| When you sign up for a web hosting account, you'll | | | | To find out how much space you're using, you usually |
| be given a certain amount of disk space. This space | | | | just need to log into your hosting control panel. |
| holds all the files and data that make up your web | | | | These control panels let you perform all kinds of |
| site - HTML files, images, video, scripts, audio, etc. | | | | tasks on your web site and they usually have a |
| Generally, the higher the cost of the hosting plan, the | | | | section where you can see how much space you're |
| more disk space you will be allotted. | | | | using and how much is still available. |
| A simple site with just a few basic pages of text | | | | If your web host doesn't offer a control panel, you |
| doesn't need much space - likely less than 1MB. As | | | | can get a pretty good idea how much space you're |
| your content increases and you add things like | | | | using by downloading your entire site to your |
| downloads, images, and multimedia content, you'll | | | | computer and checking how much space it uses |
| need more space. | | | | there. |
| Email messages also take up space. Incoming | | | | To give you a rough idea, the average web page |
| messages are stored on your server until you | | | | with 3 small images and 2 screens worth of text |
| download them (and in some cases even after). If | | | | takes about 20Kb. With these types of pages, a |
| you get a large amount of spam, this can eat up a | | | | hosting plan that gives you 10MB can hold about 500 |
| significant amount of your disk space. It's a good idea | | | | pages. |
| to go through your email on a fairly regular basis and | | | | Most websites are less than 50 pages, so a 10MB |
| clear out anything you don't need to keep. | | | | hosting plan is plenty to get started. |
| What happens if you exceed your disk space? This | | | | If you're adding multimedia content to your site, your |
| depends on your web host's particular policies but in | | | | needs will be quite a bit higher. For example, an |
| most cases you are charged for the extra space. | | | | average 3 minute MP3 file will use about 2.5 to 3MB. |
| These charges can be excessive so you should | | | | A good rule of thumb if you're hosting multimedia |
| always be aware of how much space you're using. If | | | | content is to determine the total size of all the files |
| you're getting close to your limit, it will be cheaper to | | | | you will be uploading initially and double that amount. |
| upgrade before you go over, rather than pay a | | | | This will give you plenty of room for growth. |
| penalty. | | | | |