Why Every Business Needs Professional Email (and Why You’ll Love It) 28 Jan 2025, 11:20 pm

Looking to make a great first impression with potential clients and partners? Look no further than your email address. A professional, branded email – like yourname@yourbusiness.com – shows you take your business seriously, establishing trust and showcasing your credibility from the get-go.

Professional email isn’t just about looking the part – it’s a powerful tool for your business. It keeps you and those you’re emailing safe with enhanced security, and some plans even provide features that make collaboration simple such as calendars, scheduling, online meetings, and more.

With the right email platform, you’re setting the foundation for stronger relationships with customers, partners, and colleagues while your email platform grows and scales with you. Ready to professionalise your communication? Read on to explore how professional email services can drive business growth by putting your best foot forward.

1. Communicate confidently and efficiently with your customers

Make a memorable first impression

First impressions are everything. When a potential customer or partner sees an email from your company for the first time, it’s your chance to show you mean business. A custom business email, such as bob@thebuildingexperts.com, immediately establishes trust when compared to a free email through Gmail or Outlook like bobthebuilder@gmail.com, which can come across as informal and unreliable.

Your email is often the first point of contact, and a professional address is the perfect opportunity to showcase your commitment to quality and that you’re willing to go the extra mile to be an authority in your field. When you use a business-class email address, you make it clear that you take your work seriously, and others should do the same.

Stay at the top of clients’ minds

A branded email address is your opportunity to make your business memorable. Consistency online across your website, social media, and email communication creates a unified experience for your clients and prospects. Every email you send is another chance for your brand to build upon that first impression.

Plus, email addresses that match your website domain name make it easier for customers to contact you and remember you, especially with a commonly used admin@ or info@ email – solidifying your identity and professionalism in their minds.

2. Boost productivity with your team

Streamline communication

Effective communication is all about staying organised. Managing customer, partner, and team interactions often means juggling multiple platforms for calendars, task lists, and meetings. A professional email solution integrates these tools into one simple system.
With shared calendars, your team can schedule meetings without endless back-and-forth.

Task managers keep everyone on top of their to-do lists, and automatic syncing across devices means no missed deadlines or double bookings. By combining these tools in one place, you save time and boost productivity.

Collaborate more effectively

Professional email services don’t stop at sending and receiving emails. Here at Melbourne IT, our business email packages come with advanced features to maximise your team’s collaboration – and if you’re on our professional email plan, upgrading is quick and easy.

With audio and video chat, online meetings, and file sharing, you have a compact communication hub. No matter where in the world your team members are, bouncing ideas around has never been easier. What’s more, for businesses using platforms like Microsoft 365, your team can work on the same documents in real time to keep projects on track.

3. Secure your business and its data

Protect your (and your customers’) sensitive information

Security is critical for businesses – especially if you’re handling sensitive customer data or trading confidential information. All it takes is one breach to majorly disrupt operations, damage trust, and put your reputation at risk. That’s why Melbourne IT’s professional email services come equipped with robust security measures: encryption ensures your messages stay private, spam filtering blocks unwanted attacks, and malware protection helps prevent phishing and other cyber threats. Count on us to keep your inbox protected and your customers’ trust intact.

Stay compliant and give clients peace of mind

Our professional email services meet the security standards set out in the Privacy Act 1988, making it easy for your business to stay compliant with data privacy standards. This also gives your clients peace of mind that your emails are safe and secure.

4. Scale as you grow

Choose a solution that’s flexible when you need it to be

One of the biggest perks of professional email is how easy it scales with your business.
You might be just setting out on your own or building up a team of 50 – wherever you are in your journey, professional email solutions offer flexible plans that grow with you.

Free email services can’t match this kind of flexibility. They often fall short on storage, shared access, or customisation features, making it harder to keep up as your business changes. Professional email plans come with tools built for scaling up, like extra storage, unlimited users, and advanced productivity features.

Here’s a quick look at some of Melbourne IT’s popular hosting packages to show you what’s possible. For the full range of pricing options, check out our professional email, business email, and Microsoft 365 business email pages.

No website? No problem!

You might be thinking, “I don’t even have a website yet, so why bother with a custom email?”. Even if you don’t have a website, you can still benefit from a professional email address. After all, it’ll still be tied to your business’ domain, which reinforces your professional image without the need for a site.

As your business reaches new heights, you’ll have the option to integrate your professional email into a more expansive digital strategy. But starting with a custom email is a smart move for any business owner looking to present themselves in the best light.

5. Benefit from transparent pricing and ongoing support

No hidden costs, just added value

At Melbourne IT, our professional email plans come with clear pricing, so you know exactly what you’re getting and what extras you can bolt on.

Pick the plan that fits your needs and budget – and with transparent pricing, there are no surprises as your business expands.

Get expert support when you need it

Support is another big plus with professional email services. With a dedicated team available 24/7, you’ve got experts on hand whenever you need them.

Whether it’s troubleshooting, setup help, or email migrations, you can count on a team that understands your business needs and knows the email platform inside out.

Your business deserves better – make the switch

If you’re thinking about upgrading your email setup, why not get started today? We’ve got a range of email plans that are perfect for businesses of all sizes. With easy setup and simple management tools, they’re designed with your success in mind.

Discover the difference of a professional email solution that makes a lasting impression with customers, boosts productivity, and keeps your data safe. Reach out to explore your options.

Navigating .au Domain Requirements and Administration 8 Feb 2024, 4:59 am

Whether you are a budding Australian entrepreneur planning to launch your business online or own a .au domain name, understanding the intricacies of domain eligibility and the importance of keeping your details updated is crucial. Read on as we delve into the unique charm of being Australian through your .au domain and shed light on the eligibility requirements set by auDA (.au Domain Administration).

Why Choose .au Domain

A .au domain extension establishes a distinct connection to the Australian market and audience, reinforcing your Australian identity in the digital space. It is short, memorable, local, and trusted, andis set to overtake .com.au as the primary domain ending used in Australia, just as .com.au did to .net.au. A study conducted in March 2023 showed consumers prefer .au websites and 53%* of Australian consumers will only buy from a website that ends in .au!

Still contemplating a .au domain name? Learn how a .au domain name can propel your business to success.

Navigating .au Eligibility Requirements

As easy as it is to own a .au domain name, auDA has laid out specific eligibility criteria for individuals and entities. People looking to register a new .au domain, or renew or transfer an existing .au domain, must establish that they have an ‘Australian presence’ and meet specific allocation criteria. Not adhering to these criteria means they are not eligible to register a new .au domain and will not be able to renew or transfer their domain.

The eligibility criteria, which you can read on auDA’s website, cater to various and diverse entities, as outlined in section 2.4. To be eligible, registrants need to fulfil one of the following criteria, being either:

• A company registered in Australia; or
• operating under a registered business name in any Australian State or Territory; or
• an Australian partnership or sole trader; or
• an overseas company licensed to trade in Australia; or
• an owner of an Australian Registered Trademark; or
• an applicant for an Australian Registered Trademark ; or
• an association incorporated in any Australian State or Territory; or
• an Australian commercial statutory body.

Staying Eligible to Own Your .au Domain and What Happens if You Don’t

For those who already own a .au domain, maintaining accurate and up-to-date information is a must. Overlooking the importance of updating your domain details can result in severe repercussions, including the suspension of your domain. A suspended domain not only takes your website offline but also disrupts associated email services, adversely impacting your overall online presence. Failure to update your details prior to 7 days before your domain renewal date also leads to additional charges to stay eligible. Stay ahead of domain disaster by ensuring your details are up to date.

How to Update Your Eligibility Details with Melbourne IT

As an accredited .au domain registrar, Melbourne IT is here to assist you in staying eligible to hold your .au domain and avoiding domain disruptions or extra fees. You can easily update your business details in your Melbourne IT console yourself the process is called a ‘Registrant Name Change’ as the entity, the ABN/ACN, registered against the domain is changing. Complete the registrant name change process and following the prompts.  If you encounter any difficulties, or have any questions, our friendly customer care team is here to help, just call 1300 654 677. Our team will guide you through the process, making sure that your details are current and compliant with auDA requirements.

Conclusion

Your .au domain is not just an address; it’s a core asset of your brand, showcasing your trustworthy Australian identity. Melbourne IT is committed to supporting you through the journey, from initial registration to maintaining eligibility, avoiding any disruptions or extra fees. Grow locally with the .au domain and keep your details up-to-date with Webcentral’s assistance and build your online presence

How to Prevent Unauthorised Domain Transfers and Name Server Changes 8 Feb 2024, 4:56 am

Among the many aspects of online security to consider, domain name security is one of the most underestimated and misunderstood.

Imagine this: Your business’s entire online presence vanishes overnight. It happened to Regions Bank in 2013. With over 1700 branches and 2400 ATMs, they experienced a lapse in domain renewal, leading to a week-long shutdown of all online banking and web services. This isn’t just an inconvenience; it’s a business nightmare, resulting in lost revenue, customer trust, and irreparable damage to their reputation.

As you build your digital presence, do not underestimate the importance of domain name security, read on as we delve into the industry best practices to keep your online business safe.

We have one simple question to ask you; how many people have had access to your domain account over the years?

Imagine a scenario where your business’s website suddenly becomes a chaotic mess of unrelated ads due to someone hijacking your DNS, or worse, your domain is no longer under your ownership after an unauthorised domain transfer.

The repercussions extend beyond the immediate inconvenience of reverting your DNS or having to reclaim your domain name, sometimes to no avail. It affects your brand’s reputation, customer trust, your profit, and can take years to recover from. The good news is, with diligent implementation of domain name security best practices, you can safeguard your digital assets.

7 Tips and Tools to Prevent Unauthorised Domain Transfers and Name Server Changes

As you read this list, keep a mental note if your domain account has these features active. 

1. Manage Your Domain with a Reputable Registrar

Research and opt for reputable registrars who meet industry standard accreditations and partnerships like Melbourne IT. In 2019, a series of attacks targeted domain registrars, leading to the hijacking of several websites. Choosing a registrar known for robust security measures, such as Melbourne IT, could have mitigated these risks.

2. Use Strong Passwords for Accounts

A strong, unique password is your first line of defence. A strong password requires a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.

1. Change your password often
2. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Enhance security by implementing MFA. This adds an extra layer of verification, requiring not just a password but also a second method, such as a code sent to your phone or email. Melbourne IT provides MFA for our accounts, learn how to set up MFA with this support article.

At Melbourne IT we have set every account to prompt a password change on your next login from January 1 2024.

3. Keep Your Details up to Date with Your Provider

Once you have purchased your domain name and set up your account with your provider, ensure that you maintain all valid details with your provider for any renewal reminders and security notices. A Microsoft Teams outage in 2020 was partially due to an expired security certificate, which could have been avoided with up-to-date contact information ensuring timely renewal notifications.

4. Turn on Auto Renew for Your Domain

One of the most common mistakes domain owners make is not setting the domain on auto-renewal. This makes your business vulnerable with the possibility of your business website and emails going offline if not renewed on time, we service multiple requests weekly to try and recover domains which have expired. Enable auto renew on your domain name to ensure that you don’t miss the deadline leading to a drop of your domain name.

Learn how to check your domain is on auto renew with this support article.

5. Enable Domain Private Registration

Private Registration, or WHOIS privacy, shields your contact information, such as your name, private email address, and phone number, from public access where it can be exploited for phishing attacks or spammed leading to unwarranted contact, or be mined by data miners for identity theft and fraud.

6. Enable Domain Lock

Melbourne IT offers a free domain lock that enables locking your domain from inside your Melbourne IT account. Your domain name cannot be transferred away without unlocking your domain and using the domain key found inside your account. This lock also disables changing DNS records until the domain is unlocked, preventing a DNS hijacker redirecting your domain to a spam site. This ensures an additional level of security to your domain name.

7. Enable Registry Lock

Melbourne IT also offers a further level of security for your key domain(s), a Registry Lock that enables locking your domain at the registry level with a security passphrase. Your domain name cannot be transferred away or any DNS changes made without the security passphrase and direct contact with our corporate team, and the domain will relock no later than 48 hours after the request to unlock. This ensures an additional level of security to your key domain name, fortifying against any account or email hacking or disgruntled employees with access to your account.

Read more about Registry Lock here.

Conclusion

Your domain name is the digital face of your business. Implementing these domain name security best practices not only protects your online identity but also ensures uninterrupted business operations. Risking your domain’s security risks unauthorised transfers or DNS changes, DNS hijacking, dropped domains, or lost domains, and can leave you with an irreparable reputation and a massive loss in business. Secure your domain with Melbourne IT as a reputable and accredited registrar, turn on auto-renewal, leverageour array of domain protection tools, and keep your account details secure and up to date to instil confidence that your online presence is secure and protected.

Safeguarding your digital assets isn’t just a proactive measure; it’s a necessity and the provided examples are not a mere cautionary tale but a vivid reminder of the fragility of online assets, no matter how big the brand.

Don’t leave your domain security to chance, incorporate these tips and tools into your domain management strategy to ensure that your business remains secure, accessible, and trustworthy to your customers.  If your brand is worth stealing, it’s worth protecting. Melbourne IT, your brand in safe hands.

Managed VPS and Shared Hosting: Cybersecurity Considerations 8 Feb 2024, 4:52 am

Digital security comes in many forms, but the security of your website hosting can often be overlooked. Whether you’re running a business website, an e-commerce platform, or a personal blog, choosing the right web hosting solution is a critical decision.

Delve into the cybersecurity advantages of Managed Virtual Private Server (VPS) hosting over the more traditional cPanel shared hosting plus insights to help you make the correct hosting choice for your website.

TLDR: Both hosting options are very secure however VPS hosting is more secure than shared hosting due to the nature of not sharing with others and allowing more customisation. There are considerations which we dive into below.

What is Shared Hosting?

Shared hosting: A hotel room in the hotel. 

Shared hosting is known for its cost-affordability and user-friendliness, making it an attractive option from beginners to large businesses. In this setup, multiple users share the same server resources such as the Central Processing Unit (CPU), memory, and disk space. This means behind the scenes you are sharing the same server with 100’s of different accounts.

At Melbourne IT we use cPanel web hosting software on our shared hosting to help you manage your websites. cPanel has robust cybersecurity protection built in however there are still slim chances of risks which we will discuss below.

Shared Hosting Security Risks

Inherited from having a shared hosting, you may have a higher chance of security risks due to having multiple customers sharing the same server. These are well known risks so the team at Melbourne IT monitor these closely.

Shared Hosting Security Risk: Cross contamination

Issues such as cross-site contamination, where a security breach in one website due to another customer’s code vulnerabilities can potentially affect others on the same server make shared hosting less secure than other options.

Shared Hosting Security Risk: Plan Tier

Moving up to the next tier shared hosting plan will decrease this risk as your website will be on a server with less customers and the websites will generally be built by more experienced developers.

Shared Hosting Security Risk: Overload due to bad neighbours

Additionally, as you share the total resources with your ‘neighbours,’ this can lead to performance and security issues, as one user’s resource consumption can impact others.

Although each customer has bandwidth limits, poor coding from one customer can slow the entire server on occasion. This can have the effect of a Denial-of-Service attack, making your site load slowly or become unavailable momentarily.

Shared Hosting Security Risk: Limited customisation

Since the hosting is shared, hence there will be fewer customization options available. By customization, we mean having your own DDoS mitigation and website data backup routine.

At Melbourne IT we have DDoS protection on our network and a 7 day backup.

There are also many advantages of shared hosting 

We are only discussing cybersecurity risks around shared hosting in this article. To understand more about the advantages and disadvantages of shared hosting read here.

What is Managed VPS Hosting?

Managed VPS Hosting: Owning the hotel 

Managed VPS Hosting provides a virtualised server environment with dedicated resources for each user, offering a balance between cost-efficiency and performance. The ‘managed’ aspect refers to the comprehensive support provided by the hosting provider, including security management, software updates, and technical support, ensuring that your server is optimised and secure.

VPS Hosting Cybersecurity: Isolation

Managed VPS hosting addresses many of the security concerns inherent in shared hosting. With dedicated resources, the risk of cross-contamination is significantly reduced. Users have greater control over their server environment, allowing for custom security configurations, software installations, and the implementation of robust security measures.

Managed VPS Hosting Cybersecurity: Melbourne IT’s secure solution

At Melbourne IT, our managed VPS hosting includes advanced security features such as state-of-the-art firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and regular security audits. SSL certificates, also included in our VPS hosting, help secure data in transit, while dedicated IP addresses improve reputation and security. Regular backups and disaster recovery solutions ensure data integrity, and strict access controls can be implemented to safeguard sensitive information.

Additionally, managed services ensure that the server is always up to date with the latest security patches and updates.

Making the Right Hosting Choice for Your Cybersecurity Needs

If security is the one and only factor: VPS Hosting

Although both options are very secure, every day of the week a VPS server is going to be more secure than a shared hosting environment.  By hosting your website on a Managed VPS platform, you significantly reduce the risk of security breaches, ensuring a safer online presence for your brand.

As always, there are other considerations:

Technical skills

In general, a VPS server does require more development knowledge to run from the get-go.

At Melbourne IT, your VPS comes pre-installed with cPanel web hosting software and 24×7 Australian helpdesk by default, you have human support and a software interface to manage your websites.

We also provide extra security and redundancy for 100% uptime.

Cost

There is a cost for enhancing your website and cybersecurity. Managed VPS hosting does cost more than shared hosting.

How much would it cost you for your website to be down for a day?

We will leave it with you to balance the cost to security equation.

Find out more about our hosting options

Managed VPS Hosting

cPanel Shared Hosting

WordPress Shared Hosting

Free SSL Certificates vs Paid SSL Certificates: What’s Best for Your Website? 8 Feb 2024, 4:45 am

The security of online transactions and data privacy has become paramount for websites. At the heart of website security lies the Secure Socket Layer (SSL) certificate, a digital certificate that provides encryption for data in transit.

We will delve into the critical decision between opting for a free Domain Validation (DV) SSL certificate, included with cPanel hosting, and investing in a paid SSL certificate that comes with a warranty. The choice is not just about encryption but involves considering the level of trust and security assurance each option provides.

 Understanding SSL Certificates

Without getting too nerdy, SSL certificates play a crucial role in securing online communications between your web browser and the website servers. They encrypt the data exchanged, ensuring that sensitive information, such as personal details and payment information, remains confidential. Beyond encryption, SSL certificates also provide authentication, assuring users that they are indeed connecting to the intended website.

Is having no SSL an option?

Although it is possible to have a website without SSL, all major web browsers will actively discourage customers from visiting your website. We are sure you have seen this screen before.

This will scare customers away instantly.

There are 4 main SSL certificates and different recommendations for each.

CPanel AutoSSL Domain Validated (DV) SSLs – Free

Free AutoSSL certificates offer a basic level of security by verifying the ownership of the domain. This gives you and your customers basic cybersecurity protections when visiting your website. These can be installed at the click of a button and automatically renew for free. It is important to note these certificates are free and do not have a warranty if compromised.

These are recommended for:

• Blogs
• Personal websites
• Any website that doesn’t conduct transactions or gather personal information

Domain Validated (DV) SSLs – Paid

Paid Domain Validation (DV) SSL certificates offer a basic level of security by verifying the ownership of the domain as well. The difference with a paid DV SSL is if the SSL provider has a warranty which can be claimed if they are at fault for the compromise.

These are recommended for:

• Websites that gather minimal personal information

Organisation Validated (OV) SSLs – Paid

Organization Validated (OV) certificates are authenticated with nine validation checks and are considered a mid-level business certificate. With OV certificates, the business is validated with the certificate issuer and this information is published.

These certificates are recommended for websites with

• Log-in screens
• Business sites

Extended Validation (EV) SSLs – Paid

Extended Validation (EV) certificates provide the highest level of brand identity security and are authenticated with 16 validation checks. When you look beyond the lock of an EV certificate you will immediately find details about the company or parent company that owns the website.

Best used on these websites and pages:

• Global banks and financial services
• Fortune 500 companies
• Global 2000 companies
• E-commerce
• Enterprises

Paid SSL Certificates and Their Warranties

Paid SSL certificates, including Domain Validation (DV), Organization Validation (OV), and Extended Validation (EV) types, come with varying levels of validation and trust. More importantly, many of these paid options include a warranty that protects the website owner financially in the event of a security breach due to a certificate flaw. These certificates often come with additional features, such as site seals and higher encryption standards, providing a greater level of security and trustworthiness.

Comparing Free SSL and Paid SSL Certificates

When comparing free DV SSL certificates to paid options, several factors come into play. The level of validation and trust differs significantly, with paid certificates often offering a more thorough vetting process and visible trust indicators to users. Warranties included with paid SSL certificates add a layer of financial protection, which can be crucial for e-commerce sites and businesses dealing with sensitive customer information.

The Importance of Warranties in SSL Certificates

Warranties in SSL certificates are particularly significant for websites that handle transactions and sensitive user data. In the event of a breach tied to a certificate flaw, a warranty can offer compensation, mitigating financial losses and protecting the website owner’s interests. This aspect of SSL certificates is often overlooked but is vital for e-commerce platforms and online services where user trust and data security are paramount.

Making the Right Choice for Your Website

Choosing the right SSL certificate for your website involves assessing various factors, including the nature of your site, the type of information you handle, and your traffic expectations. For websites that require high levels of user trust and handle sensitive data, investing in a paid SSL certificate with a warranty might be advisable. However, for smaller sites and blogs, a free DV SSL may suffice. Consulting with a web security expert can provide tailored advice, ensuring your choice aligns with your security needs and business objectives.

Find out more about Melbourne ITs SSL offering here:

SSL Certificates

How Do I Securely Protect My DNS and Domain Name? 14 Nov 2023, 12:54 am

How Do I Securely Protect My DNS and Domain Name?

In the vast digital landscape, a domain name isn’t merely an address but a fundamental part of your online identity. Safeguarding it from malicious actors attempting to exploit or manipulate your brand is vital for maintaining a secure online presence. This encompasses not only the domain protection but also securing the infrastructure that supports it, including the Domain Name System (DNS). Domain and DNS security breaches can come in the form of unauthorised DNS and nameserver changes, domain hijacking, or unauthorised transfers.

Protect Your Domain Name from Unauthorised Nameserver Changes and DNS Updates

The Domain Name System (DNS) and nameservers serve a critical function in guiding online traffic, directing website visitors and managing email services. Unauthorised alterations to these settings can cause substantial disruptions. Malevolent changes might redirect visitors to deceptive pages or disrupt email services, affecting the reliability and functionality of your online presence.

Safeguarding Your Domain Name from Unauthorised Transfers

Ensuring the security of your domain extends beyond fortifying DNS and nameservers; it also involves safeguarding against unauthorised transfers. Unauthorised transfers pose a significant risk, as they can result in the loss of control over your domain. This scenario opens the door to potential misuse, expiration, or exploitation of your brand through unauthorised changes to websites and email settings. Employing robust domain and DNS protection measures becomes paramount to counteract these threats effectively.

Safeguarding Your Domain Name from Domain Hijacking

Domain hijacking, on the other hand, is a distinct threat wherein unauthorised individuals gain access to your domain’s settings. This unauthorised access empowers them to make changes, transfer ownership, or manipulate DNS settings at their discretion. The consequences of domain hijacking can be severe, potentially compromising the integrity of your online presence and brand. To mitigate the risks associated with domain hijacking, it is imperative to implement comprehensive security measures, going beyond traditional DNS and nameserver defences.

Strategies for Robust Domain Protection

Enhancing domain security demands a multifaceted approach:

1. Regular Monitoring: Consistently review domain settings and account activity to promptly detect any irregularities.
2. Updated Information: Maintain accurate contact details associated with your domain registration to ensure timely notifications about any changes or expiration dates.
3. Strong Authentication: Implementing robust authentication measures is pivotal in securing your domain. Melbourne IT offers a domain Registry Lock, which enables three levels of multi-factor authentication, providing an additional layer of security. This lock prevents unauthorised changes, transfers, and deletions, effectively protecting your domain from potential threats.

Conclusion

Your domain name is a valuable asset that deserves protection against potential threats and unauthorised access. Domain Registry Lock is a fundamental security measure to safeguard your online identity. By enabling this feature, you can be rest assured that your domain remains secure and that any unauthorised, DNS changes, transfers or domain hijackings are prevented, giving you peace of mind in the digital landscape.

Read more about Domain Registry Lock and register your interest here to fortify your online presence against the ever-present threats in the virtual world. Your domain represents your identity, your brand, and your business – if it’s worth stealing, it’s worth protecting.

Guide to Unlocking the Power of cPanel Hosting in Australia 11 Oct 2023, 2:43 pm

If you’re running a website, you know how important it is to have a reliable control panel that can help you manage your website and hosting environment. cPanel is one of the most popular web hosting control panels, and for good reason. It provides a wide range of features and functions that can help you manage your website and hosting environment effectively. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the essential features of cPanel.

What is cPanel?

cPanel stands as the benchmark in web hosting control panels, offering a central hub to oversee the administration and management of your website, email, and hosting. Whether you’re setting up email addresses, handling domain configurations, organising site files, or ensuring security protocols, cPanel consolidates these tasks into a singular, cohesive dashboard. Its widespread acclaim can be attributed to its straightforward, intuitive design coupled with powerful capabilities, catering to both novices and tech-savvy users alike.

cPanel Website Hosting Features

1. Email Management:

cPanel provides a range of email management tools that can help you manage your email communication efficiently. You can create email accounts, set up forwarding and filtering, and even set up autoresponders and spam filters. These features are important for ensuring that your email communication is efficient and effective.

2. File Manager:

The cPanel File Manager is an essential tool for managing your website files and folders. It allows you to upload, download, delete, and edit files, create new folders, and change file permissions. This feature is crucial for ensuring that your website files are organised and up-to-date.

3. Database Management:

cPanel supports a wide range of databases, including MySQL and PostgreSQL. You can create, modify, and delete databases, manage users and permissions, and access database tools such as phpMyAdmin. This feature is essential for securely managing your website’s data and ensuring that your website functions correctly.

4. Backup and Restore:

Data loss or corruption can be a disaster for any website owner. cPanel allows you to create and schedule backups of your website files and databases and restore them in the event of data loss or corruption. This feature is essential for ensuring that your website data is safe and secure.

5. Security Management:

SSL certificates are essential for ensuring that your website is secure and that your visitors’ data is protected. cPanel provides SSL certificate management tools, allowing you to install, renew, and manage SSL certificates for your website.

6. Metrics and Analytics:

cPanel provides website metrics and analytics tools that can help you track your website’s traffic, bandwidth usage, and other key performance indicators. This feature is essential for monitoring your website’s performance and making data-driven decisions.

Harnessing the Power of cPanel Hosting in Australia

Navigating Australia’s digital web hosting landscape becomes effortless with cPanel, a robust and versatile platform.  With its user-centric design, a wealth of features, and rock-solid reliability, it’s unsurprising that cPanel is the industry leader for managing your online presence. To harness the full potential of cPanel, partner with a leading Australian web hosting provider. Choose a provider that guarantees scalability to match your growing business, ensures high levels of uptime, and offers exemplary customer support to guide you every step of the way.

Conclusion:

cPanel hosting is a powerful and easy solution for managing your online presence. Its intuitive interface, extensive features, and reliability make it accessible whether you’re just starting out on your digital journey or have been managing an online business for decades. If you would like to know more on how cPanel can make the management of your website efficient, please contact us on 1300 793 248 – Melbourne IT, your brand in safe hands.

Notification of Microsoft Price Rise 17 Jul 2023, 4:23 pm

Effective 1^st September 2023 Microsoft will increase prices in Australia by +9% for Cloud and OnPrem services.  As a result, MelbourneIT will be adjusting our prices accordingly.

This price rise is part of their global pricing initiative to align local currencies to the U.S. dollar (USD).  For more information click here.

If you have any questions about your service or the pricing changes, please don’t hesitate to contact our Customer Care team. We appreciate your understanding.  As always, our commitment remains to provide you with exceptional service and support.

Best Regards,
The MelbourneIT Team

Important Billing Notification! 7 Jun 2023, 6:37 am

We would like to bring to your attention an important update regarding your billing. In March, we made some adjustments to our pricing structure for customers using cPanel hosting services. Following this adjustment, your invoice for the subsequent billing cycle accurately reflected the updated rate.

However, there was an unintended system error, and the rate on the subsequent invoice mistakenly reverted to your previous lower rate.

Please be assured that our team has this issue in hand and are actively implementing a resolution.  Once resolved, your invoice will reflect the adjusted rate that was implemented in March. We deeply appreciate your continued support and understanding.  As a token of our gratitude, we will not retroactively bill you or seek reimbursement for any charges due to this error.

Regards

The MelbourneIT Team

Withdraw your application for a contested .au direct domain name 2 Jun 2023, 9:17 am

What options do you have if you choose not to renew your .au domain application?

If you hold an application for a contending domain and do not wish to continue with the renewal process, then you have an option to withdraw. You can either withdraw from the process or just allow your application to lapse. If you do not renew your application by the 20th of October 2023, your application will lapse, and you will no longer be in contention to register the .au direct domain name. You can also choose to withdraw from the process by clicking on the link below. However, please be aware that once you have confirmed your withdrawal, you will not be able to reapply, and you will be unable to change your response.

If you hold an application for a contending domain and do not wish to continue with the renewal process, then you have an option to withdraw. You can either withdraw from the process or just allow your application to lapse. If you do not renew your application by the 20^th of October, your application will lapse, and you will no longer be in contention to register the .au direct domain name. However, please be aware that once you have confirmed your withdrawal, you will not be able to reapply, and you will be unable to change your response.

Things to note:

• For .au direct names that are still in Priority Hold status, you can check the status of competing applications at: auDA
• Ensure that you have access to the Registrant Contact Email for the eligible domain name (e.g. forexample.com.au) associated with the application for the au direct name (e.g. forexample.au) that you wish to withdraw.
• You can look up the Registrant Contact Email for the eligible domain (e.g. forexample.com.au) here: whois

To proceed with the withdrawal, please click the following link: Withdraw application .