Understanding the basics of web hosting

A good Web host will reflect well upon you

How your chosen web host looks after the server that hosts your site will reflect on you as the owner of the site. If the site is often unavailable due to unreliable servers, poor server configuration or even more traffic than the server can handle, then this will give the impression that you are someone who doesn't really know what they are doing.

Once our site is working and in use it will be viewed by everyone who wants to use it. But sometimes due to unpredictable nature of the Internet it may be difficult to view. If the site is a business site, not being able to view the website can cause a revenue loss. Personal and hobby sites could also loose revenue during the time the site is unavailable at any time, though generally not too much. Even sites that are not for profit can get a bad reputation if the site is unavailable or slow to use.

Potential loss of revenue is just one of the reasons for wanting to choose a good host. A problem with the host can affect the other services connected with the domain. Services such as email and FTP could also be affected, and checking emails may become difficult. Another problem is that, messages could get sent back to the sender and your visitors could come to the conclusion that the site no longer exists.

Service Level Guarantees

Getting the right host will definitely reduce your problems. A good host should inform you of scheduled downtime before it happens via email. Of course there is no way of predicting any unscheduled downtime, but many hosts will offer an uptime guarantee which will compensate you in some way. The hosts that guarantee good service will generally offer better terms in case things go wrong. To receive the services when needed, it would be a good idea to keep both a print and an electronic copy of the Terms of Service and any other important documents from the day that you purchase a new hosting plan.

If you are not able to monitor the site yourself it can create problems, but there are products and services available that can carry out various tests to check if your site is still "live". Even if you can prove that your site was unavailable to you or the monitoring service for more than the agreed acceptable level, you should always check the small print; if the problem was not your host's fault, they may not need to pay up!

You get what you pay for

Every host does not necessarily suit everyone. A server that is well suited for one of your sites may slow down another. Remember, it is in your best interests to find the most suitable server set up for your site that you can afford. Not getting a suitable host for your server can ruin your reputation.

Time for the next step in setting up a website

It is now time learn more about the different types of web hosting.

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