How to Setup a Proxy?

Recently I wrote about What is a Proxy, and in this post I will be showing you guys how to set up a proxy.

Well there are three essential things that you will need to setup a proxy.

Domain
Script
Webhost (Server)
Design

Now I will go in detail on each of these three topics because these are the things that you will need to setup a proxy. Lets start with a Domain.

Domain

Domain is an important factor for making a proxy for many things. One of them is for marketing, and another one is for keeping it away from being blocked. While it will help you guys in SEO to get a name with the keyword proxy in it, It will not help you with the users because most schools and workplaces filter the keyword proxy in the domain, so if they see it. It will be banned automatically within 24 hours. So you are loosing users. Also try to avoid using popular services like myspace and facebook because those are also blocked. Try to use keywords such as Unblockthe, Unblock, Hide and words like those. Also you can go brandable like my proxy eKey - Key for the electronic world. You can also go about having just random 4 letter domains. The shorter the better because it is easier to memorize. My favorite registrar is Domainsite but register it from wherever you like.

Script

There are 4 popular scripts that you can use to run your proxy. Each script have its own advantage and disadvantages which you will have to read in details from the script websites.

PHProxy - This script is a left behind project now because they are not making any more updates and it is as is, so all the bugs will have to be fixed by yourself, but I am still using it on eKey. This will let you login to myspace and facebook, but still won’t let you post comments on myspace.

CGI Proxy - This is a strong script by James Marshall, but this takes alot of server resources. This script will let you login to anything. CGI Proxies are highly resourceful. This is a paid script. I don’t use it because it takes up alot of server resources and you should get your own server if you are planning on running this one.

Zelune - Zelune is a php based proxy I believe. I have never used this one, so I cannot recommend anyone to use it, but most people say it is a fast proxy but it doesn’t provide users with all the options.

Glype - is a replacement of phproxy and can do almost everything the phproxy can do. If you want to stay with a php proxy then use Glype.

Hosting

Proxies usually take alot of bandwidth and alot of server resources therefore not many hosts will allow you to run a proxy. Popular hosts like hostgator, godaddy, and others will shut your hosting down if you they catch you having a proxy. Therefore for the light proxy users I recommend HagioHost, this is the one I have been using for the past month. Once your proxy begin to grow and get more popular, you would need to get a server, so be prepared for that.

Design

Most Proxy sites does not look pretty. Infact they are shit ugly. To get an advantage over your competitors make your proxy look good and fast loading. This will attract more users to your site. You can either get a free or custom template for your proxies. Find free templates Free Proxy Templates, if you want a custom one (which I recommend, find anyone at forums like digitalpoint and get one made for you. You can even hire me to make you a good looking proxy template

Now I don’t think I need to teach you all how to upload the script to make it run. This is all what you need to setup a proxy. Hopefully this will help you guys. I will come up with the next one on about how to market / monetize the proxy. Keep yourself updated by subscribing.