About Web Hosting

The word hosting today means different to different people. For some its a space online, to some its a combo pack of space, emails, database, etc. In more simple words if we can explain Web Hosting then it will comes this way: "If you want to get your website live then you need some sort of space for your webpages, some space for your database, ensuring that your data is not just stored but is also safe."

Web Hosting today have many aspects. A novice even if have basic knowledge of computers then he can easily host his/her website without any problem. Earlier when being online meant good amount of investment and good knowledge of IT, people were not so interested to go online. But as of now when the internet marketing or being online has become so popular and easy, many a things have come to the act of Web Hosting.

Before Getting to know 'what things are to be considered while hosting a website', lets get cleared about what hosting really is...
For hosting any website you need some sort of web space, some amount of database space and some data transfer limits. If you are programmer or if you have your designer/programmer with you then you will not find any problem in identifying these. You just need to find a good and reliable hosting provider that suits your requirements. And yes while looking for a hosting provider please don't get distracted by their offerings. Remember only that hosting package is good for you that suits you and is up to your requirements.
Lets take an example: You have one small business website of say around 10 pages designed in HTML and the total size of your website is near to 50 MB(this size is just an estimate and it can differ). Further having a Business Website you need some amount of Email accounts, say 20. Now to get an hosting plan select the least hosting package. I bet you will find some hosting providers that are providing 100 MB - 500 MB plans. Now withing that hosting plan take care of a few things: the number of Email accounts, number of databases, ftp accounts and the data transfer or bandwidth. Now select the hosting plan wisely and GET HOSTED.

Things you should consider before selecting the hosting provider:
1) Well known: This is something related with the Goodwill. Select the hosting provider with some reputation and is well know as you can get some east feed back. Remember in the hosting market you will other hosting users as your well wishers (same way when you shift to new city you discuss with your neighbors to know about the city).

2) Server Up time: The hosting provider should guarantee you with the 100 % up time of his servers, though you will find that no vendor have any downtime!! If you can manage your website then all you need is a good server up time. Is that server safe ? Are there proper safety measures ? What is response time of their servers?

3) There is nothing called UNLIMITED: Please for God Sake don't think that you need some UNLIMITED thing. You need what you have. However if you get any custom hosting package then you just got lucky. Ask your vendor if you can get any digits if you are offered any unlimited space or bandwidth or emails.

4) What is your budget: Take it this way, there are many good things in this world but you don't need everything. I mentioned to go with a reputed vendor but don't waste your money behind 'Blind Branding'. Select what suits you and what is good for you. Never get out of your budget and do better R&D before selecting any. If possible visit your hosting provider's office premises.

5) Are you on your own: Whether you manage your website by yourself or have any technical person with you, you must have some backup of technical expertise with you. Be ensured that you get good technical support from your vendor. You may not need any technical help from your vendor but face some errors or problems while using your Hosting Control Panel. How fast you get aid matters most.

6) Server Locations: The Servers on which your website will be hosted must be known to you. Though it doesn't have much effect on you but you know, knowledge is good. Where are the Data Centers located doesn't worries you. All that matters to you is that your Website should remain LIVE.

7) Backup: This is the most considerable thing for every website owner. Though as a website admin you should have backup with you but its not possible to take backup every while. So be sure that you get your website backup in worst cases.

These points mentioned above are the very basic things that are to be kept in mind before hosting your website. Though there are many things that may be added depending on your website and what it really wants.