In order to display your new website to the world it must be located upon a web hosting server. Unless you are a large company you will not host the website on your own server, but use a third party web hosting company such as HostPapa, Yahoo or EasySpace. There are many web hosting services available with differing levels of customer service and features. Normally the web hosting service will provide a standard on-line tool which you can login to and maintain your website, domain names and email accounts.

Websites are accessed from the web hosting service via your website domain name (www..co.uk   ) which must be registered to yourself and hosted by the web hosting service.

Free website space is generally available via your ISP (eg. BT, Demon, Pipex), but these services do not allow you to setup a website and email addresses under your domain name.

The web hosting service can store some or all of the following:

  • Website files;
  • Product & Customer Databases;
  • Blogs;
  • Emails;

There are four main methods of web hosting:

  • Use existing ISP website space delivered with your broadband connection;
  • Subscribe to share web servers with other business users via a web hosting service:
  • Pay for a dedicated web server just for your business via a web hosting service;
  • Build and maintain a web server within your business;

The costs will vary from free web hosting, through modest monthly charges of £5-£20 up to many thousands per year. The key factors determining the monthly costs will be the number of visitors and how much web space you require. Be careful if using free web hosting as many use pop-up advertising on your website instead of charging you for hosting which does not project a professional image.

Why Would I Use One on My Website?

  • To publish your website on the world wide web on your domain name;
  • To enable email addresses linked to your domain name (not possible on ISP web space);
  • To setup sub-domains;

Possible Requirements to Consider If I Need One

  • Your domain name must always be registered under your name NOT the web hosters;
  • Web Server must be located in UK for Search Engine Optimisation to work effectively in the UK;
  • Web file Space;
  • No of users and how much data they download. Ie.Bandwidth;
  • Availability of website – should be 24 * 7 and 99.99% availability of web servers;
    Room where web servers are located should be secure and have dual power and network connectivity to guard against single points of failure in solution;
    Ensure Unix/Linux server if you require 301 redirects;
  • Ensure hosting service supports the software and versions your website will use. Eg. PHP, MySQL, CGI, Perl, ASP, Frontpage extensions etc;
  • Stepped package offerings so website hosting can grow as your business expands;
    Daily backup and recovery solution for your website and customer/product databases;
  • Select service with no adult sites hosted which can use up bandwidth impacting the speed of your website;
  • On-line and/or telephone customer support facility;

Examples

How to Check Information About Your Domain :

  • Go to webpage link WhoIs .
  • Enter domain name in LOOKUP box at top of page.
  • ‘Server Data’ confirms the geographical location of the web server.
  • ‘Domain Tools Exclusive – Reverse IP’ tells you how many other websites are located on the server and can provide you with a list of these websites for a small fee.
  • ‘WhoIs Record’ will confirm who the domain is registered to and the renewal date for the domain.

Further Information

When selecting a web hosting service also consider the following:

  • Check out customer reviews of their service;
  • Send a test pre-sales email or ring them to assess their customer service;
  • Check out the cost of the optional add-ons which can significantly increase your overall hosting costs;
  • Some web hosting packages allow multiple domains per package – others only one;
    Backup services can be an additional cost;
  • Demo their on-line control panel to see what features they offer and how easy it is for you to understand and use;
  • Check how you will be notified of any planned downtime on your web server as your website will not be available during this period;
  • Lookout for length of contract and notice period – some hosting packages are for minimum of six months;
  • Also check the contract for any termination fees;
  • Check there is a simple method to move your website to a new hosting service;

Also see “Email Hosting” section for additional information about your emails.

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Filed under: Website Jargon Buster

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