UKC

Beginners Guide: What are DNS Changes?

Navigating the online world can sometimes feel like learning a new language, especially when terms like “DNS changes” pop up. But fear not! This guide is here to demystify what DNS changes are, in simple, easy-to-understand language.

First things first, let’s talk about DNS. DNS stands for Domain Name System. Think of it as the internet’s phone book. It helps your computer find the website you want to visit. When you type in a web address like “uk-cheapest.co.uk,” your computer uses DNS to find the actual address of the server where that website lives. This is important because computers don’t understand names like we do; they use numbers known as IP addresses.

So, what are DNS changes? Simply put, DNS changes are like updating the contact details in your phone book. If a friend moves to a new house, you update their address in your contacts. Similarly, when a website moves to a new server (which has a different IP address), the DNS records for that website need to be updated. This ensures that when you type in the web address, you’re directed to the right place.

There are a few common reasons why DNS changes are made:

  1. Moving to a New Server: Just like moving to a new house, websites sometimes move to new servers. This could be for better performance, more space, or improved security. When this happens, the DNS records must be updated to point to the new IP address.
  2. Changing Service Providers: Sometimes, website owners switch to a different web hosting company for various reasons, like cost savings or better features. This switch requires a DNS update to direct the domain name to the new host’s server.
  3. Adding Services: Adding new services like email, a blog, or an online store may require changes to DNS settings to ensure these services work correctly with the domain.
  4. Enhancing Security: DNS changes are also made for security reasons, like setting up secure connections for a website (https).

Understanding DNS changes is also important for troubleshooting. If you’ve ever tried to visit a website and got an error message, it could be due to recent DNS changes. DNS updates don’t happen instantly; they take time to spread across the internet, a process known as propagation. It can take anywhere from a few hours to 48 hours for DNS changes to take effect globally.

Here’s a simple analogy: imagine sending out invitations to a party at your new house, but some guests have your old address. It’ll take a bit of time for everyone to get the updated address. That’s similar to DNS propagation.

For businesses, understanding DNS changes is crucial. Incorrect DNS settings can make your website inaccessible, which can lead to lost customers and revenue. That’s why it’s important to ensure that DNS changes are done correctly and to be aware of the propagation time.

In conclusion, DNS changes are a fundamental part of managing a website. They ensure that your website is accessible and running smoothly on the internet. While it might sound technical, it’s really just about making sure your website’s ‘address’ is up-to-date so that your visitors can find you without any hiccups. Remember, in the digital world, staying connected is key, and DNS is what keeps that connection alive and well.

SSC Certificates: Free or Premium? What’s the Difference?

The main differences between a free SSL certificate and a premium SSL certificate are related to factors like validation, trust level, features, and support. Here’s a breakdown of these key distinctions:

  1. Validation Level:
    • Free SSL Certificate: Free SSL certificates typically provide Domain Validation (DV) or, in some cases, Organisation Validation (OV). DV certificates only verify that the certificate applicant controls the domain, while OV certificates also confirm the organisation’s identity.
    • Premium SSL Certificate: Premium SSL certificates often include Extended Validation (EV) certificates in addition to DV and OV options. EV certificates provide the highest level of validation, involving a rigorous identity verification process for the organisation.
  2. Trust and Security:
    • Free SSL Certificate: While free SSL certificates offer encryption, they may not provide the same level of trust and security as premium certificates. Visitors to your website may not perceive the same level of assurance.
    • Premium SSL Certificate: Premium certificates, especially EV certificates, are associated with a higher level of trust. They trigger the browser’s green address bar, displaying the organisation’s name, which can enhance user confidence in your website’s legitimacy.
  3. Warranty and Liability:
    • Free SSL Certificate: Free certificates typically do not come with a warranty or financial liability protection in case of security breaches or mis-issuance.
    • Premium SSL Certificate: Premium certificates often include a warranty, offering financial protection in case of security issues or certificate mis-issuance.
  4. Validation Timeframe:
    • Free SSL Certificate: Free DV certificates are usually issued quickly, sometimes within minutes, as they require minimal validation. OV and EV certificates may take longer due to more extensive verification processes.
    • Premium SSL Certificate: Premium certificates, especially EV certificates, typically involve a longer validation process to ensure the organisation’s identity, which can take several days or more.
  5. Browser Compatibility:
    • Free SSL Certificate: Most free SSL certificates are recognised by popular browsers. However, premium certificates are more likely to be supported by a wider range of devices and browsers.
  6. Features and Additional Services:
    • Free SSL Certificate: Free certificates often provide basic encryption. Premium certificates may include additional features like vulnerability assessments, malware scanning, and daily website monitoring.
  7. Support:
    • Free SSL Certificate: Free certificate providers may offer limited or community-based support, which may not be as responsive or comprehensive.
    • Premium SSL Certificate: Premium certificate providers typically offer dedicated customer support, including phone and email support, with faster response times.
  8. Validation Seal:
    • Free SSL Certificate: Free certificates may not come with a site seal or trust badge, which can reassure visitors about the security of your website.
    • Premium SSL Certificate: Premium certificates often include a site seal that can be displayed on your website, indicating a higher level of trust.

In summary, the choice between a free SSL certificate and a premium SSL certificate depends on your specific needs. Free certificates are suitable for basic encryption, while premium certificates, especially EV certificates, are ideal for organisations that require a high level of trust, security, and brand recognition. Consider your website’s purpose, user trust requirements, and budget when making your decision.

Categories SSL

Beginners Guide: What are Nameserver Changes?

Ever heard of ‘nameserver changes’ while navigating the website management maze? Sounds like tech jargon, but it’s actually a super important piece for your site’s online life. Let’s simplify it, shall we?

Picture a nameserver as the internet’s very own phonebook. When you punch in a website address, like www.example.com, the nameserver is the genius that turns that name into a number the internet can actually use, its IP address. It’s the magic link between the web address we know and love and the techy numbers the internet uses.

Now, why mess with your nameserver? Imagine you’re moving your website to a shiny new hosting service. It’s like telling the post office you’ve moved to a new house; you need to tell the internet where your site lives now. Updating your nameserver ensures people typing in your web address land at your new online digs, not the old one.

And if you bought your domain one place but decided to host it somewhere else? It’s like letting your pals know your new address so they don’t end up at your old spot. You’ve got to point your domain to your web host’s nameserver.

Changing nameservers sounds techy, but it’s pretty straightforward. Log into your domain registrar, head over to your domain settings, and swap the old nameserver info for the new. Accuracy is key here; one typo could send your site into the internet void.

Heads up, though – these changes take a bit to spread worldwide. It could be up to 48 hours of a sort of digital limbo, where some visitors see your old site and some see the new. It’s like the short phase when your mail’s getting forwarded to your new place.

In short, getting a grip on nameserver changes is a big deal for keeping your website smoothly sailing on the internet seas. Whether you’re hopping to a better host or just tweaking your online strategy, smooth handling of these changes is the secret sauce to a stress-free online presence. Easy peasy!

The Significance of Keywords in Domain Names for SEO

Establishing An Online Presence

Your domain name plays a pivotal role. It’s not just an address; it’s a vital component of your website’s identity. One aspect that shouldn’t be overlooked is the inclusion of relevant keywords in your domain name and how it can impact your search engine optimisation (SEO) efforts.

Why Keywords Matter

Keywords are the terms and phrases that reflect the core topics and themes of your website’s content. Search engines like Google use these keywords to understand the nature of your website and its relevance to specific search queries. When users type keywords into search engines, they expect to find results that closely match their search intent. This is where your domain name can make a significant difference.

Improved Search Visibility

Incorporating relevant keywords into your domain name can enhance your website’s search visibility. Search engines take into account various factors when ranking websites, and domain names are one of them. Having keywords in your domain name provides search engines with a clear signal about your website’s focus.

Creating Keyword-Rich Domain Names

When choosing a domain name that includes keywords, it’s essential to strike a balance. You want the keywords to be relevant to your business or content, but you also want the domain name to be concise, memorable, and brandable. Here are some tips for creating keyword-rich domain names:

  1. Relevance: Ensure that the keywords you choose are directly related to your website’s content, products, or services. This relevance helps both users and search engines understand what your site is about.
  2. Natural Flow: Keywords should seamlessly integrate into the domain name. Avoid awkward or forced combinations that disrupt the name’s readability.
  3. Avoid Keyword Stuffing: Keyword stuffing, or overloading your domain name with keywords, can have a detrimental effect. It not only makes the domain name less user-friendly but also raises red flags with search engines.

Suppose you operate a digital marketing agency

A domain name like “DigitalMarketingExperts.co.uk” incorporates relevant keywords while maintaining a natural flow. Users searching for digital marketing services are more likely to encounter your website due to its keyword-rich domain name.

In conclusion, while choosing a domain name, consider the potential SEO benefits of incorporating relevant keywords. A well-chosen domain name can improve your website’s search visibility and help attract users who are actively seeking the products or information you provide. However, it’s crucial to maintain a balance between keyword inclusion and maintaining a user-friendly, brandable domain name.



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UKC10 – Server and Performance Upgrades

Security, Performance and Feature Enhancements

In our ongoing efforts to enhance your hosting experience, we will be upgrading all shared hosting accounts currently hosted on UKC10 (Plesk Obsidian) to a new, cutting-edge High-Performance Server Hardware configuration.

This advanced infrastructure harnesses the power of the latest AMD Ryzen™ 9 7950X3D processor based on the Raphael (Zen 4) Architecture, DDR5 RAM, and lightning-fast NVMe SSD storage. We have partnered with Hetzner to power this server using 100% renewable energy sources.

This upgrade is scheduled to take place between 1800 on Wednesday, September 6th, and 2200 on Friday, September 8th, 2023. We want to assure you that this upgrade will be seamless, and there will be no disruption to your services during this period.

Access to the Plesk panel and the recommended name servers remain unchanged:

Panel access: https://ukc10.uk:8443
Nameserver 1: ns.ukc10.uk
Nameserver 2: ns2.ukc10.uk

Please take note that the web server’s IP address will be transitioning from 194.163.188.11 to 94.130.54.52. If you employ custom name servers (as opposed to the recommended name servers, ns.ukc10.uk and ns2.ukc10.uk), we kindly request that you update your DNS A records to reflect the new IP address within a grace period of 7 days. This adjustment will ensure the uninterrupted accessibility of your website.

We’re committed to providing you with top-notch hosting, and this hardware upgrade is another step toward delivering the best performance and reliability for your website. If you have any questions or need further information, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our support team.

Thank you for choosing us as your hosting provider, and we look forward to continuing to serve you with even better performance and security!