Web Hosting features that count!
We hear very much about websites, but very little about web hosting. This is somewhat curious because without webhosting there would be no websites. This is why there will be a need to seek the services of a reliable web hosting service.
Web Hosting Services - Features that Count!
This is part 7 of a 10 part eBook "Online Business Bible" which will be sent to you when you join our newsletter at
Global Business Builders.
In brief, web hosting essentially refers to the actual servers in which the information for a website is stored. In addition to storage, web hosting also includes the necessary internet connectivity required for publishing the site on the internet.
Again, if you want to publish a website you are going to need a little help from a web hosting company. Of course, there are a multitude of web hosting companies competing for your business and it is not always easy to settle which one to hire. Some web hosting services are free, bare bones and provide very little. Other can be expensive and provide a whole host of benefits. Then there are all sorts of web hosting companies that fall somewhere in between both spheres. The key, however, lies in understanding what the various web hosting services offer. From this, you can decide which service would be the best to employ based on your own particular needs.
So what are the criteria you should examine?
Bandwidth. Without a doubt the amount of bandwidth the service offers should be a major factor in selecting a web hosting service. If you are going to host audio or video on a site you will need a great deal of bandwidth. Then again, you will need sufficient bandwidth in order to publish text and photographs as well. Most importantly, you will need enough bandwidth to support the volume of visitors who frequent your site. There is nothing worth than a site crashing due to exceeding its bandwidth capabilities. That is why a web hosting company that offers decent bandwidth options is necessary as well.
Multiple accounts. If you are planning on operating more than one website then you should look into service that provides multiple website hosting services. This way you can consolidate your websites into one account. This will make things significantly easier than having to manage multiple accounts. Also, it will save a lot of money as well many web hosting companies offer deals on multiple accounts.
Platforms. Selecting the right platform is important as well. There are two main platforms: Windows and Unix/Linux. Windows is the most popular of all the platforms, but Linux is a free platform. Both have their benefits but it would seem the public mostly gravitates towards Windows.
Traffic analysis. It is critically important that the hosting company provides a means of analyzing traffic stats. If you do not know how much traffic your site is getting and where it is coming from then you will never know how much interest there is in your site. Providing comprehensive and accurate traffic stats should be a major component of any web hosting plan.
Domain name registration. Obviously, your website will need a domain name. A web hosting company that offers inexpensive domain registrations free of hidden terms, fees and conditions would be a huge plus as well. Thankfully, most web hosting companies can provide domain registration at a nominal fee. In fact, many promote this deal as part of their marketing strategy.
Site Building Capability. If you want to design your website yourself you should work with web hosting companies that provide user friendly design functions. This functions should be easy to navigate to the point a novice could use it. User friendliness should always be a main attribute when looking at design capabilities. Of course, more expansive and comprehensive aspects should be provided to those who are more experienced in this avenue.
Customer Service. While some may not consider the level of customer service the web hosting company provides to be critical...it is. Does it offer a toll free customer service number or a 24 hour online help desk? Or does it respond to emails when it gets around to it? If you are having hosting problems you will need to get a quick response. Examining the level of customer service provided should always be taken into consideration prior to hiring a web hosting company.
Blog Services. Web hosting companies that offer free blogs with the service are a huge plus. Blogging is a great method of driving traffic to a site or launching promotional ventures. As such, a web hosting site that provides either its own blog or is affiliated with a company such as WordPress would be well worth exploring.
Hope you enjoyed this installment!
Loopster
Go to Chapter 8: Web Design
Return to Chapter 6: Search Engines
Global Business Builders.
In brief, web hosting essentially refers to the actual servers in which the information for a website is stored. In addition to storage, web hosting also includes the necessary internet connectivity required for publishing the site on the internet.
Again, if you want to publish a website you are going to need a little help from a web hosting company. Of course, there are a multitude of web hosting companies competing for your business and it is not always easy to settle which one to hire. Some web hosting services are free, bare bones and provide very little. Other can be expensive and provide a whole host of benefits. Then there are all sorts of web hosting companies that fall somewhere in between both spheres. The key, however, lies in understanding what the various web hosting services offer. From this, you can decide which service would be the best to employ based on your own particular needs.
So what are the criteria you should examine?
Bandwidth. Without a doubt the amount of bandwidth the service offers should be a major factor in selecting a web hosting service. If you are going to host audio or video on a site you will need a great deal of bandwidth. Then again, you will need sufficient bandwidth in order to publish text and photographs as well. Most importantly, you will need enough bandwidth to support the volume of visitors who frequent your site. There is nothing worth than a site crashing due to exceeding its bandwidth capabilities. That is why a web hosting company that offers decent bandwidth options is necessary as well.
Multiple accounts. If you are planning on operating more than one website then you should look into service that provides multiple website hosting services. This way you can consolidate your websites into one account. This will make things significantly easier than having to manage multiple accounts. Also, it will save a lot of money as well many web hosting companies offer deals on multiple accounts.
Platforms. Selecting the right platform is important as well. There are two main platforms: Windows and Unix/Linux. Windows is the most popular of all the platforms, but Linux is a free platform. Both have their benefits but it would seem the public mostly gravitates towards Windows.
Traffic analysis. It is critically important that the hosting company provides a means of analyzing traffic stats. If you do not know how much traffic your site is getting and where it is coming from then you will never know how much interest there is in your site. Providing comprehensive and accurate traffic stats should be a major component of any web hosting plan.
Domain name registration. Obviously, your website will need a domain name. A web hosting company that offers inexpensive domain registrations free of hidden terms, fees and conditions would be a huge plus as well. Thankfully, most web hosting companies can provide domain registration at a nominal fee. In fact, many promote this deal as part of their marketing strategy.
Site Building Capability. If you want to design your website yourself you should work with web hosting companies that provide user friendly design functions. This functions should be easy to navigate to the point a novice could use it. User friendliness should always be a main attribute when looking at design capabilities. Of course, more expansive and comprehensive aspects should be provided to those who are more experienced in this avenue.
Customer Service. While some may not consider the level of customer service the web hosting company provides to be critical...it is. Does it offer a toll free customer service number or a 24 hour online help desk? Or does it respond to emails when it gets around to it? If you are having hosting problems you will need to get a quick response. Examining the level of customer service provided should always be taken into consideration prior to hiring a web hosting company.
Blog Services. Web hosting companies that offer free blogs with the service are a huge plus. Blogging is a great method of driving traffic to a site or launching promotional ventures. As such, a web hosting site that provides either its own blog or is affiliated with a company such as WordPress would be well worth exploring.
Hope you enjoyed this installment!
Loopster
Go to Chapter 8: Web Design
Return to Chapter 6: Search Engines
Great Stuff on eBay
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
New Guestbook
Like this lens? Want to share your feedback, or just give a thumbs up? Be the first to submit a blurb!
