You have now a web site and you need to figure out where and how to host it. There are many choices but not too many affordable, reliable solutions. So how do you know which one to choose? What makes a hosting company good? Here are some general guidelines you can use to help you find the perfect hosting company.
How much disk space will you need?
Although it is sometimes difficult to determine how large your Web Site will be, it is a good idea to have a rough estimate. This will allow you decide what Web Hosting account is right for you. You should also be sure to have enough room for future Web Site growth. Be sure to ask any potential Hosting company about their upgrade policies in case you outgrow your current disk space limit.
How much Web Site traffic to you expect?
One of the most important considerations you should make is how much traffic you expect to receive. For most Web Sites traffic is not an issue but some receive thousands of visitors per day and this puts a heavy strain on the web server. The method that hosting companies use to determine how much traffic your site receives is called "data transfer"). This is not exactly the same as traffic but the more traffic you get, the more data transfer you use. Obviously if you are creating a new Web Site it is difficult to determine how much traffic you will receive.
Do you need access to E-commerce solutions?
If you are going to be selling products or services over the Internet, chances are that you will need some type of ecommerce solution (shopping cart, secure server access and a merchant account if you want to process credit card payment). The shopping cart may only be needed if you plan on having a catalogue of products available for sale. This makes shopping much easier on any potential customers. If you plan on accepting credit cards, you will also need a merchant account. This is a basically an account that allows you to process credit card payments from your customers and have the money deposited into your bank account. Be sure to research companies before making a commitment.
Customer Support
One of the biggest complaints that many people have with their Web Host is a lack of customer support. Many Hosting companies offer both email and phone support while others are available only via email. In most cases email support works fine but you should be wary if a potential Web Host has no telephone number available in case of an emergency or if you need to speak with someone directly. Response times to support questions can vary widely from Host to Host. Some may take only a few minutes to get back to you while others take days. It is important to find out what type of support any potential Web Host offers. One good way to do this is to contact them several times and see how quickly they get back to you.
What account features will you need?
Web Hosting accounts vary widely with regards to the types of features included. Be sure to come up with a list of features that you will want. These may include email accounts, email forwarding, CGI scripts, MS FrontPage support, mailing lists, Web statistics, etc. There are many features available to potential Web Site owners, if you have specific needs, be sure to ask if they are available.
Research prospective Hosting Providers
One of the best ways to find a Web Host is to ask other people who they use. If they have had great results from a particular company, chances are that you will also get quality service. At the same time, people who have had bad Web Hosting experiences can tell you who to avoid.
More online tools for small and medium sized businesses: Microsoft Exchange:
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How to make money from your Web site & how to get started $$$. Internet hosting:
How to find the perfect web hosting solution. Domain names:
What is a domain name and why do you need one.
