{"id":4526,"date":"2024-08-04T20:27:27","date_gmt":"2024-08-04T20:27:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stonetechhost.com\/blog\/?p=4526"},"modified":"2024-08-05T01:17:45","modified_gmt":"2024-08-05T01:17:45","slug":"web-hosting-cheat-sheet-for-new-website-owners","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stonetechhost.com\/blog\/guide\/web-hosting-cheat-sheet-for-new-website-owners\/","title":{"rendered":"Web Hosting Cheat Sheet for New Website Owners"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When it comes to having a website, there are a few tips and tricks that you need to know about. Managing your website isn\u2019t simply sharing the URL and hoping someone clicks on adverts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plenty of work goes into running a website, such as hosting. Even more so if it\u2019s well managed. Most users won\u2019t ever have to worry about CPU loads or which version of PHP they are running, but there are still a few important things to keep in mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Below is a range of basic hosting tips and tricks that you should take note of.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Changing Account Usernames and Passwords<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When signing up for a new hosting package, your host should provide you with the account, FTP, and email details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All of these need to be kept somewhere safe and secure, which shouldn\u2019t need to be said. If those details got into the wrong hands, it could spell trouble for the website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more insights on creating a secure password, you can refer to our blog post on why \u201cpassword\u201d isn\u2019t a secure password<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Note<\/h4><\/span><\/div>
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When changing your passwords, be sure to choose a strong password<\/a> that can\u2019t be easily guessed or hacked.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

If you don\u2019t like the details you\u2019re given and prefer to change the email address or password, your hosting package comes with all of the tools needed to accommodate that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, if you\u2019d like to change email-related details, look for the \u201cEmail<\/strong>\u201d heading in cPanel. Then click on \u201cEmail Accounts<\/strong>\u201d in order to change all of your details, including the maximum size for your mailbox.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other details can be changed through your website\u2019s hosting account. For any queries on this, make sure to contact the host\u2019s support department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You Can Easily Install Website Software<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Running a successful website often means integrating a variety of software applications, such as those for blogging, e-commerce, or even a forum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yet if you\u2019re picturing days spent grappling with FTP file uploads and struggling with database configurations, rest assured \u2013 this isn\u2019t how it has to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most modern hosting providers prioritise ease of use. They often feature tools like Fantastico or Softaculous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These programs are software powerhouses designed to install common website applications for you. This does wonders in reducing the technical hurdle associated with setting up essential software components.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To take advantage of this, all you need to do is log into your cPanel account and seek out the \u201cSoftware<\/strong>\u201d heading. Within this section, you\u2019ll find the \u201cSoftaculous Apps Installer<\/strong>\u201c. This handy tool provides an array of software applications that your site can benefit from.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Start by selecting the software you\u2019d like to install, and then simply follow the guided steps. Softaculous will take care of the technical details, such as creating the necessary folders and establishing your software\u2019s database.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your main role in the installation process is to provide some basic details as prompted by the installer. In just minutes, you can have a new functionality-rich website ready to go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Harness the benefits of these built-in software installers, and give your website the functionality it needs, all without touching a line of code.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Creating Sub-Domains<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There may be occasions where your online platform isn\u2019t merely offering a singular service. Perhaps your digital enterprise involves an e-commerce store that sells a wide variety of products like food, shoes, electronics, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In these cases, it might be useful to consider creating sub-domains \u2013 fledgling websites under the wings of your main domain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sub-domains give you the flexibility of possessing individualised URLs for your different offerings, while still keeping everything under the umbrella of your primary domain name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, you might run a primary site at \u2018yoursite.com<\/strong>\u2018, but have a dedicated subdomain for your food segment accessible at \u2018food.yoursite.com<\/strong>\u2018.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Creating a sub-domain is a direct and uncomplicated process. First, you\u2019ll need to log into your cPanel account. Once there, look for the \u201cDomains<\/strong>\u201d section and choose the \u201cSubdomains<\/strong>\u201d option. This is where you can create a new subdomain by entering the desired name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you create a new subdomain, it forms its own directory for you to install the necessary software. This allows each of your sub-domains to function according to their unique needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, while your main site might operate using WordPress, your new subdomain could take advantage of the e-commerce capabilities of Opencart. This design flexibility is one of the main reasons to consider the use of sub-domains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Domain Redirects<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re the owner of multiple domains, but operate just a single website, there\u2019s a way to make all of those domains point to your main site. This practice, known as domain redirection, is quite straightforward to set up. Besides, it\u2019s one of the many tasks you can easily carry out through cPanel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First things first, log into your cPanel account. Then look out for the section labeled \u201cDomains<\/strong>\u201c. Inside this, you\u2019ll find the \u201cRedirects<\/strong>\u201d option. This is your one-stop resource for setting up domain redirects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once you\u2019re in the \u201cRedirects<\/strong>\u201d interface, you can define a few parameters. You can specify which of your owned domains need to be redirected and where they should be redirected to. It\u2019s important to note that you can only redirect domains that you actually own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Setting up domain redirects is an ideal way to maximise the effectiveness of your online presence, allowing visitors to reach your main website regardless of which of your domains they\u2019ve entered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s a convenient way to bring all your online traffic under one roof. So, explore this cPanel feature and let all roads lead to your main website!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Split Domain and Hosting Across Companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While putting all your digital assets under one roof is generally recommended \u2013 for convenience and ease of management \u2013 there are situations where you might choose to have your domain registered with one company and your hosting provided by another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The possibility of this setup does indeed exist, and it can come with its own set of advantages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, you may prefer the domain services of one provider because of their superior customer service or domain management features, while another provider impresses you with their robust and affordable hosting packages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you decide to purchase a new hosting package with such an arrangement in mind, the provider will usually ask if you wish to use a domain you already own as part of the setup process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once you\u2019ve confirmed your interest and completed the purchase, they will promptly send you detailed instructions on how to link your domain to their hosting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, it\u2019s worth noting that this arrangement may come with its own share of administrative dilemmas. There might be technical adjustments to make and additional settings to tweak, which can add a bit to your plate, especially if you\u2019re not naturally tech-savvy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In such a situation, an alternative solution would be to transfer your domain to the new hosting provider altogether. This way, you can simplify the process and have all your website-related services managed in one place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before making this decision, ensure you understand the transfer process, associated costs, and any potential downtime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Moving Website Hosts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019ve got a hosting account already but want to move providers, it\u2019s going to require a bit of legwork. It\u2019s not just about purchasing a new account and having the new host take over the domain. What happens to all of your actual website data?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When moving to a new host there\u2019s a good chance that the company won\u2019t help you transfer all of the data over and it\u2019ll be up to you. You\u2019ll need to back up all of your website\u2019s data and its databases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In order to do this, log into cPanel, look for the \u201cFiles<\/strong>\u201d section, and click on \u201cBackup<\/strong>\u201d. From here you\u2019ll be able to download everything in easy .zip files.

This process may seem daunting, but it is absolutely manageable when you understand the steps involved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more detailed guidance on this topic, check out our informative blog post on Moving Your Data To a New Server<\/a>. This piece provides a comprehensive overview of the process and will certainly give you the confidence to tackle this task on your own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As you can see, cPanel is an incredibly powerful tool to help make running your website easier. Besides the features listed in this article, it can also monitor website traffic, storage space, and a range of other features. Have a look around and you may just be surprised.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When it comes to having a website, there are a few tips and tricks that you need to know about. Managing your website isn\u2019t simply sharing the URL and hoping someone clicks on adverts. Plenty of work goes into running a website, such as hosting. Even more so if it\u2019s well managed. Most users won\u2019t […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4529,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"mc4wp_mailchimp_campaign":[],"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4526","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-guide"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/stonetechhost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/image.png?fit=1792%2C1024&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/stonetechhost.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4526","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/stonetechhost.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/stonetechhost.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stonetechhost.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stonetechhost.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4526"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/stonetechhost.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4526\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4576,"href":"https:\/\/stonetechhost.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4526\/revisions\/4576"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stonetechhost.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4529"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/stonetechhost.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4526"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stonetechhost.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4526"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stonetechhost.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4526"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}