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.
When choosing a web host company there are things to consider. The first consideration is often the limitations each company and service has and how they will impact your ability to do business or provide information. Free services are available and give the user the ability to get online on a budget, but also come with the downside of having advertisements on the site and sub domain level names. The many factors to consider are:
1. Disk space availability: It is very important to accurately calculate how much disk space you will need for data storage. The amount of space you will require depends on what your desires are for your site. If you need a large number of space hording programs to operate efficiently you need a web host that will be able to provide that space for you. Things like multi-media programs such as music, video, chat, forum, and shopping carts all use a lot of space on your website. If you do not need such functions then you can get away with cheaper, smaller websites that will get you running online with a few pages and some pictures in order to get started. Many of the free sites offer limited disc space and absolutely prohibit the uploading of music, video and other media that require large amounts of space.
2. The availability of domain names: If you have a large organization and you need many domain names inside one site such as a separate domain for your shopping cart, or email accounts for various divisions like customer support you need to find a company that can provide multiple domain names. It is necessary to be aware of the fact that not all hosting companies can provide this service.
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: Earlier it was considered to be a very important factor when there were several major dissimilarities between Linux and Widow based servers. However the recent software developments have reduced those differences to the point that a business organization can select a web host based on the features provided by them rather than the operating system.
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: Many companies today do not have the technical staff to provide the necessary skills to keep a site running, or even get it online in the first place. This was one of the biggest stops to small businesses and people wanting personal websites in the past. Now many companies offer technical support in various methods at various availabilities. It is important to make sure the contact is good and their hours are when you will need them to be available.
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 versions of Perl, PHP, CGI and JavaScript: The websites that include article directories, blogs and online forums etc, especially requires these scripts. Though this factor may not be equally essential for all the websites, it is better to opt for a web host company which offers all these various types of scripts as these features are more or less common for all websites.
10. Support for FrontPage as well as DreamWeaver: There are certain web hosting companies that offer support either for DreamWeaver or for FrontPage. However, a business organization who is currently using FontPage may decide to swap with the other and vice versa. Therefore, it is beneficial to select one that offers compatibility with both the systems.
When choosing a web host company there are things to consider. The first consideration is often the limitations each company and service has and how they will impact your ability to do business or provide information. Free services are available and give the user the ability to get online on a budget, but also come with the downside of having advertisements on the site and sub domain level names. The many factors to consider are:
1. Disk space availability: It is very important to accurately calculate how much disk space you will need for data storage. The amount of space you will require depends on what your desires are for your site. If you need a large number of space hording programs to operate efficiently you need a web host that will be able to provide that space for you. Things like multi-media programs such as music, video, chat, forum, and shopping carts all use a lot of space on your website. If you do not need such functions then you can get away with cheaper, smaller websites that will get you running online with a few pages and some pictures in order to get started. Many of the free sites offer limited disc space and absolutely prohibit the uploading of music, video and other media that require large amounts of space.
2. The availability of domain names: If you have a large organization and you need many domain names inside one site such as a separate domain for your shopping cart, or email accounts for various divisions like customer support you need to find a company that can provide multiple domain names. It is necessary to be aware of the fact that not all hosting companies can provide this service.
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: Earlier it was considered to be a very important factor when there were several major dissimilarities between Linux and Widow based servers. However the recent software developments have reduced those differences to the point that a business organization can select a web host based on the features provided by them rather than the operating system.
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: Many companies today do not have the technical staff to provide the necessary skills to keep a site running, or even get it online in the first place. This was one of the biggest stops to small businesses and people wanting personal websites in the past. Now many companies offer technical support in various methods at various availabilities. It is important to make sure the contact is good and their hours are when you will need them to be available.
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 versions of Perl, PHP, CGI and JavaScript: The websites that include article directories, blogs and online forums etc, especially requires these scripts. Though this factor may not be equally essential for all the websites, it is better to opt for a web host company which offers all these various types of scripts as these features are more or less common for all websites.
10. Support for FrontPage as well as DreamWeaver: There are certain web hosting companies that offer support either for DreamWeaver or for FrontPage. However, a business organization who is currently using FontPage may decide to swap with the other and vice versa. Therefore, it is beneficial to select one that offers compatibility with both the systems.
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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