Wirez & Circuitz

Indeed, choosing a right web hosting service f0r your website is not the easiest task in the world, especially when there are thousands 0f web hosting providers all offering almost identical web hosting packages. Therefore, it is important t0 consider a few major points before you start your web hosting search. Below are three major criteria f0r needing a web host:

Web hosting features requirement
This is probably the most important consideration t0 start finding a host f0r your site. You need t0 decide the technical requirements f0r your website, this including:

a) Server platform and hardware requirements
If you plan t0 set up a website that uses programming environments such as Visual Basic scripts, Cold Fusion 0r Microsoft Access 0r Microsoft SQL database, in this case, you will need t0 find a web hosting service that supports Windows platform such as Windows NT 0r Windows 2000 servers.

Likewise, if you plan t0 use programming languages such as Perl, CGI, SSI, PHP 0r mySQL database, then any web hosting plans that support Unix/Linux platform should be sufficient t0 meet your hosting requirements. Once you have these server platform and hardware requirements in mind, you can decide the best web hosting plans f0r your need.

b) Disk space & Bandwidth requirement
Here is another technical requirement that you need t0 consider before selecting a web hosting plan, i.e. disk space and bandwidth. If you intend t0 publish a website that does not have a lot 0f contents (meaning, web pages), then the disk space requirement may not be a big concern t0 you. In general, a disk space with 200MB t0 500MB should be enough t0 meet your hosting requirement. In contrast, if you plan t0 host a website with enormous amount 0f graphic pictures, mp3 0r video files, then you should consider a web hosting plan that provide huge disk space, f0r example, 500 MB t0 1,000 MB.

Similarly, the bandwidth requirement will depend on your site traffic estimation. Obviously, a website that expect t0 attract high traffic will consume the monthly bandwidth allowance very fast. If so, you will need t0 find one web hosting service that offer huge bandwidth with 40 GB t0 100 GB per month. Depending upon your website requirement, choosing a web hosting service that provide sufficient amount 0f disk space and bandwidth is crucial consideration t0 prevent paying extra costs in the future should you overuse the monthly disk space and bandwidth allowance.

c) Other hosting features
While the above requirements are 0f utmost importance, there are other hosting features that you have t0 consider too. Can the web hosting provider support video clips on your website, if you have? Is the web hosting service compatible with Dreamweaver 0r FrontPage web authoring tool? Do you plan t0 set up a virtual store online? Can the host support the e-commerce features without adding extra cost t0 your monthly payments? On top 0f that, you may also want t0 find out the number 0f email accounts provided, number 0f FTP accounts, web statistic software (analyze your web traffic), type 0f control panel supported
(manage your web hosting account), database and scripting languages supported and etc.

Reliability and scalability
A first-class web hosting provider offers reliable server uptime and fast Internet connection at least 99% server uptime with high-speed Internet backbones using at least OC3 (Optical Carrier) lines (155 Megabits per second) 0r above instead 0f T1 0r T3 lines. A reliable web hosting provider usually invests heavily on their data center infrastructure with high performance servers, high speed multiple backbones providers with fail-over redundancy, backup power generators and firewall software protection in place t0 ensure they meet the uptime guarantee specified in the terms 0f service.

Similarly, you should choose a web hosting service with hardware facilities that designed f0r scalability, so that they can grow with your business. f0r example, if you need t0 increase more disk space, bandwidth 0r number 0f mySQL databases, you should be able t0 upgrade as needed without any problems.

Customer service and support
The last major consideration in choosing a web hosting service is t0 find a web hosting providers that offers excellent customer service and support. You should always search f0r a web hosting provider that offers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week technical support that fielded with highly experience technicians, so that any web hosting problems will be resolved within a reasonable amount 0f time. You may also want t0 consider t0 test how responsive is their customer support by sending few inquiry emails t0 the web hosting provider. In general, any response in less than 24 hours is considered acceptable. It is a sign 0f poor customer support if they take more than one day t0 response.

In addition, a web hosting provider with excellent support should also provide multiple support channels, such as 24/7 email support, live chat, online knowledgebase, Interactive flash tutorials and FAQ.

Also, how long has the web hosting provider been in business and what number 0f customers do they currently have are also a good indication 0f the quality 0f their hosting products as well as the stability 0f the company. Even though cost 0f the web hosting service is also important but it should not be your major consideration. Because the price 0f a web hosting service has been declining over the years due t0 competition, as a result, the price 0f most 0f the web hosting services offering quality hosting features has been converging t0 less than US$10 per month.

If you can’t afford less than $10 per month, you probably will not be in the online business f0r the long haul. Therefore, price should not be a major deciding factor.

On the other hand, it is more important t0 ensure the web hosting service that you choose is able t0 meet your website hosting requirements, guarantee your website is always accessible with satisfying speed, provide scalability t0 grow and expand your website as well as offer excellent customer supports.