GET ANSWERS TO YOUR WEB HOSTING QUESTIONS - HOSTING24
Most frequent questions and answers
In order for your website visitors to see your website when come to your domain, you will need to ensure that your domain and website are linked. You are able to accomplish this by pointing your domain name to your website.
This refers to the process of booking a domain in advance. Usually, when setting up or building a website you would want to register a domain. Thereafter, you would point the domain you have registered to a website so the website will appear when users visit your domain.
Shared hosting allows a number of websites to use a single server. Normally, you will have no clue what websites you are sharing a server with. Each client will have a limited amount of server space they are able to use, but this is defined by your domain registration packages in Johannesburg.
Knowing how many users are visiting your website daily assists you to evaluate your content and allows you to calculate the revenue your website is generating through leads and sales. While you are able to use a tool in your cPanel interface, setting up a Google Analytics account will give you more access to detailed data about your website visitors.
SSL, which stands for Secure Sockets Layer, is a security technology for determining the encrypted link between the client and the website. This allows for sensitive information to be transferred securely. SSL secures thousands of people, specifically during online purchases or when submitting confidential information.
- Shared web hosting packages normally come with a built-in cPanel, making it simple to manage your website.
- This is an affordable hosting solution in South Africa.
- Most hosting companies have a variety of hosting packages available, so you are able to hosting package at any time.
- You are not required to do any technical maintenance on your end to the server, this is usually included in hosting packages in South Africa.
Your hosting company will monitor your bandwidth usage. When your bandwidth usage is almost near the allocated cap, you will be informed and an upgrade will be recommended. It is important for your hosting company to make sure and check before your website goes down due to this issue.
A dedicated server is a single computer that is used to serve the needs of one network. It is the rental and exclusive use of a computer that is dedicated to attending to the needs of that specific business.
Yes, Hosting 24 encompasses an improved user interface that is comprehensively integrated with CPanel. Hosting 24 provides assistance towards new domain registration services, domain transfers, SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificates – for that extra layer of protection, as well as a few other hosting features such as multiple email accounts, variable server disk space, sequential databases, etc.
All Hosting 24s hosting accounts employs CPanel which is the industry’s leading control panel and offers an abundant online environment where one can manage their web hosting. From email account creation, website maintenance, 3rd party software installations (such as WordPress and Drupal), Hosting 24 can do it all.
Yes. Users have full control over all facets of their accounts, including installing software. Software that is installed that isn’t included as part of the basic hosting plan will encompass the client’s own functionality and as a result, may not be directly supported by our technical support staff.
However, we do offer support for Perl, PHP, MySQL, WordPress, and a few other programming languages.
Lastly, Hosting 24 is constantly developing new and innovative software applications that can be installed automatically via the control panel at any moment in time.
- What is Perl?
Practical Extraction and Report Language), or Perl is a software encoding and programming language designed for processing scripts. Due to its strong script processing abilities, Perl has evolved into one of the most commonly used languages for transcribing CGI scripts. Perl is an explanatory language, which makes building and testing simple programs easier. - What is PHP?PHP (Hypertext Pre-processor), is an HTML-embedded scripting language, that lets users create dynamic and process-driven webpages by running on the server side. By running on the server on which the site’s web content is hosted, it allows the clients-side (end-user) to use fewer resources and processing power via their web browsers. It is an open-source and cross-platform scripting language and this, among many other reasons, is the reason that PHP is such a popular and widespread web development language. PHP-enabled webpages are used in the same way as regular HTML pages, in fact, they are almost always used in conjunction with one another. Users of PHP can create and edit content in almost exactly the same way one would typically create regular HTML pages except for the fact that the PHP script will always run on the server itself and hence cannot be viewed through a web browser such as HTML can.
- What is MySQL, MS (Microsoft) SQL Server, and MS Access database systems? Databases are used for collecting and arranging data for ease and speed of searches and retrievals.MySQL is an open-source database management system that allows for sequential databases with multiple data manipulation facets. MySQL is the most popular form of database system as it is free to use and is the data backbone of many 3rd party software frameworks. From WordPress to Open Cart, its usages are widespread and dominant in the database world. Databases are also used to house and access data to front a wide variety of sites. When using any of the mentioned database systems, it is very important to note the type of hosting package that will support the specific databases.For example, Windows Server/IIS-run websites (usually built in .asp, VB, .aspx, or similar) will always make use of an MSSQL database, which is a database management system made by Microsoft.
Linux/CentosOS-hosted websites (usually developed in . PHP, HTML, C#, or similar) will make use of a MySQL database and phpMyAdmin.
Answer: Virtual Private Server (VPS) hosting at Hosting 24 provides dedicated resources on a virtualized server environment, offering more control and scalability compared to shared hosting packages. It’s ideal for businesses needing more robust hosting solutions in Johannesburg.
Answer: Yes, at Hosting 24 in Johannesburg, we offer domain privacy protection as part of our domain registration packages. This ensures your personal information remains private in the WHOIS database.
Answer: A website builder is a tool that allows users to create websites without manual coding. At Hosting 24, we offer an easy-to-use website builder included in our web hosting packages. It’s perfect for creating professional websites quickly and efficiently.
Answer: Managing email accounts associated with your domain is simple with Hosting 24’s hosting services in Johannesburg. You can create and manage email accounts through our user-friendly control panel, available with all hosting solutions.
Answer: At Hosting 24, we prioritize website security with SSL certificates, firewalls, malware scanning, and regular security updates included in our hosting packages. This ensures your website hosted in South Africa remains secure against cyber threats.
Answer: Yes, you can host multiple domains on Hosting 24’s hosting packages in South Africa. Depending on the package, you can manage and host multiple domains and websites from a single account, making it cost-effective and convenient.
- Register your site on the Hosting 24 web page, this will indicate if the entered domain name has already been registered or not.
- Contact the Client Services department and speak to consultant.
- Email the Client Services department and ask for assistance with the registration.
- Visit .co.za OR whois.com and look for the WhoIs option.
Once the domain has been registered/transferred and all outstanding payments have been made, registrants will have access to their web space, administration panels, and email facilities.
Both POP (Post Office Protocol) and IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) allow users access to their email from a remote server; however, that is where most similarities end.
POP simply downloads email to your computer, and usually (but not always) deletes the email from the remote server.
IMAPallows users to store their email on remote servers. This two-way protocol also allows the user to synchronise their email among multiple devices, which is extremely important today, when most people have at least two devices – a laptop and a smartphone.
IMAP and POPare the technologies that enable users to download email messages directly to their computer or device and allow access to these emails via an email program such as MS Outlook, Mozilla Thunderbird or Mail for Mac.
The chief advantage of email programs is that the popular ones offer users more features than just looking at emails on the internet.
The biggest difference between IMAP and POP is that IMAP always synchronises with the BT mail server, so that any changes made to the email program will also appear in the webmail Inbox. So if users are frequently going to use webmail and an email client, we’d recommend employing IMAP.
With POP, email client accounts and mail servers are not synchronised. Meaning that any changes made to email account in the email program used will NOT be transferred to your webmail Inbox.
So, if IMAP is used and mark a mail as “read”, it also gets marked as read in the webmail Inbox. This won’t occur with POP, for, in this instance, emails are downloaded to the device and any alterations made on the device will not be reproduced on the BT mail server.
All email settings including incoming/outgoing servers and ports to be used, even a few client auto-config files for Mac, Outlook, etc., can also be found in CPanel under the Email Accounts, Setup Mail Client option. It’s that simple.
Web hosting is a service that allows you to store your website’s files, data, and content on a server that is connected to the internet. This enables your website to be accessible to users worldwide. Web hosting providers like Hosting24 offer various hosting plans that cater to different needs, such as shared hosting, VPS (virtual private server) hosting, and dedicated hosting. With Hosting24, email creation and storage is included with the web hosting package.
To transfer your domain to Hosting24, you need to follow these general steps:
- Unlock your domain at the current registrar.
- Obtain the domain’s transfer authorisation or EPP code.
- Initiate the domain transfer process through Hosting24 or your registrar.
- Provide the necessary information and EPP code.
- Pay any applicable transfer fees.
- Wait for the transfer to complete, which might take a few days.
Yes, you can point your new domain to your existing website. This is typically done by updating the new domain’s DNS (domain name system) settings to match your current website’s settings. This process ensures that when users enter your new domain in their browser, they are directed to your existing website’s content.
If you’ve registered a domain name but have changed your mind, you can usually contact your domain registrar to inquire about cancellation or refund options. Keep in mind that some registrars might have specific terms and conditions regarding refunds or cancellations.
You usually need to pay for your domain name at the time of registration. Most domain registrars offer options to register a domain for one year or longer, and you will need to renew your registration annually to keep the domain active.
Hosting24 offers the flexibility to upgrade or downgrade your hosting package anytime. However, the specifics can vary based on the terms of your current plan.
If you’re not planning to use your domain name for a period, you can either keep it registered and inactive or consider placing a temporary webpage with information about its future use. Keeping your domain registered and renewed is essential to ensure you don’t lose ownership of it.
Yes, some domain contact information is publicly accessible through a domain’s WHOIS record. This includes the domain owner’s name, email address, and other contact details. However, many registrars offer privacy protection services that allow you to hide your personal information from public view and replace it with proxy contact details.
eCommerce, short for electronic commerce, refers to the buying and selling goods and services over the internet. It involves online transactions, where customers can browse products, add items to their cart, make payments, and have their purchases shipped or delivered digitally. eCommerce encompasses various businesses, from online stores to digital marketplaces.
Integrating eCommerce on your website can open new revenue streams and expand your business reach. An online store allows you to reach customers globally, operate 24/7, and offer a convenient shopping experience. ECommerce can help you cater to a broader audience and increase sales potential, whether you’re selling physical products, digital goods, or services.
Hosting24 offers comprehensive web hosting services that typically include:
- Storage space for website files and data.
- Bandwidth to handle website traffic.
- Domain registration or integration.
- Email hosting with customisable mailboxes.
- Database support.
- Security features like secure sockets layer (SSL) certificates.
- Technical support.
- Control panel for managing your hosting account.
You can upload your site content using a file transfer protocol (FTP) client, cPanel, or a file manager provided by Hosting24. Instructions are typically provided in your hosting account’s control panel. You can also use website builders or content management systems (CMS) to create and manage your site’s content.
Yes, Hosting24 supports popular web scripts and CMS platforms like Joomla, WordPress, and DotNetNuke. You can easily install and manage these scripts using one-click installers available in your hosting account.
Name-based hosting refers to when hosting sites mutually use a single IP address, with site traffic directed by the server to the appropriate hosting account by scrutinising ‘host headers’.
IP-based hosting accounts come with a distinctive IP address that is not shared with anyone else. At any given time, for an extra R29 per month, one can convert a name-based account to an IP-based account.
The benefits of IP-based hosting are, to name a few:
- Buying your own SSL certificate and making use of your own domain name for SSL access. (HTTPS secure)
- Unidentified FTP (file sharing) for visitors, this will not be possible under name-based hosting.
- Running of scripts or software that necessitates a distinctive and unshared IP address. E.g. CCTV camera access, L2TP tunnel protocols for remote router/bridge access, etc.
If your account is part of a name-based plan and you would like it to be on an IP-based plan, users can do so by signing into their control panel at cpanel.hosting24.com or cpanel.yourwebsite.co.za and ordering a static IP address add-on under the hosting services.
The fee for doing this is only R29 monthly. Alternatively, register for 1 of our many Business, Cloud, Reseller, or Dedicated Server packages and get 1 static IP address absolutely free. This service will be billed during the same period as the hosting service that it applies to.
If users require additional bandwidth for their accounts, they will need to upgrade to a larger plan. Users can upgrade to a larger plan directly through their control panel/CPanel.
Cost may vary depending on the selected plan. Clients can also log into their control panel at any given moment to view their current bandwidth usage statistics and a whole lot more!
Yes. Users can monitor disk space and bandwidth usage from within their CPanel control panel which allows an in-depth view towards data usage, overall disk space, bandwidth an even web traffic.
Yes. Users will be able to upgrade their accounts at any time without the risk of losing anything. Users will pay only the difference between their existing account and a new account. There will be no extra charges during the upgrade process.
Files need to be transferred to the Web server by means of File Transport Protocol (FTP) or your account’s Web-based File Manager. If users need FTP, SSH, mail, or other Internet software, check out the ZDNet Software Library. ZDNet Software Library is a web-based resource designed to feature the latest Internet applications with ratings and user reviews to assist in deciding which application will be best suited for a users’ specific needs.
A FTP tutorial is also provided for beginner users who might not be well-acquainted with FTP. We also offer a Web-based File Manager to make it even simpler for users to upload your files.
Users have completely unlimited access via FTP and the Web-based File Manager at ANY time. As such, users are able to create and maintain their Web pages on their own PCs and upload files to their website at their will.*
This depends on the package that is selected. Domain registrations for .co.za domain names are usually completed with a 12 hour time frame, whereas, a .com based domain can take 2-5 working days to be fully registered at the Registrar.
Servers, dedicated or cloud, are usually setup up within 24-48 hours depending on the Operating System too be installed, CPanel software etc.
When deciding on whether to go for Linux or Microsoft hosting, users are required to identify what their website will need supported. If they need to support Microsoft products such as ASP.net, ASP, MS Access, or Microsoft SQL Server, then Windows hosting would be the better option.
Linux, on the other hand, is generally more popular due to its affordability, stability and abundance of features. Linux supports PHP, Perl, MySQL, PostgreSQL and CGI Scripts.
Both Linux and Windows servers, however, are stable, reliable and secure. However, more viruses are aimed at attacking Windows servers over Linux servers. For hosting on a Windows Server, users must ensure that their Windows servers are regularly upgraded with the latest fixes, patches and antivirus software available.
If a domain has been already been registered via host X and you wish to move the domain and its content too host Y, the process is almost the same as to that of the freshly registered domain.
Upon the signing up of the domain with Hosting 24 (by choosing one of our packages) – users will be presented with 2 options.
Option 1 – Register New Domain OR Option 2 – Transfer Existing Domain.
When option 2 is selected, Hosting 24 will request the transfer of the specified domain from the current hosting provider. This is done by generating a domain transfer request email which, in turn, will email the Registrant/Owner of the domain requesting a Domain Transfer Request too your new host. The email address that this is sent too is specified when originally registering the domain name (you can find this email address via using FAQs answer for question 12).
After the client has confirmed the domain to transfer, the transfer process will commence and progress further once the Transfer Request has been Accepted by the Registrant.
If all is well with your previous Hosting Provider, such as no outstanding/renewal fees or legal ties too contractual agreements etc., the transfer process can take between 2 days for a .co.za domain and 10 days for a .com domain name.
However, if you don’t want to carry out the transfer of the domain and would like to host your email accounts or web content with us without the hassle of transferring this is possible too. By pointing your websites A records to our dedicated server, where you will be provided with CPanel access and control on a user-specified hosting package.
Users will be given access to our FTP server & cPanel server so that they can publish their website & create their mail boxes (and databases if any) on our servers once they have signed up.
Hosting 24 can also setup a test URL (host header) so that users can test the domain on our servers.
Our support team and/or developers will assist with any difficulties or issues users may encounter whilst uploading your website & databases
A domain name is a unique, human-readable web address that identifies a specific online location. It provides a convenient way for users to access websites and other online resources. Domain names consist of two main parts: the actual name (e.g., “example”) and the top-level domain (TLD) (e.g., “.com”). They serve as an easy-to-remember label for the numerical IP addresses that computers use to communicate with each other.
A domain name is crucial for establishing an online presence. It serves as the address where visitors can find your website and contributes to your brand identity and credibility. A personalised domain name makes your website more memorable and professional than a generic subdomain.
Registering a domain today is essential because it secures your chosen domain name for future use. As domain names are unique, someone else might register the domain you have in mind if you delay. Registering your desired domain name now ensures that it’s available when you’re ready to launch your website or online project.
- Choose a domain registrar (like Hosting24).
- Search for your desired domain name to check if it’s available.
- If available, register the domain by providing your contact information and making the necessary payment.
- Complete the registration process and manage your domain settings through the registrar’s control panel.
Even if a website isn’t currently associated with a domain name, someone else might still register the domain. Some people register domain names intending to use them in the future. If the domain you want isn’t available, you might consider choosing a different name or exploring alternative TLDs.
Domain registration is usually a quick process that can take anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours. However, the new domain’s information might take up to 48 hours to fully propagate across the internet and become accessible to all users.
If your domain is up for renewal, you will receive a notification from Hosting24 about the upcoming expiration. It’s essential to renew your domain before it expires to prevent potential downtime and loss of ownership.
The cost to update the contact details of a domain name can vary depending on the specific changes you want to make.
If you want to sell your domain name, you can list it on domain marketplaces or auction platforms specialising in domain sales. You’ll need to set a price for your domain and create a listing highlighting its potential value to potential buyers.
Disk space refers to the amount of storage capacity provided by your web hosting plan to store your website’s files, content, databases, emails, and any other data associated with your website. Different hosting plans offer varying amounts of disk space to accommodate different types of websites and their needs.
Bandwidth, often referred to as data transfer, is the amount of data transferred between your website and its users. It includes all the files, images, videos, and other content visitors download from your website. Bandwidth is usually measured in gigabytes (GB) and is an important consideration to ensure your website can handle traffic without slowing down or experiencing downtime.
If your bandwidth limit is exceeded, your website might become inaccessible, or experience reduced performance for the remainder of the billing cycle. To prevent this, it’s crucial to monitor your bandwidth usage and consider upgrading your hosting plan if your website consistently attracts high traffic levels.
Hosting24’s servers are in Johannesburg, South Africa. This local presence ensures faster loading times for South African audiences and improved website performance.
Hosting24 supports multiple versions of the .NET framework, including .NET Core and ASP.NET. The specific versions available may vary, so checking for the latest information is recommended.
The mailbox size may vary depending on the hosting package you choose. We offer a range of mailbox sizes, so you can select a package that suits your email hosting needs. It’s advisable to check the specific mailbox size.
We allow custom dynamic-link library (DLL) files within certain restrictions and security considerations. You can contact our support team to discuss your specific requirements and ensure they comply with our policies.
Trust levels can refer to various aspects of web hosting security. We maintain high-security standards, including firewalls, SSL certificates, and data encryption to protect your website and data. Specific trust level settings may depend on the package you choose.
We support various email protocols, including POP3, IMAP, and SMTP, to ensure compatibility with various email clients and devices. You can configure your email client with the necessary settings provided by Hosting24.
Answer: A content management system (CMS) allows easy website management. Hosting 24 supports popular CMS platforms like WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal on our hosting services in Johannesburg. These can be easily installed and managed via our hosting control panel.
Answer: At Hosting 24, we provide automated backup options and tools in our hosting packages. You can schedule backups and restore your website data easily through our control panel, ensuring your website and data are always protected.
Answer: Hosting 24 offers 24/7 technical support for all our hosting solutions in Johannesburg. You can reach our support team via live chat, email, or phone, ensuring prompt assistance with any hosting-related queries or issues.
Answer: At Hosting 24, we guarantee high uptime percentages and monitor server uptime 24/7 using advanced monitoring tools. Our commitment to reliable hosting services in South Africa ensures your website is always accessible to visitors without downtime.