Things to consider before choosing a Web hosting provider

The first thing before choosing a Web host is that you should be fully aware your hosting requirements. If you are a beginner who want to host a personal website, then your only concern that you get a decent amount of space for your Web site with a host that is as cheap as $5 per month. However, if you are a developer, an online entrepreneur or an online business looking to e-commerce capabilities or advanced scripting technologies, you can specify your requirements in the following order.

(1) Whether you need shared hosting or dedicated hosting:

This depends on you primarily by two main requirements traffic your Web site is expected to get, and the degree of need administrative rights. If you expect your Web site need to get massive amounts of traffic, then you have a dedicated server that definitely offer a much wider range. Also choose, dedicated server hosting, if your website customized options, secure information or complex applications such as e-commerce, dynamic content, database and multimedia applications is required.

(2) Whether you need Linux hosting or Windows hosting:

If you’re going to server technologies such as ASP, JSP etc use or intend to Microsoft applications such as Microsoft Access or Microsoft SQL database running on the server, you should use a Windows hosting provider. Although ASP on the Linux platform that can run with some commercial applications, security and reliability are concerns relating to it. If you want to use ColdFusion, it can however run on Linux and Windows platforms.

3) What are your disk space and bandwidth requirements:

Many Web hosts offer nowadays generous amounts of disk space of 1 GB to 3 GB. However, if your Web site resource is mainly a download, then your disk space requirements 5 to 10 times greater than this may. The second is, how much traffic of your Web site will probably be with your bandwidth requirements to estimate.

4) How many parked domains and subdomains you need:

Parked domains are very beneficial and can significantly increase the amount of traffic to your Web site. Subdomains can also help with your search engine rankings, point to specific directories of your Web site. Parked domains and subdomains are occasionally available with certain Web hosting packages. However, if you need more, need to pay an additional price per month.

5 FTP accounts and anonymous FTP requests:

You may have multiple FTP accounts, if you work at different locations on your Web site project staff. Anonymous FTP allows the public to certain directories on your Web server access it where you have access by you. In most cases you need a dedicated IP address for anonymous FTP function.

(6) Whether you need e-commerce features:

If you need e-commerce functionality, you should choose a Web host, accept the e-commerce functionality as shopping cart and the ability to credit cards. You should also check whether your server SSL is secure.

In addition to hosting your own requirements, the following considerations in mind must be kept in the search for a quality web host.

(1) More than 99.5% uptime:

Choose a Web host that has a more than 99.5% uptime and an uptime guarantee, it is even better. If your Web site for business purposes, it is very important that your website online 24 hours a day, 7 days remains a week, 365 days a year.

(2) Fast server:

The level of connectivity from your Web host on the Internet is very important. How to choose a Web host with at least a T3 connection to the main Internet backbone. Analysis has shown that the average Web visitor for 30 seconds, before your site is loads. So your site takes more than load 30 seconds that chances are that you lose a lot of visitors and thus sales.

(3) Server backups:

To make your data more secure, your Web host must be a power backup system and should back up the data to an external device to prevent loss of data due to an error. Review the data, like Web host backups frequently, such as daily or weekly.

4) Disk space and bandwidth:

Choose a Web host, on your disk space and bandwidth requirements. Most Web hosts offer 1 GB, 3 GB disk space if your website not principally a download resource this factor is not so important to you. But in terms of bandwidth, it should as far as possible, because your traffic in the future so that more traffic can increase. Also check that you have the option of purchasing more disk space and bandwidth on demand.

(5) Full CGI, SSH, FTP access and anonymous FTP:

If you have a professional website, you must run CGI scripts, SSH (secure shell) and FTP access. CGI and FTP access is provided by most Web hosts, SSH access provided by few. You must also verify if anonymous FTP access is provided.

(6) Software/scripts:

Select a Web host with a large script library that you can use Add, guest books, forms, surveys, newsletters etc. to your Web site.

(7) E-commerce capabilities and SSL:

Choose a Web host that provides e-commerce capabilities with shopping cart software and merchant accounts. The Web host must be safe and risk free a secure SSL Server transactions.

8) Web based administration:

Nearly all Web hosts offer today a control panel and manage the features of the site. For a demo of your control panel please if possible and ensure that it is simple and comprehensive. The control panel should provide access to FTP, E-mail, databases, e-commerce and all other functions for the effective Web site management. VDeck 2.0 and CPanel are the leading brands of the Administration Control Panel.

(9) The complete e-Mail services:

Choose a Web host that offers both POP3 and IMAP e-Mail accounts, Web based E-mail, autoresponders, mailing lists, forwarding accounts and anti-virus and spam filtering software.

(10) Money back guarantee:

If the Web host is a money back guarantee, it is even better because it makes absolutely risk free.

(11) 24/7/365 Customer support:

The Web host so many support channels as possible, including a FAQ section, a knowledge base, video and flash tutorials, toll-free support, e-Mail support should chat support and a Community Forum ready, live. Try email to the Web host a few times to check how fast you respond to your request. The customer support should as quickly as possible and should available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. This is crucial because if you encounter problems and agents is not receptive or knowledgeable, you are helpless.

Michael Smith is an expert web hosting analyst. His website Web hosting providers reviews and rates the leading Web hosting provider.