Choosing a Web Host

What is a Web Host?

Web hosting has become a "commodity" type service. A commodity product is like gasoline or sugar. There are so many companies offering web hosting, and the services look so much alike, that it seems very difficult to choose the one that is best for your unique web hosting needs. This page contains some important factors that you should consider when choosing a web host and some anecdotal experiences to illustrate what can go right and wrong with a web hosting company.

You may find yourself looking for a web host because
     1) you don't have a site yet, but are working on starting one;
     2) you have a site and your web host is not satisfactory;
     3) you are considering rebuilding your web site, and are looking into alternative options for your new site.

1. Take Control
If you don't feel that you are "technical enough" to find a web host, you should work with someone who can help and advise you. However, in the long run, you - as the site owner - will have to deal with any nightmares that result from your web host. If you ignore the situation with, "I don't know anything about that," you will pay with extra frustration and helplessness. The time you spend learning about web hosting will save you a great deal of trouble later on.

2. Technologies Matter
Technology Inventory
Before you look for a web host, you should know what technologies are used (or will be used) on your web site. There are many different technology options for web sites, but not every web host has the equipment to run every available technology. So, the first thing is to make a list of the functionality of your web site. Use the page linked above to help you either take an inventory, or make decisions about your technologies. Documenting your site functionality is a normal part of the development process.

• If your web site is "static" there are no programmed features, such as online forms, shopping cart, slideshows. This type of site can go on most any web server.
• If you use small Flash movies on your web site, server technologies are not usually an issue because the Flash movie is sent to the viewer's computer, which deals with it. However, if your site is completely built in Flash, it may have a database or other programming in the backend.
• If your web site will use "free" scripts, they will be written in a particular scripting language, such as PHP, ASP, JSP, Perl, or many others. You need to be sure that your webhost has the correct technology to process that language.
  - Example 1: the Zinkwazi slideshow (free) is written in PHP. One of the servers I planned to install it on had PHP 3.x, but the slideshow uses $_GET, which isn't available with that version of PHP.
  - Example 2: Sometimes the problems with running a script have to do with "permissions" or other settings in the server. If you web host does not give you an easy way to access the settings, you will have to go through their technical support to make those changes. Technical support at web hosting companies is another issue!

* More about Predefined PHP Variables