Web Hosting Services

What do we offer as Web Hosting Services?

At Smith Consulting & Design, LLC we try to simplify the process of maintaining a Domain Name and Hosted Space by offering you 4 different packages to select from. Each one of our “Packages” varies depending on your website needs, an E-Commerce site will need more space than an informational website, so you may want to choose a package that gives you more Disk Space. Below are our current packaging lists along with a description of what each element in the packages are:

The IP Address Systems

For every website that is on the web, there must be a place of origin for their files to call home, and also an address where those files are located. This is done by assigning IP (Internet Protocol) addresses. Our devices were manufactured to follow a list of built-in commands, rules, and standards, known as protocols, to communicate and identify with other devices, or connect to the internet. It is essential for each device to have a unique IP address so that it can communicate to devices outside your local network. In the past, before the creation of the Internet, we had to write letters manually to communicate with a person that was not living near us. It was important for the delivery service to have a bit of crucial information, where was the letter going, and where it come from. This is exactly what IP addresses give each device “an address”.

As of today, we have only 2 types of IP address systems, IPv4 32-bit binary address which looks something like 192.321.2.1, this 32-bit system can give us 4,294,967,296 unique available addresses. In the past when the internet was just an idea, the 32-bit system would have enough unique addresses for every device, until the introduction of mobile devices, that is when IPv6 128-bit binary address was created. This 128-bit system is able to give us 340,282,366,920,938,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 unique available addresses. Each site is required to have a Domain name, which is another fancy way of saying an IP address

Domain Name System

Domain Name Extension

The domain name extension is also referred to as the top-level domain (TLDs). In the beginning, there were only 6 top-level domains created for a specific purpose, and knowing what the TLDs are, and their purpose will help you choose the right TLD for your website. The most used options for a top-level-domain are as followed:

• .com – Commercial Websites and Business Websites
• .gov – Governmental Websites
• .mil – Military Websites
• .org – Organizations and Non-Profit Websites
• .edu – Educational Websites that are accredited.
• .net – Network operators and Internet service providers Websites

If you are like many other people trying to decide on what domain extension is best for your website and wondering if Google will list your site higher in the search engine results pages because of its domain extension, do not worry Google does not treat any domain extension differently. Here is the answer from Google themselves: “Does my top-level domain (TLD; for example, .com, .org, .gov, .ponies) impact my site’s performance in Google Search?“.

What are the differences between a “Free SSL Certificate” and an “Advance SSL Certificate”?

Simply put, an SSL Certificate is a digital file that contains information to verify a website’s ownership (or webserver). It also includes a cryptographic key that was issued by an approved Certificate Authority (CA) and authenticated. This enables the visitor to easily recognize and trust a safe website. The more well-known “green padlock” displayed in the address bar symbolizes this confidence. A green padlock (or, in some browsers, a strong, uncrossed padlock) indicates that the link has been properly encrypted for security.

Free SSLs and paid Dedicated SSL Certificates are the two most widely accepted types of SSL. The encryption used by a Free SSL Certificate and a Dedicated SSL Certificate is similar.

What is the distinction? Without a dedicated IP address, free certificates use Server Name Indication (SNI). This means that multiple domains will share the same IP address while still using an SSL certificate. It is worth noting that this certificate does not have the same degree of trustworthiness as an Advanced SSL with a dedicated IP. This is because SNI is a modern extension that has only recently gained widespread support across browsers and devices. Some older browsers and devices may refuse to accept a certificate that uses SNI.

Dedicated SSL Certificates typically have a more comprehensive validation process. An Extended Validation SSL Certificate, for example, will verify not only the domain owner but also the legitimacy of the company claiming to be the website’s owner. Although the encryption is the same, this additional layer of validation will help visitors trust the website and company.

The level of acceptance offered by a free AutoSSL is sufficient for most informational websites. Large-scale businesses (such as an eCommerce store) that embrace private data about their customers, on the other hand, should consider purchasing a paid SSL from a reputable certificate authority. In addition to being commonly accepted in all browsers and computers, premium SSLs from certificate authorities also provide support and warranties. This is why many payment processors demand that you buy specific, high-end SSL certificates.