Obtaining web hosting

Choosing a new web host can be hard work for an expert or beginner, so you should take care not to rush your choice otherwise you may regret it later on. There are a number of steps that you need to think about and write down to start with.

What is your webhost for?

First off we are asking why you want a web host, starting a new company or advertising an existing one, taking up blogging or another personal use, or just want your own email. The above reasons will all need to be taken into account on going about choosing the web host. Which platform, either Windows or Linux you wish to be hosted on. You now know what prime use is for the basis to your needs. If your going to run an online shop then PHP and mySQL will need to be supported. If your going to use your own payment gateway then you will need to use an SSL certificate. to keep your customers card details safe. With blogs you would need mySQL and PHP, but would not need lots of bandwidth or disk space, or if your just using it for personal things then you would need to find out if you wanted anything at all. When its just going to be email, then your going to look at the number of email accounts you can have rather than just the bandwidth and disk space. Companies such as KDA provide UK business class web hosting.

What are PHP & MySQL?

What are these magically things called mySQL and PHP? These are different types of web technologies that you use without knowing it during everyday browsing. Hypertext preprocessor or those who like acronyms PHP is used for scripts within dynamic websites. MySQL is a Relational Database Management System, and is used to allow data to be stored and accessed dynamically. Secure Socket Layer or SSL is a type of cryptogrpahic protocol used to encrypet data before send over networks. TLS or Transport Layer Secruity has replaced the old SSL but does the same job. Most people still use the term SSL as that is what people still know it as.

How much bandwidth?

When you rent managed dedicated servers they are all supplied with a set amount of bandwidth. So we have talked about usages and some technical terms used. We move onto some more and quite important nitty gritty stuff. Bandwidth or data allowance needs to be considered. Shown typically in gigabytes, it can be hard to work out how much bandwidth you need. So when you find your host ask them what your using the server and how much bandwidth you may need. Your site might be suspended or you get charged for more bandwidth if you happen to run out in a particular month.

Finding your web host

You know the spec, and what your server is going to be for and how much bandwidth you might need, you now need to find business class web hosting. One of the best things I have been told is to get a computer magazine, discount any web hosting company with a big shiny advert, see what you have been left with, big companies might have low prices but can lack in the customer service department. Personally I would go around the internet and post on some web hositng forums and request recommendations for a package for your hosting. You will then get some information back from users about the companies and should then end up with a reputable company.