It goes without saying that virtually every business - and many individuals - needs a Web presence. Companies that either have an antiquated website or that don't have a website at all are at a distinct disadvantage in the marketplace. Savvy consumers and business-to-business customers expect that the companies with whom they do business will have a fully functioning website.

Contrary to popular belief, the cornerstone of any site is website hosting. Companies often make the mistake of spending thousands or tens of thousands of dollars creating a site that incorporates flash, multimedia, and all sorts of bells and whistles, and then choosing a website hosting service that is unreliable. The truth is that you can have the most beautiful website in the world, but if the website hosting company you choose is flaky, no one will be able to access your site - which can potentially do irreparable harm to your business.

Affordable Web Hosting

When it comes to website hosting, reliability doesn't need to be expensive. Thanks to advantages in technology, cheap web hosting is readily available. However, when considering which service to use, it's important to find one that fits your needs.

For example, unless you have a dedicated, highly skilled webmaster, you're going to need an easy-to-use control panel. You should choose a company that offers everything you need to launch and maintain your website, from choosing a domain name to developing your site. Similarly, if your site includes products or services for sale, select a company that has expertise in ecommerce web site hosting.

Find a Plan to Fit Your Needs

Some websites need complex functionality and support, while others can get by with just the basics. Don't get roped into choosing a website hosting plan that has more features than you need. Conversely, don't rely on a cheap web hosting plan that won't give your business the room it needs to grow. Ideally, the service you choose should give you at least three website hosting options. A starter plan might include a free domain name, a couple of dozen email accounts, 30 GB of disk space and 100 GB of bandwidth, along with forums, blogging, and photo gallery features.

A business plan, on the other hand, might have up to 60 email accounts, increased disk space and bandwidth, and the ability to host several different domains. Another important feature might be a half-dozen MySQL databases - a necessity for a growing business. A premium plan for large enterprises might include unlimited bandwidth, email accounts, MySQL databases, and the ability to host an unlimited number of domains.

Cost and Service

Reliable, affordable web hosting is available. A starter plan might be as little as $5.99 per month, while a premium plan may be only $14.99 a month. Keep in mind, though, that cost is only one factor you should consider when selecting a provider. Make sure that the service you choose has a 99.9% server uptime guarantee, and that it offers 24/7/365 technical support.

You don't have to pay and arm and a leg for website hosting, but it behooves you to select a company that has both affordable pricing and superior service.