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WHMCS Billing System

If you’re looking for a billing system which is easy to use, WHMCS would be your one of the choice to take into consideration. It’s really have a simple setup, and once you’ve set it up, all packages are quite easy to maintain. WHMCS follow the industry standard, and uses the smarty template system, and it’s usually just as simple as changing the header and footer files. WHMCS isn’t limited to just web hosting, You can even sell all kinds of tangiable or intangiable products and services and add configurable options for dedicated servers and custom fields for additional data. It is best billing & support solution for Web Hosts & Other Online Businesses. Some of the feature here which make it obviously a powerful billing system.

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* Easy to Use Client Area with Integrated Support Tools
* Fully Customisable Client Area with a Powerful Templating System
* Development Kits, Action Hooks & an API for integrating & extending
* Automatic invoice generation x days before items are due, reminders and overdue notices all automated
* Ability to create one-off invoices - ideal for web design/consultancy firms
* Automated Recurring Billing & Simple One Time Invoicing
* Flexible Product Options, Custom Welcome Emails, Fields & Options
* Automated Hosting/Domain Provisioning & Management
* Payment Tracking, Accounting Features & Statistical Report
* Automated Recurring Credit Card Billing
* 3D Secure (Verified by Visa & Mastercard SecureCode) for gateways that support it (ProtX & Quantum Gateway)
* PDF Invoicing Support
* Automated credits on overpayments and application to invoices
* Account Prefunding Option for Clients
* Clients can order upgrades/downgrades to their products & services from the client area
* Promotions support both one time & recurring, fixed value or percentage incentives
* Offer Free Domains when bought in conjunction with certain packages/billing cycles
* Tax Support with ability for Multiple Tax Zones & Tax Exemptions

I have covered most of the important features above however their feature is not limited to this, to check more about their feature and support tools you may wish to check their main website.

Managed Dedicated Server Hosting

Since there is no exact term to classify Managed  Web Hosting, however for few web hosting providers usually define it either fully managed those having a web based control panel while others describe it as having dedicated system admin available 24×7 to handle all server and network related functions or any technical issue;

 On the basis of above state of affairs the Server management can incorporate some or all of the following functionalities:

 * Server Monitoring

* Security Audits

* Backups and Restoration

* Disaster Recovery

* DNS Hosting

* Load Balancing

* Database Administration

* Performance Tuning

* DDOS Protection and Mitigation

* Software Installation, Configuration

* Intrusion Detection

* User Management

* Programming Consultation

* SNMP Hardware Monitoring

* Application Monitoring

* Technical Support

* Firewall Services

* Anti-Virus Updates

* Operating System Updates

* Application Updates

 Dedicated hosting server providers differentiate themselves by their level of administration and management of hosting service. However fully managed in comparison could make the clients fully unstressed.

 Administrative perpetuation of the operating system, regularly include software upgrades, security patches. Depending on the hosting management team it may include services like adding users, domains, installation of software and upgrade, software updates, reboots, security patches and operating system upgrades and custom programming. While simple “Managed”  seems to includes intermediate level of management such as limited amount of support, monitoring, updates and rest task might be performed by clients themselves. I have no idea about the unmanaged hosting service though; J

Email forwarders in cPanel based hosting

Email forwarders are the service by which an e-mail messages are resent from a certain account to another account  like for Example: you have created info@yourdomain.com, sales@yourdomain.com, etc. but you would like to get all the e-mails going to one and the same e-mail box like for example to bob@yourdomain.com. Forwarders are normally used in case where mail piping is being used; this is when the email that is received by the alias is parsered by a script, and then added into a database, this will execute the program every time an email arrives for a predetermined recipient.

Typically the Email forwarders are used in a mid-size  businesses, where you want the emails of several different addresses to be forwarded to one real email address so that all the emails reach to the same imbox.  You may also need email forwarder especially if  you are running several different companies and would like to get all queries like email of support,  billing and sales departments to be delivered to the three categorized email inboxes,  this save your time since you’re not worry about to check individual email account.

However it is important to make sure that the email address and configration used correctly otherwise you could end up forwarding all your private and confidential emails to someone else account.  Also you should use a secured script to parser the emails and enter the correct location and command to make sure that the emails are forwarded and parsered and not just discarded by unspecefinc reason. The email forwarder significantly can help you to synchronize your email in one place and save your time drastically. Most of the web hosting company provide this feature with their hosting package.

Fantastico-cPanel Web Management Tools

Fantastico is great tools that comes with cPanel control panel, it is built up with commercial script library which automates the installation of web applications to a website. Fantastico scripts are executed from the admin area of a website control panel, it is popular tools  of its type, Most of the Web Site Hosting companies provide Fantastico with cPanel add-ons.

The fantastico scripts are usually executed when a new website is created, or a new application is added to an existing website or you can install wordpress through fantastico. Fantastico create tables in a database, install software, adjust permissions, and modify web server configuration files. Fantastico is typically colloboration  with few open-source software, it contains a number of programs that can help you form a basic website easily.

Fantastico’s contains a number of program directory by which you can use Fantastico to help get your website started, or to even help improve it,  for example you can install a blog, wiki, photo sharing site, shopping cart software or a content management system and as well you can be able to install a forum or bulletin board through Fantastico.

It significantly helps you to start building up the contents of your website with easy steps. You can be also able to edit and delete the content if needed depending on your specific requirement.

Working with fantastico is very easy, even it can be performed nicely by novices without the need of any assistance.

Hosting for Ecommerce Website

E-Commerce web Hosting refers to the web hosting for an integrated Storefront ( ecommerce web site web application) or an Auction web site that run an online business with real-time credit card processing and secure online transactions.

E-commerce Hosting Checklist:

While looking for ecommerce web hosting you should make sure that the host providers provide you a absolute web hosting solution for online businesses that cover major part of your requirement like the tools to handle online sales. Such as payment gateways, SSL (Secure Socket Layer), database support, secure transactions.
Check here the key consideration of the point while selecting a web hosting companies for your E-Commerce website:
* Unique IP address: You must ask for at least 2 unique IP for your website, best to go for dedicated hosting. You will also need POP-3 email addresses, aliases and free forwarding and auto responder.
* SSL: Your web hosting server should support SSL secure servers (128 bit) encryption since E-Commerce web site require payment transaction.
* Fast Internet Connection: Make sure that the server is hosted on fast data center.
* Make sure your host must have knowledgeable and experienced tech staff to handle any unforeseen problem.
* Data backup: Your hosting plan must provide daily backup that should be included in your plan, also make sure SSI and Custom error page should be included in the hosting plan
* Server Uptime: Give priority to the web hosting companies that provide you 99.99% uptime and fast network since your business depends on uptime.
* Check your hosting plan should include Java Servlet support CGI-Perl/PHP Support:
* Database Support: Check the database like MySQL should be included with the comprehensive package.
* Make sure that your web host providers offer you 24×7 technical support since you may need their support round the clock as and when required.