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What is Unix or Linux Web hosting?
UNIX is a text-based, multitasking operating system that is
designed to be used by many people at the same time. UNIX is
also the most commonly used operating system among Web
servers and is the most versatile of all existing operating
systems. Linux is a UNIX-like operating system.
With most Web sites, a UNIX-based or Linux-based Web hosting
solution is a fine choice. These platforms are known for
their flexibility, reliability and stability.
What is Windows Web hosting?
Windows Web hosting occurs on a Web server that uses
Microsoft Windows server software as it's operating
platform. Windows, a graphic-based, multitasking operating
system, plans are useful in the arena of dynamic content
generation and database functionality.
Windows hosting plans give you the ability to utilize many
forms of dynamic content and specialized databases. Windows
hosting plans are often used for sites utilizing FrontPage,
ASP, MS Access databases, MS SQL Servers and other Microsoft
applications.
How much disk space do I need with my Web hosting plan?
Disk Space (Storage Space): The storage capacity for images,
HTML files, audio files, video files, graphics, etc. A Web
site planning to have a large amount of pages and/or
planning to use a lot of images (or other large files) will
need a greater amount of disk space.
Most Web hosting plans limit how much space you will have to
store files, graphics, etc. on their server. A Web site
planning to have a large amount of pages and/or planning to
use a lot of images (or other large files) will need a
greater amount of disk space.
How much data transfer do I need with my Web hosting
plan?
Most hosting plans limit how much data transfer you are
allotted each month. Data = images, text, audio files, video
files and everything else that a server transfers to a
user's web browser. Approximately 40,000 page views = 1 GB
of data transfer. Web sites that get a lot of visitors need
larger amounts of data transfer. Also, graphics-heavy sites
will need more data transfer than more basic sites.
Data Transfer (Bandwidth): The amount of data that you are
allowed to transfer (usually monthly). Data = images, text,
audio files, video files and everything else that a server
transfers to a user's web browser. Approximately 40,000 page
views = 1 GB of data transfer. Web sites that get a lot of
visitors (and page views) need larger amounts of data
transfer (or bandwidth). Also, graphics-heavy sites will
need more data transfer than more basic sites.
How many email accounts do I need with my Web hosting
plan?
Add up one for each employee and one for each function
(sales, support, webmaster, etc.) and make sure to purchase
a Web hosting plan that allows at least that many email
accounts. Also, do you want full POP3 access, Web-based
email or both? Make sure you know the answer to that last
question before you purchase a hosting plan.
POP3 Email Account: POP3 email allows all emails addressed
to your domain to go to one place. If a host allows multiple
POP3 email boxes, you can have multiple (separate) email
addresses.
Web-based Email: Allows a user to access email from any
computer that has an Internet connection and a Web browser.
What is "shared" Web hosting?
Shared Web hosting is the opposite of Dedicated Web hosting.
With shared hosting, multiple sites are hosted on a single
server. Multiple Web sites share the system resources of a
single server, with each single Web site being allotted
specific amounts of resources. Shared Web hosting is the
most common (and cheapest) hosting option.
Budget Web hosting is a form of shared Web hosting, where
multiple Web sites share the system resources of a single
server. Each single Web site on that server is allotted
specific amounts of resources at a bargain rate.
This is the most common, and cheapest, hosting option. This
type of hosting is great for small to medium sized Web
sites, as it provides a cost-effective (usually less than
$10 per month) solution to fit tight budgets.
What is "dedicated" Web hosting?
Dedicated Web hosting is the opposite of shared Web hosting.
Dedicated servers are owned by a Web hosting company but
rented out and used by a single customer. Web sites in need
of a lot of disk space and/or data transfer and/or Web sites
that have very specific software needs may opt to rent a
dedicated server.
Shared Web hosting is usually sufficient for most small and
medium sized businesses. However, opting to go with a
dedicated server has many benefits, especially in regards to
customization of features. Investing in a dedicated server
is undoubtedly a wise decision for many medium to large
sized businesses.
A managed hosting plan incorporates a dedicated server with
technical support and maintenance services. This is a step
up from standard dedicated Web hosting, where customers are
responsible for all administrative and maintenance duties.
I want to create an online store, what type of Web
hosting do I need?
E-Commerce (electronic commerce) refers to the
buying/selling (or exchange) of goods and services through
the Internet. Generally speaking, there are four basic
components to an e-commerce enabled Web site: A shopping
cart, a secure environment, a payment gateway and a merchant
account (although this list can vary).
A shopping cart is an essential component for most
e-commerce Web sites, as it allows users to browse for and
purchase products online. Some Web hosts provide free
(usually more basic) shopping carts, while others provide a
shopping cart for an additional fee. Different shopping cart
programs range greatly in usability, functionality and
features.
A visitor uses the virtual shopping cart to choose which
items (and how many of each) to buy. The transaction then
begins over a secure connection (SSL). The payment gateway
enables the authorization, processing and managing of online
transactions, while the merchant account enables the
processing of credit cards online.
There are many different levels of e-commerce integration --
the more customized the system, the more complicated (and
costly) the process can get. If you are in need of a complex
e-commerce solution, you must be willing to pay a bit more
for a reliable, flexible hosting plan.
What is "multiple domain" Web hosting?
Certain Web hosts allow you to host more than one Web site
on one hosting account. Each separate Web site can have it's
own unique domain name but will share the same IP address as
other sites in the account. Also, all sites included in that
one account will share the allotted hosting resources (data
transfer, disk space, etc.).
I'm new to all of this, what should I watch for so that I
don't make a bad decision?
There is one main rule to follow when choosing a Web host:
If it sounds too good to be true, then it might be. In other
words, if you find a Web host offering unlimited everything
for $2 per month, then you shouldn't realistically expect
excellent customer support, reliability and speed.
Some Web hosts can indeed provide affordable solutions and
still maintain high quality servers and provide excellent
customer support, but others seem to create high
expectations with unrealistic offers. All in all, great
deals can be found in budget hosting plans and smaller sites
will usually function quite well on this type of plan.
Larger sites may need a dedicated host and online stores
should defintely scrutinize available e-commerce options. |
