Web Hosting- Look Before you Take the Plunge.
By Ian Hall | August 19th, 2008The companies that provide Internet-connected servers, space and bandwidth for a domain, for one or more web sites, are called Web Hosts. Many large companies have private networks which allow them to host domains on their own equipment and IP address range. A rented web host is a necessity for the majority who want internet presence.
A wide selection of hosting plans is available. Some charge up to $100 or more per month while others are free. Some only offer a token amount of disk space and miniscule amounts of bandwidth use. For anything else, the web site owner is on his own. Others offer a broad set of services, including email server administration, backups, design help for your website, technical support, etc.
With web hosting, you may be sharing a server with one to a thousand web sites. This lets the web hosting company keep expenses down. These arrangements go fine when the web sites are simple and low-volume. You may want to consider a dedicated server to handle a rapidly growing web site.
Only your domain is hosted by a dedicated server as suggested by the name. You may place a single web site or many web sites on it. The access is controlled by you. You can also try doing the server administration yourself. This will cost you a lot of time, but it will save you money on support. If you do not have enough knowledge, you can end up losing more money than you save.
It’s advisable to have some technical knowledge to your credit if you are going to perform these administrative functions on your own, even if you do hire assistance. Some of that knowledge will be useful not only for dealing with emergencies, but for daily tasks as well. It will be necessary for you to familiarize yourself with FTP, backup methods, email administration, and other technical areas.
You may find it worth your while to consider implementing a database once your web site reaches a certain size and level of complexity. Of course, this will include an even higher ability level in technical, logistical and creative skills.
It can be relatively simple to implement a database. Creating one that works effectively and stays useful takes a certain type of practical planning and focus. Not everyone has the inclination, especially considering the visual design, content development or the other tasks that lay the foundation for a popular web site.
There are other, more menial administrative issues that must be addressed. “Utilitarian” tasks, such as managing disk space, maintaining domain names and dealing with registrations and changes are not enjoyable to most people. Knowledge about DNS workings as well as the design of the Internet itself is helpful. You will be more prepared if you have gained a comprehension of those tasks and their purposes.
Consider all factors and look closely, when looking for a web host for your web site. Think about your personality traits and what’s offered and decide if it is a good match. Be sure to look at everything before you dive in.
Tags: Web Hosting
