'Net Features : 1&1 Internet

1&1 Dynamic Cloud Server Enhances Scalability for SMBs

Michael Garrity — Mon, 06 May 2013 19:10:00 GMT

Web hosting company 1&1 Internet recently upgraded its 1&1 Dynamic Cloud Server that will make the solution more flexible and cost efficient.

The biggest change to the server is an increased focus on scalability that allows it to meet a customer’s performance requirements at any time. This is primarily through the inclusion of dynamically adjustable resources, including Processor Cores (vCore), RAM (GB) and Hard Disk Space (GB) that can be configured up or down by the users, themselves.

In addition, 1&1 Dynamic Cloud Server customers can add up to 99 virtual machines (as required) without migration under a single contract, as the new updates come with no fixed contract, at all; instead, costs are dependent upon the configuration in place, so users only pay for the resources they require and use. There are no basic fees, setup fees, minimum contract terms or transparency of per-hour costs.

All servers are available in both Linux and Windows configurations, which are installed automatically, and include full root access, 2000 GB of traffic, unlimited on-demand Snapshot Backups, Parallels Plesk 11 and a $60 starting credit; they also come with fail-safe security through redundant cores and storage.

These changes to the 1&1 Dynamic Cloud Server give small and medium-sized businesses the opportunity to leverage high performance for just short periods of time, while only paying for the actual requirements they use.

Why Green Hosting Matters

Administrator — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 21:34:00 GMT

By Kelly Meeneghan, Manager, 1&1 Internet, Inc.

When it comes to the level of technical support needed to maintain a fully functional website, not many people consider the impact it has on the environment. Just one website requires an entire server to be running 24 hours per day, seven days per week while housed and secured in a large data center. With more than 100,000 websites created each day, it is no wonder why the concept of ‘Green Hosting’ is attracting so much attention in the industry.

Hosting companies should take their carbon footprint very seriously and execute steps to ensure they are operating with green energy, while providing eco-friendly technology to its users. Understanding the inherent need for significant energy conservation encourages the company to continue protecting the environment as much as possible.

While this green mindset is a great strategy for hosts, customers are also benefiting from these initiatives. By supporting a sustainable environment, they are implementing a strong marketing strategy. For example, if a consumer is comparison-shopping between two similar businesses, environmentally conscious characteristics can be the deciding factor. Taking this information, hosts have developed logos for customers to include on their websites communicating that they are “Powered by Green Hosting.” Using this tool to generate a positive reputation helps to draw more profits and gain credibility as a business.

What was once an industry uninformed about its energy consumption is now one Whythat has actively started to adopt different resource methods to minimize the impact on the environment. A popular strategy for the hosting industry has become the implementation of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) to offset the amount of energy consumed with reusable energy powered by wind, sun, water or biogas. Partnering with organizations like the Bonneville Environmental Foundation allows for the simple purchasing of these RECs for larger organizations.

Solutions for offsetting energy use is a significant element for a green hosting strategy, yet Web professionals should also investigate all of the green efforts a company makes. Implementation of paperless billing to save trees and operating with highly efficient power supplies resulting in less than 20 percent heat loss, are all aspects of a truly green organization.

Every year, additional developments and innovations are emerging to offer alternative solutions for energy usage. The rise of cloud technology and for example, things like dual hosting services, are both making Web hosts more conscience of what may be their lasting mark on their surroundings. Though, these technologies require more resources in order to sustain a strong, reliable service, implementing these special means to counteract the environmental impact is worth the effort and is taken seriously throughout the hosting industry.

About the Author

Kelly Meeneghan is a manager for 1&1 Internet, Inc. (www.1and1.com). As a global leader among Web hosts, 1&1 provides businesses with the tools necessary to get online and be successful. Meeneghan is also a regular contributor for WebsiteMagazine.

Videos, Brochures and Surveys Added to 1&1 MyWebsite Package

Allison Howen — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 19:05:00 GMT

Popular Web hosting provider, 1&1, has launched a new set of inclusive features for its MyWebsite package, which aim to enhance the appearance and capability of small business websites.

The new tools enable users to add video, brochure and online survey functionality to their websites. For example, the new Video Maker tool allows users to create audio-visual material that can be published on sites for a more influential sales approach. With the tool, users can create a video from up to 20 images, and have the ability to add royalty-free music to the video to accompany the images.

Moreover, 1 &1 has launched a brochure app, which can be helpful in assisting consumers with their search for products or services. With this tool, users can combine images and text to create a 32 page PDF brochure that can be viewed, saved, printed or shared from the business’s website.

Lastly, 1 &1 is launching an online survey tool that will be available in April. This app allows users to create and embed surveys directly within their company’s homepage. The tool comes with a variety of survey templates that can be edited and customized. Additionally, a report of the survey results is provided online or emailed to the business owner in either PDF, Word, Powerpoint or Excel formats.

The Low-Down on Domain Names

Administrator — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 19:00:00 GMT

By Kelly Meeneghan, Manager, 1&1 Internet, Inc.

For any business, having a clear address to your physical location is imperative to ensure that your current and potential customers/clients can find you. This accessibility ultimately leads to an increase in both clientele and sales. The same goes for the Internet. It's now common knowledge that in order for a business to succeed, you must create an effective online presence. The first step to accomplish this feat is to start with a domain name, a virtual address, with which the public can use to find a business on the Web.

A domain name is the sequence of letters after a “www.” through the “.com/.net/etc” of a URL. Representing an Internet Protocol (IP) resource, a domain can be associated with the personal computer used to access the Internet, the server computer that is hosting a website or the website itself. Put simply, this name replaces the use of overly complicated and detailed technical codes, which are assigned to every space on the Internet. Without a domain name, no one will be able to find and view a website, directly entering domain names is in fact the fastest and most convenient way for people to discover a business.

As you decide to venture into the online world, choosing an effective domain name should be top priority. Understanding how computers read domains can help guide you through the process of choosing the most appropriate and effective domain. It is useful to know that domains are organized by the Internet from right to left, the opposite of how we normally read.

Therefore, the first section you come upon is the top-level domain (TLD), or domain extension, which identifies the purpose and mission of the website. For example, in 1and1.com, .com is the TLD. In fact, it is a gTLD (general top-level domain), which illustrates that it is available for world-wide registration regardless of citizenship, residence or age. Most commonly used, .com is often the first gTLD that businesses consider. Though a smart decision due to its popularity, we encourage businesses to evaluate the potential effectiveness of the other gTLDs. For example, .org extensions are best utilized by non-profit organizations while .name’s are adopted by personal pages. Some businesses prefer .biz to illustrate its professionalism and those that have optimized their website for mobile viewing must use .mobi. Each holds their own purpose and is chosen at the discretion of its owner. By specifying your type of business through the domain extension, you can create a greater impression on visitors rather than misleading them by selecting an inappropriate domain.

Taking TLDs a step further, there are ccTLDs (country code top-level domains), which are assigned to specific countries and are not available to everyone. Such domains include .us for the United States, .de for Germany and .es for Spain, to name a few. The purpose of ccTLDs is to encourage local businesses to identify themselves as a business of that country. Specifying the country of residence within the TLD can help businesses better target their local audiences more directly. Each country has their own registration restrictions. Therefore, be sure to understand these guidelines before making an investment in the domain.

Next, the section to the left of the TLD is considered the domain. Some businesses wish to showcase the official business name, well-known slogan, industry or location through their domain. Though all can be good ideas, 1&1 suggests that the business chooses to feature the official business name. This keeps it simple for you and your visitors to remember and not hinder their potential return to the site in the future. If the name is not available with the desired TLD, like .com, consider an alternative TLD before changing the domain name. Perhaps a .org or .biz TLD will be suitable and therefore you can keep the unique domain.

Once a domain name is decided, it needs to be registered with a domain registrar. This grants you the right to use the domain but it does not assign you legal ownership. Different TLDs and registrars may list domains at different price points, so be sure to shop around to find one you are comfortable with. Once completed, you are ready to begin designing your website.

About the Author: Kelly Meeneghan is a manager for 1&1 Internet, Inc. (www.1and1.com). As a global leader among Web hosts, 1&1 provides businesses with the tools necessary to get online and be successful. Meeneghan also wrote the contributor piece, Ditch Your Yellow Pages, for WebsiteMagazine.com.