Web Site Hosting Guide

Web Site Hosting Guide

Choosing a website host, website hosting provider or hosting package from the many thousands of companies offering website hosting packages can be extremely confusing.

The object is not to choose the cheapest, or the one with the most features, but the one you need. Most providers bundle basic web hosting with a variety of web services like email, newsletters, databases etc and combine them into packages or hosting plans.

The choice really becomes one of choosing the most appropriate package for your present and future needs. You should always prefer a provider that allows you to upgrade the package seamlessly (i.e. with no disruption)

In general, hosting providers provide several service package levels e.g.

• Basic
  
• Business
  
• Professional
  
• Ecommerce (i.e. a shop).
  

When you examine these offerings you find that the  professional may support a SQL database, SSL etc and the basic one doesn't. When you are new to website building  its difficult to decide what you need, as you're probably not sure as to what most of the terms mean anyway.

 Generally I would say that if you don't understand it then you probably don't need it; as it is very unlikely that you will ever use it. Because of the huge array of offers it is impossible to compare them all and to make any firm recommendations.

Hosting Guidelines

Therefore what I will do is to list the basics that you require and some do's and don'ts.

•  In general I would always advise you to go for the basic option and upgrade if you need to later, unless you are sure you need a service offered in a more expensive package.
  
• Always choose a provider that lets you upgrade your package.
  
• Always choose a provider that lets you cancel your package and get a refund if your not happy. That is, look for a good guarantee.
  
• Always use the same company to host your website and register your domain name! Therefore when comparing prices you need to take both into consideration.
  
• Don't go for the provider just because they offer everything- you probably ( almost definitely) don't need it all anyway.
  
• Don't worry about if its Linux or Microsoft windows.- It doesn't normally make a difference to you, even if you are using Microsoft FrontPage.
  
• You don't necessarily need Microsoft FrontPage sever extension support even if you are using Microsoft FrontPage.
  
• If you do need Microsoft FrontPage sever extension support then it can be provided on both Linux and Microsoft.
  
• Always look for good software deals. Hosting providers can't really differentiate themselves anymore with web services so they bundle software. It is possible to get your web editing software (like FrontPage) completely free by choosing the right hosting provider.
  
• You don't have to be in the same country as the hosting provider but if they are supplying free software it will probably be on CD, and it may mean that you aren't eligible- do check.
  
• Host you site in the same country as your target market. That is if you are UK based but you want to target the American market then host the site on a server in USA or Canada.
  
• Websites with special requirements include music\video\dvd download sites like adult websites. Because they require high bandwidth, storage and may be restricted by some providers you should see below for more details.
  

Website Hosting Providers

There are many hosting providers on the Internet but you may save yourself some time by taking a look at the ones below:

• Blue Host Web Hosting $6.95 Per Month - USA based Professional website hosting . Incredible feature rich package including Wordpress.
  
• Anhosting- USA based Professional website hosting for $6.95 per month. Incredible feature rich package  including Wordpress.
  
• One and one -UK
  
• Site Build-it- This is a totally different solution as it is a complete website building, hosting, promotion package. To learn more about site build-it start with the site build-it review on this website.
  

Multiple Websites

If you think that you will eventually have more than one site then you should look at hosting them on a single account. This is discussed in Multiple Domain/website Hosting

Domain Names

Although not strictly speaking necessary I would recommend you use the hosting provider for the web hosting and for the domain name.

In domain names you can learn about the different domain types and how to choose a domain.

If you already have a domain name and want to use another provider you will have to arrange for the domain name to be transferred ( most hosting providers will do this) or you can use the technique of web forwarding to redirect the domain (not recommended).

Speciality Website Hosting Packages

If you require a website for some special function then you may find it better to go to a hosting provider that specialises in that area. Ready Made or Turnkey websites  are often used, very common examples are wedding websites and real estate websites.

Other Hosting Solutions

Most of you will use a shared hosting provider as described above. There are however alternatives like using your ISP web space or you own web server. If you want to look at these  alternatives in more detail they are discussed in
Website Hosting and Host Options.

 
 

 
 

  Related Articles and Resources

•  website basics
  
• website services
  
• starting FrontPage.