FTP (File Transfer Protocol) has changed the way that small companies and big businesses alike share information across the Web. Once used only by serious web professionals who needed an efficient, fast way to upload and download large files, FTP has evolved into a common way to download and distribute files by companies like Microsoft, Adobe, and others.

FTP offers many advantages over simply emailing large files to business partners, vendors and clients. Instead of tying up server space and time and waiting…and waiting…and waiting for an email attachment to get delivered (if your inbox is big enough for the attachment at all), you simply upload the file to a secure FTP site, where the intended recipient can download it at their leisure.

There's no doubt that even the casual user could benefit from having their own account with a reputable FTP hosting company, much less a major corporation. But how do you know what to look for in an FTP host?

Fortunately, there are some common services that FTP hosting companies should offer that will help you find the right provider to suit your individual and business needs:

Dedication to File Transfer Applications. Choose a company that is dedicated to multiple username, private FTP hosting ONLY. Having this as their core business means they take their job—and your data—seriously. Make sure they are not co-mingling other resource hungry services like web site hosting and email on the same server with your FTP site.

The Need for Speed. Your FTP host should consistently offer extremely high rates of transfer speeds. It's not advantageous to use a hosting company whose transfer speeds are the same or only slightly better than the cable service or DSL connection at your home or office.

The More the Merrier. The best FTP hosts allow for an unlimited number of users to simultaneously transfer files at any given time—and their systems are robust enough to handle it. This is essential for even small companies, not to mention those who have thousands of employees who share project and informational files constantly.

Capacity is King. Find a provider that allows you unlimited transfer or bandwidth usage and doesn't surprise you at the end of the month with “overage” fees. The best FTP hosts offer unlimited bandwidth for your quoted rates and stand by that.

Compatibility. Let's say you're in Prague for a big meeting, and your computer crashes before you can download the presentation. What next? That Internet café around the corner will serve you well if your host offers a browser-based FTP client program at no extra charge. The more multiple platform connection options you have for convenience and ease of use, the better.

Service You Can Depend On. You want technical support provided by a dedicated technical staff that is intimately familiar with the network, without having to flip pages in a manual to give you the answers you need.

Stability. You want a company that's not only been around the block, but has a house there. Choose a provider with a proven track record in the industry that is committed to hosting—not someone that resells third-party hosting services out of their basement.

Uptime Guarantees. The phone company won't do this, but good FTP hosts will. If it's anything less than 99.9%, you're really taking a chance that those important files won't be there when you absolutely have to have them.

Security. You need the peace of mind that only an industry certification like SAS-70 offers. This will eliminate the anxiety of wondering whether your files are safe from hackers—and competitors.

Dedicated IP Address for You Alone. Having a unique IP address for your FTP site means you can point your own DNS hostname to it if you want, or simply use the IP address on its own.

With these top 10 features to serve as your guide, you're sure to find a great FTP host you can depend on for all your file transfer needs.