What’s a web hosting company?
If you’re a small business owner or have any plans of bringing your business online, one phrase you’ll need to become familiar with is “Web host.”
If technology isn’t your thing, don’t run away just yet! A Web host is simply a company that allows you to make your website available to the public 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Why do you need a Web host?
Without the services of a Web hosting company, you’d be faced with the responsibility of managing your own Web server. While most large companies keep their Web servers in house, this is often not practical for a smaller business. The primary reason is cost.
To effectively run an in-house Web server, you’d need a network administrator, a.k.a. “computer guy” who knows how to “set things up” and “fix stuff.” You’d need to purchase the actual computer that will serve as your server. Since a server is essentially a desktop computer on steroids, this is an expensive purchase.
If you plan on running your own Web server, any and all problems that could possibly bring your website down are your fault and your responsibility to fix. Viruses, a bad connection from your Internet service provider (ISP), or you spilling soda on the server can bring your website down for extended periods. If this happens, you’ll need that “computer guy” around to fix the problem. Since he probably has a million other clients, you can expect a rush fee when you call him at 11:30 p.m. in a panic. Guess what? Just like that old Damon Wayons movie, “Mo’ Money, ‘Mo Money, Mo’ Money!” If you’re not an IT professional and you want to have your Web server in house, you better have some to waste.
What services does a Web hosting company offer?
As evident by the name, a Web hosting company’s primary responsibility is to host your website—that is, give your website a home where people can reach it 24 hours a day. Aside from that, they also provide you with email accounts, email forwarding, Web-based and POP-based (Outlook, Eudora, Outlook Express, etc.) email access.
Most web hosting companies also provide domain registration. In layman’s terms, domain registration allows you to purchase a Web address (www.whatisawebhost.com) to serve as the address of your website. While it is easiest to purchase your domain from your Web hosting company, there are also plenty of companies that specialize in this service. Some of these include Register.com, GoDaddy.com, and Network Solutions. If you purchase your domain from a company other than your Web host, you will need to “point” your domain to your Web hosting. Keep this in mind if you’re not familiar with this process as it might require help from a Web professional.
Lastly, some Web hosting companies offer web design and development services. As a Web developer, I won’t say that this is a good or bad thing. Some companies are well suited for professional Web projects. Others are not. It all depends on the Web hosting company. If you’re considering employing the Web design or development services of a Web hosting company, do keep in mind the issue of client attention. The Web design process requires a lot of give and take, as well as client feedback. If your Web designer is a large company, there’s a good chance they won’t be available to dedicate a large amount of time to your specific questions. Further, depending on their geographic location, you may not have the opportunity to engage in a productive feedback session with your designer.
What do I need to know when choosing a Web host?
Your decision of which Web hosting company to use should be based entirely on your needs. What do you plan to do with your website? This question should be answered before you purchase your hosting plan. For help choosing the Web hosting company and plan best suited for your needs, see my article, “How do I choose a Web hosting company?”
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