Web Hosting

Web Hosting

Web hosting is a service that allows individuals or businesses to create websites, so that they are accessible to the World Wide Web. These hosting companies provide space on there servers, so that we the user can upload our websites to the internet.

Internet website hosting varies greatly, where the most basic level would be a webpage that smalls just a small amount of files that can be transferred up to the internet through a method called FTP (File Transfer Protocol). As this is an easy method of transferring files up to the internet, most internet service providers allow this for free.

There are many types of web hosting that you can get for free especially for setting up basic web pages as mentioned, but as you get more technical then you would need a paid hosting service. Typically as the website you are developing will get more complex, as it will need a database support and development platforms. The developing platforms are numerous, though the most common ones are, Cold fusion, ASP.Net, PHP,Java, Ruby on Rails to name a few.

These platforms allow the user to install code, for example setting up a forum. Most of the top web hosting companies will have some form of a control panel, which is easy to follow, and gives the user many options to configure there website. This will include email facilities, adding domain names to the control panel, using sub domains and much more.

When deciding what type of web host you need there is a different package available for every customer.

Free Hosting

This is a limited service for basic website creation, with not much space available to expand your site.

Shared Hosting

In shared hosting your website will sit on the same server as thousands of other websites, all sharing the same memory and CPU of the server.

Reseller Hosting

Reseller hosting allows any individual or business to actually become a web host themselves.

Virtual Dedicated Server

In this service a virtual dedicated server will be divide the server resources in to virtual servers, in a way that it does not trouble the underlying hardware.

Dedicated Hosting

The user will get full control of a web server but typically will not own the server. This plan is usually the cheapest option for dedicated hosting.

Managed Hosting

The customer will get a server but will not have full control over it, but they will be able to manage files, uploading them to the server through FTP. The reason why they do not have full control is because the provider wants to ensure the integrity of the server, so the user will not configure and damage the server.

These are the most widely used types of hosting that people use, and there is an option for any type of user, business to choose from on this list.

Cheap Reliable Web Hosting

If you are looking for a cheap reliable web hosting, then you need to look no further than Hostgator. Hostgator have a huge range of services catering from the complete novice, up to the professional web developer. what most people tend to look for in a hosting provider, is an interface (c panel) which is easy to use. They want cheap hosting and Hostgator is competitively priced. Its the old adage, you pay for what you get, and with Hostgator's outstanding support, which you can speak to live representatives 24 hours per day, you really cant compare there service.

If your a complete novice to building a website, then you could start off with the basic web hosting package at only $4.95 per month. If you have got your feet wet, and all ready have developed some sites, then you could go for the reseller package. This is especially good for eventually setting up a business selling websites. You would have access to your own control panel, and your customers would log in to a different control panel to modify there own websites.

These are just a few of the options when choosing Hostgator, but there is many more for different plans, such as business plans, VPS hosting. You can hire dedicated servers for your business, with once again good prices.

Hosting Options

The best way to recieve large numbers of customers is through online promotion. You obtain worldwide publicity with unlimited access for your firm, services or products you're selling. The internet is the number one information and shopping resource for most individuals. When you need to launch your website, you simply need a domain name and a n internet website hosting. And then your exposure is unlimited.

A domain name is the internet address your users will come to when they click to go to your site. These can be bought through a domain name registrar, or through your hosting provider, more often than not for around ten dollars per year. In terms of start-up costs and PR costs, this is great value for money, considering the numbers of individuals you will have access to.

Once you have your domain name sorted you need to acquire a web hosting service, or sometimes called internet website hosting. This service, often renewed on an annual or monthly basis, will store your web pages,images,plugins etc for you. Most hosting companies provide domain registration services so you can get a domain name through them. They usually also provide Email services and other functions.

Most hosting companies such as Hostgator provide different setups to meet every individuals needs. They usually are broken down in to 4 types of packages.

Starter Packages
A company like Hostgator has different start up packages for the different level of users. These include hatchling plans $4.95 month,  a Baby plan $7.95 month and a Business plan starting at $12,95 a month.

Reseller Hosting
These plans start at $24.95 per month and is for more serious users, especially people that want to sell there websites

VPS Hosting
These are virtual private servers that you can hire from your hosting provider. These packages start from $19.95 a month.

Dedicated servers
These are powerful dedicated servers that you can use that no one else has access to. aimed at the more experienced users, these packages start from $174 a month.

All the different hosting companies have these packages, so you can shop around, but I have used Hostgator for a few years now, and I highly rate them.
Ive never had any issues, and there support is second to none.