Web Hosting & Email

How website speed affects business growth & types of web hosting

Your business or organization website goals need people’s attention.

People visiting your website are called visitor’s traffic.

To grow visitor’s traffic, there are many factors such as having good content, good search keywords and a fast network that gives a speedy experience.

A good web hosting is like having a good location of a property. Placing your business or organization in the wrong location can affect your growth. You want the place to have a large area and ample parking space for the convenience of your potential customers. Likewise, a wrong web hosting will hinder the traffic growth with hidden and costly issues. In this article we will explore how a web hosting environment can impact your website and its traffic.

There are Two Kinds of Visitor Traffic

There are two types of visitors that comes to your website. Google search robots and humans traffic.

Both of them love a stable and fast browsing experience.

Humans can be both your visitors, customers or your internal staff managing the website.

Bots or robots traffic are automated code sent by search engines like Google or Bing to check out your website and put it on their search results when somebody searches with the correct keywords.

Google will give higher ranking priority to websites that give their robots a faster experience. This is also an important factor in Search Engine Optimization (SEO) ,

Websites that are sluggish, take time to load with each action will not be visited often by the bots or the people. Therefore, you will get less traffic no matter how good your content or is your products.

To make a website load faster and provide a good experience to the human and robots traffic, you will need to use a better web hosting computer and network that can give you more speed.

Types of Web Hosting and Speed

You want your website design to be loaded as fast as possible and always on tip-top condition according to whatever your budget allows.

When planning an online expansion strategy, one of the critical decisions an organization need to make is choosing a hosting provider that gives you the :

There are generally 3 types of web hosting environment :

Traditional Web HostingModern Web HostingHigh Performance Cloud Hosting
Normal dedicated computer or a shared computer to host the website.Powerful dedicated computer or a shared computer to host the website.Scalable virtual computers on Amazon Web Services and Google Cloud Platforms.
Rotating harddisk that takes time retrieve the website files.Non-rotating harddisk that can retrieve the website files instantly.High speed data transfer on matured platform.
Standard software to display the website to your visitor.High-performance software to quickly display the website to your visitor.High-performance software to quickly display the website to your visitor.
Limited backup and restoration function if issue arises.Limited backup and restoration function if issue arises.OnDemand instant backup checkpoint and for immediate restoration.
Any changes are done on the live website which may cause downtime.Any changes are done on the live website which may cause downtime.Duplicate/mirror site to test changes before applying on live website.

Speed Factors That Affects Business

Now let’s explore some of these technicalities that can affect a web hosting server speed in two aspect; the time taken to display the website and turnaround time when problems arise.
1) Single live site vs duplicate/staging site environments

What is a staging site?

In the simplest terms, a staging site is a copy of your live website. It is used to test your plugin and theme updates or when you want to test a new feature to your site.

The site is usually non-public facing, keeping your testing safely away from your customers. Plugin and theme developers will often ask to have access to a staging site to do testing while they provide support. This ensures that any changes they make do not interfere with your business on the live website.

How it affects the speed of your website and business?

This directly affects the speed of time taken to go to market with the latest features and upgrades of the website software.

You may want to use certain new marketing tools or improve the website SEO ranking with newly available plugins but without a staging environment, any updates to the live website might bring down the entire website.

Having a staging site to test this is an absolute must. When your site goes down, you will most likely lose money and search ranking in the process. The costs of having a staging site are so small that it should be included in your initial business plan before you even consider building your site.

At Skytomato Web Management, we perform any debugging or testing on staging before sending it to live sites for this exact reason.

Which web hosting platform in Malaysia provides 3 environments such as development / staging & production environment?

Not all web hosting services offer a website staging option. Usually this feature is available at higher plan hosting packages and with WPengine staging environments, the feature is much more user friendly than others. This makes the speed of upgrading and testing the website a lot faster.

2) Instant backup checkpoint and instant restoration

What is a instant backup?

The most important thing you need to do before upgrading WordPress website is to create a complete website backup. Even if you have an automated WordPress backup plugin set up. You still need to make sure that you create a new backup and store it safely before any upgrading is performed.

Most web design or web hosting companies in Malaysia will provide automated daily or weekly backup of your WordPress website. But a high performance website hosting like WP Engine Asia-Pacific or International web hosting will have features that can easily create checkpoints at any time.

How will instant website backup affects the speed of your business?

The freedom and ease of creating checkpoints or snapshots of the live website before any changes makes it easy and quick to restore the website if any problem arises.

If there isn’t a feature to make instant backup, the website designer will have to restore from an older version of the website. The business will lose valuable time by having to redo any changes.

A very important aspect that provide speed in restoration is the user experience of a platform. Most hosting companies use Cpanel backup and restore that have more steps to take. Skytomato’s partnership with WPengine provides an extremely fast way for Malaysia’s organizations to backup and restore at a click of a button.

3) High speed network and data transfers

What is network speed?

This is quite a complicated topic but we will try to make it as easy to understand as possible.

When a user types in your website address the browser and press enter button, your computer will send a request through your modem, to the telco, to the satellite and reach the data center where the server computer hosts your website files. The server computer will then process the website and send response back through cables in the data center, passing through all the hubs and routers, back to the satellite, back to your own telco and finally to your home modem and your computer screen.

During this journey of request and response, we have terms like bandwidth, latency and TTFB (time to first byte – or the time it takes for the first text or image the comes back to your computer screen).

These 3 terms are very technical and can find more details when you google it but for this article we will briefly touch on the surface.

Bandwidth

Bandwidth is a measure of how much data can be transferred from one point in a network to another within a specific amount of time. It is like a highway and your data as six cars traveling at the same speed. A highway with high bandwidth would have six lanes allowing all cars to arrive simultaneously in 1 second. A highway with low bandwidth would have a single lane allowing all cars to eventually arrive in 6 seconds.

Latency

Latency measures how much time it takes for your computer, the internet, and everything in between, to respond to an action you take (like clicking on a link). This is like driving a road with many corners and potholes will be slower compared to an optimized road for a smoother drive. For most of us, latency won’t affect our web browsing but it might have an impact on search ranking if the website too slow.

Time To First Byte (TTFB)

Time To First Byte (TTFB) is measurement of responsiveness of a web server. It measures the amount of time between creating a connection to the server and downloading the contents of a web page.

How to ensure all these gives a better loading speed of website?

To create a good bandwidth, latency and TTFB, the web hosting provider will need to optimize the network and server performance. With many web hosting providers to choose from, it is very difficult to know which ones are optimized unless it is tested thoroughly.

How is WPEngine hosting better and faster in network quality?

Here is a comparison of the most popular hosts for WordPress and see why WP Engine is better than the rest.
https://wpengine.com/more/hosting-comparison/

With WP Engine’s renowned speed technologies, WP Engine has become the first managed WordPress host to adopt Google Cloud Platform’s newest infrastructure, the Compute-Optimized Virtual Machines (VM) (C2).

WP Engine offers performance that is 40% faster. This is on top of software optimizations which have resulted in a 15% platform-wide performance improvement. Read more https://wpengine.com/more/fast-wordpress-hosting/

The Proof: Building on the Fastest, Most Reliable WordPress Hosting Platform
https://wpengine.com/resources/building-on-the-fastest-digital-experience-platform-for-wordpress/

4) Website caching

What is caching?

A website cache is a system that temporarily stores data such as web pages, images, and similar media content when a web page is loaded for the first time. It remembers the content and is able to quickly load the content each time the web page is visited again. Website caching can be performed as part of website optimization.

It is very similar to how fast food is served. When you order a hamburger from a dine-in restaurant, the chef will need to prepare the burger patty, the toppings and sauce for each order. And each customer will need to wait a certain time for the order to arrive. So instead of preparing each hamburger on demand, the chef pre-prepare all the burgers and server the customer immediately once an order was placed.
 

There are generally 2 types of caching methods. One is based on WordPress software plugins while the other is built into the computer server that processes the website when it is requested.

In an optimized environment like WPEngine managed wordpress hosting, all the important severe based caching are tested and optimized to ensure a better speed of your website.

5) Website security

What is website security?

To minimize the risk of your website being hacked with spam ads, defacement, redirection to other malicious sites and losing data, it’s important to ensure that the web hosting server is set up as securely as possible.

There 3 levels of security that can be added to a website:

Server security – A good web hosting company will ensure that the server itself is set up as secure as possible with the relevant antivirus and malware scanners

Software security – The website developer will need to set the relevant WordPress security scanners and plugins.

Website Application Firewall (WAF) – The owner of the website can subscribe to another layer of website security protection using a WAF. This means all traffic will be filtered before arriving to the website.

How it website security improves business online?

A good secured website will help the website stay online as much as possible and maintain page ranking. Any malware attack will take time to clean and therefore loses value time and reputation. A secured website decreases downtime.

It is important for websites of medium and larger business or organisations like NGOs. associations and portals to have all 3 layers of security.

Learn more about WPEngine Security https://wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Enterprise-Grade-Security-on-WP-Engine-.pdf

Conclusion
Usually It is only in higher grade cloud hosting that you get better features that are difficult to achieve compared to traditional physical hosting. Cloud hosting solutions can provide higher levels of web traffic support and quicker turnaround than a single dedicated server can provide and are increasingly becoming an essential aspect of keeping the most popular websites and mobile apps hosted online. They also bring another interesting tidbit of news: a well-designed website architecture can help resolve corporate cultural issues because there is one topic less to be concerned about. The team can focus on the quality of website design and digital marketing instead of worrying about web hosting and web security problems. Learn more about Skytomato Website Maintenance and WPEngine Malaysia, International and Asia Pacific website hosting here : Asia Pacific & International Web Hosting for Malaysia Companies Complete WordPress Website Maintenance Solutions for Medium to Larger Corporations.

Why you need a cloud-based service provider?

The Cloud and what it stands for

Cloud is a general term that is widely known by people as an area on the web design where programs and data are stored. Individuals who emanate from cloud-based service providers to reach out to entrepreneurs who are in search of web addresses with a creative outlook can find it in the cloud.

You can locate your business in this domain if it exists in the cloud

The cloud exists for consultants and partners, integrators, vendors of infrastructure and software who are growing and vibrant in the ecosystem. With the use of the cloud, a lot of professionals in the industry can get a glance recognition of the web addresses. One of the perfect ways to reach out to those who require more space is through the Dot cloud. A lot of key industry professionals make use of the cloud domain names Malaysia, as it is much easier to locate their existing offerings. Cloud domain name Malaysia also registers new businesses that require catchy or short names.

Join the tech-forward companies who choose cloud

There is startup empowerment by cloud computing in various sectors like education, finance, health, business, entertainment, government, and other industries. From over a hundred and forty countries across the globe, individuals and companies have signed up cloud domain for their websites hosting Malaysia. The cloud is rapidly growing and a lot of businesses are signing up with the hottest technology brands like virtual reality, blockchain, big data, and IOT.

Cloud welcomes everyone

The cloud had established itself and has provided services that have proven useful over the years. It is a major word in the domain name Malaysia. With the cloud, getting a modern name is much easier as you can now pursue your passion, creative or big idea.

Here is a list of some of the best Cloud Service Tools.

Amazon Web Services

This platform provides solutions that are cost-effective, reliable, flexible and fast. It can be used to distribute systematically or strategically any application in the cloud by providing building block services. Amazon Web Services features are:
  • It is faster to reply
  • The registration process is easy
  • Ensures easy to remove or add capacity
  • Management and billing is centralized

Kamatera

Kamatera has a standard pay as you use cloud server pricing. Its cost-effectiveness and high flexibility are as a result of the virtual infrastructure cloud on which it operates. It shares the same similarity to a physical server. Kamatera features include:
  • A free trial service testing for 30 days
  • Tech human assistance 24/7/365
  • Per month or day billing options Etc.

DigitalOcean

DigitalOcean is not just a virtual machine but also provides monitoring capabilities, security, and add-on storage to easily kick start production applications. DigitalOcean features include:
  • Systematically distribute your standard distribution, one-click app, custom image.
  • Performance plans or Standard plans select options depending on the needs of the business.

Rackspace

Rackspace Cloud computing is another useful tool. The services it provides are a cloud server, cloud backup, database, website hosting Malaysia, etc. Rackspace features are:
  • Migration to the cloud is fast
  • Ensures your business is ready for the worst possible event
  • You are charged on a pay as you go basis

MassiveGrid

In regard to the needs of your business, MassiveGrid provides Virtual Private Clouds that ensures flexibility to oversee the resources surrounding them. MassiveGrid features involve:
  • Hardware that is dedicated and fast.
  • Provides services that are highly available with quality infrastructure.
  • It provides a network infrastructure that is reliable and fast.
  • With a web control panel that is secure, it is operational 24/7/365.
So here you go, the 5 most popular cloud service tools available today. If you have more questions, feel free to get in touch with our professional staff.

Why is Backup Important for Business?

Did you know that WannaCry infected 300,000+ computers around the world. The attack encrypted sensitive data and disrupted work for an entire week.

This case, among many others, only highlights the importance of data security in today’s market.

Research showed that an average of 2,244 cyberattacks happens every day, most of which target sensitive business data. As the dependency on data increases, so does its worth.

It doesn’t matter if the organization is big or small, as long as the attackers can find their way into the system, trust me they will.

Data Security

Data security isn’t limited to protecting data from attacks, it also includes remediation and recovery. You cannot predict when you might lose your data and to what; it could be an attack or it could be a natural disaster.

However, you can ensure that you have the right solutions to recover from the loss.
website security and backup

Backups

As a solution to data loss, below are a few reasons why making backups might be in the best interest of your organization:

1. Prevention may not always work

You can have a proactive approach to cybersecurity and still fall victim to an attack. But having a recovery plan can help you in mitigating data loss.

Website hosting Malaysia offers many options to create backups of your websites with ease. So, you can run your business smoothly even after an attack.

And even if we were to put the cyberattacks aside, the company needs to ensure they can handle server downtime, natural disasters, and other complex scenarios.

2. Cyber attacks affect updates like software

A CNN reports said an average small-sized business lost over $100,000 due to downtime caused by Ransomware. And ransomware is just the C in cyberattacks.

There are many other attacks being widely used by malicious outsiders like malware, data breaches, DDoS attacks and more.

And the hard truth is that it’s all because of the enormous amount of data generated every day; the attacks increased after the digital transformation because capitalizing on this constant stream of data and information brings great returns.

3. Natural disaster is equally fatal

60% of small-sized businesses shut down within 6 months of losing their data, says Clutch. With how data can make or break a company, you can never know what could destroy your data.

Natural disasters are no different. Hence, you should be prepared for earthquakes, storms, fires, and other natural calamities that can damage your storage and processing units taking along with it millions and millions of files.

This is why having a backup files uploaded in the cloud helps you recover your data no matter where you are.

cloud storage when updating website backup

4. Losing name

Data loss can damage your reputation more than you’d think. It hurts the trust your customers have placed in you and recovering from that can take years.

With old customers gone, and new customers too afraid to work, you won’t have much to work with.

5. Threats come more from within

It’s impossible to know which employee might steal your company data and when. Any frustrated employee can decide to steal or erase sensitive data from the company’s database.

Hence, it’s critical you employ proper access controls and overlooks their implementation.

How to backup?

uploading backup for your website

Having backup is an additional security measure for your organization especially if you are updating your website. It’s best for any sudden situation that poses a threat to your data.

You can create backups of your sensitive data and keep them secure in another place with high security. Trust your backups with only a few that you know have the best interest of the company in mind.

However, being consistent and regular with making backups is important. This ensures all of your data is up-to-date with what’s going on in the company at the time.

And in case you lose the data you would still have the latest backup with most of the information still in your hands. You can continue to work the backup instead of wasting time on recovery.

Make sure you have a disaster recovery plan along with your data backup plan. And follow the 3-2-1 rule when maintaining backups: create 3 different copies, in two different mediums and store one copy off-site.

Do consider physical backup regardless of how capable and easy cloud storage. After all, the cloud is on the Internet as well and is vulnerable to breaches.

Takeaways

Businesses cannot avoid data loss. It comes with the territory. But these tips can help you deploy better security by utilising backups.

Sure, backups seem old news but they still have a lot to offer and everyone is encouraged to make the most of them.

To know more details about eCommerce website, get in touch with us.

Cloud Services

Skytomato Cloud Services

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By NICK JOHNSON

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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Vivamus quis arcu est. Quisque posuere est arcu, id hendrerit orci pulvinar id. Cras egestas metus sit amet felis accumsan, vitae placerat libero sodales. Morbi efficitur maximus massa et aliquam. Quisque vel viverra augue.

Nullam scelerisque erat nisl, eu aliquet quam porttitor et. Aliquam molestie sem augue, non egestas nunc sagittis in. Suspendisse vehicula turpis eget leo sollicitudin, dapibus commodo massa facilisis.

“Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos himenaeos.Aenean non turpis vitae ligula tristique sagittis. Cras varius erat pulvinar eros pretium suscipit. Duis eleifend sit amet sapien sed ultricies.”

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Zimbra, Google and Microsoft Comparison

Email Softwares Zimbra Collaboration Network Suite OnPremise Email Server Malaysia Zimbra Collaboration Network Suite OnPremise Email Server Malaysia Zimbra Collaboration Network Suite OnPremise Email Server Malaysia Zimbra Collaboration Network Suite OnPremise Email Server Malaysia
File Management Suite Required
Full H/A
User Policy Management
Open Non-Proprietary Architecture
On Premise Option
Cloud Ready
Modern Platform
Security Confidence
RSS Feeds
Group Calendars Limited Limited
Email Sorting
Tasks Limited Limited
Windows Limited
Mac Limited Limited
Desktop-Like Experience
Offline Limited
Cross-Platform Sync Limited
Advanced Search Limited
Full Web Service API Limited Limited Limited
Plugins (e.g. Salesforce.com) Limited Limited Limited

Zimbra vs Smartermail Comparison

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Curabitur sodales ligula in libero. Sed dignissim lacinia nunc. Curabitur tortor. Pellentesque nibh. Aenean quam. In scelerisque sem at dolor. Maecenas mattis. Sed convallis tristique sem. Proin ut ligula vel nunc egestas porttitor. Morbi lectus risus, iaculis vel, suscipit quis, luctus non, massa. Fusce ac turpis quis ligula lacinia aliquet. Mauris ipsum. Nulla metus metus, ullamcorper vel, tincidunt sed, euismod in, nibh.

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