New features introduced at the level of hosting services and the customer account
Find out everything about the new features implemented in the web hosting packages and the functionalities added to the Hostico client account.
Periodically we usually present ourselves to our clients with new services and functionalities, the use and implementation of new technologies as well as management tools that save time and increase data security and protection.
Recurring Payment
Due to a high demand over time, we have decided to implement an automatic (recurring) payment system for all users who opt for payments made via credit card.
The status of recurring payments can be managed individually for each service held at Hostico through the functionality available in the client account.
Transactions will be processed automatically on the days when payment notifications are sent, and if there are insufficient funds in the corresponding credit card account, the payment will be attempted again the next day.
In order for recurring payment to be activated on a service, it will be necessary for the first proforma invoice to be paid manually, so the card processor will save the details of the card used for the automatic collection of subsequent amounts.
If you wish to change the card used for recurring payments, the card has expired or has been lost, you can deactivate the recurrence, and the next card used for the proforma payment will replace the old card.
Complete information regarding the functionality and activation of recurrence can be found in the articles:
Imunify360
Web security is one of the most important aspects when it comes to a website. Because of this, we decided to implement the modular system Imunify360 for free on all shared packages.
The service significantly enhances website security, using a multi-layered defense architecture that ensures the identification and removal of threats, as well as the blocking of "brute force" attacks in a very short time.
Multi-layer protection offers the following advantages:
- real-time malware scanning for files uploaded through web applications or FTP clients
- firewall for the web server with periodically updated security rules
- global firewall with default blocks on IPs classified as problematic
Node.js
We are coming to the aid of JavaScript developers by implementing Node.js on Business and Reseller hosting packages.
The Node.js versions currently offered are 6.x, 8.x, 9.x, 10.x, 11.x, 12.x, and 14.x, with the activation of new versions and the deactivation of old ones being done in the future in accordance with technological advancements.
For the methods of accessing and using Node.js through cPanel, you can view the articles: shared cPanel, and VPS cPanel.
WordPress and Magento management tools
For more technical users or web developers, we offer the possibility of using WP-CLI and n98-magerun for managing applications from the command line. These allow for various operations that are usually only available through the application control panel after authentication. Using the command line facilitates the management of multiple applications and reduces the time spent on these tasks.
Terminal
We will maintain the policy regarding SSH access on servers that hold shared accounts, but we will provide terminal access to cPanel clients holding Business and Reseller packages who wish to use Node.js, WordPress management tools, or Magento, as well as for developers who require access to Composer.
Terminal access will be granted only upon request and depending on the needs of the requester for determined or undetermined periods.
PHP 8
The latest major version of PHP has been implemented on Hostico's servers, allowing it to be selected on all hosting packages.
The update brings a lot of optimizations to the programming language with multiple customization options.
The PHP version will not be modified for websites, this process can be carried out via the control panels.
Changing the PHP version is detailed in the following tutorials specific to the type of hosting or control panel used:
Apache Cache / Server side caching
In addition to the built-in caching provided for PHP applications, through PHP Opcache and the optional caching for MySQL and PostgreSQL via Memcached, we now offer the possibility to enable caching at the web server level.
This is available through the Apache Cache plugin found in cPanel.
Enabling this will result in the caching of processed pages served to visitors to eliminate the need for reprocessing them, thereby reducing the level of resources used and response time, as well as increasing the loading speed of websites and the number of simultaneous visitors.
Rate Change
Over time, we have consistently improved the quality of the services offered through the development or implementation of new services and functionalities, as well as through constant investments in the fleet of equipment and connectivity, which have implicitly led to an increase in the resources provided for the hosting packages.
This constant improvement of services, also evidenced by the new features mentioned earlier, has occurred simultaneously with the growth of the support team and the training of its members in order to enhance professionalism and responsiveness across all three communication channels (chat, email/ticket, phone).
Development and improvement has been possible until recently without changing the base rates of the hosting packages or eliminating the free domains offered upon purchase.
If there have been launches of offers, respectively new configurations regarding the hosting packages, these have not affected the rates of previous hosting packages.
At the penultimate price change, the cPanel, the control panel used on shared servers, we fully covered the costs. The last increase announced in January forces us to change the base price of each shared hosting package.
Specifically, the monthly price of each shared hosting package will increase by 1€/month.
The price change will, however, come with compensation from our side in terms of resources allocated to hosting accounts with respect to storage space, CPU, and RAM, depending on the case.
Holders of Mini, Midi, Maxi hosting package types (Personal, Business, and Reseller) will be migrated to the new Start, Business, and Reseller packages with resources corresponding to the new prices.
Regarding VPS holders with cPanel and Plesk licenses, unfortunately, the increase in license prices will directly reflect in the prices they will have to pay for the software licenses.
The new configurations and prices will come into effect starting from 08.03.2021 for new orders, and starting from 15.04.2021 they will come into effect for all configurations activated before 08.03.2021.
Customers who have prepaid for hosting services, such as cPanel or Plesk licenses, will need to pay the new prices only at the next billing or service renewal.
Recently, there have also been changes regarding the rates charged for the registration, renewal, and transfer of domains by the registry providers of the corresponding extensions.
In order to align with these changes, we will also make modifications regarding the rates charged for these operations.
Another change in the domain rates will be the equalization of transfer fees with registration fees. Transfer fees for most extensions were 1 euro less than registration fees, but now the amount will be modified to be equal to the registration fee.
The tables below indicate the changes made to both the prices and configurations of the shared hosting packages, as well as the new prices applied for cPanel or Plesk licenses, as well as domain registrations and renewals.
Hosting Packages
New Configurations
Start Web Hosting
Hosting Web pentru Afaceri
Reseller Web Hosting
Reconfiguring Personal Packages
Business Package Reconfiguration
Reseller package reconfiguration
License fees
Domain Rates
The annual registration fee, respectively the renewal of .ro domains was reduced based on the number of years for which registration or renewal was desired. This decrease will be eliminated, with each year of registration or renewal being calculated based on the base price for registering a .ro domain for one year * the number of years.
