What is the best way to manage multiple web sites with only one hosting account? That is the question Diane e-mailed to me a little earlier this week, and there are a few different ways you could get this done. Here is Diane’s dilemma.

I am a web designer and I have a bunch of little web sites. I’d like to have multiple web site hosting, so I can easily get in and work on my collection of little web sites.

Right now, I have each one hosted on its own account, so I have to ftp to one, do my thing, disconnect, ftp to the next one, do my thing, disconnect, etc. Also, I don’t want to spend a lot of money on the hosting for these little web sites because they are just little tiny web sites. Can you give me any advice on getting this type of web hosting? Thanks for help.

Now as I noted before there are several ways you could tackle this problem. Read more »

Johnny sent me an e-mail that was straight and to the point. The control panel solution, cPanel and enabling hotlink protection seemed to confuse him. So I told him I’d go through the process.

Do you want to keep others from stealing your web site graphics and pictures? The hotlink protection provided by your hosting account’s cPanel prevents other websites from directly linking to files on your web site.

Other sites will still be able to link to any file type that you don’t specify (for example, html files). You can use the hotlink protection to keep other sites from linking to your images, videos, and other files. Read more »

One question that I get from a multitude of web hosts is, “Are there any alternative methods to tech support that you know of?”. With everybody doing the standard e-mail, help desk and live chat support, people are looking for an alternative to give them an edge over the competition.

After sitting here and giving it some thought, I thought about the things I check on a day to day basis and one solution stuck out like a sore thumb screaming for attention. Twitter would make for an excellent web host to client conversation tool. Read more »

This is your episode people! I have taken some of your questions that you have had to ask me and turn them back around at you to make a podcast well worth listening to if you want to know more about the web hosting world.

Download the Web Hosting Show, Episode 131!
Running Time: 17 minutes | File Size: 7.53 MB

Here are just a few topics from this week’s episode of the Web Hosting Show.

• ResellerBackup.com - Another Good Site Backup Tool?
• GoDaddy is Helping Protect the Little Ones (no, not midgets)
• What is the Best Solution for Multiple Web Site Hosting?
• How do you Activate Hotlink Protection via cPanel?
• Thinking Outside the Box - Twitter for Tech Support!

Some people have asked me, why do the audio version of this show if you release all your show notes for people to read? Well - I don’t like to leave anybody out in the dark but starting today that will change a little. See if you can spot the audio only parts of the show that you can only get by downloading this week’s podcast by MP3.

Since I am taking the week off from the podcast (and yes, I’ll be back next week!) I figured I could take a little time to share with you another project of mine. A few weeks back I developed and launched my own free WordPress theme - Simpblue.

You can now take it for a test drive over at WPThemesFree.com so there is no reason for you not to give it a shot and check it out. I also need your help making sure we get a few good votes over there as well. Under “Rate” on the WPThemesFree.com web site, if you like it - make sure you give us a five WordPress “W’s” out of five.

Simpblue is a simple (and blue!) theme free for anybody to use. Only thing I ask is that you keep my designer credit in tact. Other than that, have fun with it - and if you do end up using it in one way, shape or form drop me an e-mail and let me know.

+ Download Simpblue Theme for WordPress! (.zip)

On a day to day basis I get a lot of hosting related links sent my way to review and check out. Here are some of the latest hosting related web sites that have caught my eye and got my attention.

TheWebHostBiz.com
This web site wants to be your guide to starting and running a successful web hosting business. Whether you are just starting out, or you have been around for some time, TheWebHostBiz.com features the tools, applications, service providers and resources that will make your web host business a success.

ServerADay.com
Well the short story for this web site given on the web site itself is “We think all those ‘deal-a-day’ websites out there are cool so we thought what the heck. We have something to sell, so why not give it a shot.” Also being a division of OLM means you don’t have to worry about any shady deals coming forth.

iWeb’s Server Warehouse Clearance Deals
This is another server deal finder that will allow you to hunt for a server of your own. You can list by price and “time of posting” for your deals. The inclusion of an RSS feed for the deals is also a winner. This looks like a great new way for the iWeb people to market themselves to the bargain hunters.

Remember you can always send me your hosting related links at mitch@mitchkeeler.com. New or old, I always love to check them all out.

I have touched on the topic of backing up your web site time and time again. With each article or podcasts I always seem to get the same remark.

“Well, thats great - now can you make it easy?”

For a long time I’d say no. Making it easy means doing something such as cron jobs and scheduling and a lot of other things that regular people don’t want to take the time to do. Now my new solution for the easy way out it going to be…

“Go buy CP Site Saver, it is reeking of awesomeness!”

CP Site Saver is the first tool for backing up your cPanel powered web sites that I have seen that actually works. No need for filling in confusing settings and geeky details. The whole process takes a matter of minutes and then your good to go.

The interface is simple, you just tell it your hosting login information and database details and then hit the backup button. The quickness and simplistics of it all are really amazing. My beef with many programs like this is there are 200 boxes you must fill in and keep updated. CP Site Saver just get the basics and lets you relax while it does the hard work.

When your all done, you’ll also be able to unzip you backup and have a look through it. What does CP Site Saver need? Well, it might be more of a flaw in cPanel rather than their product but I would really like to be able to say, I want to backup everything but that one folder. Also I wish there was a better control on having it startup with your computer (give me a yes/no box on that choice). Those are the only “nit-picky” issue I could find though.

Now there is a price tag on all this bliss, but $49.95 isn’t asking too much when you consider the time you will be saving.

Download the free 10 day trial and give it a shot. The trial will only allow you to work with one web site and one database backup. That should be enough to sell you though on this awesome service.