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09 May 2010
Choosing the right host for your website can be a very tedious decision, but it is also a very important to get it right. Once you decide on a host, it can be very difficult to switch. Not only that, you can cause harm to your business if your host is unreliable or incapable of offering the bandwidth you need. For these reasons, it is crucial to choose the right host the first time.
Before you choose a web hosting provider, find out as much as possible about the company’s services, limitations and terms. This is one of those times when you do not want to jump at the first company you find on the Internet.
First, determine what kind of hosting you need.
- Shared: This is where your site is placed on the same server as a number of other sites, ranging from just a few to hundreds or even thousands. Domains on the server share a common pool of resources.
- Reseller: This type of hosting allows clients to become web hosts themselves, by leasing or buying a portion of a shared server and reselling it to other sites for hosting.
- Dedicated Server: A dedicated server is where the site exists on its own server, but the server hardware is owned and managed by the hosting company. Some dedicated servers can be unmanaged, or self-managed, which gives the user full administrative access and responsibility for maintenance and security. This option is usually the least expensive way to maintain a dedicated server.
- Linux: This type of hosting uses Linux as the operating system. Linux is a popular open-source operating system, based on Unix and supports a variety of hardware platforms.
- Windows: Windows hosting gives a company the ability to design web sites using the Windows operating system, using technologies like Active Server Pages (ASP), COM and the .NET infrastructure.
- eCommerce: This is when a web hosting company packages a plan specifically designed for ecommerce companies, including web design and marketing tools, a shopping cart interface, real-time credit card processing, inventory management software and order processing tools.
- ASP.NET: The ultimate Windows web hosting solution, ASP.NET is a dynamic script language used by millions of web developers, businesses and individuals. It comes with many features that allow anyone to set up a great-looking web site, and many hosting providers now offer tailored packages with ASP.Net services.
Server Speed
Make sure your hosting provider uses a redundant T3 Connection or better. T1 lines are not sufficient for a web host’s traffic volume, and will not ensure that a customers’ site remains responsive.
Server Reliability
In addition to choosing the right type of hosting provider, with the speed you need, be sure they provide reliable systems that you can count on.
- Back-up Systems: Find out how they back up their data, how often, and whether it is guaranteed.
- Look for an Up-time Guarantee: Based on the demand of their clients, many hosting providers now offer an “up-time guarantee”.
- Redundancy: This will ensure that their system design includes duplicates components with the ability to provide alternatives in the event that one component fails.
Support
A good web hosting provider will offer a variety of technical support systems and reliable customer service, 24/7. When you interview a potential host, be sure to ask about:
- Support Systems
- Response Time
- 24/7?
Features
Many hosts offer specific features or “perks” with their service. Here are some popular ones that many be included in your package.
- Site Builders
- Fantastico
- Control Panel Software
- PHP
- Apache
- FrontPage
- CGI
- Redirect URL
- Error Logs
- Free e Commerce Carts
Packages
Today, you will find that most of the top web hosting companies include standardized features, including a Control Panel, Disk Space, Email Accounts, Bandwidth, Scripting Language and the ability to connect directly with a support team via email, phone or web chat. When choosing a hosting company, you will be presented with a several pre-packaged options , in a variety of price ranges. Most packages will vary in the following areas.
- Disk Space
- Bandwidth
- Databases
- Email + FTP
Consider the price you are paying for disk space as well as the price-to-bandwidth ratio. Generally, the more disk space and bandwidth your site requires, the more you will pay per month. Please do not fall for "Unlimited" deals, they are no good.
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