How To Choose a Web Host

Whether you are a skilled programmer looking for a suitable hosting company for your client or just a home user looking for a fast and affordable way to publish your content on the web, there are a few things to watch out for before making your decision. I can’t cover every detail in this guide but I’m going to talk generally here and provide you with some helpful directions.

1. Do you need a web host at all? First of all, do you need to rent some web space and upload your files to make a website? This might be a little weird to ask, but sometimes you don't even need to buy a server to do what you want.

   For example, if you want to have a personal web page that you want to update regularly, it's best to register a Weblog. Newly created weblogs have a higher ranking than newly created websites in popular search engines! Also if you are going to publish your professional resume online, you can find a dozen or so free services that will do this for you. You can even store and share your files over the internet completely free. So think about what you are ultimately going to do before buying a host.

2. Windows or Linux? Which one is right for you? Windows or Linux? If you are an ASP or ASP.net programmer, you must purchase a Windows IIS plan. If you want to install some server side scripts written in PHP or CGI on your website, you need to buy a Linux server. But in most cases a cheap Linux based server will be more than enough.

   There are a few hosting companies out there that offer Windows and Linux simultaneously on one plan, but this is probably not what you need.

   Linux plans are usually cheaper than similar Windows plans because most Linux software packages (including some Linux distributions themselves) are totally free of charge. So if you don't need Microsoft Access, Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft FrontPage Extensions, etc. on your website it makes more sense to search for a Linux server.

3. Dedicated or Shared? If you have searched for a cheap web host, you have probably come across these two terms. Which one is better? Well, it depends on your budget, your website importance and your familiarity with server administration. In most cases a shared host is easiest, but there are a few things to consider.

   When you buy a shared plan, your website shares it's IP and web space with other websites. So if one of your neighbors is blocked from search engines for a reason, for example it contains adult content, your site will be blocked too. But fortunately many good companies do not host adult sites. So check to see if the web hosting provider you're considering allows adult content before you order.

   Working with a dedicated server is like working with a remote computer. A PC will be given to you to host your website and do whatever else you want, but, predictably, it's much more expensive. A VPS, or a virtual dedicated server, is something between these two. You have the power of a dedicated server to manage your shared host! This is ideal if you are a skilled programmer or you want to have full control over your website.

4. Discounts, Special Offers and Reviews. The competitive market of web hosting has brought a lot of great opportunities to consumers. You can find very great deals out there by doing a little research. There are a couple of websites that offer the latest special offers and discount coupons from cheap web hosting providers. This can help you save a lot on domain registration and web hosting orders. Search for discounts and coupons before making your final purchase.

   Also don't forget to read your potential host's reviews and comments on other websites. It's also a very good idea to contact them and ask some simple questions to make sure they can live up to their support service promises. I have included some good places to start with in the Useful Links section.