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A good shopping cart is perhaps the single most important feature of an eCommerce hosting plan. Having a user-friendly, convenient shopping cart is one of the best ways to convert targeted traffic into sales. One of the best new shopping cart solutions on the market is X-Cart. X-Cart is offered in several versions, including a free version and a more extensive X-Cart Pro edition. Some of the more appealing aspects of X-Cart is that it can be tried for free, it is a server-based solution, and it comes equipped with all of the features needed in a competent shopping cart software. In this review, we’ll cover some of the more notable features of X-Cart and offer a comprehensive overview of it’s capabilities.
Administrative Interface
The administrative interface of X-cart is categorized into six main sections; Administration, Affiliates, Management, Your Profile, Authentication, and Help. All of these sections can be accessed with ease from the main interface, in the web browser of your choice. Although the navigation and functionality of the software is relatively simple once it is setup, it may be difficult for the novice user to configure the software to match their server’s needs. It should be mentioned however that users do have the option of having the software configured for a fee of $50.
If you’re new to eCommerce web hosting, then it may be optimal to spend the $50 to avoid any hassle involved with installing and setting up the software. Most users find the installation and setup fee is worth the amount of features offered by X-Cart. Once the software has been configured, you can install it on any hosting account you’d like, and there are no limitations to it’s uses. If you’re having trouble finding a web host, you could also refer to the list of recommended web hosts on X-Carts site.
Category Manager
One of the more notable features of X-Cart is the Category Manager, which is a user-friendly administrative toll that lets you effectively organize your product catalog. With the Category Manager you can add as many categories as you’d like. You can also add subcategories by simply adding a slash to the category directory. For example, you could add a Horror sub-category in the “Movies” category by typing – Movies/Horror. This aids in site organization by providing a feature that is usually seen in content management systems, but rarely employed in shopping cart solutions.
Traffic and Sales Analysis
X-cart also offers a unique traffic analysis tool, providing detailed reports of the shopping carts use. For example, the conversion funnel report shows you the specific point in time when potential customers abandoned the shopping process. The software tracks the habits of customers as soon as they enter the site, noting which products they add to the cart, how long they shop, which products they view, and other crucial statistics. This information can be very useful in optimizing your site for maximum sales.
Expandability
One of the best aspects of X-Cart is it’s expandability. The user can expand the abilities of the software by adding modules that improve the overall functionality of the shopping cart. The amount of modules you’ll receive will depend upon the version of X-Cart you purchase. Although the software is fully customizable, novice users may find it somewhat difficult to edit the templates and design of the software without prior training. Fortunately, the software includes reliable and extensive support.
Fraud Risk?
The knee surgery seems to have gone well enough to let me drive into the office for the week. Walking’s still a little tricky. But at least I can drive! (Read More…)
Read the entire “Fraud Risk?” edition of the Web Hosting Talk Insider
How do they do it?
Those Olympians. How do they prepare for the Olympics? How do they prepare for the chance of loss?
I enjoy watching the Olympics. The spirit of the athletes is something to behold. I admire those that win their individual challenges, but I’m inspired by those that don’t. When I see athletes giving it their all when they know they have already lost the event, I can’t help but to be proud of the human race and our spirit to achieve. (Read More…)
Read the entire “How do they do it?” edition of the Web Hosting Talk Insider
(The Hosting News) – INetU Managed Hosting was ranked in the top 3 managed hosting services by hosting review service HostReview in their annual web hosting awards.
Since 1996, INetU has been a prominent hosting provider focused on business web hosting for mission-critical sites. INetU provides a tailored managed hosting solution designed for each of their clients’ needs and establishing long-term relationships that have earned them over 96% client satisfaction. INetU also attributes earning this award to the personalized expertise delivered 24×7×356 by certified personnel and true 100% uptime they provide.
“We are very honored to receive this recognition from HostReview,” commented Dev Chanchani, President of INetU, “Our clients already know that INetU is willing to go the extra mile for them, and awards like these are evidence of that.”
INetU placed #3 in the managed services category from HostReview’s Web Host Awards 2009. This is their second year placing in the top 5 for the managed services category. HostReview awards providers based on service quality, customer support, package diversity, new products, and overall performance.
INetU Listed As On Of Top 3 Managed Hosting Providers
(The Hosting News) – INetU Managed Hosting was ranked in the top 3 managed hosting services by hosting review service HostReview in their annual web hosting awards.
Since 1996, INetU has been a prominent hosting provider focused on business web hosting for mission-critical sites. INetU provides a tailored managed hosting solution designed for each of their clients’ needs and establishing long-term relationships that have earned them over 96% client satisfaction. INetU also attributes earning this award to the personalized expertise delivered 24×7×356 by certified personnel and true 100% uptime they provide.
“We are very honored to receive this recognition from HostReview,” commented Dev Chanchani, President of INetU, “Our clients already know that INetU is willing to go the extra mile for them, and awards like these are evidence of that.”
INetU placed #3 in the managed services category from HostReview’s Web Host Awards 2009. This is their second year placing in the top 5 for the managed services category. HostReview awards providers based on service quality, customer support, package diversity, new products, and overall performance.
(The Hosting News) – INetU Managed Hosting was ranked in the top 3 managed hosting services by hosting review service HostReview in their annual web hosting awards.
Since 1996, INetU has been a prominent hosting provider focused on business web hosting for mission-critical sites. INetU provides a tailored managed hosting solution designed for each of their clients’ needs and establishing long-term relationships that have earned them over 96% client satisfaction. INetU also attributes earning this award to the personalized expertise delivered 24×7×356 by certified personnel and true 100% uptime they provide.
“We are very honored to receive this recognition from HostReview,” commented Dev Chanchani, President of INetU, “Our clients already know that INetU is willing to go the extra mile for them, and awards like these are evidence of that.”
INetU placed #3 in the managed services category from HostReview’s Web Host Awards 2009. This is their second year placing in the top 5 for the managed services category. HostReview awards providers based on service quality, customer support, package diversity, new products, and overall performance.
Dealing with surprise
Last night my wife and I were at our local Toastmaster’s meeting. The table topics discussion was “what has surprised you?” The story of the time Kevin Gold and I made a hurried trip to LA that was filled with surprises from the beginning quickly came to mind. (Read More…..)
Read the entire “Dealing with surprise” edition of the Web Hosting Talk Insider
Exchange Web Hosting Content Sponsored by 1 and 1 Internet Exchange Web Hosting
(The Hosting News) - Microsoft Exchange is a customized solution for large scale organizations. While your company or group may not be using it, it is still rather common. You may someday deal with a group who has it, and you will want to know what to do in case a situation comes up. There are several topics that you should keep under consideration with Microsoft Exchange contingency planning.
Whether you use just part of Microsoft’s online services or you use their entire suite, the first thing that you will notice is that support is sometimes lacking. After all, in such a giant corporate structure there can sometimes be difficulty communicating. Continuity is one of the services that Microsoft prides itself on. Even if you own email hosting solution is down, Microsoft can pick it up and continue to provide you with service. This does not cost as much as making your own solution, and can last for as long or as short of a period of time as you need it to. Best of all, Microsoft does not charge through the roof like many of the other companies would! This is included with your Microsoft Exchange Hosting!
Best of all, Microsoft does all of this with their integrated service. Many other providers may nickel and dime you for each and every additional feature that you want with your hosting, including unlimited support and the like. While you might sometimes come across someone at Microsoft who isn’t the brightest, you will soon be able to get someone who can help you solve your problem and get on with your difficulties of normal business.
Getting back to the continuity of Exchange hosting. Microsoft does not require any client side installations, which is rather shocking to some. The other great feature that Exchange offers is backups. You are able to backup everything and keep multiple backups as well. This is great if you are simply trying to mess with some settings, upgrading the Exchange servers themselves, or have a massive meltdown on your corporate infrastructure. In order to truly know what you are doing you need to talk as a company. Setting technology goals for your business should be one of the first things that you do as an organization. What do you want the technology to be able to help you to achieve, when should it do it by and what tools should you use to do so. While Microsoft Exchange in and of itself is great, with a preset plan there is a lot more that can be done with it.
A contingency plan that plans for every eventuality will also have how long of a backup you would like with Microsoft Exchange. While in theory you could have an unlimited backup, this is just not practical due to the size of emails, and how many accounts are in your group/company/organization. You must decide on how long of a time period you would like to have and go with it. Otherwise, you are going to be backing up for hours upon hours, and never ending the backup!
Another important part of the Microsoft Exchange contingency plan will be what will happen in the case your Microsoft Exchange server dies/goes down. While this is highly unlikely, most of the time, Exchange automatically receives the email regardless because a backup picks up. However, you should make sure that your company is configured properly for this, otherwise you could lose some very important emails! Also, make sure that you can easily access the server in case of emergency either using SSH or another type of connection.
Exchange also has another great feature that lets you run command line functions. These are going to be your lifesaver if your server ever should go down. Not only will these tools help you to restore corrupted data and other problems with your Exchange database, but they will help you to find other problems with your Exchange server as well. The two command line functions are called ESEUTIL and ISINTEG.
The best way to avoid having to use your contingency plan is to think ahead of course! If you simply take the initiative to go ahead and fix any possible problems that you are having, you will not need to do much in the way of maintenance or deal with your contingency plan ever at all. Windows System File Checker tool, SFC.EXE is another important tool in your arsenal. It will allow you to check for errors within the server, that still let the server boot but are causing havoc with the operating system. You might notice that many of these tools are run on the command line, something that is heavenly for system administrators. Exchange is extremely easy to use and even easier to ensure that you have a contingency plan in place for.
Exchange Hosting Contingency Planning is a post from: Hosting News and Reseller Web Hosting information.
(The Hosting News) – In an effort to support the American Red Cross relief efforts in Haiti, Codero (www.codero.com) has joined with others in the hosting community to support and promote Hosting for Haiti (www.HostingForHaiti.com).
Partnering with the American Red Cross (www.redcross.org), Hosting for Haiti was created to promote and encourage relief efforts to Haitians who are in need of relief. Following the devastating 7.0 earthquake that occurred January 12, 2010, an estimated 1.5 million people have been left without a home. As a result, organizations such as the American Red Cross are critical in providing aid, shelter and other supplies such as food and water to these survivors.
“In times of need, we recognize the importance of banding together with others in our industry,” stated Ryan Elledge, Chief Operations Officer at Codero. “While our donation is a small step in repairing Haiti, we hope it encourages our employees, customers and other friends in the industry to participate.”
For those interested in donating, a direct link to the American Red Cross can be found at HostingForHaiti.com. 100% of donations will go directly to the Haiti Relief and Development Fund.
In an effort to spread the word to increase relief efforts, Codero has posted information about Hosting for Haiti on its blog (www.codero.com/blog/hosting-for-haiti) and encourages others to follow the progress on Twitter by following @hostingforhaiti or use the hash tag #hostingforhaiti in related posts. Industry partners who would like to participate should email info@hostingforhaiti.com for details.
Codero and Other Web Hosting Industries Extend Help to Haiti. is a post from: Hosting News and Reseller Web Hosting information.
(The Hosting News) – In an effort to support the American Red Cross relief efforts in Haiti, Codero (www.codero.com) has joined with others in the hosting community to support and promote Hosting for Haiti (www.HostingForHaiti.com).
Partnering with the American Red Cross (www.redcross.org), Hosting for Haiti was created to promote and encourage relief efforts to Haitians who are in need of relief. Following the devastating 7.0 earthquake that occurred January 12, 2010, an estimated 1.5 million people have been left without a home. As a result, organizations such as the American Red Cross are critical in providing aid, shelter and other supplies such as food and water to these survivors.
“In times of need, we recognize the importance of banding together with others in our industry,” stated Ryan Elledge, Chief Operations Officer at Codero. “While our donation is a small step in repairing Haiti, we hope it encourages our employees, customers and other friends in the industry to participate.”
For those interested in donating, a direct link to the American Red Cross can be found at HostingForHaiti.com. 100% of donations will go directly to the Haiti Relief and Development Fund.
In an effort to spread the word to increase relief efforts, Codero has posted information about Hosting for Haiti on its blog (www.codero.com/blog/hosting-for-haiti) and encourages others to follow the progress on Twitter by following @hostingforhaiti or use the hash tag #hostingforhaiti in related posts. Industry partners who would like to participate should email info@hostingforhaiti.com for details.
Codero and Other Web Hosting Industries Extend Help to Haiti. is a post from: Hosting News and Reseller Web Hosting information.
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