Okina Dojo

Making an effective, workable website takes creativity, but it also takes a real knowledge of web hosting and how it works. There are more factors involved than just a creative logo and some catchy music. Here are some key elements you should keep in mind when choosing a web hosting service:

1. Kind of Security. Think about the many threats out there today, and make sure that your web host is protected so that you and your potential customers are protected as well from things like hackers, fraudulent transactions, identity theft, and other problems that can occur. Be sure that the place your web hosting server is stored is under strict security requirements, so that not anyone can simply gain access to it.



2. Technical Support. Look into the types of technical support that is provided, as well as how accessible it is. If you run into an issue with your site at two o’clock in the morning, will someone be available to call that can help you get it up and running again? What level of support is provided? If you call and only get vague answers, or if the response is, “sorry, I can’t help you with that,” then you’re not getting the support you are paying for. Find this out in advance so you can prepare for the worst or be aware of how to get the help you need.
3. Compatibility. Know in advance what platform and operating system you plan to run your website on. Also, determine how much memory and/or bandwidth will be needed. These things are the absolute key to making sure you choose a web hosting service that will fit your needs. If you end up signing onto a year contract with a provider who charges overage fees, or who does not function with your FTP software or other platforms, you’re paying for something that is essentially useless to you. Make a list of must haves, and include things that would be nice perks, and then base your decision from there.
4. Domains Rule. Look at how many domain names you’re allowed. Some e-commerce sites like to use a few different domain names in order to garner more business. If your web hosting provider allows multiple domains, make sure you know how much memory is included with each. Some will split the memory up per domain, while some offer unlimited domain names. Be aware of the different requirements ahead of time, so you can fit the website’s needs in with your plan.
5. Value, pricing, and contracts. Find out if you have to sign a contract over a one year period, or if your plan allows you to pay month to month, or by usage. Different companies have different policies, so be aware of this before you sign on the dotted lined. You don’t want to get locked into something if it doesn’t turn out to be the plan you want. Also, make sure you’re getting the most for your dollars. While price is important, the quality of service and the capability of the web hosting provider’s servers is also important. Look into other factors like penalty fees if you cancel an account, any maintenance fees that might appear to be hidden, and what happens to your web content if you do leave the provider. Be sure that your website information and content are private and that they remain your property, regardless of the web hosting service that you choose.
6. Emails: A professional website has emails that fit their domain (for example, Tim@ebay.com looks much more professional than Tim@hotmail.com if he works for eBay). Look into how many domain based emails you are allowed. If you have a staff of several people, you want to be sure that you can provide each of them with an individual email address that goes with your domain or website. Find out if there are additional costs for each email address over a certain limit, or if you can even add those email addresses over the limit at all.
7. The Type of Web Hosting. Shared web hosting can be inexpensive, but it can also cause a lot of problems. For one, this type of hosting often doesn’t offer the web designer much room to expand and grow. These are also more apt to be victims of security breaches or even fraud. This is why it’s so important to look into the security measures offered by your web hosting plan. Dedicated servers are absolutely the way to go if you’re planning on having an e-commerce business website. Since you will hope to have a lot of traffic on your website, you will need the best bandwidth you can get to avoid crashing the website. In addition, if financial transactions are taking place, it’s essential that the web hosting plan has the best security measures available to avoid any problems.
8. Price. While you obviously want to save as much money as possible with your web hosting plan, remember that price does not always dictate the level of service you will receive. For example, if you find an unlimited plan for $19.95 per month, it may offer everything you need and more. If you find a plan that costs $400 per year, it might not have the same required memory and support that you received from the less expensive plan. In other words, price does not always determine the quality of the services you will get. Be wary of free hosting, however, as this is almost always advertisement driven and won’t give you what you need.

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