| Finding the best web hosting company and web | | | | consideration in terms of reliability is the number of |
| hosting package to meet the unique current and | | | | years that the web hosting company has been in |
| future needs of your business can be challenging. | | | | business and their track record. |
| It is an undisputable fact that there are so many | | | | Honestly, all a web host really needs to get started in |
| companies offering such a variety of web hosting | | | | business is a server and an internet connection. Thus, |
| packages today that evaluating your options can be | | | | there are literally thousands launching web hosting |
| truly overwhelming. Many people think that choosing | | | | businesses that haven't a clue what reliable web |
| a web hosting package isn't a big deal and they don't | | | | hosting entails. If your web host is not experienced |
| give the decision the consideration that it deserves. | | | | and established, they may be here today and gone |
| The truth of the matter is when you are in business | | | | tomorrow and when they go, generally your website |
| and you rely on your website to generate revenue, | | | | and everything associated with it is gone with them. |
| your web host can make or break your business, so | | | | A web hosting package should allow adequate space |
| choosing the best web hosting possible is truly critical. | | | | for the content you will have now and in the future. |
| While the needs of your business starting out may | | | | It should be expandable as your business grows with |
| be minimal, you never know what the future holds. | | | | the capability of providing unrestricted CGI access, |
| Undoubtedly, the demands you place on your web | | | | SSH and FTP access as well as added features such |
| host will increase over time as you add more | | | | as databases, scripts and software that supports |
| features to your website and as you strive to | | | | things like shopping carts, ecommerce solutions, |
| automate processes that will ultimately save you | | | | merchant accounts, and real-time processing. If you |
| both time and money. Because the needs of your | | | | will use FrontPage extensions, Real Audio, Real Video, |
| internet based business will change, the best web | | | | Shockwave, Java or similar tools, make sure that |
| hosting company is one that has the capability of | | | | your web host supports them. |
| expanding the services they provide to you as your | | | | It is best if your web hosting company has secure |
| company grows and your website evolves. | | | | server capabilities and can offer dedicated servers |
| Some of the most crucial factors to consider when | | | | with speed that is at least equivalent to a T3 |
| searching for a web host are: | | | | connection to ensure your pages load quickly and |
| 1. Reliability | | | | your customers' transactions are secure. It is also |
| 2. Space | | | | important for your web hosting package to provide |
| 3. Expandability | | | | you with complete control over your website through |
| 4. Security | | | | an online administrative control panel. You should have |
| 5. Speed | | | | unrestricted email services with the capability of |
| 6. Control | | | | setting up aliases and auto-responders along with |
| 7. Reports | | | | easy access to reports and statistics concerning your |
| 8. Unrestricted email services | | | | website, its visitors and its activity. |
| 9. Offsite backups | | | | The very best web hosting companies also maintain |
| 10. Superb technical support | | | | offsite back-ups of your data and information that is |
| Reliability is paramount because for a website | | | | stored on their servers to ensure that nothing is lost |
| operator, downtime means lost revenue. Having a | | | | if they experience a catastrophe or a natural disaster. |
| website that is down is like having a storefront that | | | | Last but not least, your web host should provide |
| is closed. If you are not open for business, you lose | | | | superb technical support that is knowledgeable, |
| business and relatively you lose money. The best | | | | reliable, and perhaps most important, available when |
| web hosting provider will be able to demonstrate and | | | | you need them. |
| guaranty 99.9% to 100% uptime. Another | | | | |