The Host Makes The Difference So Choose Wisely

Contributed by Timothy Burch

Any time you venture out onto the Internet the web sites all have one thing in common. They are hosted by someone. For the larger companies the choice is an obvious one:. Hire a professional web programmer to come and build a “web presence”. For those of us who want to put up a personal page or business web site, choosing who you want to host your web site is important. Selecting the wrong option could cost you more money than you’re willing to spend. This lesson on the ins and outs of web hosting should help you learn how to get the most out of your software. This article won’t go over every program or host but it will give you basic options that you need to consider.

Usually the first concern in attempting to build a web site and put it on the Internet is, "How much will it cost?" This is one of the most important concerns that you can have. The companies that are built to host your web site also have this on their minds. Many companies will have a variety of options that you can choose from. These options could range from how many e-mail accounts you can set up through your website, how much space you can have to put files on the internet, to what type of programming they offer. Each of these is important and, as usual, the more you pay, the more you get. Here are some of the options that you should think about before talking to a web host.

Ask yourself, "What do I want people to do on my web site?"

If your web site is a personal one that you are going to use to post pictures and write small bits of text, you might not even want to go to the trouble of hosting a web site if you’re starting a blog. There are numerous free blog sites on the Internet that you can use. For the people who would do more, like run a business online, here are some possibilities.

For the hosting platform there are two main choices: UNIX® or Windows® NT. Both of these platforms are great for hosting sites. The UNIX platform is usually cheaper, and a little bit more stable. The programming available on a UNIX platform is more technical and many times doesn’t work as well with a Windows-based web site but with the right programmer it will do well. The only problem is that you will loose the affordability that you have with the UNIX platform. The Windows NT platform gives you the option of easier site programming, especially if you are using database driven applications for your site.

Now that you have the platform nailed down a little more you need to know what features the web host offers. Can they process your web scripting language? Are they going to be able to work with PHP, SQL, SSI, ASP, Pearl, Java®, or CGI scripting? If you are building your web site in a program that uses Cold Fusion you need to make sure the host can run a Cold Fusion® platform. There are also options to have less technical features in place. Many hosts have built automatic money-handling software like PayPal®, and VeriSign® that you can use in on your web site. Many times they already have web scripts in place that can help you build a good database of clients and customers. In almost all cases there are also options for getting good reports about the type of activity and traffic that your site gets.

Finally you need to make sure that your web host is a company that you enjoy dealing with. The price might be the best out there, but you need to know if they have good customer service. Can you find a phone number to call? How quickly are your e-mails answered? How do they handle your payments? Make sure that you are getting the customer support that you want. You may not want any, or you may want extensive support. Be certain that you are going to be taken care of.

Anytime you have people over for a party the type of host is going to make the difference. Your guests could have the best time in the world or they might find themselves frustrated and tired by the time they leave your site. Make sure you choose the host that will make your guests feel welcome but not break the bank. This will make your web site a winner not only for your guests, but for you too.

UNIX is a trademark of The Open Group. Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation, registered in the U.S. and other countries. Java is a trademark of Sun Microsystems, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Cold Fusion is a trademark of Macromedia, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. PayPal is a trademark of PayPal, Inc. VeriSign is a trademark of VeriSign, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

About the Author:
Timothy Burch is a freelance graphic designer, writer, and published musician living in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

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