Web Hosting Features & Services
With many different possibilities of web hosting companies on the internet, which one should you choose? The features they will advertise, its better to have an idea of what they are.
Server Disc Space
Disc Space, the more the better right? Not exactly. Having a lot of disc space is wonderful, but not necessary. A normal website might use 50 MB and a large website could use 2 GB. It really matters on how many pages and what type of multimedia files you are. Images, movies and flash application could take lots of disc space. Website page files don’t take hardly any space. Try to think of what you might need to your website, remember to think down the road. Find a web hosting company that can provide you with a desired space and a reasonable price. Don’t pay extra for space that you don't need. There are lots of shared hosting companies that offer unlimited disc space.
Server Bandwidth
How much traffic are you going to have in a month? Lots, little, not sure. When looking for a web hosting watch for how much data you can transfer in a month. This could get very expensive if you go over the quota. A regular website won’t have any problem going over. But keep in mind if your website expands. If your website does 20,000 unique vistors a month, how much bandwidth could be costly. Having a big e-commerce store where people come and go. Having lots of pictures and possible movies. This can really come into play.
Domain Names
Web Hosting Companies will give you a free domain name if you sign up for their web hosting services. The trick here is to see how many domain names you can host on one account. Maybe you have a main webpage, but you want to have smaller branches that will require a unique domain name. Some web hosting companies limit your hosting capabilities. I think unlimited is a good number. I don't see why they should limit you to how many websites you can have on your account. If you have the disk space, then there shouldn't be a problem. Web hosting companies will offer Free Domain Name for Life. Also a nice feature is unlimited add-on domains, parked domains, subdomains. It helps keep things organized and could give you an advantage with usability.
Email Accounts
It looks very professional if you and your coworkers have their own email account from your business webpage. Web Hosting Companies will have an easy way to create and access them. But how many can you have? Do a quick look at how many email accounts the web hosting company can offer.
MySQL Database
If you are planning to have databases make sure not only they can support it, but also if they offer the web language you will be working with. If you are planning an e-com store you are going to want lots of MySQL Databases. 100 is a good number.
Extra Web Hosting Features
Everyone likes extras, right? See what else the hosting company can offer you. Maybe your website wants a photo gallery, blog, discussion board, shopping cart, or connections to third party companies. This could be valuable source. Not only for cost, but also time. These web applications are easy and quick. If you don’t have a strong web development background, this would be something to look into.
Support
Check their support options. See what hours they are available and how you can contact them. They should offer phone service and email service. Usually they will also have a live chat that can get you in and out. Web hosting support can be a headache of a lifesaver. If something goes down on your server or you mess something up. Getting quick and knowledgeable support can be priceless.
Other Stuff
Watch for what coding languages they offer, you never know what you might use or want to try. Give yourself the option to learn something new and expand what you know. If you know what coding language you are going to develop with. Look at what version they are offering. Make sure they are up to date, don’t fall behind.
