Non-Webstix Website Hosting

I Do Not Wish to Have Webstix Host My Website. What Do I Need to Provide?

Most of the websites we create use PHP and a database called MySQL. Your hosting needs to have these things available and we'll need the login account information for all of these things. This article will explain all that's needed and you can forward this on to your current web host and they should know exactly what we're looking for.

Server Requirements - Joomla:

*Do not use PHP 4.3.9, 4.4.2 or 5.0.4. These releases have known bugs that will interfere with installation. Zend Optimizer 2.5.10 for PHP 4.4.x also has serious bugs and you should ask your host to upgrade to a newer version. Joomla! versions 1.5.15 + are compatible with PHP 5.3. Note that the OpenID library is not yet compatible with PHP 5.3.

**Joomla is not yet compatible with MySQL 6.x.

***In order to use SEO URLs, you will need to have the Apache mod_rewrite extension installed.

****Joomla is optimized for Apache, but also runs on Microsoft IIS (though not officially supported). Depending on your setup, you may need the following:

• PHP 5.2 - Installation instructions
• MySQL 5.1 - Installation instructions
• Apache 2.2 - Installation instructions
• Microsoft URL Rewrite Module - Required for SEO URLs only. For more information, click here. For information about using ISAPI, click here.
• FastCGI - Download for IIS6. Download for IIS7.

For further assistance using Microsoft IIS, visit the Joomla IIS forum.

We highly suggest using a Linux server.

Server Requirements - WordPress:

• PHP version 5.2.4 or greater
• MySQL version 5.0 or greater

What to Provide to Webstix:

• FTP/SFTP:
  • Server name / IP address
  • Username
  • Password
• MySQL:
  • Server name / IP address
  • Database name
  • Username
  • Password

What Also Helps Us / Optional:

• SSH login
• Location of a PHPMyAdmin installation (URL, username and password - if any)
• Your server control panel URL, username and password

Why Use Webstix Hosting?

Here are some things to think about if you are on the fence about whether to use Webstix website hosting or go with your own provider. You may get hosting with your ISP or phone provider but even though it may seem free, it could end up costing you more in the long run.

• Patches and upgrades - You are completely responsible for applying patches and upgrades to Joomla/WordPress. We may not remind you if they are needed. With our web hosting, we're on top of these updates and will let you know when your website needs them in order to be more secure.
• Webstix hosting is a one-stop-shop - When we host the site, you will never hear the words “you’ll have to contact your host about that…” or “We’re not sure but it looks like your host upgraded the XXX software…" When we host, we can troubleshoot things quickly without any barriers - it's our servers. Problems are fixed more quickly, which means more up time and less time (less cost to you).
• We have 100% access to all of our servers. We have what is called "root" access to every server we own. We're able to adjust and do anything we want. With most other hosts, you (or we) will not get this access. Getting things changed is either impossible or it takes days or weeks.
• When we upgrade our servers, we're able to test all the websites that we host to help reduce any problems that might occur. Sometimes things like PHP come out with major upgrades. We've been able to do them smoothly. With other hosts, we've had to give emergency service to some clients whose websites broke when their hosts did these upgrades and did not test their websites beforehand. Avoid the extra headaches and costs.

Having us host your website is not required but it could really reduce risk, headaches, cost and make your website less of a distraction so that you can run your business.