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Step
2 - How to Choose a Web Host?
- Choose a Web Host
Once you have your domain name, you will need to choose a web
host. It is very important that you choose a good web host.
Good doesn't mean expensive. Good means reliable with great
support.
What
is a Web Host?
How to Choose a Good Web Host?
Web Host Do's and Don'ts
Recommended Web Hosts
- What is a Web Host?
A web host stores the web site you create on their servers and
transmits it to the internet so that when someone types in your
domain name, your web site appears. A server is just a fancy
computer that "serves up" your web site to the internet.
- How to Choose a Good Web Host?
Again, I can't stress how important it is that you choose
a good web host. But, let's face it - how do you know if a web
host is good or not? They all look pretty much the same and
they seem like they know what they are doing, right? Well, there
is one thing you can check on before you sign up and luckily
it's one of the most important things.
When you choose a web host, make sure they have excellent support.
If you have a problem with your web site you want help now,
not in a day or two.
Personally, I refuse to choose a web host that I can't get on
the phone in an emergency. Some web hosts are sneaky and they
put a phone number on their web site, but it's just for show.
They don't always answer or they advertise 24/7 support but
are actually only around Monday-Friday. When I first started
out, my site went down on a Friday afternoon and I called ALL
weekend and all I got was hold music. They put me on hold, but
no one was there! Needless to say that was it for that web host.
So, how can you tell how responsive the web host you are considering
actually is? You test them. If they have a phone number (and
they should) call them late at night or on weekends to see if
they are really there.
Also, send an e-mail to their support e-mail address (not their
sales e-mail) and ask them a basic question like "How many
e-mail addresses am I allowed?" and see how long it takes
them to get back to you. For a non-emergency email like that
I think up to 8 hours is acceptable. If you send the e-mail
on Saturday and they don't get back to you until Monday, that
isn't good. If they take more than 12 hours and either don't
have phone support or aren't answering, choose another web host.
- Web Host Do's and Don'ts
The type of website you want will determine the type of
hosting plan you will need. i.e.; windows vs. ecommerce vs.
PHP. Tell us what type of page you want & we'll let you
know what you need, and don't need. Once you choose a web host,
then you will have to decide what plan you want.
Don't transfer control of your domain name to a web host. Always
keep your domain name with your domain registrar. Let me repeat
that - always keep your domain name with your domain registrar.
Yes, it's that important. If you are unhappy with your web host's
service and want to go to another web host, you will need to
get them to release your name to the new host. They have no
incentive to do this. Some web hosts, not all, have been known
to drag their feet and take weeks to release a name.
Another reason not to transfer control to someone else is that
if you do, it almost always will end up costing you more. Web
hosts make their money through domain name renewals. Some charge
as much as $70 for this.
- Recommended Web Hosts
Host Way
Act Now Domains
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