There are two principles that are required if you want your business to be taken seriously on the internet. First and foremost, NEVER use a free email address such as Yahoo, Hotmail, or Gmail for business correspondence. Always use an email address associated with your business domain name. The second is credible website hosting, which is what we'll focus on in this article. Your website consists of files which must be stored on a computer (file server) connected to the internet and website hosting is a service whereby you "rent" space on that file server.
The list of companies vying for your business is an endless one. It can be challenging to decide between the many who claim to be the highest rated and those clamoring to be the least expensive. For most website designers and developers, the decision is easy. We sort fact from fiction, but for those not regularly engaged in the industry the decision can seem almost impossible to make. The best way to select the best host is to follow a simple selection process used by professionals.
1. Assessment. Assess your website and your website hosting requirements. Will your website be of a personal or professional nature? What type of website will you have (i.e. ecommerce, brochure)? What additional features do you plan on having in the future? Do you plan on having a secure section?
2. Reliability. The best website hosting companies guarantee 99% uptime and limited shared website hosting of their servers. It will not help you to have a website that is barely up due to constant maintenance issues or loads slowly because of cramped server conditions.
3. Data. As your website grows in popularity so will your bandwidth requirements. It is far better to pay for an adequate amount of bandwidth ahead of time as part of your monthly bill, than receive a surprise bill for going over a set limit. The same philosophy should be applied to disk space. Whether it's because your company has expanded or you have decided to utilize your website more, odds are expansion is in your website's future. The last thing you want is an additional fee for disk space.
4. Tech Support. Like system restore on your computer or regular backups of your files, most people hardly think of this one until they need it. It is very important to be able to not only contact your website hosting company, but also receive a response from them at any time. The best website hosting support is US based and is available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. The best website hosting companies will offer that support via online chat, email, phone, a support ticketing system and even a members' only section.
5. Special Features. These come in handy when you're looking to enhance your website but still lower overall development and maintenance costs. Email addresses are standard, but the ability to check your email online is not. Online forms to acquire visitor data are standard, but the ability to host those forms on a secure server is not. In addition there are a variety of scripts and software that can enhance your website without the need to hire a programmer.
6. Control Panel. Will you have to submit a support ticket every time you need a password changed? Will you have to wait endless days for your website hosting company to add a new email address to your account? The type of Control Panel offered establishes how much control you will actually have of your website and overall account. It also determines the learning curve involved so check to see if they offer a free demo of their Control Panel before you sign up because they aren't all the same.
7. Rate. While you will be tempted to go for the lowest price you can find, remember you will also be getting what you pay for or as James Goldsmith once said "If you pay peanuts, you get monkeys". Companies offering dedicated servers will be substantially higher than those offering limited bandwidth. Competition from overseas is tempting, but there are many negative factors to consider including limited or poor tech support. Free website hosting is fine as long as you realize the advertisements will make your website hosting company money while turning off your visitors.
As you create your list of potential companies keep in mind that, although pricing is important, your website hosting company should never be chosen on price alone. Finding out later on that you selected the wrong company or one which cannot fully support your requirements can be troubling. Transferring your website to another host is not always easy and most of the time it will cost you between several hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on the scope of your website.
Regardless of the size of your company or website, your business is just as important as everyone else's and thus you should receive the most for it. Never sign up with the first company you find. Do your research, ask questions and when in doubt seek experienced assistance. Jendee Web Design Services offers website hosting designed around your website requirements from reputable and cost effective providers. Contact us if you require any assistance. We're always here to help you.
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Jeanette Iurato is a full-time web developer, freelance writer, and the owner of Jendee Web Design Services, LLC. The http://www.jendee.net website is dedicated to helping existing small businesses on the Internet and those interested in getting started. You can follow Jeanette and share your thoughts at http://www.twitter.com/jendeedotnet
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