Top 10 things to Consider While Selecting a Web Hosting Package

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Web hosting provides so many options, which are not really easy to understand. Particularly, when you buy these packages online, they offer different package in different ways and that is quite confusing. Here we have categorized different features of web hosting and it will be easy for you to understand things, which are important. Here we are discussing 10 different categories, which will make things easy for you.

1. Operating System

When we say operating system, it means the software which is operated by the host. It is responsible for the server’s working ability and try to utilize all possible parts like RAM, processing Unit and available disk space, to fulfil the requests which it receives. It is not necessary for the Operating system to be same as you have on your computer or which you are using to create your website. Actually, the majority of the management tasks are done by the Graphical User interface, so you have no concern with the operating system. Usually UNIX is widely used and you can find Windows as well.

2. Web server

UNIX Apache and Microsoft IIS are most common web servers, which are provided by web hosting companies. These two servers have advantages and disadvantages, and if you are creating a website which needs either UNIX or Windows, then it is vital for you. UNIX is an open source web server and it has a little advantage over the windows. It has the ability to work with many CMS and blogs which has PHP and other similar languages. So, if you need to work with PERL and PHP, Apache is a better option. If you have nothing to do with PHP and Python you can go for Windows too.

3. Bandwidth

The quantity of data transferred to your website and from your website is calculated by bandwidth. The measurement is taken after a month, usually. You have to remember that a common website delivers a little quantity of data to every user and if you have selected a package which has some gigs of data transmission in a month, it will be sufficient for you. If your website finishes this, it means your website is doing pretty well and you are earning much. If the allocated gig is fully utilized the web hosting company will demand some extra fee, you have to pay one dollar for every two gig. This is quite cheaper option, so you can go for that.

4. Disk Space

Disk Space refers to the bytes, which are allotted on the hard drive for the website. A heavy website having 100s of web pages utilizes only a gigabyte. It means, you need very little disk space for a common website. If you are selling a large number of items, thousands of them and the names and images of all products are available on your website, then you might need a larger disk space on the hard drive. Generally, when a website become famous, you have to buy more bandwidth and after that you have to go for an up gradation of available space of disk.

5. Domains

All the address, which are utilizing your web account are called as domains. Sub domains are offered by the all web hosting companies, The main website will be MainSite.com, while domains will be http://www.MainSite.com and related files. You can get DSN entries in your account, many hosting companies provide this facility, but some others have no such ability. You can buy some extra domains and get them in different folders, which relate to your hosting account. In this way, you will be able to run different website, which have nothing to do with each other. However, it will be easier for you to manage them from one account.

6. E-mail

The majority of the hosting providers offers email accounts, which provides you a relevant email address. You can also get spam filter, and web based email. Email accounts will be different and otherfeatures will also vary with different web hosting companies. However, email is not really important for every user, as a large number of companies re offering free email addresses on the internet. Some companies offer indefinite emails, however in reality it is not possible. As you get more and more emails in your inbox, you will need more bandwidth and disk space also, and both of them are limited. Eventually, you have to upgrade.

7. FTP

The protocol which sends files from your account and get them back too is called as File transfer protocol. This facility is vital for some people, but for others it is not really important. If you need to send files to anonymous buy using this protocol, it can help you, otherwise it’s useless. The majority of the websites uses HTTP for the transference of files. This is a good alternative to FTP, you can easily manage your account.

8. Database

Storage of data is very important and this is done with the help of databases. Some great websites are created with by using a powerful database, like CMS and blog directories. If you are planning to build an eCommerce website, you might need a database. It will help you to save information related to users, orders and items in the stock. Majority of packages offers MySQL. You can get it in UNIX and windows both. This open source database does not need a license for every user, hence everyone can use it easily. It will help you to separate data for your website.

9. Control Panel

The place where you manage every detail of your account is called as control panel. The majority of the hosting companies offers a control panel, which is web based and easy to operate. Moreover, they make sure that it helps you in understanding the facilities they offer. Different companies offer different control panels. Plesk and cPanel are two commonly used control panels. There are many reasons behind their popularity, like they offer good management features, but they are quite expensive too. Two of these can work on any OS, either its windows or UNIX. They make management easy, either it is  configuration of website or email.

10. Applications

The base of your website will be some pre built packages, no matter what kind of website you are creating. These packages use different programming languages. Some commonly used languages are Ruby, PHP, PERL, Java and many others. The majority of these languages is compatible will all OS, but they cannot run for ASP.Net and ASP. These two are windows, which need Microsoft technologies. Languages like PHP and Java are run by UNIX and windows both but UNIX operates them better, while windows offer cheap packages. Ruby is run by UNIX only. All web hosting companies provide just a few languages, so you have to check the hosting company for the particular language you want.

Hopefully, now you can understand different web hosting packages, offered by web hosting companies and can select a better one.

Tags: Web Hosting

Category: Misc