Throughout our website we try and keep everything plain and simple. But sometimes there are words or phrases that can not be simplified. But this page will explain those words for you!

Terms Covered: cPanel, Space, Bandwidth, Payment, FTP, Email, MySQL, Hosting, PHP

cPanel
cPanel is an online software package that is used by hosting companies to allow their clients to easily and quickly access information about their account without the need for phoning up or emailing. It also means everyday tasks can be done instantly.

It allows you to access information on who has visited your website (updated every night), how much space you have used and have left, how much bandwidth you have used, manage email accounts, manage ftp accounts - well, pretty much everything!

Go back to previous page

Space
We don't mean the thing that our world is floating in. We mean how much 'space' you have on your account. With Web Hosting this will dictate how many photos/videos you can upload. Web pages themselves take up hardly any space - usually a 20 page website will take up less than 10MB! But when you start adding flash animations, high resolution graphics etc. - then it starts to eat up the space.

Space for 'Email Hosting' will dictate how many messages you can keep on the server (if you use something like Microsoft Outlook, or Outlook Express - then usually it downloads your messages then deletes them off the server, so you never need to worry!) but it will also mean that large file attachments (for example some high resolution photos or large video clips) will use up your space. On a 5MB email account, you can easily store 100 basic messages.

Go back to previous page

Bandwidth
No, we don't mean how long you can stretch an elastic band until it breaks! Bandwidth dictates the amount of 'data' that can be transferred each month. Usually you would have come across this term with your broadband provider. Sometimes called 'file transfer limit' or 'monthly usage allowance'. A basic website will easily keep within our smallest package limits even with 1,000,000 users a month visiting your website!

If you have videos, flash animations or high resolution photos on your website. Then your bandwidth will be used up much quicker. You can monitor the usage through cPanel and if you see your account approaching it's limit, then we can quickly and easily upgrade your allowance with minimal fuss and disruption. We usually let you know once it is near it's limit anyway!

Go back to previous page

Payment
Well, I think everyone know what 'Payment' means. And most people dread it! But we try and make things easier for you with flexible payment terms and a host of payment methods. Currently we do not accept credit/debit card - but you can pay online through PayPal without the need for an account, or use the new Google Checkout! Here is a list of our current accepted payment methods:

• PayPal (worldwide)
• Google Checkout (worldwide)
• Cash (UK only)
• Cheque/Postal Order (payable to Azabia Business Services) - (UK only)
• BACS/CHAPS/Bank Transfer (UK only)

For our business customers, we also allow a 30 day credit account. Please contact us to discuss this. For all others, we require payment in advance of the services we provide. Sometimes we do allow up to 7 days to pay for changes to your account.

We are also VAT registered, our registration number is shown on all our invoices and all prices on the website are inclusive of VAT. So what you see, is what you pay!

Go back to previous page

FTP (File Transfer Protocol)
FTP is a program on our server that allows you to connect to us. This is so you can upload your website. Usually programs such as Microsoft Frontpage or Dreamweaver request these details when uploading the website you made through them. Here are the most commonly used details:

FTP Address: ftp.azabia.co.uk
FTP Username: yourusername
FTP Password: yourpassword
FTP Port: 21
Upload directory: /public_html (anything in this folder can be viewed on the net)

Go back to previous page

Email (Also POP3, SMTP, IMAP, Webmail)
Email accounts can be associated to your website, so instead of using @aol.com or @btinternet.com you can have a professional email address that goes with your company. For example sales@yourcompany.co.uk or support@yourcompany.co.uk, even joe.bloggs@yourcompany.co.uk!

Go back to previous page

MySQL (Database)
MySQL is a database that is widely used all over the internet. Applications such as Forums, Content Management Systems, Shopping Carts etc. use it. We also use it for all of our database applications we are asked to create.

Go back to previous page

Hosting
Hosting is the term used when someone has something on their computer and lets others use. For example 'Web Hosting' is where a company holds your website on their server and gives you an address to access it. The same goes for 'Email Hosting' where a company holds all your emails (securely) and then lets you access them when you need to.

Go back to previous page

PHP
PHP is a scripting language, just like ASP, Javascript etc. But is widely used all over the internet. It is also freely available and not commercialised like ASP is. This means anyone with a little bit of knowledge - or wants to learn - can create their own applications on the internet.

Go back to previous page