July 16, 2025
In our series on monitoring systems, we’ve reviewed Munin, Prometheus with Grafana, and Zabbix. Now it’s time to talk about a solution that addresses one of the main pain points of Prometheus users — long-term, scalable, and efficient time-series storage. Meet VictoriaMetrics, a high-performance and cost-effective TSDB (time-series database) that perfectly complements the Prometheus ecosystem when paired with Grafana for visualization.
What Is VictoriaMetrics and Why Do You Need It?
Prometheus handles real-time monitoring and storage well, but its built-in TSDB isn’t designed for long-term retention or scaling to terabytes or petabytes of data. That’s where VictoriaMetrics comes in.
July 15, 2025
We’ve already looked at Munin for basic insights and Prometheus + Grafana for cloud environments. Now let’s turn to Zabbix — a powerful, versatile, and scalable monitoring system that offers a comprehensive out-of-the-box solution for medium and large infrastructures. Zabbix is often chosen by organizations needing centralized monitoring, flexible alerting, and a wide range of data collection methods.
What Is Zabbix and How Does It Work?
Zabbix is a mature open-source monitoring system designed to track the state and performance of various IT components: servers, virtual machines, network devices, databases, web services, and applications.
July 14, 2025
We’ve reviewed Munin as a simple solution for basic monitoring. Now let’s move on to a stack that has become an indispensable tool in the world of modern cloud infrastructure, microservices, and containers: Prometheus, Node Exporter, and Grafana. This trio provides a powerful, flexible, and scalable approach to collecting, storing, analyzing, and visualizing metrics.
What is Prometheus and Its Ecosystem?
Prometheus is an open-source monitoring system originally developed at Google and later handed over to the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF). Its key feature is the “pull” model: Prometheus scrapes metrics from targets via HTTP endpoints.
July 13, 2025
After our introductory journey into the world of monitoring, it’s time to explore specific tools. Let’s start with one of the oldest yet still relevant solutions for those who value simplicity and clarity — Munin.
Munin is a lightweight and intuitive monitoring system specializing in collecting and graphically presenting system data. If you need a quick way to get a general view of your servers’ health without diving deep into complex configurations, Munin might be a great place to start.
July 12, 2025
In today’s world, where digital technologies penetrate every sphere of life, the stable operation of IT infrastructure is not just a desirable condition — it is a critical necessity. Whether it’s a small website, a large online store, a mobile application, or an internal corporate system — any failure can lead to serious losses, reputational damage, and user dissatisfaction. This is where monitoring steps in.
What is Monitoring and Why Is It Important?
Monitoring in IT is the continuous collection, analysis, and visualization of data about the state and performance of infrastructure, applications, and services. Imagine you have a complex machine, like a car. To keep it running smoothly, you regularly check fuel level, oil, tire pressure. Monitoring serves the same purpose for servers, databases, networks, and applications.
July 11, 2025
Introduction: UniFi – An Ecosystem for Modern Networks
In the world of business networking, many solutions exist—but few offer the same level of integration, management simplicity, and aesthetics as the UniFi product line from American company Ubiquiti Networks. Unlike the more “bare-bones” approach of Mikrotik, UniFi is designed for building a unified, centrally managed ecosystem. This makes it especially appealing to small and medium-sized businesses that value not just performance, but also ease of deployment, monitoring, and scalability.
July 10, 2025
Introduction: Mikrotik – More Than Just a Router
When it comes to networking hardware for home or small offices, most people think of consumer-grade routers like those from TP-Link, ASUS, or D-Link. However, there’s a category of devices offering far more flexibility, features, and control—while remaining affordable. We’re talking about Mikrotik, a Latvian company known for its wide range of networking gear, especially routers and switches.
What truly sets Mikrotik apart isn’t just the hardware, but its operating system — RouterOS. This powerful software transforms ordinary devices into versatile tools capable of handling tasks usually reserved for far more expensive enterprise solutions.
July 9, 2025
Introduction to Plesk
Plesk is another global leader in web hosting control panels, often competing with cPanel for the top spot. What makes Plesk stand out is its modularity, flexibility, and focus not only on traditional hosting but also on web developers, agencies, and DevOps teams. Plesk supports a wide range of operating systems, including both Linux and Windows Server, making it an extremely versatile solution. Like cPanel, Plesk is a commercial product with various licenses depending on needs.
July 8, 2025
Introduction to cPanel
If you’ve ever purchased shared hosting, chances are high that you’ve encountered cPanel. It is arguably the most well-known and widely used web hosting control panel in the world. Designed for a broad audience—from beginners to experienced administrators—cPanel offers a comprehensive set of tools for managing websites, email, databases, and other hosting-related functions. It’s a paid product, but its popularity stems from its rich feature set, reliability, and massive ecosystem.
July 7, 2025
Introduction to FastPanel
In the market of free server control panels, FastPanel stands out as a powerful and modern solution offering a wide range of features without compromising on performance. Unlike lightweight options aimed at minimal setups, FastPanel seeks to deliver full functionality comparable to paid alternatives, while remaining free for personal use and small projects. If you’re looking for a panel that combines rich features, high performance, and an intuitive interface to manage your VPS or dedicated server, FastPanel is an excellent choice.
July 6, 2025
Introduction to Hestia Control Panel
If you’re looking for a powerful, modern, and completely free control panel for your VPS or dedicated server, Hestia Control Panel (HestiaCP) is one of the best options available. HestiaCP is a fork of the once-popular but now inactive VestaCP and is actively developed by the community. It offers an excellent feature set focused on performance and security. It’s a perfect fit for individual developers, freelancers, small businesses, and anyone who wants full control over their server without extra costs.
July 5, 2025
Introduction to ISPmanager
ISPmanager is one of the most well-known and widely used web hosting control panels, especially in the Russian and CIS markets. Developed by ISPsystem, it offers a powerful and comprehensive set of tools for server administration and web project management. ISPmanager is a paid product, but its functionality and reliability justify the investment for many users and hosting providers. It’s designed for those looking for a stable, proven solution with extensive capabilities.
July 4, 2025
Introduction: Why Do You Need a Website Control Panel?
Imagine you’ve bought a piece of land and built a house on it (your website). Now you need to manage the house: connect electricity (domains), install plumbing (databases), set up security (SSL certificates), maintain order (files), and even let tenants in (FTP users). You could do all of this manually, but it’s complex, time-consuming, and requires specialized skills.
This is where website control panels come in. These are graphical web interfaces that significantly simplify the process of managing your web server and all the components needed to run a website. Instead of entering complex terminal commands, you simply click buttons and fill out forms in a user-friendly browser interface.
July 3, 2025
Part 3: n8n Alternatives — Comparing Features and Approaches
We’ve already explored n8n and its deployment options in detail. But it’s important to understand that the no-code automation market is vast, and n8n is just one of many powerful tools. In this final article, we’ll compare n8n with its most popular alternatives to help you choose the best solution for your needs.
Each tool has its own philosophy, target audience, and feature set. Let’s take a closer look.
July 2, 2025
Part 2: n8n: Cloud vs Self-Hosted Solutions – Which to Choose?
After discovering the capabilities of n8n, a logical question arises: “How do I start using it?” n8n offers two main deployment approaches, each with its pros and cons: Cloud service (n8n Cloud) and Self-Hosted deployment. The choice depends on your needs, technical skills, and security requirements.
n8n Cloud: Simplicity and Convenience
n8n Cloud is the official service by the developers of n8n. Essentially, it’s “n8n as a service,” where all infrastructure and maintenance are handled by the n8n Inc. team.
July 1, 2025
Part 1: Getting to Know n8n – Your Swiss Army Knife for Automation
Introduction to n8n: What is it and why does it matter?
In today’s fast-paced world, routine tasks can consume too much time and energy. This is where automation tools come to the rescue. You’ve probably heard of “low-code” and “no-code” concepts that allow you to build powerful applications and automate processes without deep programming knowledge. One of the most prominent tools in this space is n8n.
June 30, 2025
We’re wrapping up our database series with MongoDB — one of the most popular document-oriented NoSQL databases. Unlike relational systems like MySQL and PostgreSQL, MongoDB offers high flexibility, scalability, and performance for working with semi-structured and unstructured data.
What is MongoDB?
MongoDB is a free and open-source (SSPL/Apache 2.0) document-oriented NoSQL database that stores data in a JSON-like format called BSON (Binary JSON). Unlike relational databases that use fixed schemas, MongoDB stores “documents” (analogous to records) with a dynamic schema. This means documents in the same “collection” (similar to a table) can have different sets of fields — giving developers incredible flexibility.
June 29, 2025
We’ve already explored relational databases (MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite), which are great for structured data and complex queries. Now we move into the world of NoSQL, starting with one of its brightest stars — Redis (Remote Dictionary Server). Redis is an incredibly fast and versatile server often described as a “data structure server on steroids.”
What is Redis?
Redis is a free and open-source (BSD licensed) NoSQL key-value database that stores data in memory (in-memory). Unlike traditional disk-based databases, Redis is designed to deliver maximum data access speed. While it’s a key-value store, Redis stands out because the values can be not only strings but also rich data structures like strings, lists, sets, hashes, sorted sets with scores, bitmaps, and hyperloglogs.
June 28, 2025
We’ve already explored the powerful server-based giants MySQL and PostgreSQL, but the database world is much more diverse. Today, we’re turning to a unique player — SQLite. Unlike its “bigger brothers,” SQLite is not a standalone server but an embedded library that stores the entire database in a single file.
What is SQLite?
SQLite is a free and public domain relational database management system (RDBMS). Its defining feature — and what sets it apart from other DBMSs — is that it does not require a separate server process. SQLite is implemented as a compact C library embedded directly into your application. The database is stored in one or more standard disk files, making deployment and usage incredibly simple.
June 27, 2025
In the previous article, we covered MySQL — a reliable and popular leader in the world of relational databases. Today we turn to its main competitor, often called “the world’s most advanced open-source relational database” — PostgreSQL. Known for its strict SQL compliance, extensive feature set, and remarkable extensibility, PostgreSQL stands out among relational systems.
What is PostgreSQL?
PostgreSQL is a powerful, open-source (BSD-licensed) object-relational database management system (ORDBMS). It began as the POSTGRES project at the University of California, Berkeley in 1986 and was renamed PostgreSQL in 1996. Unlike purely relational systems, PostgreSQL incorporates object-oriented concepts, making it more flexible and powerful.
June 26, 2025
Following our overview of database types, it’s time to take a closer look at one of the most well-known and widely used players in the relational world — MySQL. Over the years, MySQL has become the de facto standard for web applications and is an integral part of the famous LAMP stack (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP/Python/Perl).
What is MySQL?
MySQL is a free and open-source (with a commercial version available from Oracle) relational database management system (RDBMS). It was created in the mid-1990s and quickly gained popularity due to its simplicity, speed, and reliability — especially for web applications. MySQL stores data in structured tables and uses SQL (Structured Query Language) to perform operations such as creating, reading, updating, and deleting data.
June 25, 2025
In today’s digital world, where every click, purchase, or message generates data, there’s a pressing need for efficient storage, management, and fast access. That’s exactly what database servers are for. They are the invisible but essential foundation of any dynamic application — from simple blogs and e-commerce platforms to complex enterprise systems, financial tools, and AI solutions.
What is a Database (DB) and Why Do You Need One?
A database (DB) is an organized collection of information, structured in a way that makes it easy to access, manage, and update. A database server is a software system that provides access and management services for one or more databases.
June 24, 2025
We’ve reached the final article in our proxy server series, and today’s topic is a true veteran and classic — Squid. This powerful proxy server has served for decades as a key tool for web traffic caching, significantly speeding up internet access and reducing network load.
What is Squid?
Squid is free, open-source software that functions as a caching proxy server for web traffic. It was specifically designed to optimize HTTP and HTTPS traffic, though it also supports FTP and Gopher protocols. Squid is primarily used as a forward proxy in corporate or academic networks but can also be configured as a reverse proxy to cache content from internal web servers.
June 23, 2025
031 | Proxy Servers in Action: 3proxy — A Compact and Multifunctional Proxy Server 🤏⚙️
In our exploration of proxy servers, we’ve already looked at giants like Nginx and HAProxy, as well as the versatile SOCKS-focused Dante. Today, we turn our attention to 3proxy — a surprisingly compact yet incredibly multifunctional solution that could become your Swiss army knife in the world of proxying.
What is 3proxy?
3proxy is free, open-source software that, despite its small footprint (hence the “3”), is one of the most versatile proxy servers available. It is designed to run on various operating systems including Windows, Linux, macOS, and BSD. Its main strength is its ability to act as a proxy for a wide range of network protocols, often not supported in more specialized solutions.
June 22, 2025
We continue exploring the world of proxy servers. After looking into Nginx and HAProxy, which primarily handle HTTP and high-level load balancing, it’s time to look at Dante. This proxy server specializes in the SOCKS protocol, offering lower-level proxying for any TCP and UDP traffic.
What is Dante?
Dante is a free, open-source software designed to function as a SOCKS proxy server. Unlike HTTP proxies, which operate at the application layer (OSI Layer 7) and understand web traffic, SOCKS proxies work at the transport layer (OSI Layer 4). This means Dante can proxy virtually any network traffic, regardless of its contents, making it extremely versatile.
June 21, 2025
In our series of articles on proxy servers, we’ve already discussed Nginx, a versatile tool combining the roles of a web server and a reverse proxy. Today, we’ll take a look at HAProxy (High Availability Proxy) — a specialized solution focused on a single but extremely important task: high-performance load balancing and ensuring high availability.
What is HAProxy?
HAProxy is free, open-source software that acts as a load balancer and reverse proxy for both TCP and HTTP protocols. It is designed to handle very large volumes of simultaneous connections and is a key component for building highly available and scalable web applications and services. HAProxy is often used as the “brain” in front of a group of servers, distributing incoming traffic among them.
June 20, 2025
In the previous article, we explored the general principles of proxy servers and their classification. Now it’s time to dive into specific solutions, and we’ll start with Nginx (pronounced “engine-x”) — one of the most popular and high-performance web servers and a powerful reverse proxy. Nginx plays a key role in modern web infrastructure, powering millions of websites worldwide.
What is Nginx?
Nginx is a free, open-source software that was originally developed as a web server to solve the C10k problem (handling a large number of simultaneous connections). Over time, its functionality has expanded significantly, and today Nginx is widely used as:
June 19, 2025
In today’s internet-driven world, where data constantly travels between millions of devices, it’s often not enough to establish a direct connection — you may need a “middleman.” That’s where a proxy server comes in. It acts as a bridge between you (the client) and the destination resource (server), handling network requests on your behalf. Understanding how proxies work is critical for network security, optimization, and access management.
What is a Proxy Server?
A proxy server (from the English proxy — representative, intermediary) is a server in a computer network that acts as an intermediary between a user (client) and other internet servers. All client requests go through the proxy first, which then forwards them to the destination server. Responses from the destination server also return to the proxy first before being sent back to the client.
June 18, 2025
Continuing our series on choosing a password manager, let’s now take a closer look at Bitwarden. This tool stands out from the competition thanks to its openness, flexibility, and the unique option to self-host, giving you maximum control over your data.
Bitwarden: Your Choice Between Cloud and Self-Hosting
Bitwarden is a popular, open-source password manager that strikes an excellent balance of security, functionality, and affordability. It offers users two main deployment options:
June 17, 2025
In the first part of our series, we looked at why password managers are essential tools for digital security and organization. Now let’s dive into specific solutions, starting with Dashlane — a popular choice for those seeking a balance between ease of use, powerful features, and a ready-to-go cloud service.
Dashlane: Your Trusted Companion in the World of Passwords
Dashlane is one of the leading password managers on the market, known for its intuitive interface and rich feature set. It functions as a fully cloud-based solution: your encrypted password database is stored on Dashlane’s servers and accessed via easy-to-use apps and browser extensions across all your devices.
June 16, 2025
In today’s world, whether you’re a solo entrepreneur or a large company, you interact daily with dozens — even hundreds — of online services. Email, social media, banking apps, CRM systems, advertising platforms — each requires a password. And here comes the serious dilemma: how do you remember all these passwords while keeping them secure?
Many take the path of least resistance: simple passwords, reusing the same combinations, jotting them down on sticky notes. This is a direct route to trouble.
June 15, 2025
We’ve already established that renting 1C in the cloud is often the best choice for small and medium-sized businesses. But how do you choose the right provider — and just as importantly, how do you secure access to your accounting system and data online? Let’s break it down.
Overview of Popular Cloud 1C Solutions
There are many providers on the market offering 1C hosting services. Below, we’ll look at two of the most popular and distinct options.
June 14, 2025
Once you’ve decided whether to purchase a 1C license or rent it, the next critical step is to determine where your data and the program itself will be stored and processed. This choice affects convenience, performance, security, and, of course, costs. Let’s explore the three main options for hosting 1C.
Option 1: Locally on the User’s PC (File Mode)
This is the simplest setup, where the 1C software and its database are installed and run directly on a single user’s computer.
June 13, 2025
For many Russian companies, from small businesses to large corporations, the 1C:Enterprise system is a key tool for automating accounting, management, HR, and warehouse operations. But when it comes to implementation, one of the first and most important questions business owners face is: Should you buy a 1C license or rent it? This decision will significantly affect your upfront investment, monthly expenses, flexibility, and responsibility for your IT infrastructure.
What is 1C and Why Does It Matter?
1C:Enterprise is a universal platform for business process automation. It powers a wide range of configurations (such as “1C:Accounting”, “1C:Trade Management”, “1C:Payroll and HR Management”) that meet nearly all business needs in accounting and administration. Choosing the right usage model isn’t just about money — it directly impacts the long-term efficiency of your operations.
June 12, 2025
In the previous article, I covered Nextcloud — a full-featured personal cloud that gives you complete control over your data.
But what if you don’t need the full cloud storage functionality and just want reliable, private, and fast file synchronization between your devices — with no middlemen?
Then meet Syncthing — a unique open-source solution that changes the game.
What is Syncthing and How Does It Work? 🤝
Syncthing is a free and open-source program for decentralized P2P (peer-to-peer) file synchronization.
This means your files are transferred directly between your devices, without any central server acting as an intermediary.
June 11, 2025
In a world where more and more data is stored in the “clouds” of tech giants, concerns about privacy, security, and control over information are becoming increasingly relevant.
If you’re tired of relying on Dropbox, Google Drive, or OneDrive and want to regain control of your data — without sacrificing the convenience of cloud features — then Nextcloud is the solution for you.
What is Nextcloud and why do you need it? 🚀
Nextcloud is open-source software that allows you to create your own personal cloud storage on a private server or VPS (Virtual Private Server).
In essence, it’s a powerful alternative to commercial cloud services — one that you install and fully control.
June 8, 2025
In today’s digital world, data is not just information — it’s a responsibility.
Federal Law No. 152-FZ “On Personal Data” is the cornerstone of Russian legislation in this field.
It requires every company and individual entrepreneur working with personal data to comply with strict rules.
Ignoring these rules can lead to serious fines 💸 and reputational damage 🚫.
What is 152-FZ and why is it important? ❓
Federal Law No. 152-FZ “On Personal Data” governs the relationships related to the processing (collection, storage, use, transfer, etc.) of personal data of individuals.
June 7, 2025
We’ve already discussed the importance of backups and the “3-2-1 golden rule,” which includes keeping at least one copy of your data off-site. This is where cloud backups come into play — they are perfect for fulfilling this critical requirement, offering simplicity, reliability, and cost-effectiveness.
💡 Cloud Backups: Why Are They Convenient for Small Business?
Cloud backup services allow you to store your backup copies on remote servers accessible via the Internet. This offers several key advantages:
June 6, 2025
In the previous post, we explored why backups are essential and what really counts as a true backup. Now it’s time to learn about the “golden standard” of data protection — the “3-2-1” backup rule. This is a simple yet incredibly effective strategy that can help you reduce the risk of data loss to virtually zero.
What is the “3-2-1” Rule?
The “3-2-1” rule is a backup methodology that recommends:
June 5, 2025
In today’s digital world, data is the new capital. Documents, customer databases, financial reports, your website files — all of this is critical to running a business. But what happens if this data is lost? Accidental deletion, hard drive failure, ransomware, laptop theft, or even an office fire — there are countless scenarios. This is where backup comes to the rescue.
Why Do You Need a Backup?
Backup is not just a “nice feature” — it is a critical necessity for any business, no matter how small, or for an individual entrepreneur. Here’s why:
June 4, 2025
In previous articles, we’ve explored various ways to set up IP telephony for small businesses: from simple virtual PBXs to full-featured on-premise servers. But what if standard functionalities are no longer enough, and you want to elevate customer communications to a new level? This is where specialized services like imot.io come to the rescue, adding “intelligence” to your telephony.
What is imot.io and why is it needed?
imot.io is a platform that offers a set of tools to improve the efficiency of phone communications and automate call-related processes. The service integrates with your existing IP telephony (be it a virtual PBX or your own PBX) and extends its functionality through modern technologies, including elements of artificial intelligence.
June 3, 2025
We’ve already discussed the basics of IP telephony and the convenience of virtual PBXs. But what if you want maximum savings or complete control over your phone system? In that case, you should consider two more advanced options: direct use of SIP accounts or deploying your own IP PBX.
- Direct SIP Telephony: Cheap and Cheerful
This option assumes you obtain a SIP account (or several) directly from a communications operator (SIP provider) and independently configure the equipment or software for calls.
How it Works
Registration with a SIP provider: You choose an operator that provides SIP telephony services (these can be the same companies that offer virtual PBXs, or specialized SIP operators). You register and receive connection details: SIP login, password, server address.
June 2, 2025
In the previous article, we explored what IP telephony is and the advantages it offers small businesses. Today, we’ll discuss one of the most popular and convenient ways to implement it – Virtual PBX (VPBX). This solution is ideal for those who want to get full-featured telephony quickly and without unnecessary equipment costs.
What is a Virtual PBX and how does it work?
A Virtual PBX (VPBX), or cloud PBX, is essentially the same telephone exchange, but it’s located not in your office, but on the servers of a service provider. You access all its functions via the internet.
June 1, 2025
In the modern world, effective communication is key to the success of any business, especially small ones. Customers want to be able to easily contact you, and you want to avoid missing any inquiries. But what if your budget is limited, while the need for reliable telephone communication is high? The answer is simple – IP telephony.
So, what is IP telephony?
Simply put, IP telephony (or VoIP – Voice over Internet Protocol) is a technology that allows voice signals to be transmitted over the internet, rather than through traditional telephone lines. Instead of pulling wires and installing bulky equipment, you use your existing internet connection.
May 31, 2025
Now that you know about the different types of DNS records, let’s figure out how to configure them and, just as importantly, how to ensure everything is working correctly. Proper DNS setup is a key step to your website’s stable operation and effective email delivery.
DNS record configuration is typically done in the control panel of your domain registrar (where you purchased the domain) or through the interface of a service you use to manage DNS (e.g., Cloudflare, if you use it).
May 30, 2025
Continuing the topic of DNS, in addition to the basic A and MX records, there are three other critically important records that are responsible for the security of your mail and its deliverability — that is, ensuring your emails don’t end up in spam. These are SPF, DKIM, and DMARC. They act as unique digital seals and verification rules for your correspondence, confirming its authenticity.
May 29, 2025
We’ve already discussed how to get your own domain and reviewed the available options for building and hosting a website and email. Now it’s time to dive into what ties all these elements together — the Domain Name System (DNS). Think of DNS as the internet’s giant phone book: when you type an address like yourbusiness.com into your browser, DNS servers help translate that name into the corresponding IP address (e.g., 192.0.2.1) so your browser knows where to connect. Without proper DNS configuration, your website won’t be accessible, and your emails won’t be delivered.
May 28, 2025
We’ve gone from basic forwarding to using corporate-grade provider services. Now it’s time to explore the most advanced — and also the most labor-intensive — option: setting up your own mail server. This gives you full control over your email, but requires serious technical skills. One of the most user-friendly solutions for this task is a Docker-based suite called Mailcow.
Self-Hosted Mail Server: Full Control and Maximum Flexibility
Running your own mail server is like owning a private mailhouse where you set all the rules. You control mailbox sizes, the number of users, filtering policies, security measures, and integrations. It’s an ideal option for those who don’t want to rely on third-party services, have specific security requirements, or want complete control over their email infrastructure.
May 27, 2025
In the previous article, we looked at email forwarding via Cloudflare as a great starting point for using email on your own domain. But if you need a full-featured email inbox with storage, calendar, and cloud tools, you might consider business-grade mail services from major providers.
Full-Featured Mail Services for Your Domain
Big players like Yandex and Mail.ru offer business email solutions (e.g., Yandex Mail 360 for Business, VK WorkMail by Mail.ru). These allow you to connect your own domain and get powerful, familiar interfaces with your company’s branding. Google Workspace (formerly G Suite) is another popular option, but it may be harder to access for businesses in Russia due to current restrictions.
May 26, 2025
Email is the lifeblood of any business. One of the first steps toward professionalism is using an email address with your own domain (e.g., info@yourbusiness.com) rather than relying on free services like Gmail or Mail.ru. It not only looks more credible but also builds trust with your customers. Today we’ll explore a simple and free way to start using your domain-based email — email forwarding through Cloudflare.
What is Email Forwarding and Why Use It?
Email forwarding is the process of automatically redirecting incoming messages from one address to another. For example, emails sent to info@yourbusiness.com are automatically forwarded to your personal Gmail or Yandex inbox.
May 25, 2025
We’ve already covered website builders for a quick start and CMS platforms for maximum flexibility. Now it’s time to look at the third approach — static site generators, such as Hugo, Jekyll, and Gatsby. This method requires more technical knowledge but offers exceptional performance, security, and cost advantages.
Static Site Generators: Speed, Security, and Cost Efficiency
A static site generator is a tool that takes your content (usually written in Markdown), pre-made templates, and assets (images, styles), and compiles them into a set of plain HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files. These files are “static” — meaning they don’t need to be processed by a server on every page request like CMS platforms do. The final output can be hosted on virtually any server — including free services like GitHub Pages.
May 24, 2025
After reviewing website builders — a great choice for beginners — let’s move on to a more powerful and flexible solution: Content Management Systems (CMS). These are software platforms that you install on your hosting server to manage website content via a user-friendly admin panel — no need to write code for each page. The most popular examples are WordPress (the market leader), Joomla, and Drupal.
CMS Platforms: Flexibility and Full Control Over Your Website
May 23, 2025
In the previous article, we talked about domain names — your digital address on the internet. Now it’s time to build the “home” itself — your website. There are many ways to do this, and today we’ll start with the most beginner-friendly option: website builders.
Website Builders: A Quick Start for Everyone
Website builders like Tilda, Wix, or Tinkoff’s Site Builder are online platforms that let you create a site without any programming skills. You simply drag and drop ready-made blocks (text, images, galleries, buttons) into place, then edit their content and style. It’s a great option if you want a nice-looking, functional website quickly without diving into technical complexities.
May 22, 2025
What is a domain name and why do you need one?
A domain name is the unique address of your website on the internet — for example, your-business.ru or youthink.pro. Think of it like a phone number or mailing address for your business in the digital world. It allows clients to easily find you online, type your address into a browser to access your site, or send an email to your company mailbox. A well-chosen domain name makes your business more recognizable, professional, and trustworthy.
May 20, 2025
What will I write about here?
About tools, services, and IT solutions that help entrepreneurs and small businesses avoid paying big corporations — by launching essential services on their own or with the help of targeted experts, without large capital expenses. About practical techniques and ways to solve real problems.
Upcoming post topics:
💬 buying a domain
💬 website hosting
💬 setting up email on your own domain
💬 launching telephony
💬 starting a CRM
💬 Telegram bots and assistants
