Choosing a web host can be difficult for both the expert and beginner alike and so should not be rushed as otherwise you may live to regret your choice. There is a number of steps to be thought about, and then written down.
Why you want a web host?
First off we are asking why you want a web host, to launch your new company, or advertise an established one, taking up blogging or another personal use, or just want your own email. These reasons will all play a role and take into account when choosing your next web host. The operating system you wish to use, either Windows or Linux. You now know what prime use is for the basis to your needs. E-commerce will need to support things like PHP and MySQL. If you’re planning on using a merchant banking process will also need to be able to use an SSL certificate, this then keeps the card details encrypted. With blogs you would need mySQL and PHP, but would not need lots of bandwidth or disk space, if its just for personal stuff, then its down to you to know what your doing. If your primary function is email then you need to make sure you have more than enough accounts for your users as well as disk space and bandwidth. Providers for example as KDA provide business website hosting.
What is mySQL and PHP?
What are these magically things called mySQL and PHP? During everyday internet use these are all things you use without even realising your using them. Hypertext preprocessor or those who like acronyms PHP is used for scripts within dynamic websites. MySQL a common relational database engine, and is used to allow data to be stored and accessed dynamically. SSL or Secure Socket Layer is used to encrypt data and send it securely over the internet. But SSL has been replaced by TLS or Transport Layer Security but ultimately does the same job as SSL. SSL is still the commonly referred name as this is what people know and understand.
Bandwidth and data allowance
All managed hosting solutions will come with X allowance of data transfer. So we have talked about usages and some technical terms used. Now we go onto talk some even more important stuff. Your data allowance or bandwidth also needs considering. Normally this is shown in gigabytes, bandwidth can is sometimes hard to work out what your going to need. When you find a potential host ask them about it and say what your using the server for and how much bandwidth you need. Your site might be suspended or you get charged for more bandwidth if you happen to run out in a particular month.
Getting your new web hosting company
We know what your server is going to be for, and the spec and bandwidth to along side it, You now need to search for ecommerce hosting now. Get hold of a computer magazine and this is the best tip I was told, discount any web hosting company with a big shiny advert, then see what has been left, large companies will have really low prices but their customer services can be some what poor. Personally I would go around the internet and post on some web hosting forums and request recommendations for a package for your hosting. You should find you get feedback and reviews from users about the companies and so should be able to make a well informed decision.
