| If you're looking for a cheap web hosting service, | | | | If they have these features, then add 1 point for |
| there are many companies that offer low | | | | this company. |
| monthly rates to host (store) your site. Some | | | | 2. How long have they been in business? At least |
| examples are Yahoo, Bluehost, Network Solutions | | | | 1 year? Go to Google and type in "Who Is" and |
| and Hostgator, just to name a few. Of course, | | | | type in the company name, like and see when |
| not everyone is looking for the same webhosting | | | | their creation date was - if it was more than a |
| features, but are all offers the same? The | | | | year ago, you can at least know they have been |
| answer is no. | | | | in business for a while and will hopefully be here to |
| Believe it or not, there are web hosting | | | | stay. I would give them 1 point if they have been |
| companies that have millions of websites on their | | | | in business for at least 2 years to be on the safe |
| servers. If you multiply that by the average | | | | side. |
| monthly fee of around ten dollars a month, that | | | | 3. Do they offer unlimited bandwidth? Bandwidth |
| adds up to some serious cash flow! No wonder | | | | can be best described as gas for a car. If your |
| they are able to offer special deals to new | | | | website runs out of bandwidth nobody will be able |
| subscribers with all the bells and whistles. | | | | to visit it. 1GB of bandwidth is equal to over |
| The information that follows is based on the | | | | 100,000 hits. The average website uses less than |
| widely used Linux server webhosting packages, | | | | 2 GB of bandwidth a month. Your bandwidth |
| although some firms offer Windows web hosting | | | | number used will normally reset back to zero on |
| also. Forget about the difference here, as it will | | | | the first of every month. |
| not affect you, unless you are an advanced user | | | | Similarly, do they offer unlimited disk space? The |
| and intend to create your site using ASP, | | | | more disk space you have the more files, pages, |
| FrontPage, the .NET environment, Windows | | | | emails, and everything else you'll be able to use |
| Streaming Media, Access, MSSQL, or any of the | | | | and store. Yes, unlimited sounds excessive I |
| other Microsoft technologies, in which case, you | | | | know, but if they offer it, better safe than sorry. |
| probably need to use a Windows host. | | | | If the company offers unlimited in both cases, |
| Remember that a web host is simply a company | | | | give them one more point. |
| that provides a storage area for your website. | | | | 4. Guarantees - do they offer a money back |
| Along with this service, they usually provide a | | | | guarantee, if for any reason, you want to cancel? |
| variety of obviously necessary and other nice to | | | | If it is at least a 30 day guarantee and they will |
| have add ons. Some of these include, bandwidth, | | | | refund 100% of your money, that's good. Also, |
| disk space, a sitebuilder, free website templates, | | | | do they guarantee your site's uptime, in other |
| customer and technical support, MYSQL | | | | words, that it will be live on the internet all the |
| databases, POP email accounts, Fantastico, | | | | time, or over 99.9% of the time? If that doesn't |
| statistics like Webalizer or referrer logs, more | | | | happen, will they give you a full refund for that |
| than one hosting plan and of course other | | | | month? If the answers are yes to both of these |
| features too numerous to mention. | | | | questions, then add 1 more point. |
| More specifically, we all want and need to save | | | | 5. Do they have Fantastico Deluxe? This program |
| money and we don't want to waste it, so, based | | | | will allow you to install over 50 scripts instantly. |
| on what is discussed on internet forums and | | | | Examples are WordPress, Joomla, discussion |
| elsewhere the most, here is what to look for | | | | boards, ecommerce, polls and so on. Most people |
| when searching for the best cheap web hosting | | | | these days build websites based on WordPress |
| plan. However, right away, it would be advisable | | | | because of it's search engine optimization features |
| to ensure you are not paying more than $10 a | | | | and available plugins, so using fantastico makes it |
| month for hosting, because it is not necessary | | | | easier. Give them one point if they provide |
| unless you want extra special management | | | | fantastico at no extra charge. |
| controls. We'll also assume that you only want one | | | | And yes, there are some free web hosting plans |
| website, but if you plan to create more in the | | | | out there, but do they place ads on your |
| future, best to get a plan that allows several or | | | | website? Do they offer 24-7 customer service? |
| unlimited domains. | | | | Will Google view your site the same if you are |
| For the list that follows, one point should be given | | | | not willing to pay for hosting each month (they |
| for each of the 5 items if the web host has | | | | know which sites are free)? Frankly, are you |
| these features. When researching hosting | | | | serious about your internet site and are you |
| companies, a total score of 4 is very good, but 5 | | | | treating it as a business? If so, then you should |
| is excellent. | | | | be willing to pay out a few dollars a month for an |
| Top 5 Cheap Web Hosting Service Features | | | | essential service. Also, if you want to build more |
| 1. Customer Service and Technical Support - does | | | | than one domain, do they let you build them |
| the company offer email, phone and live chat (at | | | | under one account? Not likely. All in all, it is |
| their website) 24 hours a day and 7 days a week | | | | advisable to skip the free webhosting for life |
| (24-7)? Do they reply to your questions within 24 | | | | offers out there. |
| hours or within minutes using live chat? How | | | | So, there you have it. If you watch for these five |
| would you know? Try them out, even if you're | | | | recommended cheap web hosting features, you |
| not a customer yet - send them an email or try | | | | should be able to find one heck of a good home |
| their live chat. Or, go to business forums like the | | | | for your website. |
| Warrior Forum and search for similar discussions. | | | | |