As the internet market has grown and assimilated into global culture, becoming an integral part of our daily lives, more and more companies, small businesses, non-profits, and individuals are embracing the web, all desiring their own websites, tailored to their specific needs and interests, and expressing their goals and visions, while targeting specific audiences. Even individuals and companies known for their old-fashioned tenets and inflexible standards, are giving way to new standards in advertising and mass-marketing so easily and readily available on the web.
One of the greatest assets of the web is its ready accessibility from anywhere on the globe by the click of a mouse. All one needs is a computer, handheld device, or such peripheral with an Internet connection, and presto! You are connected to an enormous database of information on everything possible: from real estate and brokerage negotiations, to educational documents, research, and studies, to entertainment, media, and games; to libraries, health resources, and so much more - the list is 'virtually' endless.
Numerous web hosting companies have sprouted all over the globe, each outfitting clients with hundreds of MB of web space and domain names, as well as extra features such as easy to use templates for building websites, numerous mailboxes, large quotas for data transfer (20-60GB per month), marketing strategies, visitor statistical reports such as Urchin, password protection, FTP access, web blogs, audio and video streaming, PERL Debuggers, Message boards, Guestbooks, and hit counters in CGI script, mailing lists and autoresponders, file management and tech support resources, as well as live telephone support, often 24 hours a day. E-commerce sites will want to have additional special features that enable quick and seamless financial transactions, with secure encryption and SSL Digital Certificates, for visitors to their sites wishing to purchase products or services online.
Some web hosting companies such as the award-winning Earthlink Company based in Atlanta, GA in the United States, offer dual platforms, such as Unix and Windows. Considered the most versatile operating system, the Unix system supports freeware and shareware programs and offers maximal security. On the other hand, the Windows system hosts webpages designed in Microsoft Access as well as ASP or Active Server Programs. Depending on the needs of the client, web hosting companies offer a wide variety of services and amenities, with each increase in web space offering a substantial increase in web services accordingly. A general rule of thumb is that the client gets as much as they are willing to pay for.
There are three kinds of web hosting: shared, dedicated, or collocation. Shared web hosting, the least expensive, involves sharing a portion of an existing file server with other companies. Dedicated hosting is more expensive and allows for full control and access to a web server, with absolute control of processing power and storage space. This type of web hosting more than suffices for most businesses and enterprises.
The last but not least kind of web hosting, is collocation, in which the client provides all services such as hardware and software and the only task relegated to the web host is to ensure that the server remains connected to the internet. Collocation is truly for only the "die-hard" techie that has exceeded the generous boundaries of dedicated hosting.
Video Streaming Web Hosting
Web hosting. If the term means anything to you at all then you either already have a hosting provider or are looking for one. Either way I hope to educate you on some of the basics to look for in a hosting company. Personal, business, free, ecommerce or discount an educated consumer makes all the difference.
When reviewing hosting providers most people wouldn't put this point first, but I do. Support. Yes, most companies have some type of support, but not all are equal. First and foremost is availability. Support staff should be available 24/7 by phone and email. Response time should also be quick and wait times should be announced and published on the web site. Technicians should be friendly, educated and speak your language.
After support the next most important set of things to look for in a hosting company are features. If the company can't provide what you need then you might as well look elsewhere. Some basics are of course capacity and bandwidth, but more importantly is the ability to do what you need to with your site. Ecommerce, blogging, forums, scripting and databases are much more important anymore then the amount of space you get.
Last but not least is price. When I say price I don't mean to suggest you get the cheapest plan out there. You should find the plan that has the features you need and is affordable. Don't get more than you need simply because you can. There are many hosting companies out there with bargain basement pricing. They can do this because your server is in their basement next to their washer and dryer. Be careful who you do business with and remember you get what you pay for.
In summary I just want to point out that the hosting environment is changing. With blogs and the like becoming more prevalent hosting companies need to adapt to stay in business. You as the consumer need to be educated in what you need and don't be afraid to make a switch if you have to.
Both Paul Babs & D. David Dugan are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Paul Babs has sinced written about articles on various topics from Football, Diabetes Treatment and About Web Hosting. Paul Babs is the webmaster and operator of which tackles all webhosting issues. Please visit http://www.faqwebhosting.com for more information.. Paul Babs's top article generates over 2400 views. to your Favourites.
D. David Dugan has sinced written about articles on various topics from Life Insurance, Computers and The Internet and Networking. D. David Dugan recommends for all of your web hosting, email, domain name and blogging needs.. D. David Dugan's top article generates over 90500 views. to your Favourites.
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