Hosting refers to the background computers onto which we load your web site. Hosting requires technical knowledge and a good understanding of the technologies involved.

We use three different hosting solutions; two are commercial hosting companies. We also have a small server facility that we usually use to host web sites during our development process.

Of course, some of our customers are already familiar with the technologies or would rather keep things in-house. We can work with you, whatever your preference.

When we host your site, we manage the online server features and ensure that your website is accessible to the internet. We also look after backups and monitor website performance.

We can also give you server access if you request it; we ask that you do not allow anybody access who doesn't have the necessary skills and knowledge. A broken server can take a lot of time to rebuild and will cost you money.

There are essentially four collections of files that we will produce when creating your web site; these are as follows:

1. Source Files - These are the files in which RapidWeaver stores your web site project. Every time we update the site, we will access these files.
2. Resource Files - These files include the images, video content, and text we use on your web site. You will probably provide us with many of these resources as we develop your site.
3. Web Site Files - These are the files that we load onto the web hosting server. They include the web code and structure that make up your web site. These files are different to the source files.
4. Internal Web Files - The website itself generates these files as you use to record things like your blog entries.

I could go into a very technical explanation about SSL and TLS, but that isn't the 4clouds way. So let's keep this brief. 

When you use web pages, clever criminals can read everything that you down and upload; this means when you type in your credit card number, someone with the right technology could take a peek at your electronic exchanges and steal your data. Of course, we don't want this to happen. So SSL/TLS is a technology that we use to encrypt these electronic exchanges, to make it impossible for a criminal to read your computer's conversation with a remote web server. 

You will probably know this technology as the padlock that you see in your web browser address bar. Banks often talk about this. You might also be familiar with the acronym HTTPS in web addresses. It is the S that is important, referring to the address as being Secure. 

Even if you are not taking credit card payments, a secure web site appeals to both search engines and people. Web privacy and security has become such an important issue for many users who often routinely block insecure web pages. If you do not have SSL/TLS installed on your web site, they might well block you. 

If you want a more technical review about the history and technology behind SSL/TLS, read this article on Wikipedia.

Securing a web site is somewhat complex, and so I am not going into detail, but we do want to tell you what we will do for you:

• Secure your web site using either a paid-for or free-to-use certificate. We will discuss the options with you.
• Renew your certificates when required.
• Redirect non-secure web traffic to your secured pages.

Email is probably the essential communications tool of our time. Most people send and receive several emails every day. An easy to remember email address is critical to aid users, so we recommend that you align your email address with your web domain.

Every Domain registered by 4clouds comes with email support, whether it be a forwarding server or a webmail/email client arrangement. We can assist with the setup of your email accounts and PC/Smartphone configuration.

We also provide a service to create email addresses for you, when required, or give you access to do that yourself.