A small business also requires its site to be hosted on the web server that is connected to the World Wide Web so that its website is easily accessible from anywhere in the world at any point of time. This is intended to generate revenue for business.
Once after considering the above points if the small business owners decide to host a website then another difficulty arises in choosing a web host service provider that suits the needs and aspirations of the small business. The following points have to be considered in choosing the web host provider:
1. Superior Support
It is important to check out the back-end services provided by the web host before deciding on anything else. It is because it is not expected that the business owner will have a sound technical knowledge and he has to rely on the expertise provided by the web host. At times the web host providers promise services 24x7. Whether they actually provide that service or not has to be personally verified either by mail, phone or fax at odd hours other than the conventional working hours. Another option that needs to be assured is that the company has efficient staff and in adequate numbers to counter any technical problems that might arise at any point of time.
2. Hardware maintenance
The small business owner has to be assured that the web host provider will also take care of hardware maintenance. It means that he should be able to provide spare parts to cover common problems with server. In case spare parts are not readily available then he should have the network to acquire replacement parts at minimal time lapse.
3. Integrity of the web host service provider
The service provider must have integrity in the sense that all the data and confidential information available to him must be safe and secure. He may acquire information on logistics that are vital which should not leak out to the competitors. Hence it is important that the service provider is reliable and trustworthy.
4. Longevity of the company
It is never recommended to choose a web host service provider who is very new to the trade. The stability of the organization has to be checked before deciding on any service provider. It is wiser to choose a company at least 5 years old on the basis of assumption that it has witnessed ups and downs of the trade and its chances of winding up are much less in comparison to a company which is around only for a couple of months.
5. Cost Factor
Last but not the least the affordability factor has to be considered while choosing a web host service provider. There may be numerous plans available with the provider but it is important to choose that plan after thorough analysis of each and every plan that maximizes the company profit while minimizing the expenditure involved. Many host require paying on a yearly basis while there are others who charge on a monthly basis. It is for the business owner to choose the mode of payment depending on the availability of funds.
Web hosting is an allocated amount of disk space for your domain name on a computer that serves the information stored on it to the internet. It is the act of renting space and bandwidth through a company so that your website is accessible online. Web hosting thus plays a vital role as your online presence depends on it and all information, images, video or other content of your website is available through it in the World Wide Web.
Types of web hosting
Free Web Hosting- Various web portals now provide free web hosting. But this is not very safe and reliable as they are usually supported by advertisements with banners and pop-ups.
Paid web hosting- You pay to your web host service provider and get complete control over the contents of your web site.
There are innumerable web host service providers now-a-days hence it is important to study and analyze all aspects before deciding on any service provider. Each one of them claims to be the best thereby creating more confusions in the mind of individuals or organizations to choose the best web service provider.
Questions to be asked to web host service provider before taking up his services are as follows:
1.Cost
Before taking any decision in day to day life what comes first to our mind is definitely the cost. While contemplating web hosting, cost is one of the most vital considerations. But while comparing cost, it is also important to take other factors like service quality, promptness, accuracy, accessibility and expertise of the service provider needs to be analyzed. The service provider should be asked the minimum cost and whether any hidden costs are there that also has to be confirmed.
2.Payment modes
The payment option must be clarified. If any monthly payment scheme is there or the entire amount is to be paid annually, whether payment is accepted in cash, draft or credit card that also has to be asked.
3.Connection speed and uptime
The connection speed and how it will be calculated has to be asked from the web service provider. However the speed of your connection must be determined by the slowest link in the connection between you and the servers.
4. Uptime
Uptime is literally what it means - it is the amount of time your site is online throughout the entire month. The best uptime would be 100%, but because things can break, many hosts offer 99.9% uptime guarantees. This means that if your site is not accessible for more than 43 minutes in a single month, many providers reimburse you, depending on their terms of service. It is necessary to clarify if your web service provider also agrees to such a term.
5. Bandwidth
It is very important to ask the bandwidth and understand its calculation from the web service provider before making any deal. Usually bandwidth is calculated by the data transferred when a visitor looks at your web site.
6. Control Panel
The features provided in the control panel and there utility and how it manages the web hosting account should be clarified.
7. Nature of database tools and database types support
The web provider should be asked about the nature of database tools and database type support in details before taking the plunge. The version of PHP and Front page extensions that are supported, whether MSSQL is supported, and operating system used etc. needs to be clarified. The number of e-mail addresses that can be configured, scripts that are being offered, reliable shopping cart wherever applicable is provided or not also has to be asked.
8. Time taken for web hosting activation and registration
Domain names are registered when payment is received; they usually then take 24 - 48 hours to show up. Web Hosting accounts are generally set-up within 3 hours of being ordered. These are the standard time taken by most web service providers. So if your web service provider takes more time then you should opt for someone else.
9. Customer Support
Most web host service providers claim 24 hours support service. The turn around time taken by them to sort out any server related or other problems need to be clarified from the service provider. The time taken by them to redress any customer complaint should also be considered. It is recommended to check the reality of 24x7 support claim before any commitment.
10. Trial offer
Last but not the least clarify if web service providers are giving any trial offer. If that facility is available that should be tried out to avoid any complications on the future.
Web hosting is the business providing for storage, connectivity and services to serve files for a website and its efficiency has a great impact on your business. Hence it is your duty to resolve all queries that arise in your mind and to decide on your service provider when you are fully satisfied of their ability.