To get the most out of standard web hosting plans, you should know about all the tools that are included with them. Many of the tools in a web hosting account can help users streamline management tasks and optimize their website-related services.
Below are seven valuable tools that are commonly included in a web hosting plan at popular hosting companies like Cloudways, Hostinger, and GoDaddy.
File Manager
One of the most common tasks involved with website management is file management. Websites often display information, images, and other content that must be periodically updated.
Web hosting plans often include a basic file manager that works similarly to a file manager on a phone or computer. Managing files through a file manager is a straightforward way to quickly switch out content such as HTML files, images, and video.
FTP Client
A web host’s file manager may have limitations when it comes to bulk transfers, so if you plan to upload or download many files at once, you might be better off using a tool called an FTP (File Transfer Protocol).
An FTP client helps users transfer larger amounts of files at once. The interface of an FTP client looks similar to a file manager, so users who know how to use a file manager shouldn’t have much trouble using an FTP client.
Rather than selecting just one file to transfer, users can select multiple files through the FTP client or drag and drop files from a computer.
Domain Manager
Compared to website builders such as Wix and Squarespace, a traditional web hosting plan gives users more flexibility when it comes to domain management.
Hosting accounts often include a portal that allows users to customize web and email hosting services associated with a domain name.
If you want to host your website with GoDaddy and email with Google, you can do so with a few simple configurations in your domain manager. You can also set a domain or subdomain to forward to external web pages.
Application Manager
If you plan to use web applications to help with design and management tasks, you may be able to install applications directly through your web hosting’s application manager.
Rather than downloading applications from third-party websites and going through potentially complicated steps to install them, you can use an application manager to install applications much faster.
In fact, you can often install applications in just one click. After an application is installed, you should be given straightforward options to customize settings or uninstall the application.
Database Manager
If your website uses a CMS (content management system) like WordPress or Joomla, you can use a web host’s MySQL database manager to back up design settings and other data on your website.
The inner workings of a CMS can be quite complex, which means slight alterations in code or other data can cause loading errors and complete website breakdowns.
To save a backup of your website’s CMS data, you can export an SQL file that can be quickly imported if your website suddenly stops working.
An SQL file can also be useful if you decide to transfer your website to a different web hosting account. Unlike website builders like Wix and Squarespace, a standard web hosting account allows users to smoothly move complete websites between accounts.
Even if the accounts are at different web hosting companies, users should be able to move their websites seamlessly with basic SQL and file transfers.
Email Account Manager
Though web hosting companies typically offer premium email plans as add-on features, many standard hosting plans come with basic email features at no additional cost.
Though free email options may not perform as well as premium email services, they are often sufficient to get the job done. Basic email accounts can be created and managed in an email account manager, which is often located in a hosting account’s main control panel (or cPanel).
Forwarding email addresses that redirect emails to other email addresses can also be created and managed through the email account manager.
SSL Certificate Manager
SSL certificates provide websites with an essential layer of security and validity. Though not all web hosting plans include SSL certificates, many offer a portal that can be used to install and manage SSL certificates.
SSL certificates included with a web hosting plan can typically be added to a website automatically. SSL certificates from external sources can be added to a website by uploading a set of files or pasting data into designated fields in the SSL certificate manager.
Additional Tools
There are many types of web hosting plans with different tools and price points, so some may have even more helpful tools than what is listed above.
Whether you have a simple website with basic functionality or a robust website with more dynamic elements, you should be able to get more out of your web hosting plan by utilizing as many of the tools it has to offer.
Conclusion
In conclusion, standard web hosting plans offer a range of valuable tools that empower website owners to efficiently manage their online presence.
These tools provide users with convenient and efficient ways to manage their websites. Web hosting plans come with a variety of additional tools that can enhance the website management experience.
By utilizing these tools, website owners can easily create, customize, and optimize their websites without the need for extensive technical knowledge or coding skills.
This not only saves time and effort but also allows website owners to focus on other aspects of their online business, such as marketing and customer engagement.
With these essential features included in their hosting plans, individuals and businesses can confidently establish and maintain their online presence with ease.
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