subject: Is a Windows Hosting Solution Your Best Option? [print this page] When you are first starting your business, you know that you need to have an Internet presence. All companies who expect to compete in today's world need a website, and even if you are only creating a personal site, you need to find a hosting service to use. Most people who are just starting out know very little about web hosts, and they do not know the best host or platform to choose. One of the first things that you are going to have to decide is whether you would rather choose a Linux or Windows hosting solution.
Most people know Windows, even though they don't realize that it is a hosting option. People all around with world use Windows and it can offer many features to your site that Linux simply can't offer. Most options are one of the main reasons that so many people are choosing to use the former over the latter.
What types of options are there for the Windows users? Currently, if you want to use Java, FrontPage, and Windows Media on your site, you will need to have a Windows host. You will find that many of the other programs from Microsoft, as well as many other developers are Windows only as well.
Of course, with this type of hosting, you will be able to run a wide variety of other programs on your site as well. In fact, most developers create their products specifically for Windows hosting. You will also find that it is much easier to add interactivity to your site with Windows.
While you will certainly have many more options when you choose a Windows based host, you will find that the cost might be slightly higher than with Linux. However, the cost is not a major factor. It's still quite possible to find great web hosting plans for only a few dollars a month as long as you are on a shared server. Shared servers, where you share the space with other sites, are always going to be cheaper. Those who want to have a dedicated server of their own should expect to spend more.
Though it isn't the only game in town, Windows offers all the options and features that most people could ever want from their website. Compare before you decide, but most people, especially those who are new, will want to choose Windows hosting.
