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How to Choose a Web Hosting
Service
So, you have your web site built and are now confused as to all the choices
you have in order to find a home for your site.
It is good to make a right choice the first time, because if you have to move to
another hosting service, it will cost you time and you will lose some of your
valued customers due to the downtime setting up with another host. You will
also have to pay set up and hosting fees for a new account.
Here are some basic things to consider when choosing a web hosting service:
1. Speed and reliability of the servers and hardware
Make sure they have a high-speed connection (preferably T3 or higher) to the
Internet.
Backup Systems – good hosts will have back up systems in place to guard
against power failures, which will cause you to lose data and customers.
There is a free tool available that allows you to evaluate server performance
before making a decision. Net Mechanic will measure the speed of access for all
facets of access (network speed, DNS lookup, connect time, download time, and
absence of timeouts). The "download time" statistic is the most
important single item to compare. Collect your list of candidate hosting
services and run side-by-side tests of all the candidates. Sample during peak
and non-peak times for optimal comparison.
2. Space
How much space do you expect to eventually need for your web site? Planning
ahead can save you lots of money later. If you expect to grow, look for a place
that offers sites of 50 MB or more. Some services offer 500 MB sites for less
money than others that offer only 30 MB.
3. Features
Compatibility with existing Software and Skills
Is your host’s server, software and support services compatible with the
skills and software you are using? For example if you are using FrontPage to
create your site, make sure they have FrontPage extensions installed on their
server.
Some of the basic features of a hosting service should include:
- Domain name registration
- At least 20MB of allocated space
- Free Technical Support
- POP3 E-Mail Accounts
- Email Forwarding
- Email Auto-responders
- Email Aliases
- FTP Access
- FrontPage Support
- Own CGI-Bin Access
- Free Perl, CGI
- Server Side Includes (SSI)
- Password Protection
Flexibility and room for growth – Keep in mind the future needs of your web
site. If the traffic to your site explodes, or in the future you may need a
database solution then your host must be able to accommodate the changes.
Quality of their support services
Stability – you do not want your hosting service to go out of business (like
what happened to many of the free hosts) and leave you stranded.
Support and Responsiveness – Make sure you can contact them 24/7. Test the
quality and efficiency of response by sending them an email pertaining to some
question you may have before you sign up. Is there really anybody there?
4. Types of Hosting Services
Free Hosting:
Free sites are for people whose sites are small and do not expect much traffic.
Pros
It’s Free
For small non business sites
Cons
No usage of domain names
Limited technical support
Unreliability of servers, software
Limited web space, technical support
Host may shut down due without notice
Virtual Hosting:
(also known as domain or shared hosting)
This is the most popular and cost effective form of hosting.
Pros
Low cost
Great for the average business sites
Good technical support
Cons
Multiple sites on server
Sometimes slow updates
Limited security and control due to the large number of sites on 1 server
What can you expect to pay?
Expect to pay ($5 - $50/month) for a small web hosting package of 20-500MB of
allocated space for your site. This will be enough for up to 100 to 500 pages
with a few graphics on each page.
If you follow these basic guidelines, you will have a reliable, efficient and
satisfying hosting service that will contribute to the success of your business
for many years to come.
Choosing an excellent service to host your web site doesn't have to require
luck. Knowing what to look for makes selection simple.
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