Choosing the Web Site Host that's Best for You
There are few things as critical to your e-business success as having a reliable web hosting service ...
Here’s How To Choose The Right Web Host that guarantees Your Web site Stays Up And Running!
Whether your focus is affiliate marketing, niche marketing or any
other online business, now more than ever – as the Internet grows by
leaps and bounds – the choice of a reliable Web site hosting provider
is absolutely critical.
Cheapest ... biggest ... smartest ... newest ... oldest – with
thousands of web site hosting companies vying for your attention, it’s
easy to get confused. And, heaven forbid, if you make the wrong choice,
it could cost you dearly in time, effort and money. Transferring a site
from one host to another host is nightmarish at best – if it’s even
do-able. So ...
How do you pick the BEST host for your web site and online business needs -- the very first time out?
You can start by going through the following checklist:
[ ] What is the Initial Set-up Fee?
[ ] Is the cost of a domain name included?
[ ] How much bandwidth (data transfer) will you be allowed each month?
[ ] How much disk space (data storage) is provided?
[ ] What features are provided on the website control panel?
[ ] Are you provided with unlimited email accounts?
[ ] Do you get unlimited single and multiple sequential autoresponders?
[ ] What is the level of shopping cart compatibility?
[ ] Are website analysis tools provided?
[ ] Are tools provided for traffic analysis, tracking reports?
[ ] Are search engine submission tools provided? Ranking reports?
[ ] Do you have access to your own cgi-bin directory?
[ ] What web design tools are provided, as part of a complete web design capability?
[ ] Are web site design templates included?
[ ] Are there any ezine publication tools?
[ ] Is there a Spam check tool?
[ ] What kind of technical support is provided?
[ ] What security measures are in place? Offer your clients ease of
mind with SSL (Secure Socket Layer) for selling from your site.
[ ] What is the speed of the web host’s Internet connections?
[ ] Is there 24-7 customer service? How does the company rate on support?
[ ] What is the hosting cost per month?
Pricing, of course, is a key consideration in choosing a web host
that’s right for your needs. Just remember, as with everything else in
life, you’re going to get what you pay for. There are 3 general
categories of web hosting providers readily available, ranging from $0
to $75 per month. (More expensive solutions are for really big
companies and beyond the scope of this article). Let’s take a look:
FREE Web Hosting
Tempting as it sounds, $0 cost hosting is best reserved for casual
use – for a hobby or other personal purpose not related to making money
on the Internet. Among the disadvantages: Low bandwidth, poor technical
and customer support, excessive downtime, slow connection times, poor
or no search engine positioning.
One of the most significant compromises you face is that 99% of
free web hosts put their own ads on the homepage of your site,
detracting from your business. It comes across as unprofessional and
can quickly drive your prospects away. Also – extremely important for
affiliate marketers – many affiliate programs will not accept people
who are hosted on a free web service!
The Search Engines may not accept rating your web site if it has a
sub-domain name not as part of your own dot.com name, especially if the
sub-domain is part of a free web host domain name.
If, for any reason, you’re interested in going this route, do a
search on Google. For example, search for "Free web hosting" and
discover more that 1.5 million references. For this reason, I can not
pick any favorites, being unable to verify how reputable they are. Good
luck with your search. Compare features, over and over. It is the best
way to narrow the field of candidates.
CHEAP Web Hosting
Low cost web hosting will work for you if your budget is limited
and you don’t want to spend money for larger disk space and other
options that might not be necessary for you at the moment.
Most providers in this category charge from $3 to $10 a month. Many
of them do not offer you a Control Panel and a number of other useful
features like tracking, autoresponders, sub domains, etc.
If you don’t need the storage space or extra features, cheap web
hosting is a workable solution, especially if your needs are not for
e-business.
For some examples... nah, forget it, I don't want to give you examples of what I don't really believe in.
PROFESSIONAL Web Hosting
When you’re in it for the long haul, it really pays to think and act like a Pro.
As you continue to add content to your site, you will need more
disk space. As your traffic increases, so does your need for more
bandwidth. You’ll want that sophisticated control panel with all the
bells and whistles -- unlimited autoresponders, unlimited email
addresses, unlimited sub domains, detailed website statistics, website
promotional tools, topnotch support and so on.
Prices for top level hosting range from $20 to $49 a month or more.
Granted, it’s not free or cheap. But it’s the BEST choice for running a
successful online business. Time is money especially on the Internet,
and you want a web host that has enough power to assure that your
website will load fast.
And before you sign on the dotted line ...
Don’t be shy about doing some double checking. Send some emails and
see how quickly the company’s customer service responds. Get feedback
from several existing customers on how they find the service.
Due to the intense competition between web hosting companies, they
are constantly adding more features and better tools to attract new
customers. So take the time to do some comparing – don’t let anyone
rush you. Make sure you sign-up with a reputable web host that can
support you and accommodate all your needs as your web business
expands.
And now, for examples of top rated professional web hosts that are
ideal for affiliate marketing web sites, read the reviews of these two
web hosts...
Site Build It! Superb Marketing and Web Site Management
Site Build It!
Third Sphere complete Web Hosting solutions, with monthly Recurring Income.
ThirdSphere
Now You know what to look for ... Best of luck with your selection and your business!
Fred Farah
copyright 2004Author:
The Best Affiliate Products
and Niche Market Strategies for Maximum Profits
Best Affiliate Products Terms:Articles may be reprinted provided content is not edited and links are kept live
Source: www.articledepot.co.uk
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