subject: Webhosting can take your company to the forefront of technology... don't get left behind [print this page] Webhosting can take your company to the forefront of technology... don't get left behind
The 21st century has been host to an incredible development in online technology with the World Wide Web now boasting over 100 million websites. A company's market strength can now be mainly defined by its success online, with many smaller businesses failing to keep up with the pace of the new technological age. It is not unusual to be intimidated by taking your company online, because for the uninformed it really can be a daunting task. However taking your company global could be the key to its future, and its success. Below I will compile the advantages of going online, and for those already involved in the field, some things you should look for when contemplating buying into a webhosting company.
You're probably wondering why creating a website is so great. The main benefit of having a website is that it opens up your company to a much greater audience, increasing your sales, and pleasing your pocket. You're companies information becomes easily accessible to everyone around the globe, and potential consumers will see your business as authentic an up-to-date - improving your companies image. But what is webhosting, and why do you need it to form a website? Although it is technically possible for you to host your own website, it is more than likely that your home connection is not powerful enough to process information to the web. If you're hoping for your company to attract a lot of customers, your website will need to be powerful enough to cope with their visits. This is where webhosting companies come in to play.
These companies have very powerful web servers which they utilise in order to house your documents, and host your WebPages. Aside from processing your information, they can also offer you a choice of domain names (meaning you can link your company to a website name of your choice), and email hosting. When choosing a company to purchase hosting from it is important that you consider the following factors:
Features offered as standard: There is a lot of competition in the webhosting world so it is important you choose a company that offers you good value for money. Be sure to look for freebies offered in their packages such as free virus and spam protection. If you suffer from a lot of spam, some companies also include special filtering services with their email hosting packages. Are you expecting to have to deal with a lot of clients and emails? Auto responders are a great way to improve the efficiency of your business, and fortunately many companies offer them as standard too.
Reliability: Although value for money is important, you must not forget quality. Different companies use different web servers, so if you want hosting that you can rely on you may have to pay a bit more. Be sure to look for the uptime the company claims, and take note of the type of web servers they use. Quality - not quantity, remember that.
Support: If you're buying webhosting for the first time, the support system of the company may be of extreme value to you. Make sure you choose a company that bases its companies in the UK, and not offshore. Ideally you want a company that can offer you expert support 24 hours a day. The price of this support should not be steep either - some companies make a ton of money by keeping you on the phone. Opt for a company that has a free support system, and remain content with the knowledge that you can seek help at any time you want.
Although initially overwhelming, an investment into webhosting could be the saviour of your company. With the recession biting into all our wallets it is crucial that we maximise the amount we earn. So if you want a weapon to fight back against recession, be sure to include webhosting in your economic arsenal.
