Avoiding Bad Web Hosts

The Internet represents the most powerful communication revolution since the dawn of mankind.

Its communication power can literally create business empires faster and with less startup capital than in all human history.

Yet, with all this power at their fingertips, it amazes me that most businesses and entrepreneurs will put their business in jeopardy just to save a couple of bucks.

Would you build a luxury home on a foundation made for a double-wide trailer?

Would you mount a race car body and engine on a chassis built for a go-cart?

If not, then why would you try to build a legitimate online business to support your family and contribute to your livelihood using $4 a month hosting?

It doesn't make sense, but people do it every day and, unfortunately, the consequences can often cost you a hundred times or more of what you "saved."

When you go to choose a web host, you need to think in terms of the purpose for your website(s).

If you want a little family site or a non-commercial blog, then $5 a month hosting may be just what you need.

If you want to host a basic, but dependable website to sell your own, or someone else's products, then plan on $9-20 a month, depending on how much hand-holding you need from your web host's technical support staff.

If you want to host multiple sites to generate search engine traffic, sell your own products online, and get a moderate amount of traffic, then plan to spend $15-$50 a month, depending on which options you choose.

If you plan to operate a serious e-commerce site and need the flexibility to grow, then a dedicated server for $100- $200 a month may fit the bill.

When evaluating a web host, keep the following in mind.

Will you run scripts on your website?

If yes, then make sure the web host offers a cgi-bin and mysql database. Those allow you to run almost any kind of script you'll need on a basic to intermediate level site.

Will you have your own "dedicated IP address?"

All domain names correspond to an IP address, which is just a series of numbers.

Just like a phone number dials up the correct phone anywhere on earth, each domain has its own number.

However, depending on how your host sets up their server, your domain can actually share an IP address with dozens, even hundreds, of other websites.

If one of those websites misbehaves, it can adversely affect everyone on that same IP address.

My advice: pay a little extra to make sure you get your own dedicated IP.

How much space will you need?

Make sure you get at least 100 megabytes of space from your web host.

Also, make sure you get at least 10 email forwarding accounts and 10 gigabytes of data transfer per month.

Also, the hosting market is so competitive now that you should never pay a setup fee.

If in doubt, shop around, compare and always ask someone you trust or check up on what others have to say about a specific hosting service by visiting sites like http://www.webhostingtalk.com

The moral here?

Understand that your web hosting account is literally the "foundation" for your online business, so don't skimp. You're only hurting yourself in the long run if you do.

© Jim Edwards - All Rights reserved - http://www.thenetreporter.com

About the Author:

Jim Edwards is a syndicated newspaper columnist and the co-author of an amazing new ebook that will teach you how to use fr^e articles to quickly drive thousands of targeted visitors to your website or affiliate links...

Simple "Traffic Machine" brings Thousands of NEW visitors to your website for weeks, even months... without spending a dime on advertising! ==> http://www.turnwordsintotraffic.com

---

Choose A Host That Matches Your Home Business Needs

With plethora of hosting companies offering services, choosing a good... Read More

Managed Vs. Unmanaged Dedicated Hosting

"Unmanaged dedicated servers" - this is a pretty uninviting term... Read More

How to Choose the Web Hosting Provider?

1. Does the company offer telephone support or 24/7 email... Read More

The Perfect Support

Hosting Support ? An IntroductionImagine yourself as a person running... Read More

How To Find The Best Web Hosting For You

Deciding on the best web hosting company for a web... Read More

Choosing a Quality Web Host

If you are anything like me, you'd probably like to... Read More

Use Your Hobby To Launch A Successful Website

When you study the really successful websites, you will quickly... Read More

CGI Web Hosting ? 3 Essential Scripts for Your Business

If there's one thing that people love it is a... Read More

How To Host Several Websites Under One Account

If you operate several websites, each with its own domain... Read More

The Ups and Downs of Dedicated Server Hosting

Getting your own dedicated server for your business is a... Read More

Provide A Good Home For Your Website

Selecting a web hosting company is like sending one of... Read More

Domain Name and Web Hosting Hell

Does GoDaddy really suck?I am in the process of registering... Read More

Web Design and Hosting - Free Web Hosting Perks That Will Perk Up Your Web Site

If you've got or are considering a web hosting account... Read More

Choosing a Web Host Based On Price? Dont!

It's tempting. There are so many companies offering cut-rate hosting... Read More

Choosing the Perfect Deluxe Web Site Hosting Plan

If you are looking for a deluxe web site hosting... Read More

Criteria of Choosing an Ideal Web Hosting Company

Before we talk about what it takes to... Read More

Shared Web Hosting Service Explained!

The next concern for you after designing and developing web... Read More

Web Site Hosting ? An Easy Guide

Web Hosting ? Made Simple What is web hosting... Read More

Avoid Getting Ripped Off By A Hosting Company

Chances are if you host multiple domains or websites you... Read More

How to Find a Dependable Web Host

Your new website is ready to upload, and now you... Read More

Free Web Hosting - Why Might It Be A Bad Idea

When talking about free anything the legitimate question that first... Read More

Top 6 Ways to Promote Your Web Hosting Business Part 2

Here are the following three methods that can help you... Read More

In Search of Webhosting: First Understand the Industry

In search of a webhosting company for personal or small... Read More

A Simple Guide to Web Hosting

Personal Computers, Servers Or ISP?You need a server to host... Read More

Confessions and Tips from a Top Web Hosting Salesman

Have you ever gone car shopping with a former car... Read More

Top 10 Web Hosting Blunders and How to Avoid Them

Consider the following web hosting blunders and do not allow... Read More

Adult Web Hosting: The All You Need To Know

What sort of web hosting options should you go for... Read More

Great Web Hosting - What to Look For!

Web hosting can best be described as a modern-day marriage:... Read More

Dedicated Server Price Check

The price of dedicated hosting services has really come down... Read More

How to Choose a Web Host - Frequently Asked Questions

In this article you'll be provided with helpful information about... Read More

4 Tips to Find the Web Host That?s Right For You

Choosing to make a web site is a very big... Read More

The Web Hosting Industry 2005

For the "big things" to be build it was certainly... Read More

Sell Web Hosting for Fun and Profit

The market is good for new Web hosting companies. According... Read More