The cPanel Show – Podcast 212

When you talk about a web hosting control panel, nine times out of ten, you are talking about cPanel.  This juggernaut of the web hosting world has been around longer than I can even remember – and continues to be the dominate control panel out there for web hosts to choose.  So what makes it so special, and how has it lasted so long?  That is what we’ll be diving into on this episode of the Web Hosting Show.

Online Stores 101 – Podcast 213

Short of sharing our opinions, sharing our goods and services (whatever they might be) is the biggest thing we do online these days.  Everybody has something to sell, but how do you get started in the e-commerce world?  I will be covering some of the e-commerce basic right here on this very podcast today.  Hopefully it helps you learn a little more about how to get your own shopping cart set up or how to setup a store though one of the free store providers out there.

Stop Complaining – Podcast 211

We all complain day after day.  We complain about little things.  We complain about big things.  We complain about things that do not make any sense.  In web hosting, the main thing we complain about is the relationship between a web host and a customer (or vice versa depending on which side of the fence you are on).  Today, we have a very special guest that will help us all curb our complaining habits.

SEO Facts – Podcast 209

You might know the basics, but do you know all that you need to know about search engine optimization?  On today’s podcast will be discussing what is true, and what might not be so true in this shady business and also arm you with the knowledge you need to know when it comes to finding your own SEO expert.  Guaranteed to rank number one for web hosting awesome, the Web Hosting Show is now on the air.

Web Hosting Power-up Ideas – Podcast 204

Are you a webmaster looking for power-up ideas to turn your mediocre web site into a powerhouse of the Web?  Are you a web host looking for ideas on how you can diversify your web hosting services, to make a little more money on related services you can provide?  Today’s podcast is all about web hosting power-ups.  Little ideas that you can bring into your web hosting companies or your web sites to take them to the next level.

Making Money on Affiliate Hosting – Podcast 206

I might have been missing in action for a few weeks, but I have finally figure out a way to make it up to you.  I’m going to share my tips with web hosts on how to get more web hosting clients and I’m going to tell the webmasters out there how to earn more money.  So what is the secret?  I have one word for you.  Affiliate.

Web Site Performance – Podcast 202

Over the past few weeks, I have been doing a lot of looking around at web sites I run, and asking myself, “What can I do to make this web site better?”.  Well, after some experiments, trial and error, I have a few solutions I want to share with you.

Free Video Tutorial Fun – Podcast 203

I have not one but two ways you can use the power of some awesome online tools to create your own video tutorials, for web hosting or anything else on your computer screen.  Also I’ll explain the myth of unlimited hosting and talk a little about what the web hosting world is doing about the disaster in Haiti, all on this edition of the Web Hosting Show.

Grand Theft Website – Podcast 210

It is a big bad scary world when it comes to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act and website hosting.  On today’s podcast I will be discussing with you in detail what the DMCA is, what it means for web hosts out there, and what you should do if your own content has been ripped from your website.  The Web Hosting Show is on the air.

Blog Hosting Bonanza – Podcast 214

Blog hosting is big business these days in the web hosting world.  Everybody provides it, but do you know what exactly you should be looking for when it comes to finding the best blog host?  No matter if you are shopping for a new blog host or your very first one, I have a few suggestions that will help you find the blog host you’ve always dreamed of having.  Also, why pay for blog hosting – when you can get it for free?

There you have the ten most popular podcasts from the Web Hosting Show in 2010! I hope you have enjoyed the past year’s work and continue to tune in as we take the Web Hosting Show to new heights and even more listeners in 2011! Remember, you can always subscribe by email or subscribe to the RSS feed to make sure you never miss out on anything that is posted here.

If you ask just about anybody what control panel their web hosting account is using, nine times out of ten you are going to get cPanel as the response.  While cPanel has always seemed to be the proverbial, “big daddy” when it comes to controlling hosting accounts – I do have to say the company has done a great job at sort of remaking its image to seem more up to date and awesome.

It was not too long ago that people picked cPanel because it was pretty much the standard when it comes to web hosting control panels.  It might not have been the prettiest or the best, but it got the job done.  For Pete’s sake, it has been around since 1997 – so I would be willing to bet it is one of the oldest control panels out there too.

What is New with cPanel?

Over the past couple of years though, cPanel has gone beyond being the ugly old reliable control panel we have to use to the flexible and pretty control panel we want to use.  The cPanel website also offers much more when it comes to teaching you more about the company and the product.  Here are just a few of the more recent innovations you might not have seen yet:

• Webinars
  Join the technical marketing team and learn about product roadmaps, new features and topics you suggest. Hosted by David Grega and Mario Rodriguez
• Dev Blog
  Are you integrating your application with cPanel? Read tips, discussions, and how to’s related to integration, API’s, and tools by cPanel developers!
• News
  Catch the latest happening at cPanel ranging from software updates, press releases and general talk about the industry in the news section.
• Podcast
  Listen to cPanel technical writer Lindsey White as she discusses web hosting and interviews industry superstars.
• Social Media
  Follow cPanel on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or the forums and become part of the 1000′s of followers that engage in these communities.
• Events
  Find out where the cPanel team will be at next. This include various conventions, events and seminars across the globe.

So if you haven’t spent some time on the cPanel website in a while, I recommend you go check it out today.  Both the “Interact” and “Support” areas are well worth your time.

What is your favorite memory of cPanel? Leave your thoughts in the comments!

When it comes to web hosting for podcasts, a lot of this specialized hosting field has yet to be figured out.  Sure, you have your specialized plugins, content management systems made for podcasting, and a better understanding of it around the world.  When push comes to shove though, which is better, hosting everything from one place, or splitting your web hosting up between a shared host and a specialized audio hosting service?

That is just about the question Charley posed to me the other day:

In your opinion, is it preferable to have your blog and podcast mp3s hosted on the same server, or would it be better to keep the audio files with one host, and the web site files with another host?

For many years, I did this very podcast in a two host setup.

I was using Blogware as my blogging engine, then donated hosting space from a friend to host the audio files from.  Back then, there weren’t a lot of dedicated podcast hosting solutions, and the whole process was new to all of us, I think.  Of course now I host both the audio files and the web site files in the same place.  So being one who has done it both ways, let me tell you which method is best.

Let Your Wallet Have It’s Say

For the most part, you should do whatever set up is best for your wallet at the time.  You don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars in the effort to look like a professional.  Go for the cheapest setup that works best for you.  So with that said the “all in one” hosting would be my choice out of the two.

Now, that is not to say that specialized podcast hosting, like they provide at libsyn, does not have its place.  You might find your web site host is giving you issues after a hundred episodes or so, due to the fact that your using up so much disk space and bandwidth for those files.  In that case it might be better off going with somebody who specializes in hosting your audio files for you.

So if you can get away with getting started on a shared hosting plan at any web host out there, I would do it – however if they give you fits, then moving to a specialized podcast host would be the next best route before moving into something like VPS or dedicated hosting.

Thanks to Charley for the excellent question – and be sure to check out his podcast – Cross Driven Radio.

Like This Article? Listen to it and more like it on podcast #201 of the Web Hosting Show!

Here are the ten most popular web hosting podcasts from 2009:

Click the image for the show you want to check out, listen to and/or download.  2009 was a great year for the Web Hosting Show podcast.  We not only celebrated four years of bringing podcasts about web hosting and web development issue to all of you, we also celebrated the 200th podcast posted. 

Also, I’m not going crazy – I did say “we” because without your downloading, dedication and support, this podcast would not be the one and only voice of the web hosting world.  Thanks to you all, have a great New Year!

Since I now have 200 podcasts under my belt, and with a new year coming up quick, I thought now would be the perfect time to introduce to you my new project.  I want to help you with marketing.

Mitch Does Marketing!

Now, I will not create a new podcast or a blog.  Instead I am going back to my roots, and diving back into producing another book – shades of the long forgotten Lockergnome’s Guide to Web Hosting, which was the inspiration for this podcast four years ago.

So what can you expect? I’m not really sure just yet, other than I am looking to offer to the public at large tutorials, tips and advice on how to market your web site or online business, with as little cost to you as possible.  Think of it as a good ol’ southern boy’s guide to marketing.

As soon as I have more information on the project, I’ll be sure to share it with you here.  I hope it is as successful as my other projects are, and that most of all, you will get plenty of use out of it.

Like This Article? Listen to it and more like it on podcast #200 of the Web Hosting Show!

Download the Web Hosting Show, Episode 192!
Running Time: 12 minutes | File Size: 5.29 MB

Here are just a few topics from this week’s episode:

• Was I Snubbed by HostingCon?
• How Should Web Hosts Adapt to the Social Web?
• How to Create a .htaccess File
• How to Install a WordPress Plugin
• Dead Body Pose Bring Stress Relief to Web Hosting Workers
• Why I Don’t Do Web Hosting Reviews!

Here is this week’s web hosting news headline:
HostingCon Kicks Off – Media company iNET Interactive will host HostingCon 2009, the premier conference and trade show, at Washington, D.C.’s Gaylord National Resort on August 10 to 12.

Trivia Question – True or false, Tucows started in 1993? (to find out the answer, be sure to download and listen to this week’s podcast!)

Hope you enjoy this week’s podcast, and check out the archives where you are sure to find many more.  Also, if you have any feedback, comments or complaints – you can contact me at here.  Enjoy the show, and share it with your friends!

Web Hosting to Go – Episode 169 – October 20th

What would I like to have today? Lets see. I will have a large data center mashup map, a side of hosting tools (just remember to hold the tomatoes), a HP performance-optimized datacenter and a definition on what domaining is all about? For here or to go? I think I am about ready to go – because the Web hosting Show is now on the air.

The Magnificent Fantastico – Episode 168 – October 6th

From the first time I ever heard about Fantastico, I always thought about the traditional magician pulling rabbits from his hat. Who would have a clue that a few years later on down the road I would have a chance to speak with one of the magicians behind the magic at Netenberg to find out more about this favorite cPanel addition.

Bobcares About Support – Episode 166 – September 22nd

Any web host will tell you the hardest part about the web hosting business is finding a team of support people that care about your clients as much as you do. You want to make sure they are in good hands. One company that promotes themselves as those good hands to trust is Bobcares.

They specialize in support for small, medium and large hosting companies.

What is the AIHSP? – Episode 162 – August 18th

That is the question a lot of people are asking about coming out of this year’s most recent HostingCon. Paul Hirsch of the AIHSP stopped by to answer a few common questions we all have about this new association of internet and hosting service providers.

Personally, I am fully behind any organization that promotes the success of the hosting industry as a whole. The AIHSP looks to be on the right track.

Lower Your Hosting Costs – Episode 160 – August 4th

Want to save some of the green stuff? We have tons of great tips to help you lower your web hosting bills. That is not all though, but we have to leave some of it for the show. The Web Hosting Show is now on the air.

When Spam Attacks – Episode 157 – July 14th

Did you know the peaceful Swiss people have problems with spam? The king of all spam has also met his fate. Spams not the only thing we got on the line up today, there is a lot of hosting news, and information coming to you. So stand back, there is a Web Hosting Show coming through!

Hosting Hustle – Episode 155 – June 23rd

You can only do so many silly intros to a podcast before you run out of idea. Let me just say I got lots to talk about this week from domain marketing to somebody spitting in your web hosting fast food. Confused? Good I like to leave you wanting more and well, here it comes!

Inside Web Hosting Reviews – Episode 152 – May 12th

On today’s special edition of the Web Hosting Show we have in the studio Emory Rowland of Clickfire.com. Emory has been an insider in both the web hosting and web development worlds for a long time – so there are many topics I would like to pick his brain about. Today though we will be cover from head to toe the world of web hosting reviews.

Zangief Does Domains? – Episode 150 – April 22nd

Did you know that the Web Hosting Show was Yakov Smirnoff’s favorite way to spend a lazy afternoon? Ok, maybe that isn’t true but I will update you on the rise of the Soviet Union domain name extension as well as pull the curtain other myths and rumors about SEO. Now just as long as Yakov’s lawyers don’t shut me down, the Web Hosting Show is on the air.

Troubleshoot Your Hosting Woes – Episode 148 – April 14th

From coast to coast, and all around the hosting world we all have times where we contact support and they say that nothing is wrong. Today I’ll show you how to paint a better picture for support of your hosting problems as well as…

Well a lot more hosting podcast goodness right here on this week’s edition of the Web Hosting Show.

Searching the Free File Hosts – Episode 145 – March 17th

On this week’s show I am going to give you a run down on some of my favorite search tools to find files hosted for free on the services such as Rapidshare, Megaupload and more. Also tune in to hear about the basics of traceroutes for both Window and Macs as well as a lot more hosting goodness packed into one awesome podcast.

Hosting Podcast Turns 3 – Episode 143 – February 25th

It is not only my birthday, but it is your birthday too. The Web Hosting Show has been rocking the web hosting industry for three year now, and hopefully for many more years to come.

No surprises, no special guests no fluff will be here today though. I am just going to do my job and give you a grade A podcast you will soon not forget.

Checking in with Dr. Hosting – Episode 140 – February 4th

The hosting doctor is in and is ready to see you now. There are several sicknesses out there in the web hosting world that could bring you down.

I’ll inform you about those, and let you know of a few hyper-linked medications to check out too. The Web Hosting Show includes no side effects and an awesome orange-like flavor I’m sure you will enjoy.

Shiny Happy Hosting – Episode 138 – January 21st

You ever wonder why hosting people always seem so up to beat and happy? Maybe it is due to the fact we have to be due to dealing with customer relations all day.

Maybe it is because the angry part of our brain died a long time ago. Shiny happy hosting people rejoice, the Web Hosting Show is on the air.

With 2009 on the way, that means there will be even more web site web hosting podcasts, interviews, web site improvements and oh so much more. If you have any feedback you wish to share of the past year’s content please feel free to do so here.

A Web Hosting Blast – Episode 171

Like an unlit firework on the 4th of July, the Web Hosting Show is back and ready to burst with excitement anytime now. All we need is for you to ignite the flame, tune in, and we will have a web hosting blast like the world has never seen. The Web Hosting Show is back on the air.

Here are just a few topics from this week’s podcast:

• Where is the Good in Clustered Web Hosting?
• An Online Tool to Clean up Your CSS!
• Problem Finding FFmpeg Web Hosts?
• Multi-column CSS Layouts with YAMAL Builder

Wholesome Hosting Entertainment – Episode 172

Time to gather the family around the iPod, computer, or wherever you may be listening to me at and find out what is going on inside and outside of the web hosting world we all know and love. Grandma grab the popcorn, Little Bucky, you go grab the drinks. The Web Hosting Show, is now on the air.

Here are just a few topics from this week’s podcast:

• My Favorite (and the BEST) FTP Client
• The Seven Dirty Web Hosting Words (and Phrases)
• Get Access to Photoshop Online for Free!

Happy Thanksgiving to all of the Web Hosting Show listeners out there.  Hope you have a great one, and see you back here next week.

Download the Web Hosting Show, Episode 154!
Running Time: 16 minutes | File Size: 7.17 MB

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

• What is Your IP and Why Do You Need It?
• Don’t Backup My Documents on Your Hosting Account!
• Checking Web Popularity with URLmetrix?
• Gawkwire, a new Internet and Hosting News Site Launches!

Podcast Exclusive – Part 2 of Our “How to Purchase a Web Hosting Business” Series with Web Strategist Errett Cord. Download the podcast to check it out!

Ever have one of those periods of time where it seems like nothing is going right?  Two weeks ago my main podcasting powerhouse of a machine was fried and I was still waiting to get it back from HP.  Last weekend, I had no power due to a line of wicked weather.  This week I am knocking on wood and tossing spill salt over my shoulder because thus far, nothing has interupted me.

I often get asked a few general questions about this show and how I do things so I thought this week’s show would be a perfect time to answer some frequently asked questions.

When and how did this podcast start up?

This podcast was a project I wanted to do after writing Lockergnome’s Guide to Web Hosting. After that eBook was finished, I needed something to spend my time on – and with podcasting still being an infant those days, I thought I would try to put together a weekly show. Three years later, I have yet to find a reason to stop yet.

Who are you to tell me about web hosting?

I’m just a guy who has a passion for the web hosting business. I’ve been described as a cheerleader by some, but personally I don’t think I look that good in a skirt. I started in the hosting industry back in 2003 – working as a level one support guru. Then I worked my way up to becoming both a customer service director, then manager. In late 2004 I was fired from my day to day hosting duties and decided to give freelance writing a shot. From there till 2006 I wrote about the hosting industry and worked for several Online juggernauts till I came back to customer service work at Lunarpages in September of 2006. I guess if you wanted to consider that a “day job”, my role there is the forum mod and “sales guy”.

What advice do you have to give other podcasters?

If anybody else out there wanted to do what I do about any topic out there under the sun, I would tell them to just give it a shot. You’ll never know if your any good unless you stop being afraid of failure and get of your rear end and try. I have been far from successful at everything I have done (everybody has a bad idea from time to time) but get an idea, grab a mic and talk. If the listeners come, they come. If they don’t then you at least can say you gave it your best shot.

What is next for the Web Hosting Show?

Well, with 400 to 500 episode downloads a month I am happy to say the Web Hosting Show’s audience continues to grow day after day, and podcast after podcast. As an example, here is my feed stats from day one to the present:

I want to keep doing what I’m doing, hopefully do it well.