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 high demand over time, we have decided to implement an automatic (recurring) payment system for all users who choose to pay by credit card.
The status of recurring payments can be managed individually for each service held at Hostico through the functionality available in the customer account.
Transactions will be carried out automatically on the days when payment notifications are sent, and if there are insufficient funds in the associated bank card account, the payment will be retried the following day.
For recurring payment to be activated on a service, the first proforma invoice must be paid manually, so the card processor will save the details of the card used for automatic collection of subsequent amounts.
If you wish to change the card used for recurring payments, if the card has expired or been lost, you can deactivate the recurrence, and the next card used for 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 hosting packages.
The service significantly enhances the site's security by 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 come to the aid of JavaScript developers by implementing Node.js on the Business and Reseller hosting packages.
The currently offered Node.js versions 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 to be done in the future in accordance with technological advancements.
For methods of accessing and using Node.js via 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 host shared accounts, but we will provide terminal access to cPanel clients holding Business and Reseller packages who wish to use Node.js, WordPress or Magento management tools, as well as for developers who require access to Composer.
Terminal access will be granted only upon request and based on the needs of the requester for determined or undetermined periods.
PHP 8
The latest major version of PHP has been implemented on Hostico servers, allowing it to be selected on all hosting packages.
The update brings a lot of optimizations at the programming language level with multiple customization options.
The PHP version will not be changed for websites; this process can be done through 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 caching provided by default for PHP applications, through PHP Opcache, and the optional caching for MySQL and PostgreSQL via Memcached, we now offer the possibility of enabling caching at the web server level.
This is available through the Apache Cache plugin found in cPanel.
Enabling this will result in saving processed pages and serving them to visitors to eliminate the need for reprocessing, which will implicitly reduce the level of resources used and response time, as well as increase the loading speed of websites and the number of simultaneous visitors.
Rate Change
Over time, we have continuously improved the quality of the services offered by developing or implementing new services and functionalities, as well as through constant investments in our equipment fleet and connectivity, which have implicitly led to an increase in the resources offered for hosting packages.
This constant improvement of services, evidenced by the new features mentioned earlier, has occurred simultaneously with the growth of the support team and the training of its members to increase the level of professionalism and responsiveness across all three communication channels (chat, email/ticket, phone).
Development and improvement were possible until recently without changing the basic rates of the hosting packages or eliminating the free domains provided upon purchase.
If there were launches of offers, namely new configurations regarding the hosting packages, these did not affect the rates of the previous hosting packages.
At the penultimate price change of the cPanel, the control panel used on shared servers, we fully absorbed the costs. The last increase announced in January forces us to modify the base price of each shared hosting package.
Specifically, the monthly price of each shared hosting package will be increased by 1€/month.
However, the price change will come with compensation from our side regarding the resources allocated to hosting accounts in terms of storage space, CPU, and RAM as applicable.
Holders of the Mini, Midi, Maxi hosting package types (Personal, Business, and Reseller) will be migrated to the new Start, Business, and Reseller packages with the resources corresponding to the new prices.
As for VPS holders with cPanel or Plesk licenses, unfortunately, the increase in license prices will directly reflect in the fees they will have to pay for the software licenses.
The new configurations and prices will take effect starting with 08.03.2021 for new orders, and starting with 15.04.2021 will be effective for all configurations activated before 08.03.2021.
Customers who have paid in advance for hosting services, as well as cPanel or Plesk licenses, will only have to pay the new rates at the next billing or renewal of the service.
Recently, there have also been changes regarding the fees charged for the registration, renewal, and transfer of domains by the registry providers of the respective extensions.
In order to align ourselves with these changes, we will also make adjustments regarding the fees charged for these operations.
Another change in the domain fees will be the equalization of the transfer fees with the registration fees. The transfer fees for most extensions were 1 euro lower than the registration fees, but now the amount will be adjusted 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.
