Your website may (or may not) require a communications protocol called Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), also known as Transport Layer Security.

SSL certificates encrypt data exchanged between the web server and the user's computer. SSL certificates are found on most eCommerce websites and others where user-submitted data must be safeguarded. SSL certificates are also recommended for file uploading (FTP transfer) to ensure that programming code cannot be viewed by hackers using a packet sniffer.

Comodo 128/256 bit Positive SSL certificates are available for approximately $100 a year (including a dedicated IP address and installation of the certificate). Administrative hassles are reduced when certificates are licensed for multiple years (e.g. $500 for five years).

SSL certificate holders should note that the contact information and address information provided when ordering an SSL certificate will be publicly available, and at some point may be displayed in the viewers web browser.

Purchasing SSL certificates directly from the web host facilitates prompt, problem free installation. Attempting to transfer certificates from one host to another can be problematic (more costly than ordering a new certificate).

For security reasons, SSL certificates require a dedicated IP address.

Dedicated IP Address

A dedicated IP address is often un-necessary for simple, non-eCommerce websites. A dedicated IP address is sometimes advisable in order to ensure that email transmitted through the web server is not blacklisted by over-zealous anti-spam crusaders. Most websites are hosted using a shared IP address (virtual hosting) and could experience occasional blacklisting if another user on the same server is sending a lot of spam. Most web hosts immediately close accounts belonging to spammers, thus problems with blacklisting are not encountered often, but they do arise periodically. A dedicated IP address adds about $25 per year to the cost of web hosting.

Uploading Files To Your Website

Clients often ask how to upload development files to the server. Using Windows, the Add Network Places wizard can be used along with the user name and password assigned to their cPanel account. The format of the network address is typically ftp://username:password@YourDomainName.com/

Web developers often use WS_FTP Pro to upload files to servers. WS_FTP Pro can also be used to transfer files between drives on a PC, such as transferring changed or new files from a hard disk to an external USB drive for backup purposes. WS_FTP Pro is just one of many File Transfer Protocol applications.

Your website control panel usually offers a utility for uploading files to the website (usually one file at a time). Using FTP software is much more efficient.