Without web hosting features, websites would go belly-up. The initial creation and continued maintenance are dependent on the features offered by the web hosting provider. Various helpful features ensure user security and allow the owner to easily alter the website’s appearance and add plug-ins.
There are currently many features available within different web hosting provider packages. Some are better than others offering more uses. The following is a list of the most useful web hosting features available:
- E-mail administration
- Easy to use control panel
- Security administration
- Online file management
- Reports and statistics
Each of these features is vital to running a successful website. E-mail administration helps with the maintenance of various emails addresses. Depending on the package, most web hosting providers offer several email addresses to the client. Control panels are becoming much easier to use with new services constantly being added.
Security administration allows the owner to monitor potential security threats as well as monitor the users on the website. Online file management is a helpful feature for organizing all files including uploading to the server. The reports and statistics are one of the most important attributes in assisting website owners with bandwidth usage, traffic spikes, amount of storage used and other areas related to server use.
These are a few of the most useful features for the basic website. As the site expands and accommodates more traffic, a few more features will become beneficial. These include:
- Autoresponders
- Virus and spam detection
- Automatic file backup
- Password protection options
Autoresponders are an extremely helpful piece of software. They allow the site owner to automatically respond back to emails sent by the users or simply automatically send emails to the users in mass form. If selling a product, this allows the webmaster to send a thank you email as well as updates and news.
Virus and spam detection simply detect and block virus attacks and email spam. Automatic file backup periodically copies files to another server in case of an issue. This is usually completed in the background and not noticed by the client. Finally, password protection options set permissions to different users to give them access only to specific areas of the site.
The use of these beneficial features can boost website efficiency during creation and maintenance. Most web hosting providers offer these services as a courtesy so it’s best to take full advantage as they’re geared toward the client’s success.
