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What is hosting, and what can it do for my store? |
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What do you want the address (URL) of your store to be?
All new accounts start out in our default "starter" area, with a URL like stores.modularmarket.com/account_name (see example image below).
An example of a store's URL while hosted in the default "starter" area.
Silver and higher account plans may have their store hosted under their own domain name. This hosting option is included at no extra charge. Hosting under your domain name can be set up several different ways. For example, the store can be installed as your entire website:
An example of a store hosted under a domain name, where the shopping cart's home page is the home page of the website.
Or, your store can be installed in a subdirectory on your website, allowing you to keep your blog or other non-store pages as your website's home page:
An example of a store hosted under a domain name, where the shopping cart is installed in a subdirectory named "store".
Or, your store can be installed in a subdomain, allowing your non-store pages to be hosted elsewhere, while Modular Merchant hosts just your store.
An example of a shopping cart hosted under a subdomain named "store".
You can also host your blog in your Modular Merchant hosting account! And forums. And databases. And... well, the point is that our hosting options are designed to allow you to consolidate as much of your store and non-store websites as you wish, so you can have all your website components integrated and hosted together in one location.
In order to maintain PCI compliance, Modular Merchant does not host email accounts. The shopping cart software includes built-in email features that may be used instead.
Each of these hosting options provides different benefits. Let's take a look at each option in more detail, to see what's included with each one...
Each of these hosting options provides different benefits. Let's take a look at each option in more detail, to see what's included with each one...
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Hosting Option 1: Host your store in our default client area. |
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Simply shopping cart hosting
All new Modular Merchant accounts are installed in our default "starter" area, which provides a secure hosting environment for your shopping cart. Both your account's Administration Area and the public-facing storefront are hosted here. It has everything you need to get your store up and running — including an SSL certificate at no extra cost!
Accounts may stay in the starter area as long as they like. Many businesses have run their shopping carts from this default location very successfully. This is the simplest hosting option, and it is included free with all account plans.
| Who hosts what with Option 1? |
| Hosted Elsewhere |
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Hosted by Modular Merchant |
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| What is included in Hosting Option 1 |
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Availability
Hosting Option 1 is included free with all Modular Merchant account plans. |
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Store Domain Name
Your account is hosted in the default area with a domain name similar to: http://stores.modularmarket.com/account_name |
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Shopping Cart
The shopping cart software is hosted on Modular Merchant's servers in the default hosting area. |
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SSL Certificate
An SSL Certificate is included at no extra charge. There's nothing extra to configure or install. |
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Your Website
Your non-store website remains hosted elsewhere under its own domain name (such as: www.example.com). |
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Control Panel
A secure Administration Area control panel is provided for managing the shopping cart. |
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File Transfer
Upload files and images using the tools built-in to your store's Administration Area. Direct FTP access is not included in this option. |
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Email Accounts
Email accounts are managed through the company that hosts your domain name. Email accounts are not included in this option. |
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Database Access
Modular Merchant hosts the store's database. Direct database access is not included in this option. |
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Hosting Option 2: Host both your store and website under your domain name. |
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Everything under one roof
This option, available to Silver and higher account plans, consolidates everything on our servers, under your domain name. Your additional website content — such as blogs, forums, etc. — can also be hosted, right alongside your shopping cart.
This option also introduces some additional goodies, such as direct FTP access, database management tools, and much more. This is a great option for anyone who wants an all-in-one hosting solution.
| who owns my domain name? |
| "If Modular Merchant hosts my shopping cart on my domain name (such as www.example.com), do I still retain ownership of my domain name, or do I have to transfer control of it over to you?"
You always retain ownership of your domain name. If Modular Merchant hosts your store on your domain name, you simply point it to our servers. It's as simple as editing a setting in the control panel provided by the company through whom you registered your domain. |
| Who hosts what with Option 2? |
| Hosted Elsewhere |
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Hosted by Modular Merchant |
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| What is included in Hosting Option 2 |
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Availability
Hosting Option 2 is included free with Silver and higher account plans. |
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Store Domain Name
Your store is hosted on your domain name, similar to: http://www.example.com -or- http://www.example.com/store/ |
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Shopping Cart
The shopping cart software is hosted on Modular Merchant's servers, on your domain name. |
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SSL Certificate
An SSL Certificate is required. You may install your own, or purchase one from Modular Merchant and we'll install it for you. |
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Your Website
Additional, non-store web pages may be hosted as well. This includes blogs, forums, etc. |
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Control Panel
A secure Administration Area control panel is provided for managing the shopping cart.
A secure Plesk control panel is also provided for managing the website, viewing server logs, etc. |
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File Transfer
Direct FTP access is included in this option. Upload and download files directly to and from your website. |
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Email Accounts
Email accounts are not included in this option. |
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Database Access
Modular Merchant hosts the store's database. Additional databases can also be created. Direct database access is available. |
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Hosting Option 3: Host your store under a subdomain, with your website hosted elsewhere. |
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The best of both worlds
This option allows you to keep your non-store website hosted elsewhere under your domain (such as: www.example.com), while your store is hosted under a section of your domain name, called a "subdomain" (such as: store.example.com).
This prevents the need to uproot your existing non-store website, while still being able to take advantage of a vanity URL for your store, direct FTP access and other advanced options.
| Who hosts what with Option 3? |
| Hosted Elsewhere |
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Hosted by Modular Merchant |
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| What is included in Hosting Option 3 |
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Availability
Hosting Option 3 is included free with Silver and higher account plans. |
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Store Domain Name
Your store is hosted on a subdomain of your domain name, similar to: http://store.example.com |
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Shopping Cart
The shopping cart software is hosted on Modular Merchant's servers, on your subdomain. |
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SSL Certificate
An SSL Certificate is required. You may install your own, or purchase one from Modular Merchant and we'll install it for you. |
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Your Website
Additional, non-store web pages may be hosted as well. This includes blogs, forums, etc. |
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Control Panel
A secure Administration Area control panel is provided for managing the shopping cart.
A secure Plesk control panel is also provided for managing the website, email accounts, viewing server logs, etc. |
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File Transfer
Direct FTP access is included in this option. Upload and download files directly to and from your website. |
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Email Accounts
Email accounts are managed through the company that hosts your domain name. Email accounts are not included in this option. |
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Database Access
Modular Merchant hosts the store's database. Additional databases can also be created. Direct database access is available. |
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Upgrade your hosting at any time
With all of the hosting plans that Modular Merchant has available, there's an option that's right for every business size. And don't forget, picking a hosting option isn't something that has to be done right away. Your store may start out in the default starter area, and stay there while it grows. Then, upgrade the hosting options when the time is right! |
