need the power, control and security that a dedicated server offers.

4. Reseller Hosting
A reseller acts as a middle man and sells hosting space of someone else’s server.

5. Grid Hosting
Instead of utilizing one server, Grid Hosting spreads resources over a large number of servers.
It is quite stable and flexible. The servers can be added or taken away from the grid without
crashing the system.

Web Hosting Companies

Following are the several companies offering web hosting service:

S.N. Hosting Company

 1. Blue Host

2. Go Daddy

3. Host Gator

4. just Host

5. Laughing Squid

6. Hivelocity

7. liquid Web

8. Media TempleServInt

9. Wired Tree

10. Wild West Domains

11. Wix

12. WIPL

13. Big Rock

How to register a domain name

1. Choose a domain name
2. Check for domain availability
3. Choose a domain name registrar
4. Purchase and register your domain name
5. Renew the domain name at the end of the term

1. Choose a domain name

If you don’t already have a name for your brand, it’s a good idea to merge the domain
selection process with the process of coming up with a brand name. Your domain
name will be inseparable from your brand, meaning they’ll both be more memorable if
they’re alike. We put together an in-depth guide for choosing your domain name if you
need some extra help.
 If your company already has a name, your first-choice domain is likely YourBrand.com,
but if that’s taken, you have a couple options for making sure it’s easy for users to
associate your brand with your domain name:

• Use a suffix. Add a word to the end of your domain name to differentiate it. You could
add the name of your primary product (yourbrandshoes.com), your location
(yourbrandcanada.com), or something all-encompassing
(yourbrandonline.com, yourbrandstore.com).

• Use a prefix. Add an action-oriented verb at the start of your domain that draws attention
to your product (getyourbrand.com, wearyourbrand.com, eatyourbrand.com).

• Use a different domain name extension. A domain name extension, also referred to as
a top-level domain (TLD), is the suffix that appears at the end of your domain. The most
commonly used domain extension is .com, but there are also region-specific domain
extensions (such as .ca, .us, or .eu) and a growing number of specialty domain extensions
(such as .shop or .store). Keep in mind that specialty domain extensions tend to be more
expensive.

2. Check for domain availability

When users enter a URL in their browser, the browser sends a request to a global network
of servers that are able to locate your website using something called the domain name
system (DNS).

The DNS is a universally recognized, decentralized system for naming websites. This is
what allows computers, phones, and any other device that can access the internet to find
the webpage a user is looking for.

Checking domain availability only takes a couple of seconds, and nearly every registrar
and hosting service has a free domain name search tool that allows you to do this (via a
record system called WHOIS and RDAP). Here are a few tools for quickly checking the
availability of a domain:

• Shopify
• Google Domains
• GoDaddy
• IONOS
• Bluehost
• Domain.com
• Namecheap
• HostGator
Remember that domain names are universal, so if a domain name is unavailable from one
provider, it’s unavailable from all of them. What’s great about these tools is that they’ll
often suggest similar domains that are available if yours isn’t.

If your domain name is unavailable, you might get a message back about brokering the
domain. This means that the domain name is taken, but the registrar offers a service
wherein they will negotiate with the domain owner on your behalf to try and get them to
sell their domain name.

Although snagging your first-choice domain name might sound enticing, it’s important to
understand the risks associated with attempting to broker a domain name.

Broker service fees are paid in addition to domain registration fees, even if the current
domain owner is unwilling to sell the domain. The process can be time-consuming and
delay the launch of your store. And even if the current owner does make an offer, it’s
likely to be far more expensive than just purchasing an available domain.

Depending on your situation and how much capital you're able to deploy, brokering a
domain might be the best route to go. But if you're on a budget, you can always try some
variations to keep costs low.

Learn more: Domain Name Services: Which Hosting Provider Should You Trust?
3. Choose a domain name registrar
A registrar is a company that reserves and registers domain names on your behalf. When
you purchase a domain name, either directly from a registrar or through a web-hosting
service, it’s registered to the DNS for you.

Though there are more than a thousand accredited registrars, it’s best to stick with more
well-known providers. Using a common provider will make it easier to find info on
managing your domain and to troubleshoot issues you might have with syncing your
domain to other services.

Domains can be purchased from a number of different types of businesses. You might
choose to purchase one from a website-building platform (like Shopify, Squarespace, or
WordPress), a web-hosting service (like HostGator or BlueHost), or directly from a
domain registrar (like GoDaddy, NameCheap, or Google Domains).

Many registrars offer hosting and vice-a-versa. This can be a great way to keep all your
website tasks under one roof, but isn't necessary. You can purchase a domain one place,
and use a different company to host if you so choose.
 How much does a domain name cost?

Domain names aren’t sold for a flat-rate. Instead, they’re paid for on a recurring basis
(usually annually). When considering the costs of your domain, be mindful of the
difference between the starting price and the renewal price. Typically, basic .com
domain names run in the ballpark of about 10-15 USD a year. Premium domains such as
4 letter domains or incredibly common terms can cost significantly higher.

Domain providers often offer discounted rates on domains for the first year or two,
especially if the domain is purchased in addition to other services. The starting price is
usually lower than the renewal price, so when budgeting for the long term, make sure you
factor in the price of renewing your domain down the road.

On top of this, your domain extension can alter the cost of the domain. Specialty domain
extensions like .store are usually more expensive than available .com domains.

While the price of domains is important, there are a lot of other factors to consider as
well. If you’re looking for the domain provider that’s right for you, here’s a couple of
questions to ask yourself:

• How easy will it be to point my domain to my website? The advantage of purchasing a

domain from a web-building platform is that set-up tends to be fast and easy, since you’re
only dealing with one company directly. Using services from different companies adds
additional steps and tends to be more technical or confusing.

• Will I need domain privacy protection? When you register a domain, your contact info
becomes publicly available in the global ICANN registry. Privacy protection is a feature
that hides this information. Some providers (like Shopify), provide domain privacy
protection for free on all domains, but some providers offer this feature at an additional
cost.

• Which domain extension(s) do I want to use? A domain extension is the part of the
domain that comes at the end. All domain providers offer .com domains, but if you’re
looking for a region-specific domain extension (such as .ca, .eu, or .au), or a speciality
domain (.shop, .store, etc.), you’ll want to make sure you choose a provider that provides
them.

• Do I need any other services? Domain registrars usually offer additional services,
like ecommerce hosting, website building features, and email hosting. Occasionally,
domains are offered at what seems like a low rate, but only in addition to the purchase of
other services.
To make it easier to decide, here’s a quick breakdown of major domain providers, their
starting price points
4. Purchase and register
Once you’ve decided on a registrar and a good domain name, you’re ready to proceed
with purchasing your domain name. Once you’ve purchased your domain, your provider
will reserve and register it on your behalf.

What is DNS Server (name server)?

Domain name system (DNS) is the system that is used to translate human-memorable domain names
like namecheap.com and hostnames like support.namecheap.com into the corresponding numeric
Internet Protocol (IP) addresses as well as to identify and locate computer systems and resources on
the Internet.

When you use an alphanumeric address like "namecheap.com" your computer needs to understand
what numerical IP address it should contact to show up the content. Domain name server is a server
responsible for keeping the file that contains information about the domain name(s) and
corresponding IP addresses (zone file) as well as for providing the above-mentioned information
during DNS queries.

Domain name servers are a fundamental part of the Domain Name System. Nameserver is a server
on the Internet specialized in handling queries regarding the location of the domain name’s various
services. In easy words, name servers define your domain’s current DNS provider.

All domains usually have at least two DNS servers which can be checked via Whois lookup tool.

For example: we provide name servers for all domains registered with us (they are called Namecheap
BasicDNS) and their values are:

dns1.registrar-servers.com
dns2.registrar-servers.com

When you make a request for anything related to the domain name, it gets sent to one of the name
servers. In response, the DNS server sends back the IP address. This works for the Web Site, Mail
Servers, and anything else based on the domain name. With Namecheap, you can choose between
different DNS options including our diamond-grade Premium DNS service with 100% DNS server
uptime guaranteed.

Free Email Forwarding and Dynamic DNS are some of the pros of using our default name servers.

What is a Control Panel?

A web hosting control panel is a graphical user interface (or, in some cases, a web-based interface),
that is accessible online and provides tools for managing a website, the web hosting account, and
sometimes the server.

In most cases, you will access your control panel via a web browser, though this may vary on
occasion.

Almost every hosting company has a control panel, and some offer you a choice of control panels. It’s
the most visible part of a web hosting plan, and its features and functionality will largely determine
the quality of your experience as a web hosting customer.

Why Use Graphical User Interfaces for Control Panels?

Think about what you expect to see when you turn on your computer. Do you want to type long
commands into a black terminal screen with monochrome lettering?

Or would you rather use your mouse to navigate around a graphical interface, clicking on icons and
moving windows around?

Most people would prefer visual. Its the same way with web hosting and server management.

Using Web Hosting Without a Control Panel

You can, in theory, access your web hosting account and server without a dedicated interface using
primarily with tools like SSH (secure shell — direct command line access) or FTP (File Transfer
Protocol).

In fact, it’s definitely a good thing to have one (or even both) available options, and you might want to
learn the ins and outs of that way of doing things.

But most of the time, your life is going to be easier — and your work is going to get done faster — if
you use a control panel.

Control Panel Tasks

 There are a number of web and server administration tasks you will be doing from the Control
Panel interface:

• Account Administration
• Domain Management
• One-Click Installation
• Email Management
• FTP
• Database Management
• File Management
• Backups
• Support

Some of these tasks might be one-time events like setting up your website and transferring all of your
content files.

Some will be regular occurrences like updating existing files or looking at your website’s analytics.
Knowing what you’ll be using the Control Panel for will help you decide which one is right for you.

You will be able to narrow down your options based on the features available.

Account Administration

Typical account management tasks that will be handled within your control panel include altering
your billing profile, plan renewal, updating of your password, and similar items.

The software running the control panel will be handling your credit card information.

If that software is not secure and up to date, it could be a problem. You do not want to be on the hook
for things that you did not purchase!

Domain Management

All of the following domain name-related features regarding the following will be done in the
control panel:

• Domain renewal
• DNS editing
• MX records
• Domain forwarding
• Subdomain management
• Registering new domains
• IP addresses
 Generally speaking, domain management, though infrequently done, might be one of the more
complex (yet important) things you do.

This is one area where you really want to make sure you understand how your control panel has
things set up.

One-Click Installation

If you plan to use a popular web application or content management system (CMS)
like WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, or ZenCart, the quickest and easiest way to get these
loaded onto your hosting server is to use a one-click installer like SimpleScripts or Fantastico.

One-Click Installers are exactly what they sound like: you look up the product you want and click
“install.” The installer will take care of the rest.

For example, if you are a WordPress user, you will not have to manually download a copy of the
WordPress core, only to then upload it via FTP to your website’s server.

If your hosting company provides these services, they will be available from the control panel.

Email Management

You can also use your control panel to:

• Set up mail accounts

• Set up email forwarders
• Set up email spam filters.
• Manage email accounts
• Delete email accounts

While this may sound minor, it eliminates hefty administrative tasks in the long run.

FTP

File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is a process to access files and folders on the server.

It is also how you move files around.

Did you create an HTML file for your website on your personal computer? Well, to get that file onto
your server and online, you will need to use FTP to transfer the file to your web hosting provider.
 Setting up FTP accounts and access generally requires access to a control panel.

Database Management

You will need a database to manage your data and to manage your database, you will need a control
panel.

For most people, the MySQL databases that come standard with web hosting packages are sufficient.

As such, many control panels play nice with MySQL.

The control panel also allows you to keep tabs on your database and get answers to questions like:

• Is my database online?
• How is it performing?
• Are there any issues with my data, database, or database server that I need to know about?

Integration Support

If you are (or want to) use a different type of database, whether it is a SQL or NoSQL database, you
will want to make sure that the control panel supports such integrations.

For example, some hosts will, by default, support PostgreSQL, but if you need to use Microsoft’s
SQL Server, your choices will be more limited (and, in most cases, more expensive).

File Management

You may want to use FTP instead of a browser-based file manager to manage the files on your server.

However, if FTP is not for you, most control panels provide some type of browser-based file
manager — through their ease of use varies tremendously from system to system.

Some web hosts provide an easy-to-use drag-and-drop system, while others seem to have options that
have not been updated since the early 1990s.

Furthermore, using FTP does not mean you can eschew the control panel completely. You will still
need the control panel to set up your FTP users.

You will need to create the users and grant them with the appropriate levels of permissions needed to
complete their tasks.
Backups

Most control panels include some kind of built-in file backup utility that runs regularly.

If this is not the case, you will have access to a third party backup system.

Regardless, your control panel is where you would go to create backups, as well as access any of the
backups that have been created. Sometimes, you may also use it to restore a backup.

Support

Live chat support and other on-demand support features are almost always administered through the
control panel.

Sometimes, you will also find knowledgebase documentation and FAQs on pages located in the
control panel.

However, some hosts might have these files hosted elsewhere. If this is the case, you will find links
to the documents on the control panel itself.

Why You Should Care About Control

Panels
You are going to get very familiar with your web hosting company’s control panel.

When you first purchase a new hosting plan, you will see the control panel more often than your new
website.

You will have to come back to it on a regular basis — daily, if you’re diligent — to check basic stats
and server usage and make sure everything is running smoothly.

Since you’ll be using it frequently, it’s important to find an option that you enjoy using in addition to
offering the features and functionality you need to do your work.
 Your Control Panel and Your Web Hosting Experience

The control panel will be your primary experience of your web hosting account.

You can’t see speed and performance for your website and server, but you can see the control panel.

How easy or hard it is to use will be a major determining factor in your overall satisfaction with your
web hosting plan.

The Right Control Panel for You

There are some advanced users out there who want a particular tool and can only get it from a
particular control panel.

But for most of us, any one of them will get the job done — most control panels do about the same
thing.

This is a good thing, especially for those with shared hosting plans who do not have many options
available.

The Matter of Preference

Regardless of what your host offers, you are likely to get a good option that will meet your needs and
do what you need it to do.

With that said, not every one of them will make sense to you.

Each control panel has a:

• Different interface
• Different design
• A different way of dealing with tasks.

If you have a control panel that does everything you need but does not fit your user habits quite right,
you won’t enjoy using it.
How to Choose a Web Hosting Control
Panel
Most web hosting companies only offer one control panel. Some offer two or three to choose from.
Typically, Linux-based plans come with a cPanel WHM, while Windows hosting plans come with
Plesk.

Honestly, your choice of control panel might very well come down to the operating system your web
server is using.

Premium Plans

If you opt for VPS or dedicated hosting, you will have even more options. You can install pretty
much any option you would like (within reason, of course).

Once you’ve narrowed down your hosting choices to just a few based on other factors, you should see
if they have different control panels.

If your hosts do offer a variety of options, see if you can get a demo.

Many web hosting companies have a “sandbox control panel” that you can try out.

The Most Popular Web Hosting Control

Panels: cPanel vs. Plesk
cPanel is the most widely used of the web hosting control panels available, with Plesk coming in
second.

Much like some people swear by their iPhones, while others will only use phones running the Android
operating system, both cPanel and Plesk users will argue their system is easier and better, and both
are right.
 cPanel

cPanel is a web-based, Linux control panel.

There are three tiers comprising the cPanel package, and each tier is used by a different set of
personnel:

• Administrators
• Resellers
• End-user website owners

As we said above, cPanel is web-based so that you will be interacting with the product through
your web browser.

With cPanel, all your applications and tools are categorized into easy-to-find groups, such as:

• Files
• Databases
• Software

An Ideal Interface

Icons in each group can be moved around your interface in a drag and drop fashion.

This is similar to moving folders on your desktop, and it allows users to simplify their experience by
front-loading the tools they use most.

There are some limitations, such as not being allowed to move icons from one group to another.

Installing cPanel

Furthermore, if you are installing cPanel on a VPS or dedicated server, note that it can be very
difficult to uninstall cPanel without completely reformatting your disk drives.

Given such complexity, we will say that once you have chosen cPanel, it can be very difficult for you
to move to another option.

Essentially, uninstalling cPanel is possible, but it is not probable that you will do so.
Plesk

Plesk, on the other hand, has an interface heavily influenced by Windows (it also happens to run on
Windows servers, which cPanel does not).

It combines the icon-based display with more text-based windows, which resemble the Windows
Control Panel.

Things like system and domain information, statistic resources, email management tools, and
applications are presented in two columns, window-style on the main screen.

This makes it easy to find anything you need without any scrolling.

Universal Usage

While cPanel splits its product up based on the personnel it expects to use certain features, Plesk does
not make such defined distinctions.

This is especially between client-side/end-user and server-side/administrative features.

Plesk Extensions allow you to easily add features and functionality to the default installation, as
well as integrate with third-party tools.

Alternatives to Plesk and cPanel

You do not have to use Plesk or cPanel if you do not want to — there are many other control panel
options available.

All of them organize tools in their own unique way and offer slightly different approaches to
accomplishing the same tasks. Some hosts use their own custom control panels, or customized
versions of cPanel, Plesk, and so on!

For example, InterWorx provides a tabbed environment, limiting the content on each screen.
 vDeck<> sports a very similar look and feel as cPanel, but categorizes items by purpose rather than
type, so your database, file manager, and website creator are all lumped under the ‘website’ category.

Different Routes to the Same Outcome

Some users find vDeck’s approach convenient, while others find it less intuitive than cPanel’s
organization.

Both InterWorx and vDeck auto-create a common items category, where your most commonly used
applications and tools are stored. Ultimately, regardless of the control panel your host offers, you will
still be able to accomplish all the same tasks.

However, you may find it easier to navigate one over the other.

Here are 9 options in which you might be interested in:

1. DirectAdmin
2. H-Sphere
3. InterWorx
4. ISPConfig
5. ISPmanager
6. vDeck
7. Virtualmin
8. Webmin
9. WHM

DirectAdmin

DirectAdmin is an easy-to-use, performant, and highly stable control panel option for Linux users.

In addition to backing its product with top-notch support, DirectAdmin offers a wide variety of
licensing options to fit the needs of websites both small and large.

DirectAdmin was first released in 2003, and the product has been continuously updated since then.
The company prides itself on keeping up with current technologies, and if you need a control panel
with a multilingual interface, be sure to check out DirectAdmin.

You will find that DirectAdmin supports most of the popular website-related tools,
including MySQL/MariaDB, Apache, NGINX, Litespeed, PHP, and more.
 H-Sphere

H-Sphere is a cross-platform control panel written in Java that works with any SQL-type
server/database.

It is a more advanced hosting option, with features including:

• Scalable clustering
• Multilingual support.
• E-commerce functions
• An email system
• Site building tools
• and SSL support

Note: It is certainly not the easiest-to-use option.

With great power comes a steep learning curve and a user interface that is not a candidate for best on
the web. H-Sphere comes with solid documentation and has a robust community.

Though the product itself may be tricky, you will find it easy to get help should you need it.

InterWorx

InterWorx is technically the umbrella name for two products:

• NodeWorx: used by server sysadmins to manage servers

• SiteWorx: used by a website owner to manage websites

Obviously, if you are looking for a control panel, you will be interested in SiteWorx.

SiteWorx comes with all of the functionality you expect from a control panel, but its control panel
does feature extra focusing on server cluster management and load balancing.

GUI and Requirements

InterWorx offers the web-based, graphical user interface you expect, but do note that all functions can
be done via command line or API as well.

If you need a control panel option that is as lightweight as possible, InterWorx is definitely an option
you should consider.
 The system requirements are minimal, and some have used it to run server clusters on Raspberry Pi
devices.

ISPConfig

ISPConfig is an open source control panel that runs only on Linux machines.

It was first launched in 2005 and is still actively developed.

ISPConfig is a stable, secure, and performant option that comes with lots of documentation and a
large community that is able and willing to help.

If you need enterprise-level functionality, ISPConfig ships with some.

Notable Features

ISPConfig’s feature set includes:

• Single or multi-server management, including cluster configuration and mirroring options

• Support for Apache and NGINX options
• Email management and security
• DNS and domain management
• Granular access controls
• Data analytics

ISPmanager

ISPmanager is a Linux-based option aimed at users with virtual private server (VPS) hosting or
dedicated servers (though it can certainly be used to provide shared or reseller plans).

There are two versions of ISPmanager: Lite (which is for personal use) and Business (which is for
those providing shared hosting services).

Full Version and Available Extensions

The full ISPmanager option might be a bit too much in terms of features for the everyday user, and if
this is you, consider the ISPmanager Lite.

It is a simpler option that allows you to manage your personal server and websites. If you need to add
to the functionality that ships with ISPmanager, you can do so by installing extensions.
ISPmanager’s support for third-party software is wide-ranging and includes things like Apache,
NGINX, MySQL, PostgreSQL, Sendmail, Exim, and Postfix.

You can use the open API to integrate and deploy changes to your web hosting.

vDeck

vDeck prides itself on its easy-to-use tools and easy-to-navigate interface.

vDeck is very similar to Plesk and cPanel (including its looks and appearance), but it comes with
more advanced tools and features built-in.

More specifically, you will get the website, email, domain, and account management features you
expect from a control panel, but you will also get e-commerce and marketing-related services.

Virtualmin

Virtualmin is an open source control panel designed for use on both physical servers and cloud
servers running Linux or BSD.

There are two versions of Virtualmin.

Different Versions of Virtualmin

First, there is an open source, a community-maintained version that can be used by anyone free of
charge.

However, there is also a premium version of Virtualmin that is more feature-filled than the open
source version and comes with added support.

The paid, premium version is great for those who need a more robust control panel for their website or
web app.

Connection to Webmin

Virtualmin is built on top of (and still integrates well with) Webmin, which we discuss immediately
below.
 Virtualmin differentiates itself from Webmin by branding itself as an option for serious system
administrators who need lots of features for managing their infrastructure.

Virtualmin stands out by supporting features not typically found in control panels, such as:

• LDAP and two-factor authentication

• Command line management
• Advanced access controls

Other stand-out features in Virtualmin include:

• A full API
• Sysadmin-friendly default settings
• Auditing
• Robust security

Webmin

Strictly speaking, Webmin is not like a control panel when it comes to the features offered — it is
actually a server sys admin tool for managing servers.

However, we thought it would be useful to mention Webmin, especially if you grow to the point
where you are managing multiple servers for your website or web app. Though Webmin was once
available only on *nix systems, it can now be installed on Windows servers as well.

Though there is a single software developer who created and manages Webmin, Webmin is based on
modules, which makes it easy to customize the product to suit your needs.

Furthermore, anyone who wants to create a module can do so.

WHM

WHM, like Webmin, is a multi-server management tool used by admins (and sometimes resellers) to
manage hosting accounts on a web server.

You should also know that WHM is a sister product to cPanel.

While cPanel focuses on the client-side functionality (that is, those needed to manage the website),
WHM focuses more on server-side features and functionality.

If you use WHM, you will likely be using it in conjunction with cPanel.
How to Create and Connect to an Email Account

Last modified: November 16, 2021

Overview
This document explains how to create an email account and connect to it.

Create email account

To quickly create a new email account, perform the following steps:
1. Navigate to the cPanel’s Email Accounts interface (cPanel >> Home >> Email >> Email
Accounts).
 2. Click Create. A new interface will appear.

3. Enter a new email address in the Username text box.

4. In the Password section, enter a secure password in the Password text box.
5. Click Create to create the account.

For more options and information about this interface, read our Create an Email
Account documentation.

Use Webmail to check your account

To check your email account through Webmail, perform the following steps:
 1. Navigate to https://example.com:2096 in your preferred browser, where example.com represents
your domain name.
2. Enter the username part of your email address in the Email Address text box (for
example, username for the username@example.com address).
3. Enter your password in the Password text box.
4. Click Log in.
For more information, read our The Webmail Interface documentation.

Configure a device to check your email

To set up an iOS® or Android™ device to check your email, read our How to Set Up a cPanel Email
Account for iOS® and Android™ documentation. It includes helpful steps and screenshots that will
walk you through the process.

Configure a client to check your email

cPanel provides configuration scripts for many popular mail clients.
1. Navigate to the cPanel’s Email Accounts interface (cPanel >> Home >> Email >> Email
Accounts).
2. Click Connect Devices.
3. Locate the mail client you will be using in the Application section of the Mail Client
Automatic Configuration Scripts section.
4. Review the system’s instructions, then click Proceed to continue. The system will then
attempt to download the script. If it prompts you to open, run, or save the script file,
select Run or Open to continue.
5. The system may ask if you are sure you want to install the script file.
Select Continue or Yes to continue the installation.
6. The system may prompt you for the email account’s password. Enter the password and
click Install.
7. When you complete the process, your mail client will open and log in to your email account.
If your account has a lot of email, it will take a while to download and synchronize.
If your mail client does not appear in the list, read the Mail Client Manual Settings section of our Set
Up Mail Client documentation.

Set up your calendar and contacts

To set up calendars and contacts on MacOS® or iOS®, read our How to Set Up Calendars and
Contacts documentation.

Remove access to email

To disable access to email, remove the account from the device that is accessing the email. If you do
not have access to the device, change the password to the email account using the Security section of
cPanel’s Manage Email Accounts interface (cPanel >> Home >> Email >> Email accounts >>
Manage).

Additional Documentation
 What is an FTP client?
To understand FTP clients, let’s first discuss FTP. The File Transfer Protocol (or FTP for short) is a
network protocol for transferring files over the internet. FTP can be very useful for website owners, as
it lets you upload website files from your personal device to your hosting server.

For example, say you have a version of your website saved locally on your computer, such as a
backup or a local test site. FTP is a way of sending these files straight to your server so you can
publish them. WordPress users can also take advantage of FTP for uploading theme and plugin files
downloaded from third-party sources.

In order to send files from a computer to a web server via FTP, website owners use an FTP client. An
FTP client is an application on your computer that connects you to remote servers through FTP and
other protocols. An FTP client provides an environment in which you can upload files to a server,
download files from a server to your device, and view and manage files stored on your web server.

Many FTP clients allow you to do other things too, like connect to cloud storage platforms (i.e.
Dropbox and Google Drive), edit files located on a server without needing to download them, and
logging your file upload/download history.

FTP clients can usually transfer files through protocols other than FTP as well, notably FTPS (File
Transfer Protocol Secure), which encrypts FTP transfers with the SSL/TLS protocol, and SFTP (SSH
File Transfer Protocol), a different protocol that uses secure shell for encryption. These are protocols
to look out for when reviewing FTP clients, as they ensure your file transfers are safe from theft or
unauthorized changes. When you can, use a secure transfer protocol over the comparatively insecure
FTP.

There are many FTP clients available, some free and some paid. The right FTP client will depend on
your specific needs and your operating system (OS). So, let’s review eight of the best options, broken
down by OS compatibility.

But before we continue, an important note: Always download your FTP client software from the
official product website, or from a file download service endorsed by its developers. Otherwise, you
run the risk of placing malware on your device.

Best FTP Clients for Windows and macOS

1. Cyberduck (for Windows and macOS)

2. FileZilla (for Windows and macOS)

3. WinSCP (for Windows)

4. Free FTP (for Windows)

5. CuteFTP (for Windows)

6. Transmit (for macOS)

7. ForkLift (for macOS)

8. CloudMounter (for macOS)

1. Cyberduck (for Windows and macOS)

Cyberduck is an excellent all-around FTP client for both Windows and Mac users. It’s free, easy to
pick up for new users, and supports FTP and SFTP. It also lets you connect to cloud storage services
like Amazon S3, Microsoft Azure and OneDrive, Dropbox, and Google Drive — easily and quickly
upload your files to any of these locations from one desktop app.

One feature that makes Cyberduck especially good for macOS users is its interface — the minimalist,
modern visuals are designed to blend in with macOS aesthetics, so it barely feels like you’re working
in a separate application. Plus, Cyberduck lets you drag and drop files to transfer them and can store
your passwords in your keychain. As for editing files, this FTP client integrates with most leading text
editors, giving you some flexibility with your preferred environment.

You can download Cyberduck today at no cost, but be aware that the application occasionally asks
you for donations. You can do away with these prompts by donating $10 to the developers.

Pricing: Cyberduck is free.

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2. FileZilla (for Windows and macOS)
FileZilla is another big name in the FTP client space and is endorsed by many developers for its
flexibility and support for FTP, FTPS, and SFTP. It’s even earned an endorsement from
WordPress for being free and high-quality.

FileZilla offers everything website developers need to connect with their servers. It’s built around a
two-pane display, showing local files to the left and server files to the right. To transfer, click and
drag a file from one side to the opposite. Files are easy to track down and save with the search and
bookmarking tools, and FileZilla can accommodate transfers of large files greater than four gigabytes
with minimal disruption to your workflow.

The interface may not be the sleekest, but for those who don’t care as much about aesthetics, FileZilla
can be learned quickly. And with its frequent updates, the software is continually adding new features
and fixing bugs.

One downside of FileZilla, however, is the ads. In addition to the program itself, FileZilla installs
adware on your computer without asking permission, and will run ads for other products when you
launch the program. Upgrading to FileZilla Pro (for $19.99) removes these ads.

Pricing: FileZilla is free. FileZilla Pro retails for $19.99.

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3. WinSCP (for Windows)

WinSCP is a free, open-source, Windows-only FTP client, and one of the best choices for Windows
users looking for support for FTP, SFTP, and FTPS. Currently sitting at over 150 million downloads,
WinSCP will likely meet your needs without any adware or donation prompts.

Like other FTP clients, WinSCP takes on a simple interface and divides the main window into a local
files area and a remote files area. The controls are easy to figure out, so you can start uploading and
downloading right away. Plus, the interface is customizable to a large extent, and there’s an integrated
text editor that you can use to modify files without leaving the program. Advanced users can even
take advantage of WinSCP’s scripting capabilities to automate various tasks.

Overall, many consider WinSCP to be the best free FTP client for Windows. If you prefer the
Windows OS, give this option a go.

Pricing: WinSCP is free.

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4. Free FTP (for Windows)

Free FTP is, you guessed it, a free FTP client for Windows machines. Despite being a newcomer
compared to others, Free FTP has made a name for itself as one of the best. It has support for FTP,
SFTP, and FTPS, and also handles transfers via HTTP.

Free FTP is sprinkled with many little features that make it enjoyable and efficient. It enables fast
uploads and downloads, logs all activity inside the tool, lets you bookmark files for easy access,
reports problems with clear error messages, and can zip any group of files you want for easy
archiving.

The developers of Free FTP also offer a paid version of the tool called Direct FTP. If you like the free
version, you can upgrade for $39 and get features like website preview, permissions for files and
folders, a code snippet library, and syntax highlighting to make your HTML, CSS, and PHP more
readable.

Pricing: Free FTP is free. The premium version, Direct FTP, is $39.

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5. CuteFTP (for Windows)

The first premium FTP client on our list, CuteFTP starts at $59.99 for a single license, and is a solid
pick for those looking to get a bit more from their FTP service.

Specifically, CuteFTP excels in its enhanced security and customer support. In addition to its support
for secure file transfer protocols, CuteFTP includes a built-in password manager and robust password
authentication and encryption to limit remote file access to users you trust.

And, if you prefer to talk to a representative when you need help, you can pay extra for one year of
maintenance and support. This can come in handy if you encounter technical issues and don’t have
time to sift through documentation.

Other notable pros of this tool include drag-and-drop functionality, automation for file transfers,
scheduled backups, security monitoring on transfers, and a built-in HTML editor.

Pricing: CuteFTP is available for $59.99 (with updates at $29.99 each), or for $89.99 for one year of
maintenance and support (with updates at $59.99 each).

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6. Transmit (for macOS)

FTP clients for macOS systems are harder to come by, but there are still a handful of quality choices
out there. Transmit is one such option, allowing for fast file transfers over FTP, SFTP, and FTPS.
This premium client also supports transfers with Dropbox, Google Drive, Microsoft Azure and
OneDrive, and several other leading cloud storage services.

With Transmit, you don’t need to settle for an outdated interface with excessive options. This tool
blends in with the macOS interface that you expect, and cleanly presents only its essential features.
The file viewer is intuitive, and beginners will appreciate the user-friendliness and attention to detail
that the developers have taken with the front-end.

Transmit is also notable for its speed. After many updates, the tool has optimized for faster file
searching and file transfers. If you find yourself frequently moving large files around, time saved with
this tool will make up for its cost.

Pricing: Transmit retails for $45.

7. ForkLift (for macOS)

ForkLift is another premium option for macOS that seamlessly blends into your environment and
gives you the resources you need to complete FTP and SFTP file transfers, as well as connections to
cloud services like Google Drive, Amazon S3, and Dropbox. Move your files around via drag-and-
drop inside the intuitive two-panel system, and turn on dark mode to put less strain on your eyes.

One notable unique feature of ForkLift is ForkLift Mini, which places an accessible icon in your top
menu bar and saves any of your remote connections as a disk. To upload files to your remote server,
just drag-and-drop files from Finder. It’s a super-efficient way to initiate file transfers without needing
to open the app.

Pricing: ForkLift is $29.95 for a single-user license, $49.95 for a family license, or $99.95 for a small
business license.

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8. CloudMounter (for macOS)

CloudMounter, our final macOS recommendation, syncs your cloud services to your local device as
disks. You can create network drives for popular services like Google Drive, Amazon S3, Dropbox,
OneDrive, and Backblaze. Then, when you want to upload a file, simply drag it to the appropriate
drive. This saves space on your computer and eliminates the need to install a separate app for each
service — CloudMounter Brings everything together.

This app also permits FTP, SFTP, and FTPS transfers in the same way: Create a drive for your remote
server, then click and drag to start a transfer. Transfers to all cloud services and remote servers are
encrypted, making CloudMounter a safe, lightweight, high-quality solution for website owners.

Pricing: CloudMounter retails at $44.99 for use on one device or $129.99 for use on five devices.

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The Right Tool for the Transfer

FTP is a concept that might seem abstract and unnecessary to the new website user. However, an FTP
client becomes invaluable when you need a way to send files to your server or to one of your cloud
storage solutions. Any tool that makes things easier and faster without adding too much friction is
worth it, and any of the FTP clients we’ve listed above can handle your file transfers easily, quickly,
and safely.

7 Easy Steps To Maintain Your

Website And Increase Traffic
Have you been neglecting your website lately? Chances are if you do, you’re
probably hurting your business more than you think.

Your website is an important part of your business. It represents your brand in

the online community – it’s your primary avenue to attracting new customers
and clients. In fact, having a website is often compared to having a baby. Like a
child, it requires regular care, maintenance, and overseeing. If neglected, it may
start to look unappealing and may hurt your business in the long run. Given its
accessibility, people today turn to the Internet for information when they want
to learn more about a business. This is why having a good website matters. You
need to have your name out there to gain your potential customers’ trust.

Also, there’s no guarantee that once built, people will come to your site. It takes
a lot of work to establish trust and a regular readership. You have to give it love
and make sure it runs smoothly. The following are tips that will help you
maintain your website and increase traffic:

1. Choose the right website builder

Success starts with the right foundation. The kings of old always sought out the
best builders when constructing their palaces. Thus, if you want to build a great
website, you must also find the best people for the job.
Today, there are many available website builders available on the web that will
help address your business’ needs. The only challenge is finding the right one
that will fit perfectly for your company. There are many factors when it comes
to choosing a website builder. You have to take into consideration functionality,
content management, pricing, SEO features, compatibility, and social media
integration.

It isn’t only about creating the most attractive site; creating an effective and
functional website should also be your website builder’s goal. If you’re not sure
what website builder is fitting for your business, you can check out the
following web builders reviewed by experts.

2. Update Regularly
Updating your site by posting about recent company events, promotions, or
news will make your business more likeable to your consumers. Nothing puts a
reader off more than finding your latest articles dated almost a year or six
months ago. Many times, consumers will check your website for availability.
You don’t want them to think you’ve closed your business for good. Maintain
your website to help them know that your is business up and running. If you’re
too busy and can’t do updates on a daily basis, you can choose to add content
weekly or a few times every month.

3. Give it a Makeover
People often judge a website based on its homepage and overall design. If your
website is done poorly, has many formatting and text errors, and contains
broken links, then don’t be surprised when nobody’s visiting. Sometimes,
people associate the quality of your product/service with how your site looks.
Truth be told, people will quickly exit the tab when they visit an outdated-
looking or poorly formatted website.

If you want your customers to visit your site on a daily basis, you need to work
on making your site more attractive. This includes fixing your homepage,
navigation bars, headers, logo, and images. You don’t need to spend a fortune
by including expensive designs. If your website is just starting, try to aim for a
simple layout that doesn’t look cluttered or outdated. Pick appropriate colors
and images for your posts. Create a theme fitting for your website’s product.

4. Review your content

Are you connecting to your audience effectively? How should you create your
content so that you’ll engage readers and turn them into customers? These are
just some of the questions you have to keep in mind when you have to maintain
your website’s content. Basically, your content — in the form of blog posts,
images, and videos — is your gateway to your potential customers. Before
posting, always take time to proofread. Don’t hit the publish button without
taking the time to edit and review a couple of times. When stating facts, make
sure that you’re linking to credible sources, and don’t try to sound overly salesy
and promotional – remember that your site’s content is your connection to your
valued customers.

5. Optimize Your Website for SEO

Let people find your site by optimizing it for search engines. SEO or search
engine optimization is an important process that will help deliver a consistent
flow of traffic to your site. There are many ways to optimize your site so your
consumers can easily find you. If you have a lot of time, you can learn how it’s
done and do it yourself. Many businesses nowadays are seeking the help of
SEO experts to do these things for them. It’s a worthwhile investment if you’re
looking into increasing your sales and visibility.

6. Create a Sense of Community

The internet is a rich hub of information and user opinions. People today are
more willing to share their sentiments on subjects they feel most connected
with. This is why creating a sense of community within your site is such a good
idea to acquire a regular readership. By including commenting systems with
your posts, forums, and threads, you can significantly change how customers
perceive your brand. If you take a look into the some of the most traffic-rich
websites, you’ll see that they have a healthy comment section — and, more
importantly, the owner participates in the discussion. By actively taking part in
conversations and giving even just a little of your time to answer your
consumers’ questions, you can maintain your website’s credibility.

7. Use Social Media

Sometimes, it’s not enough to simply “hang out” on your website. You need to
go beyond the borders of your domain. You have to reach other people to make
sales! Using social media is often a cited solution when it comes to finding a
way to promote your website for free! Social media is known as a top traffic
source for many websites. It’s even believed to be more valuable than direct
traffic and results from search engines. So connect, follow, and share a lot! Let
the world know how awesome your website is through social media.