Selecting
A Web Host
That Meets the Needs of Your Internet
Busines
Once
you've selected a domain name and you're ready to get started,
the next step is to find a web hosting company
that meets your needs. They'll provide the technology you need
to get your web site up and running - so you don't have to invest
thousands of dollars on your own hardware, software, and heavy-duty
Internet connection.
Your web
site forms the very foundation of your Internet presence, and
selecting a good web hosting company is not
a chore to be taken lightly. Generally speaking, as with just
about anything else in life you get what you pay for. Let's
consider the options:
Option
1 - Free Web Hosting. A few megabytes of storage space,
usually no customer support at all, slow servers, can't use
your own domain name, and none of the features you'll need to
make money.
Option
2 - Bargain Web Hosting. The bare essentials, little
or no real customer support, questionable quality, often unreliable,
lacking in features, not for a serious online business.
Option
3 - The Smart Choice. Tons of storage space, lightning-fast
servers, live humans to speak with in case of problems, all
the features you need to make big bucks.
If you guessed
that we recommend Option 3 - you're right! The choice is obvious,
yet in our experience nine out of ten online marketers aren't
using a web hosting company that allows them
to take full advantage of the Internet - and they're losing
big money because of it. Here are the features that you should
be looking for in a quality web hosting package:
Fast
Servers
Quality
hardware and redundant T3 connections or better. The speed at
which your web pages load is directly proportional to your income,
and there's no such thing as a server that's too fast.
Full
Domain Support and Registration Services
Must allow
the use of your own domain name. Most can handle the registration
of your domain name for you, but the best companies work closely
with Internic and can normally get things done faster than you
can.
No
Access, Bandwidth, or Hit Charges
These days
there is no reason to use a web host that charges access, bandwidth
or hit fees - not until you're getting 50k visitors a day anyway.
The best companies offer unlimited bandwidth with standard hosting
packages.
Unrestricted
CGI Access
You're
going to need to use CGI scripts at one time or another, so
be sure that you have your own cgi-bin directory - and the ability
to upload any scripts you want. Don't use a web host that limits
you to the scripts they decide you can use.
Telnet
Access and Cron Jobs
Telnet access
is not absolutely required, but sure comes in handy for things
like debugging CGI scripts. Cron jobs allow automation of behind-the-scenes
activities, and this feature is also quite desirable from an
Internet marketing standpoint.
Web-based
Administration
These days
most quality web hosts have some type of web-based admin interface
which allows you to manage your server via the web. It's not
necessary, but may come in handy for those who don't consider
themselves to be the technical type.
Access
to Raw Server Logs
You'll
need access to your raw server logs in order to best analyze
your web site traffic. Do not use a web host that doesn't offer
this, you should have unrestricted access to your logs.
Secure
Server Capability
If you plan
on selling anything directly from your web site, you'll need
secure server capabilities. Look for a web host with low or
no additional setup fees, and a low or no monthly fee for SSL.
Full
Email Services
Your web
host should offer full email services, including POP mailboxes,
unlimited email aliases, and unlimited autoresponders. Do not
pay extra for these features.
Unlimited
FREE Customer Support
With a
good web host you shouldn't have many problems, but if you do
you will want a live human to speak with on the phone. Definitely
insist on unlimited customer support via both email and telephone
- one day you'll be glad you did.
No
Minimum Contracts
Don't ever
sign a long-term contract, it's not necessary and by doing so
you give up a lot of flexibility. If something should happen
down the line and you decide to switch to another host, being
locked into a long-term contract could be costly.
Money
Back Guarantee
Our web
host offers a 30-day money back guarantee, and so do many others.
You should insist on it - just in case you're not happy with
their services. It's the sign of a professional company that
stands behind it's product.
There are
a few good databases of hosting companies that you'll want to
consult. Namely, TopHosts - http://tophosts.com
and the Web Host Directory - http://webhostdir.com.
Each compares over 500 popular web hosting companies, is fully
searchable, and gives you all of the info that you'll need to
make an informed decision based on your needs.
The difference
between a mediocre and an excellent web host is no more than
$30 a month, so don't make the mistake of sacrificing quality
and necessary features just to save a few bucks. The truth is
that using an inferior web host doesn't save you money at all
- you'll actually end up paying a lot more due to lost profits
which are inevitable.
| Originally
published in IMC's Internet Marketing Chronicles. Subscribe
for FREE and we will send you Internet marketing tips, tricks,
and strategies just like this every Wednesday! Click here
to subscribe and get more details. Over 110,000 opt-in subscribers
can't be wrong ... |
Website
Hosting Resources and Articles
Here is
a list of website hosting resources and articles you may find
of interest:
