Our Commitment to WordPress: We’re All In

“We grew up with WordPress,” said Bryan Muthig, CEO/Founder of A2 Hosting. “Everything we’re doing as a company is focused on WordPress, leveraging our 21 years of experience and expertise. From product development and support to hiring, training, and marketing, every aspect of our business is designed to enhance the WordPress experience.”

Those efforts are focused on our key customers, or customer partners: WordPress agencies and web professionals who build, launch, and maintain WordPress projects for their clients.

Introducing Our New Community Growth Team

We’re excited to announce the formation of our new Community Growth Team, a testament to our commitment to supporting our key customer partners. This team is led by veteran WordPress community leaders Cory Miller, as Chief Evangelist, and Katie Richards, as our Community Growth Project Manager.

“The closer we stay to our customers, the better it’s going to be for everyone. If our customers win, we win. It always starts with our customers — it always has and it always will,” said Bryan Muthig. “This team led by exceptional WordPress veterans, Cory and Katie, is another step in showing our deep commitment to WordPress and our customers.” 

Cory Miller

Cory brings a wealth of experience and a passion for WordPress and WP businesses, since 2006. As a veteran entrepreneur, his leadership, vision, and values will drive our efforts to connect with and support our customer partners as well as tell their stories and ours. 

“I’ve known Cory for a long time and seen what he’s accomplished in WordPress, first building some of the first commercial products for WordPress at iThemes, then growing community at Post Status, it’s always his passion for people, especially entrepreneurs and business owners, that resonates most with me,” said A2’s COO Paul Carter. “And as we were looking to expand our commitment in the WordPress community and specifically to WordPress agencies and web professionals, there was no one better to lead our efforts.”

Katie Richards

Katie Richards, our Community Growth Project Manager, has successfully overseen WordPress community initiatives and shown strong project management abilities across numerous projects and companies in the WordPress space. Her expertise in community engagement, organization, and leadership will be crucial in building strong, lasting relationships with our agency partners and web professionals.

“From her work at Post Status to her community efforts helping organize WordCamp Grand Rapids to WordPress US, I’ve seen Katie be an absolute force in the WordPress community. And I’m ecstatic to have her join us here at A2,” said Aaron Campbell, A2’s Director of Product and veteran WordPress contributor. “What resonates most to me is how she does her work. It’s human-focused and thus purposeful and impactful.”

The Work of Our A2 Community Growth Team: It’s About Our Agency Partners

Our Community Growth Team’s mission is simple yet impactful: Show up as your agency’s essential partner in your business and work. 

Your success is our success. 

This team will do that by focusing on three key areas:

• Connection — As your partner, champion and advocate, we will be building deeper, more supportive relationships with WordPress agencies and web professionals.
• Community — Building mutually beneficial experiences for our customer-partners, both online and in-person, through WordCamps and our own events.
• Content — Creating impactful WordPress agency content and resources to support our partners in their work as well as sharing our news and initiatives for them.

Moving Forward Together

Our new Community Growth Team is a significant step forward in our commitment to WordPress and our customer partners. We believe that by fostering connection, community, and content, we can create a supportive ecosystem that benefits everyone involved.

Thank you for being a part of the A2 Hosting family. Together, we can build a brighter future for WordPress and achieve great things.

Stay tuned for more updates and initiatives from our new A2 Community Growth Team. We look forward to working closely with you and supporting your success every step of the way.

The post Announcing A2 Hosting’s New Community Growth Team: Another Step Forward in Our WordPress Commitment appeared first on The A2 Posting.

As hosting experts, we’ve created this guide just for you. Join us as we explore email hosting options and discuss key factors for your business’s success. Let’s make the right choice together!

How email hosting facilitates operations for small businesses

Email hosting is a specialized hosting service that operates email servers, offering a premium alternative to the basic email services provided by free email providers like Gmail, Yahoo Mail, or Outlook.com. 

Unlike free or cheap email hosting for small businesses that are supported by advertising and offer limited customization, paid email hosting services are often used by businesses that require more control, customization, and professionalism in their email services.

For example, if you wanted to have a custom domain name like name@yourcompany.com rather than a generic one – for example, yourname@gmail.com, you need email hosting. 

The adoption of custom domain names through email hosting gives you a sense of professionalism and credibility in small business communications. This simple yet effective feature can improve your professional image, instilling trust in clients and partners. Other ways email hosting can improve small business operations include:

• Improved collaboration and communication: Improving teamwork and communication in small businesses is easier with email hosting, which consolidates all communication on one platform, promoting collaboration and preventing important messages from being missed. Email services might also include features that facilitate collaboration, such as A2’s shareable calendars or universal contact lists.
• Efficiency: An often-overlooked aspect is the efficiency gained through features like ample storage capacity. As your business grows, you’ll expect a larger influx of emails coming in from clients or partners, and you need a hosting solution that can deal with this influx effortlessly!
• Security: High-quality hosting services usually come with encryption, spam protection, and privacy policies, which help small businesses withstand potential security breaches. This added layer of security is essential for keeping sensitive business information safe and maintaining client trust.
• Reliability: Email hosting ensures high uptime, providing consistent access to communication tools. This reliability is important for maintaining client communication and protecting your business’ reputation.
• Automation and integration: Email hosts, equipped with automated features and integration capabilities, elevate productivity by streamlining workflows. For instance, small businesses can automate routine tasks such as automatic contact importing from other email services. Integration capabilities allow connection with other tools and platforms, such as project management software or customer relationship management (CRM) systems, enabling efficient data sharing and collaboration across various applications.

The difference between free and affordable email hosting

As a small business or new entrepreneur, any expense can be intimidating, and understandably, you may lean toward using free email hosting. However, free email services may not be the best decision for several reasons.

Free email services, commonly provided by giants like Google and Yahoo, initially lure businesses with an appealing price tag – or lack thereof! However, the apparent cost-saving advantages of free email services come with inherent limitations. 

While there’s no upfront cost, businesses compromise on data security and face potential risks associated with using generic domains. These limitations include very limited storage capacity, which can quickly become problematic, and the perception by many users that a business using a generic domain is suspicious.

On the other hand, choosing affordable, paid business email hosting presents many advantages tailored to small businesses. 

• The use of custom domains imparts a professional look, creating trust signals among clients and partners. 
• With substantially greater storage space, businesses can manage larger volumes of emails efficiently, which is a must with large email marketing campaigns. 
• Advanced security features, including encryption and robust spam filters, fortify the business against cyber threats. 

Small businesses also benefit from business-specific features like calendar sharing and resource scheduling, which boost overall productivity. Plus, having dedicated customer support ensures quick problem-solving, giving small businesses a reliable lifeline!

Free email hosting may seem appealing, but small businesses should opt for affordable, paid options. Investing in these options brings benefits such as a more professional image, improved security, and a range of features that make business operations more efficient.

Understanding types of email hosting

Shared email hosting

A2 Hosting is an example of a web hosting provider that offers shared email hosting. This service allows businesses to share server resources with other users, reducing expenses. 

The main benefit of this is its simplicity, as the service provider takes care of setup, maintenance, and server management. By choosing shared email hosting, your business can benefit from secure and cost-effective email hosting with high uptime without worrying about technical maintenance as you would with self-hosting!

Third-party email hosting

Third-party email hosting involves outsourcing services to specialized providers like Google Workspace and Microsoft 365. These services extend beyond basic email features, offering organizational tools and managing server-related aspects. While providing a suite of services, third-party hosting can become cost-prohibitive for smaller businesses. 

It is also worth mentioning that these providers may implement price hikes, as seen in Google Workspace’s 20% increase in February 2024, including for existing customers. The advantages include advanced features and tools, but businesses must carefully weigh the costs associated with these expansive services.

Self-hosted email hosting

Self-hosted email hosting is when a business manages its own email servers. This model offers a high degree of control and customization, along with potential long-term cost savings. 

However, it’s an option that requires expert technical knowledge, dedicated maintenance resources, and a strong commitment to security and uptime. While self-hosting provides complete control, businesses need to assess whether they are actually capable of taking on this.

Email hosting features to supercharge your business

You’ve likely been using email for your business for a while now. Perhaps you’ve found yourself using your personal account for work or dealing with reliability issues from your current provider. But don’t worry – there’s a better way forward with A2 Hosting. With us, you can have features like:

Custom domains for brand authenticity

Using personal email addresses for business purposes or relying on free email services with generic domains can compromise the professional image of your brand. The implementation of a custom domain not only imparts a sense of professionalism but also boosts brand integrity, fostering trust and recognition among customers!

Along with aesthetic enhancements, custom domains play an important role in improving email deliverability, diminishing the likelihood of messages being diverted to spam folders – particularly amidst high email volumes. A2 Hosting amplifies this advantage by offering the capacity to dispatch up to 1000 emails daily, ensuring reliable delivery!

Added security

Protecting your business from cyber threats is essential. With the rise of phishing attempts, malware attachments, and unauthorized access, the risks are huge. Protecting your business against potential breaches is a necessity.

Imagine the consequences of a data breach: sensitive customer information compromised, financial loss, and damage to your reputation. As a small business owner, the implications can be particularly dire. That’s why investing in efficient email security measures is essential to fortify your defenses and keep your business safe!

A reliable email host should offer high-quality security features such as data encryption, malware scanners, and effective spam filters.

Increased inbox storage

Free email services often come with limitations on storage, risking important emails not getting through. A2 Hosting offers up to 30GB per account, ensuring ample space for your communication needs.

Along with this, A2 Hosting protects your emails by keeping copies across multiple availability zones, providing peace of mind for compliance with record-keeping requirements.

High number of email accounts

Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur or leading a growing team, having dedicated email addresses for different functions is essential. A2 Hosting allows you to set up unlimited email addresses, ensuring scalability as your business expands.

Uptime reliability

Businesses cannot afford interruptions in email communication. A2 Hosting guarantees email uptime by implementing n+3 redundancy on each component and service across multiple data centers, providing a strong infrastructure for uninterrupted operations.

Support

Email is the lifeblood of business communication, making reliable support crucial. A2 Hosting’s Guru Crew support operates 24/7, 365 days a year, ensuring assistance whenever you need it!

SSL, POP3, and IMAP support

Benefit from a secure and versatile email experience with A2 Hosting’s advanced features. Our implementation of SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) ensures that your data transfers remain encrypted, providing a secure environment for your communications. The support for both POP3 (Post Office Protocol 3) and IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) enhances the flexibility of accessing your emails from various devices.

Here’s how it works: POP3 allows you to download your emails to a single device, providing offline access, while IMAP synchronizes your emails across multiple devices, keeping them updated in real time. 

This means that whether you’re at your desk, on the go with your smartphone, or using a tablet, your email experience remains seamless and consistent. A2 Hosting’s email hosting is designed to adapt to your dynamic needs, ensuring that you can access your emails effortlessly from any device at any time.

Calendar functionality

To improve productivity, A2 Hosting’s email calendar is a great feature for scheduling and planning. It serves as a personal organizer and a collaborative tool that can be shared with team members. Oh, and it is compatible with popular email platforms! 

Configurable mobile and desktop apps

The ability to check emails on the go is essential, which is why A2 Hosting provides configurable mobile and desktop apps that allow remote workers and traveling professionals to manage emails efficiently.

Comparing the top email hosting providers for small businesses

Choosing the right email hosting provider is an important decision for small businesses, influencing communication efficiency, security, and overall operational success. But which should you choose? Let’s take a look.

A2 Hosting

A2 Hosting is an excellent option for small businesses looking for affordable and feature-packed email hosting. Powered by leading email service Titan, A2 Hosting’s email service offers strong features and excellent server power and support. These features include:

• Custom domain name: Show your professionalism with a personalized domain that reflects your brand identity.
• 99.9% uptime guarantee: Count on A2 Hosting’s reliable servers to keep your emails accessible around the clock, ensuring uninterrupted communication with your clients and team members.
• Multi-account access: Say goodbye to the hassle of juggling multiple email accounts. With A2 Hosting, managing all your email accounts is easy! This will modernize your workflow and boost productivity.
• Configurable webmail and mobile app: Whether you’re at your desk or on the move, you can access your emails from anywhere. With configurable webmail and a user-friendly mobile app, staying connected has never been easier.
• Email migration with IMAP support: Transition to A2 Hosting without losing your precious emails. Our IMAP support ensures that your emails, contacts, and folders are migrated so you can hit the ground running with minimal disruption.
• Shareable contacts: Adopt collaboration and update communication with shareable contact lists. With A2 Hosting, your team can easily access and update contact information, ensuring everyone stays on the same page.
• Undo and fix emails: Have you ever hit send and immediately regretted it? With A2 Hosting, you have the power to undo and fix sent emails, giving you greater control over your communication.
• 24/7 Guru Crew support: Need a hand? Our dedicated Guru Crew is here for you 24/7, ready to assist with any email-related issues or queries you may have, ensuring peace of mind and uninterrupted productivity.
• High inbox storage: Never worry about running out of space again. With generous inbox storage capacity, you can store all your essential emails without constraints, keeping your inbox organized and clutter-free.
• Calendar integration: Stay on top of your schedule with integrated calendar features. With A2 Hosting, you can manage appointments, meetings, and deadlines, ensuring you never miss a thing!
• Support for SSL, POP3, and IMAP: A2 Hosting supports SSL encryption, POP3, and IMAP protocols, ensuring flexible and secure email access and protecting sensitive information.
• Filtering: With A2 Hosting, you can easily manage and prioritize incoming emails, ensuring that you stay focused on what matters most.

Google Workspace

Google Workspace homepage

Google Workspace, formerly known as G Suite, provides email hosting and offers a variety of collaborative tools like Google Docs, Sheets, and Meet. It’s a go-to choice for many businesses, big and small. But here’s the catch: while Google Workspace offers fantastic features, it comes at a cost.

So, let’s break it down. Google Workspace isn’t a free service; it’s a paid subscription that grants access to various tools and services. With your subscription, you get professional email hosting through Gmail, along with an array of productivity tools to update your workflow.

Google Workspace could be tempting to small businesses, but as we’ve mentioned, it has a history of implementing price hikes. This could result in small businesses needing to raise their email budget regularly, which is not ideal.

Rackspace

Rackspace homepage

Rackspace is known for its scalable hosting, tailored to meet the needs of all businesses. It also provides reliable email hosting.

Rackspace’s email hosting service typically includes features such as customizable email addresses, spam and virus protection, and ample storage space. It also often provides advanced security measures and round-the-clock support to ensure uninterrupted email communication for its clients.

For smaller businesses or those with more modest email hosting needs, Rackspace’s cost factor and comprehensive feature set may be less appealing than other options tailored specifically to their requirements. Therefore, it’s important to carefully evaluate your business’s needs and budget before choosing Rackspace or any other email hosting provider.

Neo

Neo homepage

Neo prioritizes simple email services, making it an ideal choice for small businesses looking for hassle-free email hosting solutions. Its user-friendly interface ensures ease of use, allowing businesses to manage their email accounts efficiently.

However, while Neo is great at simplicity, it may lack some of the more advanced features offered by its competitors. For instance, compared to other providers, Neo may not offer as robust integration options with third-party applications or advanced security features like encryption for sensitive emails. Businesses requiring complex email automation or extensive customization capabilities might find Neo’s feature set somewhat limited.

Zoho Mail

Zoho Mail homepage

Zoho Mail integrates email hosting with a suite of powerful collaboration tools, making it a compelling choice for businesses looking for comprehensive solutions. Beyond just email, Zoho Mail offers a range of collaborative features designed to enhance productivity and streamline communication.

Among these tools are Zoho Docs, which provides document creation, editing, and sharing capabilities similar to Google Docs. Zoho Mail also includes Zoho Calendar for scheduling and organizing events, as well as Zoho Meeting for conducting virtual meetings and webinars. What makes Zoho Mail truly comprehensive is its ability to centralize essential business functions within a single platform. With integrated email, document management, scheduling, and meeting capabilities, Zoho Mail lets businesses collaborate more efficiently and effectively.

However, like Google Workspace, the pricing structure of Zoho Mail may present challenges for smaller budgets – despite them having a free trial. While it offers a lot of features, businesses with limited financial resources may find it difficult to justify the cost compared to more budget-friendly alternatives. 

Microsoft 365

Microsoft 365 homepage

Microsoft 365, a household name, provides much more than just email hosting. With a suite of applications, it’s a go-to choice for businesses deeply integrated into Microsoft’s ecosystem.

At the core of Microsoft 365 is its email hosting service, powered by Outlook. Beyond email, businesses benefit from a wide range of productivity tools such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams, facilitating collaboration and productivity across teams and departments.

What sets Microsoft 365 apart is its integration with other Microsoft services and applications, creating a unified and cohesive work environment. From document editing and sharing to video conferencing and project management, Microsoft 365 offers a complete solution for businesses looking to streamline their operations.

However, while Microsoft 365 is undeniably powerful, its pricing may pose challenges for smaller enterprises with tighter budgets. Microsoft also works very closely with its own systems, so if you aren’t familiar with them, this may be a learning curve for you.

Upgrade your business email hosting with A2 Hosting

Upgrade your business communication by using professional email hosting for small businesses. Trust us, it’s a game-changer you won’t regret spending some of your budget on.

With A2 Hosting, you’ll have access to a wide array of features, fail-safe reliability, and 24/7 support, all at an affordable rate that won’t break the bank –if you ask us, it’s a no-brainer.

See, it’s not just about emails anymore; it’s about unlocking your business’s full potential through communication. And with A2 Hosting, you’re getting a partner to help you along the way. Upgrade to A2 Hosting’s email hosting service now to make the right decision for your business!

The post Unlocking the Power of Effective Business Email Hosting for 2024 appeared first on The A2 Posting.

Our Legacy of Speed and Performance

At A2 Hosting, we have built a strong reputation in the web hosting industry as leaders in speed and performance. Our commitment to providing the fastest, most reliable hosting solutions has always been our top priority. And that is why we developed TurboHub. It not only helps speed up site performance, but it also streamlines managing your WordPress sites.

What is TurboHub?

TurboHub is our state-of-the-art WordPress control panel that makes WordPress sites faster than ever! It’s an essential tool that allows individual site owners to improve performance, site health, and security. And the multi-site dashboard simplifies the workflow for agencies and developers. From a single control panel, you can monitor and maintain all of your sites, creating a seamless and more efficient WordPress experience.

Features of TurboHub

Site Performance Optimizations

TurboHub’s comprehensive metrics help you gain in-depth insights into your site’s performance. It highlights top recommendations and allows for one-click changes to boost performance.

Single-Click Multi-Site Management

Managing multiple WordPress sites has never been easier. With TurboHub, you can see all your sites from a single location, making updates and performance checks a breeze. This is particularly valuable for agencies and developers handling numerous client sites.

Site Health Monitoring

Keep your websites in peak condition with our site health monitoring tool! This is perfect for agencies and site owners with multiple websites and gives you an at-a-glance view of a site’s status to help you maintain smooth and secure operations effortlessly. Monitoring and maintaining multiple sites has never been easier!

Security Vulnerability

Through our partnership with Patchstack, we also alert you to high-priority plugin vulnerabilities so your site is never at risk. With the ability to see site risk at a glance, it helps you keep everything running smoothly and securely.

Other features to enhance your WordPress experience:

• Quick access to all of your WordPress sites.
• Grant access to users managing your account or request access to sites you manage for others.
• Automate plugin updates for each site.
• Site notes to enable easy communication between team members or companies.
• Quick access to databases, files, and email.
• Status information that lets you know your sites are online and running, including SSL, domain, and nameserver status.
• Ability to hide sites from search engines while under construction.
• Ability to place sites in maintenance mode during edits.

How Do I Get TurboHub?

TurboHub is now available free for all WordPress sites on our Managed WordPress, Managed VPS, and Shared plans. By choosing one of our plans, you instantly gain access to TurboHub and can start experiencing the benefits of a faster, more efficient WordPress site. TurboHub can be conveniently accessed through your MyA2 panel.

Don’t have an A2 plan, take advantage of our low prices and get started with TurboHub today!

Stay Tuned for More

TurboHub is constantly growing and evolving. We have an exciting roadmap ahead of us with many new features and improvements planned! At A2 we are dedicated to providing our users with the best tools available, and we encourage you to stay tuned for future updates on how TurboHub can help speed up and secure your website.

What’s Next for TurboHub?

A few items on our TurboHub roadmap that will help us achieve our goal of providing WordPress professionals with fast setup, fast websites, and fast support:

• A2 Intelligent Performance – Leverages advanced AI technology to automatically optimize your site’s performance. Easily monitor load times, uptime, and other critical performance indicators to ensure your site is always performing at its best. This will help you make informed decisions to continuously improve your site’s speed and reliability.
• A2 AI assistant inside WordPress – Helps you write content, generate images, and answer common WordPress questions.
• Enhanced Staging – Records changes to staging or live sites and lets them be pushed live or pulled back to staging.

Get started with an A2 Hosting plan today and get access to this new amazing tool and enhance your WordPress experience!

The post Introducing TurboHub – Transform Your WordPress Experience appeared first on The A2 Posting.

So, you’re eager to start offering reseller hosting services to your clients, but you’re caught in a dilemma. On the one hand, you want to minimize your expenses, but on the other hand, you really don’t want to compromise on quality. 

The good news is that high-quality, affordable reseller web hosting is well within your reach. In this guide, we’ll show you how to spot the signs of the best reseller hosting options so you can make an informed decision that aligns with your clients’ needs and your financial goals. 

Plus, we’ll highlight some of the key benefits of A2’s reseller hosting packages to help you manage and run your hosting company hassle-free. Let’s dive in! 

Exploring the Benefits of Affordable Reseller Hosting

Reseller hosting is more than just a great tool for diversifying your income – it can also serve as a profitable business model for freelancers and web design agencies. 

If you’re a web designer or developer who doesn’t offer reseller hosting, you might encounter a situation where a client has paid for hosting but needs you to build the site from scratch. Alternatively, you might recommend a host to a client but have no involvement in its operations, leaving the client to manage any technical issues with the hosting provider. 

However, by offering hosting alongside your web development and design services, you provide several benefits. Clients won’t need to search for a hosting provider, saving them time and hassle. You can also ensure a high-quality infrastructure for their website, and you’ll be the go-to person for both design and hosting queries. 

If you’re planning to start your own hosting company, reseller hosting can be a cost-effective entry point to entrepreneurship. While you will be the point of contact between the client and hosting provider if technical issues arise, the hosting provider can take care of technical aspects, such as server maintenance and cloud configurations, for you. 

With a white-label hosting service like A2, you gain access to a robust infrastructure, complete with an intuitive user interface, email services powered by Titan, pre-installed WordPress for quick deployments, and 24/7 in-house technical support. All of these features are ideal for building a hosting solution that’s perfectly tailored to your clients’ needs. 

A2 Hosting homepage

Does High-Quality, Affordable Reseller Web Hosting Exist?

It’s a common misconception that if reseller hosting is cheap, it must be subpar or low-quality. In reality, high-quality reseller web hosting that is affordable exists. You need to stick to high-quality hosting for your clients because if you build a website for them and they have a poor hosting experience, they’ll leave. 

With reseller hosting, your goal is to find the sweet spot where profit meets performance. This balance is crucial because you can offer your clients a valuable service that ensures their website is fast and secure and maintains high uptime. 

In most cases, you can deliver a high-quality hosting experience unless your clients have very specific needs. Take, for example, an online store that’s gearing up for Black Friday. It’ll likely experience a spike in traffic and may require higher-tier hosting. However, while some clients might need the high-end specs of a premium hosting solution, most will be satisfied with affordable hosting plans that are well-equipped with essential features. 

Now, let’s talk about how reseller web hosting providers manage to offer high-quality hosting packages at affordable prices. 

Understanding what you’re paying for is key. Typically, reseller packages operate on shared hosting plans, where your clients share servers and resources with other users. But this doesn’t mean the hosting is low-quality; it’s just a smart way for companies to reduce costs since resources are shared. 

If you opt for VPS reseller hosting, which comes with dedicated resources, you can expect to pay premium prices because it’s well-suited for sites that receive high traffic volumes. 

As Aaron Campbell, Director of Product at A2 Hosting says, “When considering the choice between VPS reseller packages and shared hosting, resellers should primarily evaluate their clients’ needs for scalability, control, and resource allocation. VPS reseller hosting is particularly advantageous for those who anticipate a need for increased resource control, enhanced security, and scalability to accommodate growing traffic or more demanding applications. This option allows resellers to provide a more tailored and robust hosting environment, which is crucial for clients with specific performance and security requirements. On the other hand, shared hosting is more suitable for resellers whose clients have smaller, less resource-intensive websites and are looking for a cost-effective solution. Ultimately, the decision should align with the business goals, technical requirements, and budget constraints of the reseller’s client base.”

What to Look for in Solid but Affordable Reseller Hosting

Finding the right balance between cost and quality is undoubtedly key, but here are some must-have features you’ll want to look for in a reseller hosting package:  

WHM and cPanel

The WebHost Manager (WHM) is essential for efficiently managing multiple cPanel accounts. With WHM, resellers can create, modify, and administer individual hosting accounts, ensuring optimal resource allocation and robust security measures. 

Meanwhile, cPanel provides an intuitive interface for end-users, simplifying tasks such as setting up email accounts, managing domains, and installing essential applications like WordPress. For resellers, this means fewer support calls and more time focusing on business growth.

WHMCS and Blesta

Billing and support automation tools like Web Host Manager Complete Solution (WHMCS) and Blesta play a crucial role in helping you manage your reseller hosting business efficiently. 

These platforms automate billing processes, from invoicing to payment tracking, allowing you to manage subscriptions without any hassles. They also offer robust support systems and automate ticketing and customer communication to improve client assistance. 

eNom Domain Reseller Account

Want to offer domains alongside your hosting services? An eNom Domain Reseller Account is your best bet. It lets you buy domain names at discounted rates and sell them to your clients, which can be a great way to boost revenue. 

Ample Client Accounts

A robust reseller package should ideally offer ample client accounts. This will allow you to cater to different markets and offer customized hosting solutions to your clients. With enough client accounts, you’ll have the flexibility to seize growth opportunities and stand out in a competitive market. 

A2 Hosting’s Affordable Reseller Hosting Plans

A2 Hosting reseller hosting page 

As hosting experts, we get how important it is to find the best reseller hosting provider. If you’ve ever held yourself back from starting your own hosting business due to high costs, lack of scalability, low uptime guarantees, or unsatisfactory customer support, you can trust us when we say that we’ve got you covered on all counts.

Let’s dive right into the standout features of our plans so you can see for yourself.

Kickstart Vs. Launch Vs. Grow Vs. Scale

At A2, we offer four reseller hosting plans: Kickstart, Launch, Grow, and Scale. Each plan comes with its own set of perks, including free Blesta or WHMCS, free SSL certificates, cPanel/WHM access, a 30-day money-back guarantee, and 24/7/365 in-house Guru Crew support. Here’s how they stack up: 

Choosing the Right Reseller Hosting Plan

The plan you choose can make or break your reseller hosting experience. You have to find one that suits your budget, aligns with your business goals, meets your clients’ needs, and sets you up for long-term success. Let’s break it down to make your decision easier.

If you’re a smaller agency or startup, sticking to your budget might be your biggest concern. In this case, our Kickstart plan could be the perfect fit, as it offers a balanced combination of storage and transfer limits at an affordable price. 

On the other hand, if you’re a growing agency or have a larger client base, you might find that our advanced plans, like Launch, Grow, or Scale, are better for your needs. These plans come with additional storage, high transfer limits, and value-added features like a free WHMCS license. 

A2’s Reseller Turbo Plans: Unparalleled Performance at a Reasonable Cost

A2 Hosting Turbo web hosting page

If speed and superior performance are your top priorities, you’ll love our Turbo Reseller Hosting plans. These plans offer the same reseller hosting options but with a turbocharged boost, thanks to our LiteSpeed web server, which provides lightning-fast page load performance. 

Significantly better website speed means better SEO rankings, lower bounce rates, and higher conversion rates. Despite its advanced features and benefits, our Turbo plans remain cost-effective, so you can get exceptional performance without breaking the bank. 

When to Opt for Turbo Reseller Hosting

Turbo is the way to go if your clients have intense performance requirements. For example, high-traffic websites can benefit immensely from Turbo’s speed enhancements. Additionally, clients who want to improve their SEO rankings and user interaction metrics may also find our Turbo Reseller Hosting plans highly valuable. 

Before making the switch, consider your current or prospective client base to see if they would significantly benefit from Turbo plans’ enriched performance. Look for signs such as high traffic volumes, slow website loading times, or SEO performance gaps. 

 A2’s VPS Reseller Hosting: When Your Clients Need More Resources

When your clients’ needs extend beyond shared resources, it’s time to consider A2 Hosting’s VPS Reseller Hosting. Unlike traditional reseller hosting, where resources are shared among many users, VPS Reseller Hosting gives each client dedicated resources, including CPU, RAM, and storage. This ensures consistent performance and avoids any downtime that could be caused by resource sharing. 

Although VPS Hosting costs more than shared hosting, the higher price tag can be worth it for clients with websites that require enhanced performance, reliability, and guaranteed uptimes. The extra cost is a reflection of the improved infrastructure and resources each client gets, giving them a stronger hosting solution.

Plus, A2’s VPS plans include Turbo features, making websites even faster. With Turbo-enabled VPS hosting, clients get speedier websites, which means happier visitors and better search engine rankings.

 Why A2’s Reseller Hosting Offers the Most Value

We’re serious about offering blazing-fast speed, affordability, ironclad security, a 99.9% uptime guarantee, 24/7/365 in-house technical support, and a comprehensive suite of additional features. Just take a look at how we compare against other reseller hosting providers: 

Start Your Reseller Journey With A2 Hosting Today

Providing high-quality reseller hosting services to your clients doesn’t require a hefty investment. Affordable reseller web hosting is not only possible but it’s also packed with all the essential qualities and features your clients deserve. 

A common misconception is that lower prices mean compromising on quality. But our plans are proof that you can blend competitive pricing with premium features and exceptional performance. 

With A2 Hosting, you can access a wide range of hosting plans tailored to various needs. This includes shared and VPS options, both of which are enhanced with Turbo capabilities to deliver super-fast site speeds. Get started with A2’s reseller hosting now to start making money as a reseller!  

The post Affordable Reseller Web Hosting appeared first on The A2 Posting.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of building a WordPress site in three easy steps, so you can share your ideas with the world.

Step 1: Choose a Hosting Plan and Domain Name

The foundation of any successful website is a reliable hosting plan and a memorable domain name. Here’s how to get started:

Selecting a Hosting Plan:

Research Hosting Providers: There are numerous hosting providers available, each offering different plans with various features. All hosting providers are not the same so make sure to do your research to find the best fit for you. Hosting companies should be evaluated on the following criteria:

• Speed and performance
• Ability and track record to keep your site secure.
• Scalability to grow with you as needed
• Cost effective

WordPress is the most extensible and widely used platform on the web, so it’s important to choose a hosting partner for your WordPress site that knows what they’re doing. Both A2 Hosting and WordPress were established 20 years ago and from our inception, our focus has remained the same: providing our customers with the ultimate hosting experience. Renowned for our speed and reliability, we offer plans to fit various budgets and the flexibility to scale as your website grows. By choosing A2 Hosting, you ensure you have reliable and fast hosting to set your website up for success. Don’t just take our word for it– check out what other customers have said on TrustPilot and see why our customers choose us!

Choose a Plan: Hosting plans typically come in different tiers, catering to various levels of website traffic and requirements. If you’re just starting, a shared hosting plan is usually sufficient. As your website grows, you can upgrade to more robust options.

At A2 Hosting, we have plans for all different levels and budgets: from shared, to VPS, to Dedicated Servers. For super easy setup, choose Managed WordPress hosting. These plans are geared towards WordPress users and offer fast and easy setup for WordPress sites.

Register a Domain Name:

• Brainstorm Domain Names: Your domain name is your online identity – make sure to choose one that reflects your website. The best domain names are memorable and would be relevant to your website content.
• Check Domain Availability: Use a domain search tool to ensure that your desired domain name is available. If your first choice is taken, get creative with variations or consider using different domain extensions (.com, .net, .org, etc.).
• Complete the Registration: Once you’ve found an available domain name, complete the registration process.

By the end of this step, you’ll have secured a hosting plan and a unique domain name which will lay the groundwork for building your WordPress site.

Step 2: Building Your WordPress Website

Install WordPress and Create Site:

Before you start building your site you will first need to install WordPress. If you have selected a plan like our Managed WordPress hosting plan, the installation is done for you. Otherwise follow the instructions here to get started.

In addition to installing WordPress, If you want to take the hassle out of setting up a new site, all our managed plans come with a quick site launcher preinstalled. It will guide you through building and launching your site and allow you to get started in minutes! Choose the type of site you want to build, its goals, your design preferences and the pages you want to build. You can even choose from thousands of responsive WordPress templates right in the launcher.

Choosing a Theme: 

Login to your WordPress dashboard and go to the ‘Appearance’ tab and select ‘Themes’ Here, you can browse through a variety of free and premium themes. Make sure to choose a theme that aligns with the purpose, style, and functionality of your website. Once you’ve found the perfect theme, click the “Install” button, followed by the “Activate” button. Your website will now have a new look based on the selected theme.

Select and Install WordPress Plugins:

WordPress plugins are like apps for your website and can add extra features and functionality to your site. To explore the plugin library, navigate to “Plugins” in the dashboard and click “Add New”.  You can also use the search bar to find specific plugins you want to install and activate.

Whether you want to enhance SEO, add a contact form, or integrate social media, there’s likely a plugin for it. Here are some of our favorites:

• Forms – Ninja Forms, Gravity Forms
• SEO – RankMath, All in One
• Page Builder – BeaverBuilder, Guten, Elementor

Once you find the plugins you want to use, you will want to make sure you look over the customization settings as most plugins come with options that allow you to tailor your site and optimize performance.

Step 3: Set Your Website Up for Success!

Elevate your WordPress site with these proactive measures for a seamlessly optimized and secure website. Here are some things to look at and adjust to ensure your WordPress site is operating at its best:

• Performance: Make sure to utilize things like page caching and image optimization, as well as Minify CSS,HTML & Javascript. Optimizing your site is important and will greatly improve your site performance, create the best user experience, and will help improve your search engine rankings.
• Regular Updates: It is important to keep your WordPress core, themes, and plugins up to date. This helps secure your website if you have the latest security patches. This also ensures that you have all new features available.
• Regular Backups: Set up automatic backups of your site for peace of mind.
• Utilize TurboHub: We have created a WordPress Dashboard for our WordPress users. This makes it easier for people to make many of the optimizations above as easy as a click! It’s now offered on all shared and managed WordPress plans.

Congratulations! You now have a WordPress site!

In conclusion, opting for our managed WordPress hosting provides a seamless and efficient solution for website owners. By auto-installing WordPress, the initial setup becomes a breeze and by utilizing TurboHub, it simplifies the process of implementing crucial optimizations for your WordPress site.

Get started today with managed WordPress hosting!

By following these easy steps, you’ve successfully built a WordPress site from the ground up! As you navigate your WordPress site, experiment with different themes, plugins, and customization options to make your site truly unique. Happy WordPressing! 

The post Build a WordPress Site in 3 Easy Steps appeared first on The A2 Posting.

Themes provide the look-and-feel of the cPanel interface. The latest cPanel theme release is named Jupiter, and it replaces the Paper Lantern theme (which in turn replaced the x3 theme before it). If you have been using Paper Lantern for awhile, you may be considering a switch to Jupiter. Here’s what you need to know about cPanel’s latest theme.

Differences between cPanel Paper Lantern and Jupiter themes

Jupiter provides a completely new look-and-feel to the cPanel interface. But it also offers two new pages: Tools and Solutions.

If you have used cPanel before, the Tools page will be largely familiar to you. It is the default page, and groups features into familiar categories, such as Email, Domains, and Databases.  You’ll also see relevant information about your account at a glance in the right sidebar, including:

• General information: Here you’ll find information such as your account’s IP address, home directory, username, and more.
• Server information: Here you’ll find information specific to the server, such as software version numbers and path information.
• Statistics: Here you’ll find various statistics relating to your account’s resource usage, such as disk, database, and domain usage.

The Solutions page, on the other hand, is totally new. It is intended for novice users of cPanel. It features tutorials on common tasks, such as how to set up an email account and build a website. There are also FAQs and links to documentation resources to help you easily find answers to your questions.

Switching from Paper Lantern to Jupiter theme in cPanel

You don’t have to wait to see what the new Jupiter theme looks like. You can easily switch your account to the Jupiter theme now to get a feel for the new interface. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Log in to your cPanel account.
2. In the right sidebar, under GENERAL INFORMATION, locate the Theme list box.
3. Select Jupiter. cPanel switches to the Jupiter theme automatically.
4. If you want to switch back to the Paper Lantern theme, just select paper_lantern in the Theme list box.

Conclusion

cPanel has made it easy to switch to the Jupiter theme. With dedicated development and the promise of more features, the benefits of making the switch to Jupiter outweigh the costs of staying with the older Paper Lantern theme.

At A2 Hosting, we strive to provide our customers with the latest industry standards and updates. Our hosting accounts include the new Jupiter theme so you can enjoy the best that cPanel has to offer. Our dedicated Support team is standing by 24/7/365 to answer any questions you may have.

The post Switching to cPanel’s Jupiter Theme appeared first on The A2 Posting.

Common WordPress Security Attacks

Security Attack #1: Brute-force

Brute-force: In this attack, bad actors attempt to guess login information by using automated password generators.

Basic defense: Use strong passwords. For recommendations about how to generate strong passwords, see our Knowledge Base article.

Security Attack #2: Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)

This is a hacking technique where malicious code from user input is injected into web pages and then viewed by site visitors. XSS attacks can potentially extract sensitive information, affect website functionality, and more.

Basic defense: Wherever a web site receives user input, the input should be filtered as strictly as possible based on the expected or valid input.

Security Attack #3: SQL injection

In this type of attack, malicious SQL statements are injected via unsanitized user input. SQL injection attacks can be used to tamper with data, extract sensitive information, and more.

Basic defense: Scan your site for SQL injection vulnerabilities using online website scanning tools like Sucuri SiteCheck.

Security Attack #4: Backdoor

A backdoor is malicious code that contains a hidden way to bypass the login or authentication process of a website.

Basic defense: Make sure your server has antivirus and firewall protection and is kept up to date. Also make sure you keep WordPress itself and any associated plugins updated with the latest security patches.

Security Attack #5: Denial-of-Service (DoS) attacks

This type of attack renders a website inaccessible or unavailable to its users. For example, a Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attack sends traffic from multiple sources to a website, overwhelming its network connection.

Basic defense: Using a well-established Content Delivery Network (CDN) such as Cloudflare can help mitigate or even prevent these types of attacks.

Security Attack #6: Phishing 

Attackers use the phishing technique to impersonate a legitimate company, typically via email, in order to obtain personal information directly from the target. The attacker then uses the information to hack the site or commit fraud.

Basic defense: Spam filters can detect and prevent most malicious emails from reaching users’ inboxes.

Security Attack #7: Hotlinking

This is a technique where a website links directly to the targeted website’s assets, such as video or image files, in order to increase SEO ranking or to feature media without using their own server resources or bandwidth. For example, if website B hotlinks to website A’s featured image, and website B receives a lot of traffic on the page with the image, website A’s server resources are depleted, potentially affecting website A’s performance.

Basic defense: Use a plugin or Content Delivery Network (CDN) such as Cloudflare to help protect your media files.Conclusion

Conclusion

Now that you understand the various types of security threats to be aware of, consider the following root causes of why your WordPress site may be vulnerable to security breaches:

• Your WordPress site is out of date and requires an update to the most recent version.
• You have unused or outdated themes or plugins installed on your site, which cause compatibility issues and open up security holes.
• Your WordPress site admin login page is still set to the default /wp-admin, making it vulnerable to brute-force attacks.

Give your site a thorough security audit, or contact the A2Hosting Guru Crew if you want to improve the security of your WordPress sites.

The post 7 WordPress Security Attacks You Must Know appeared first on The A2 Posting.

The concept of reselling has become increasingly popular due to the convenience it offers to companies, and the high number of sales generated through the partnership. However, some people may be hesitant to participate in reselling due to a lack of knowledge in the field. If you are an aspiring web hosting reseller looking to invest time in a new business opportunity, then read on to learn more!

Frequently Asked Questions About Being a Reseller

1. What is Reseller Hosting?

Running a web hosting company involves many things — acquiring and maintaining IT infrastructure, billing and managing customers, and much more. Needless to say, all of this also requires a lot of capital.

But with reseller hosting, you can provide web hosting services to your customers without all of the overhead and headaches of setting up and running an entire IT company. The “parent” company provides the digital infrastructure, freeing you (the reseller) to focus on creating, maintaining, and expanding your customer base. Even better, with white-label reseller hosting plans, you can brand everything under your own business name and logo.

2.   How Do I Become a Reseller?

To become a web hosting reseller, find a company that you are interested in partnering with. Make sure you find a reliable and trusted company, like A2 Hosting. Feel free to contact us — we are happy to help and answer your questions!

3.   Who Can Become a Reseller?

Anyone can become a reseller. If you are a driven and motivated individual, then you are the perfect candidate. As long as you are willing to learn and determined to succeed, then we are happy to welcome you as a reseller.

4.   Why Should I Become a Reseller?

Reselling is a great way to gain business experience, such as.

• How to sell a product.
• How to advertise your services.
• How to run a business.
• … and much more!

If you are looking to start your own business, or want to build your reputation and expertise to explore other business opportunities, then reseller hosting may be a good fit for you. You are able to gain necessary experience while generating your own revenue.

5.   How Much Capital do I Need?

This typically depends on the company you are collaborating with. Many companies offer flexible packages that allow a reseller to pick and choose from their list of options depending on their budget. There are companies that also permit resellers to build their own packages in terms of variety and quantity to personalize their experience.

At A2 Hosting, we have a variety of reseller plans to help you launch your web hosting business.

6.   How Much is the Profit?

The profit depends solely on how well you do. You set your own profit margins and quotas. Work within your limits and try your best to surpass them if you can.

7.   Do I Need My Own Domain Name?

As a web hosting reseller, you should have your own domain name. The domain name is an important part of your company’s identity.

If you do not have a domain name yet, make sure you read our tips for choosing an effective domain name.

8.   How Do I Create my Own Packages and Prices?

Many resellers use WebHost Manager (WHM) to create and manage account packages. For the billing and customer account management side of your business, WHMCS and Blesta are popular choices.

9.   How Can I Succeed as a Reseller?

As with most things, it all comes down to how hard you work. If you are new to reselling, it can all seem a bit overwhelming at first. Like any business, reseller hosting requires hard work and perseverance. But it can also be very rewarding, and profitable at the same time.

10. Where Do I Start?

Start by contacting us today! We are always ready to welcome new resellers. We can help you get your web hosting business off the ground and guide you through the initial setup process.

Take the next step into unlocking your potential by working with us!

The post What is Reseller Hosting? – Top 10 FAQs appeared first on The A2 Posting.

What is an Email Blacklist? 

The email blacklist is an extensive database of public domains and IP addresses marked as suspicious for sending spam emails through the internet. It’s also known as DNSBL (Domain Name System-based Blackhole List) or RBL Real-time Blackhole List. Organizations like Email Service Providers (ESP), Internet Service Providers (ISP), and anti-spam agencies (ASA) use this list to detect, monitor and block any spam emails entering their network. 

Am I Blacklisted? What Are the Signs?

There are many signs to alert you of your IP’s status. When you’re blacklisted, you can’t send emails to the recipient’s mailbox properly. Now, this doesn’t mean you’re going to be blacklisted from every mail server in the world. If you’re blacklisted with one DNSBL service, there are hundreds more that may not have blacklisted you. A few key signs:

1. There are an increased number of emails lost. 
2. You experience deteriorating delivery rates.
3. You find a high number of email bounce rates. 

These don’t confirm you’re blacklisted but are some warning signs. If you check a few of the boxes for delivery issues, you can now check to confirm the blacklisting of the domain or IP address. 

Checking Your IP address and Domain in an Email Blacklist Directory

There are various email blacklist services on the internet. It’s not practical to check every single one of them, but some applications maintain a list of live RBL (real-time blackhole list) directories to save your time. They provide a page dedicated to that RBL service and also offer a service to delist your domain or IP address. 

Here are a couple of popular RBL applications:

• MXToolBox: This checks for domain blacklisting across multiple RBL lists. It provides detailed information and suggestions on your domain’s current status. 
• MultiRBL: This is a free DNSBL lookup site that can scan 100+ DNSBL lists to check for domain blacklisting. It also details the steps to remove your domain from the blacklist. 

Malicious sites can be blacklisted by Google Safe Browsing, which will warn visitors of potentially unsafe pages. Dropmysite includes a feature that sends you alerts if your site is listed on this blacklist monitoring program – so take immediate corrective actions before it gets too late! A2 Hosting offers Dropmysite as an add-on cPanel plugin so that you can back up your data and monitor your websites. These services can help you actively monitor your IP address so that you can ensure swift delivery of all of your emails. 

Blacklists are an important tool for email deliverability. They help protect email users from spam and phishing emails and improve the deliverability of your legitimate email campaigns. If you’re not familiar with blacklists or aren’t sure if your IP address is on one, we encourage you to use a blacklist checking tool. Use this information to clean up your email practices and improve your chances of getting delivered to the inbox. If you have any more questions or concerns feel free to contact our support team 24/7/365!

Related Articles:

• How to stop unwanted e-mail using Spam Filters
• How To Prevent Outgoing Email From Being Marked As Spam
• How to monitor blacklisted sites using Dropmysite

The post What Is An Email Blacklist? appeared first on The A2 Posting.

Brute Force is a website attack that uses either humans or systems to target protected information, with the main goal of obtaining login information. This blog discusses some well-known methods for preventing Brute Force attacks.

1. Hide the WordPress Admin Login Page

WordPress by default has the login page as either one of the following:

•  /wp-login.php
• /login
• /wp-admin
• /admin

Gaining access to login pages, particularly the admin login, provides hackers with unrestricted access to the entire site.

There are several ways to hide the login area, including using a plugin like WPS Hide Login, which allows you to change the admin login to another URL of your choosing. When someone tries to access wp-admin/wp-login.php/login/admin, they will get a 404 error.

2. WordPress Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) 

A two-factor authentication gives you an extra layer of security by requesting additional identification factors like the following: 

• A unique password (OTP) sent by SMS/e-mail
• A phone call
• A QR code
• A push notification

WordPress supports two-factor authentication via plugins like the Two-Factor plugin or time-based authentication via Google Authenticator. The Google Authenticator plugin enables per-user two-factor authentication. You could enable it for your administrator account while using less privileged accounts as usual.

3. Cloud-Based Security Plugins

While traffic is beneficial to any website, excessive bad traffic depletes your server’s resources. Similarly, limiting the number of users who can enter your site at the same time protects you from distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks. Popular cloud security plugins such as Sucuri or CloudFlare not only protect against brute force login attacks, but also other security threats such as DDoS, spam, and bots. They provide complete protection for your WordPress site. Examine the security measures provided by your hosting provider for your website.

Conclusion

As previously stated, a brute force attack is one of the most traditional attacks, but it remains the most common type of WordPress security attack. While plugins and other security tools are available to help mitigate security threats, it is always important to keep your WordPress up to date. This includes updating any plugins and themes, as outdated plugins or themes provide a good backdoor for hackers to attempt a security attack. If you have any questions or need any help protecting your site contact our support team today!

The post How to Protect Your WordPress Against Brute Force Attack appeared first on The A2 Posting.