Web developers mess with many questions regarding HTML and CSS while designing the website that kills much of their precious time to find out the perfect solution. Here are the solutions to the frequently asked questions by web developers.

How to hide vertical and horizontal scrollbars of a website?

Assume you have created a website that fits in browser but still you get scroll bars, it irritates right? Here is the simple code to hide vertical as well as horizontal scrollbars of webpage-

body {

overflow-y:hidden;

overflow-x:hidden;

}

In case If you want to hide the vertical scrollbar just use overflow-y:hidden; or else use the code mentioned above to hide both vertical and horizontal scrollbars.

How to create sticky header and footer for website?

Sticky header or sticky footer sticks to their position even if you scroll the webpage,   here is the code to create sticky header and footer-

Sticky header

<div style=”width:100%; height:45px; margin:0 auto; position:fixed; top:0; background-color:#000;”>

This is a sticky header

</div>

Sticky footer

<div style=”width:100%; height:45px; margin:0 auto; position:fixed; bottom:0; background-color:#000;”>

This is a sticky footer

</div>

Here we have used “fixed” value for “position” property for both DIV’s that makes them stick to their position either to top or bottom.

How to align text vertically centered in a DIV?

It is easy to align the text horizontally center in a DIV but it is bit tricky to align vertically centered.  Here is the code to align the text vertically centered in a DIV-

<div style=”height:100px; width:200px; line-height:100px;”>

Lorem Ipsum

</div>

According to the code above we have included line-height property and set the value of DIV height to it, just change the line-height according your DIV height to align text vertically center in DIV.

How to create the DIV with rounded edges?

Here is the CSS code to create the rounded edges for DIV, use this code in the ID or else in the class that the DIV uses.

-moz-border-radius: 7px;

-webkit-border-radius: 7px;

border-radius: 7px;

Wonder why there are three lines of codes? Let me explain a bit, the first line –moz is used to support those browsers that uses gecko engine such as Firefox and Seamonkey, -webkit is used for Google Chrome and Safari which rely on webkit engine and the last line “border-radius” is used so that the code should work in Internet Explorer that uses trident engine. Unfortunately Internet Explorer 7 and 8 does not support border radius.

How to stretch the website background with browser?

Do you want your website background to stretch according to your browser’s height and width? Here it is-

body{

background-size:100%;

}

Those serious about their websites generally choose between VPS (short for virtual private server) and dedicated servers even though there are other options available. While each of the two servers can make for a successful website, there are several differences between them. If you’re a webmaster you will want to understand these differences before choosing one over the other. Making the right decision can save you a load of future hassles if your website is successful and you need to scale up your hosting requirements. Below are the major differences between VPS and dedicated servers.

 1, Speed

One of the most important attributes of any web server, the speed at which they operate is different between VPS and dedicated servers. Simply put, dedicated servers are faster. They are the quickest servers around. Even low-end dedicated servers give the highest-end VPS a run for their money in the speed department.

2, Price

Obviously, price is a very important factor to consider when comparing the differences between VPS and dedicated servers. In almost every case, dedicated servers will be more expensive than VPS. However, with the extra expense come a number of features that are not offered with VPS. At the other end of the stick, not everyone has a need for all of these special features so saving money on VPS can easily be a benefit.

3, Predictability

Dedicated servers are almost always more predictable than VPS. The main reason for this is that you have more control over them. Since a dedicated server is being used by only one computer, it can be rebooted as needed, completely customized to suit your personal needs, and new software can be installed on a whim. Dedicated servers experience far fewer problems than VPS do.

4, Bandwidth and Storage

Bandwidth and storage are important elements for every webmaster to consider. Both VPS and dedicated servers generally offer unlimited bandwidth and unlimited storage. However, VPS is more likely between the two to have some restrictions set on CPU power and memory.

5, Ease of Use

Both VPS and dedicated servers are easy to use. However, different people may find one or the other easiest. VPS are generally better for those users with minimal or average web hosting experience. They make things very user-friendly and most offer customer support lines to help you through problems. Dedicated servers, on the other hand, aren’t so straightforward but allow a number of advanced customizations to be easily made which are hard to do with a VPS. Advanced computer users will greatly appreciate this freedom.

Though it can be tough to choose between a VPS and a dedicated server, when you understand the differences between them it is made a ton easier. It is important to keep in mind that many of the differences can benefit users of each type of server depending on the user’s personal experience, needs, and preferences. Take the differences explained above into consideration when making the decision for a server for your website.

About the author:

Frank Ashton is a business website hosting consultant. He enjoys sharing his experience and acquired knowledge on various hosting blogs. When looking for a hosting solutions for your website, it is worth checking out host ratings from the customers of the most popular webhosts.

I have come across many of my Web Designer friends & reader audiences think hard when posed with this common question. Which is why, I was prompted to discuss this in the form of an article.

To give you more context, a lot of Web Developers, primarily the small and medium set ups, do a great job when approached by Customers to have a website designed. They have all the technical knowledge required to build an aesthetic and engaging website. However, most of them end up confused while offering the essential ancillary services required for the website to function, namely a Domain & Hosting Package.

Some people I know prefer taking the outsource route wherein they ask the Customer to approach a unique Web Service Provider such as Big Rock or GoDaddy to source services apart from Web Design for the website. As a Web Designer, you should actually consider if following the outsource method is in your best interest?

Since this topic has a lot to discuss, and keeping in mind the average readers attention span, I am going to divide this article into a 3 Part Series which will help you decide whether you should OutSource your Web Service needs, or Resell.

So let’s start with the most popular one: Outsource

Advantages:

1.)    No technical support responsibility – Once you have passed on a customer to a good service provider, you don’t have to worry about helping him set up his Domain and Hosting package. Your responsibility ends as soon as the site has been developed. The customer will need to approach the service provider for any help related to the domain or hosting package

2.)    No Hosting knowledge required – This allows you to focus on your core expertise and let an external service provider handle everything from the backup, to uploading content, setting up email accounts etc. By focusing on your primary business, you can make it more profitable and avoid needless hassles with constant requests for help or support from your customer.

3.)    Better Product Portfolio – End customer providers such as Big Rock and GoDaddy offer their customers a range of additional services to choose from. Integrating all these options into your own offerings could be time consuming and hard to maintain. This way, you can simply pass a client on to a reliable provider that can meet all his needs

4.)    Referral Amount – Some major service providers offer an affiliate program or a referral scheme. For every client you pass on to them, you could receive a percentage of their spending or a flat fee. This is a very useful addition to your income and benefits you in all ways. The service provider will be happy to receive clients, and you get paid for every referral you send their way.

5.)    Better Management – End customer providers are dedicated to selling and managing Domain Names and Hosting packages along with related products. They are capable of responding to and dealing with any and all queries in a quick and professional manner. You can be confident your customers will be well taken care of.

Disadvantages:

1.)     Zero Annuity – A lot of the websites you’ll typically design are for Small and Medium businesses. As such, they are quite basic pages that won’t require much modification in the future. In this, case, you are restricting your potential sources of revenue by only offering one service which has a low chance of providing you with constant income. If you choose to provide your customers with the Domain Name and Hosting, then they may renew it with you, in effect increasing your revenue channel.

2.)    Business Grabbing – Since Web Service providers maintain such a huge selection of products, the chances of them also offering Web Development services are very high. In this case, a customer may choose to place further orders for web development directly with the service providers and by pass you completely.

3.)    Zero Brand Recall – When you outsource, you are decreasing your brand value. The Web Service Provider has his branding all over, right from the control panel, to their mails; every step of the way, the provider highlights his brand. Since you’re only offering them one service, the chance that a customer would remember you and return for business decreases.

4.)    Loss of Potential Business – Web service providers spend large amounts on a variety of marketing activities already. A key marketing tool for Web Designers/Developers however is word of mouth. If you only offer one single service, this decreases your value proposition to a new customer. A customer looking for more convenience would go to someone who could handle everything from the purchase of the Domain name and Hosting to setting it up.

5.)    Better Pricing – Since Web Services Providers acquire most of their products in bulk and operate at a vast scale;their capital and operational costs are lower. They tend to pass these benefits on to consumers as they transact in volume. ResellerClub for instance follows the resell model. Since they operate on a large scale these guys pass on the benefit of price to Web Developers, which the Web Developer can then choose to pass on to his Customer.

These points help explain the Good & Bad of Out Sourcing. My next article will talk about Reselling, and the Good and Bad attached to that method.

In the meanwhile I would love to hear what you’ll think about Out Sourcing and what methods do you’ll currently follow.