Choosing the best Website Hosting can be a daunting task for even those who have been in this game for a while. There is a lot involved. So let’s start at the beginning.
What is web hosting?
Hosting simply refers to where your website gets delivered from. For a site to exist and be accessible to the world, it must be on a web server. That web server must always be connected to the internet and running so that your website is available to anyone at any time around the world. Hosting is just who or what machine is going to be doing that for your site. Most site operators choose to let a hosting company do this for them. These companies go by a few different names such as web host, or ISP (Internet Service Provider). (Definition from xcauction.com)
The web pages you design on your computer must be transferred to a server (host) so that they are available to the rest of the world over the Internet. The host is simply a computer (or server) that has a constant, high-speed connection to the Internet 24/7/365.
The three different types of web hosting services are:
Free Hosting
Free web hosting is a service which provides users with the ability to store websites and media on the Internet for no cost. Sometimes the service provider will ask to place advertising on your site in lieu of payment for their free service.
Shared Hosting
The best choice is shared server hosting for normal websites and smaller e-commerce websites. Your site is located on one of the super fast Web Servers. It is the equivalent of leasing office space. A certain portion of the building is yours, with your name on the door, and you can rely on the building manager for security, maintenance, and facilities management. This is called “shared” hosting because your home page has its own domain name. For example, I am on shared hosting, and I use my own domain name imsurfsentinel.com. Shared Hosting also doesn’t have any advertisements, as Free Hosting can, your space is totally your own. You want shared hosting.
Dedicated Hosting
Also known as a Dedicated Server. This type of hosting allows a webmaster to rent an entire server. The server is not shared with anybody. This gives the webmasters more freedom. Large companies and e-commerce sites will use Dedicated Hosting. Amazon.com has dedicated hosting.
What you want from your web host.
Now when I said there was a lot involved, I meant ALOT involved in choosing a Host that is just right.
- Price. Hosting companies charge a monthly fee for their service. You want to pay a fair price for their service.
- Space. You want unlimited space on the server to conduct your business.
- Bandwidth. You want unlimited bandwidth; the amount of traffic that is allowed to occur between your website and the rest of the internet.
- Time. You want the server to guarantee that they will be in operation all of the time.
- Service. You want to be able to call your server 24/7 and get good quick service.
- Domains. You want to be able to put as many domains (sites) as you want on this service.
- CPanel. You want a control panel (Cpanel) because it gives you control over your site.
What is CPanel and why is it important.
Simply put, CPanel is a fully featured web-based control panel that allows you to manage your domain through a web interface. The idea is to transfer as much of the control and responsibility of managing your web site to you. You have the ability to manage all aspects of e-mail, files, backup, scripts, web site statistics and more.
Cpanel is best because it offers every feature you will need when running an online business. I use 3 different companies for hosting, all with Cpanel.
The Best Web Hosting.
Hostgator.com and BlueHost.com are THE BEST web hosting companies. Both offer exactly what you need: Good Price, Unlimited Space, 99.10% Operating Time, Fabulous Service, Unlimited Bandwidth, Unlimited Domains and CPanel.
Get your hosting account. Your next step is very exciting, choosing a theme and…..actually putting up your website.
Choosing the best can be confusing because there is a lot involved. So keep it simple as possible. Trust me, and you will be happy with the choices.
