The success of a business in today's high tech world depends on their web presence. The internet provides mass appeal and worldwide targeting to audiences not easily reached before. The web host is what makes this possible for business by hosting their websites on a server. This allows businesses to sell products, provide services; exchange data and information with ease, and communicate with their customer base effectively. Many people also choose to provide information on a personal level and websites allow such functions. They can display pictures, and data, as well as music, video, and more along with having discussions on chat rooms, and forum, along with the very popular blogging platforms.
While deciding on a web host company, it is better to think about its limitations first. A web host company may have certain disadvantages such as data transfer restrictions, lack of personal support, disk space limitation, and banner or pop up advertisements. It is therefore very important to consider certain essential factors while selecting the proper web hosting solution and service. These factors incorporate:
1. The exact amount of disk space: It is very important to calculate the accurate amount of required disk space even before opting for a web host company. A large website, with several of pages filled with content and various other features will need a hosting plan, which provides unrestricted disk space. There are certain companies that grant only a limited amount of disk space. They further provide no facility to upgrade the disk space in case it reaches the limit. In such conditions, the website owners require to find a new host that can grant more disk space and transfer the entire website. This is a very costly, time consuming and stressful procedure. Thereby, it is always beneficial to consider a web hosting company that grants more disk space and also has adequate facilities for up gradation.
2. The number of domain names: A large business organization, which needs a number of different websites, will have to hire a web hosting company that offers numerous separate domains. This eradicates the need of creating a new account for every domain name. However, it is essential to keep in mind that all web hosting companies don't have the ability to host a number of different domains on one account.
3. The total amount of data transfer: Large websites, who have a huge number of visitors, require a web host that provides large amount of bandwidth or data transfer. If the web hosting company grants only a restricted amount of bandwidth, then the website will become unavailable in case it reaches the limit. Thus, it is helpful to select a website host that has the option of providing additional amount of data transfer.
4. Access to SSL, MySQL, and shopping cart: It is extremely essential for the business organization to decide beforehand whether their website needs access to any special features such as MySQL, SSL or to any other shopping cart. The websites that use MySQL, and SSL need to opt for a web hosting company that has the ability to create MySQL databases. Simultaneously, websites collecting credit card related information will require SSL for encrypted security.
5. Windows/ Linux server which do you prefer: It did not used to matter as much because the differences were minor. Now, however software for websites is developing at a furious rate thanks to the need for such services and they are being created specifically for one or the other. Make sure your web host is compatible with your choice of programs.
6. Which do you need--Dedicated or shared server: This will make a big difference to you depending on the size of your business and your desires for your website. The more complicated or large your site is the more apt it will be to collapse on a shared server. A dedicated server allows a more stable environment. There is also less storage on a shared server because you are sharing space with all of the other websites hosted on that server. Dedicated servers eliminate that problem but they are also more expensive.
7. Live support: It is one of the most vital factors while selecting a web hosting company. If a website faces major technical crisis, it is indeed very frustrating to wait for days together until the help desk ticket is answered. A web host company that provides live support has professionals who can straight away solve any technical issue. In fact, live support is an extremely important for the websites that have urgent launches, as during this time a business organization can never afford major technical crisis such as server failure.
8. Does the service provide one or more email accounts: An email account that is specific to your business looks professional. Look for a web host that has at least one email account for each client. Some have the ability to have multiple email accounts and if that is something that would be helpful to you for extra employees, or even a different email address for different functions such as customer service, etc, then make sure your host has that option available.
9. The latest software development programs: The need for directories, forums, blogs, shopping carts, and others necessitates software like Perl, PHP, CGI, and JavaScript. If you desire these functions on your website it is important to be sure your host can provide this software. It is best to look for a provider that offers all of these scripts as you are likely to desire one or more of them along the way.
10. Support for FrontPage as well as DreamWeaver: If you use these programs to build your website then you must find a web host that is compatible with them. It is even better to find a web host that can use both of them in case you desire to change off, or swap between them.
While deciding on a web host company, it is better to think about its limitations first. A web host company may have certain disadvantages such as data transfer restrictions, lack of personal support, disk space limitation, and banner or pop up advertisements. It is therefore very important to consider certain essential factors while selecting the proper web hosting solution and service. These factors incorporate:
1. The exact amount of disk space: It is very important to calculate the accurate amount of required disk space even before opting for a web host company. A large website, with several of pages filled with content and various other features will need a hosting plan, which provides unrestricted disk space. There are certain companies that grant only a limited amount of disk space. They further provide no facility to upgrade the disk space in case it reaches the limit. In such conditions, the website owners require to find a new host that can grant more disk space and transfer the entire website. This is a very costly, time consuming and stressful procedure. Thereby, it is always beneficial to consider a web hosting company that grants more disk space and also has adequate facilities for up gradation.
2. The number of domain names: A large business organization, which needs a number of different websites, will have to hire a web hosting company that offers numerous separate domains. This eradicates the need of creating a new account for every domain name. However, it is essential to keep in mind that all web hosting companies don't have the ability to host a number of different domains on one account.
3. The total amount of data transfer: Large websites, who have a huge number of visitors, require a web host that provides large amount of bandwidth or data transfer. If the web hosting company grants only a restricted amount of bandwidth, then the website will become unavailable in case it reaches the limit. Thus, it is helpful to select a website host that has the option of providing additional amount of data transfer.
4. Access to SSL, MySQL, and shopping cart: It is extremely essential for the business organization to decide beforehand whether their website needs access to any special features such as MySQL, SSL or to any other shopping cart. The websites that use MySQL, and SSL need to opt for a web hosting company that has the ability to create MySQL databases. Simultaneously, websites collecting credit card related information will require SSL for encrypted security.
5. Windows/ Linux server which do you prefer: It did not used to matter as much because the differences were minor. Now, however software for websites is developing at a furious rate thanks to the need for such services and they are being created specifically for one or the other. Make sure your web host is compatible with your choice of programs.
6. Which do you need--Dedicated or shared server: This will make a big difference to you depending on the size of your business and your desires for your website. The more complicated or large your site is the more apt it will be to collapse on a shared server. A dedicated server allows a more stable environment. There is also less storage on a shared server because you are sharing space with all of the other websites hosted on that server. Dedicated servers eliminate that problem but they are also more expensive.
7. Live support: It is one of the most vital factors while selecting a web hosting company. If a website faces major technical crisis, it is indeed very frustrating to wait for days together until the help desk ticket is answered. A web host company that provides live support has professionals who can straight away solve any technical issue. In fact, live support is an extremely important for the websites that have urgent launches, as during this time a business organization can never afford major technical crisis such as server failure.
8. Does the service provide one or more email accounts: An email account that is specific to your business looks professional. Look for a web host that has at least one email account for each client. Some have the ability to have multiple email accounts and if that is something that would be helpful to you for extra employees, or even a different email address for different functions such as customer service, etc, then make sure your host has that option available.
9. The latest software development programs: The need for directories, forums, blogs, shopping carts, and others necessitates software like Perl, PHP, CGI, and JavaScript. If you desire these functions on your website it is important to be sure your host can provide this software. It is best to look for a provider that offers all of these scripts as you are likely to desire one or more of them along the way.
10. Support for FrontPage as well as DreamWeaver: If you use these programs to build your website then you must find a web host that is compatible with them. It is even better to find a web host that can use both of them in case you desire to change off, or swap between them.
About the Author:
About The Author : Matt Ewing is a professional web hosting admin and writer. Visit WebHostingMadness.com to read his reviews on the best hosting companies each month.
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