| > | | | | Uptime is improved. |
| Finding the right host for your site, means finding | | | | Technical support is provided, generally 24 hours a |
| one that provides good, reliable service and takes | | | | day. |
| care of your needs. Free and Cheap Hosting can | | | | Mid-Priced Web HostingShared Servers |
| often cost you big in the end. But the choice is | | | | Advantages |
| yours. The difference between the free to the | | | | Disadvantages |
| very expensive, we will discuss what your options | | | | Server, software and network is managed and |
| are so that you can find your perfect host. | | | | supported for you. |
| A host is a server which provides a home for | | | | Shared processing power. |
| your website on the World Wide Web. Just as | | | | You can select a custom domain name. |
| your computer contains all your files, so a host | | | | Search engines don’t view you as second |
| contains all the files needed to run your website. | | | | class if you have your own domain name. |
| Why can’t you just keep all those files on | | | | Improved response time for support. |
| your own computer? Because that would mean | | | | Uptime is improved and generally guaranteed |
| users would have to connect directly to your | | | | Technical support is provided, generally 24 hours a |
| computer to see your website. Not a good | | | | day. |
| ideait wouldn’t be secure and it would | | | | Generally offer a wide range of software options |
| make your machine run like a tired snail. With a | | | | and configurable bundles. |
| host, you can simply upload everything you need | | | | Improved bandwidth. |
| to the server and your users can then connect | | | | Expensive, Dedicated Servers |
| there to see your site. It lets the site run faster | | | | Advantages |
| and allows it to have all the security and extras it | | | | Disadvantages |
| needs. | | | | Server, software and network is managed and |
| Selecting a host is the first important step | | | | supported for you. |
| towards building your Internet business. | | | | The cost is higher than any other options, but well |
| Hosting services and companies vary from totally | | | | worth it if you choose wisely. |
| free, shared servers to large-scale dedicated | | | | You can select a custom domain name. |
| machines. You’ll have to decide which is | | | | Search engines don’t view you as second |
| right for you and your business. To help you | | | | class. |
| make that decision, study the following tables: | | | | Improved response time for support. |
| Free Servers | | | | Uptime is improved and generally guaranteed. |
| Advantages | | | | Technical support is provided, generally 24 hours a |
| Disadvantages | | | | day. |
| No Cost. | | | | Generally offer a wide range of software options |
| Search engines view free hosting services as | | | | and configurable bundles. |
| inferior and sometimes do not include them in | | | | Improved bandwidth. |
| their index. | | | | Processing power is not shared. |
| You manage the server software and network. | | | | Your choice of server will depend on how much |
| Some free hosting services do not allow you to | | | | money you have available at the beginning and |
| use a custom domain name. | | | | how much you plan to grow in the future. In my |
| The bandwidth is restricted and may cause | | | | opinion, for commercial sites, free hosting is a |
| difficulty for visitors attempting to access your | | | | waste of time. Your users are going to get |
| site. | | | | blasted with annoying pop-ups every time they |
| Because the service is free, some providers do | | | | surf to your page, it’s going to be |
| not strive for 100% uptime which could result in | | | | impossible to get a decent position in a search |
| your site being frequently inaccessible. | | | | engine, and you don’t even get a real |
| Software availability is limited, and free hosts do | | | | business URL. No one’s going to remember |
| not generally provide database options. | | | | your Web address if they have to type Also, you |
| Disk space is sometimes limited; ensure that you | | | | won’t have to worry about down servers, |
| are getting all the room you need. | | | | which can happen frequently with free hosting. |
| Poor response time for support. | | | | But it is possible to choose a cheap host at the |
| Very limited support. | | | | beginning and move up as your business begins to |
| Cheap Web Hosting | | | | bring in money, but I don’t recommend it. |
| Advantages | | | | If you are serious about your on-line business, |
| Disadvantages | | | | then go for the gusto right away and get the |
| Server, software and network is managed and | | | | best. You can get professional hosting for an |
| supported for you. | | | | average of $25 per month. It might seem like a |
| Bandwidth restrictions. | | | | lot, especially if you are just starting out, but it will |
| You can select a custom domain name. | | | | save you loads of headaches down the road. |
| Shared processing power. | | | | Here is a first-class, high-quality site that offers |
| Search engines don’t view you as second | | | | professinal web hosting: Third Sphere. You will find |
| class if you have your own domain name. | | | | that all my recommendations are of the highest |
| Limited software. | | | | quality. I have been through the mill probably like |
| Improved response time for support. | | | | you have and now my standards are high. |
| Potentially limited disk space. | | | | Anyway, it doesn’t cost to have a look. |