subject: .finding The Right Web Hosting For Your Project [print this page] Pretty much anyone can put together a websitePretty much anyone can put together a website. If you don't mind including your web host's company name in your domain name, you might even be able to get some web server space without paying any money out of pocket. Think about this for just a minute. How many blogs or websites have a url made of something like companyname.username.com? Obviously if you are building a serious website or project, you'll want to buy your own hosting. Getting hosting for your project is the best way to keep your options open. Not all hosting companies are created equal though! Choosing your hosting is a decision that needs to be taken seriously. Keep reading for tips to make choosing a host an easier process.
Do your research. You will encounter hundreds (or even thousands) of different hosting companies that will all offer you dozens of web hosting packages to choose from. Take your time as you research each of the companies that seems like they might be promising. Look for information on those companies in both online and offline publications. Try to find user reviews. Check into their business practices. Do not worry-you will never learn too much about your options. Remember, these are companies that will potentially have access to your bank account and private information! Ask a bunch of questions. Contact each of the hosting companies on your list. Talk to someone in their customer service department. Forget using any company that won't let you talk to a real person! Any company worth trusting will let you have an actual conversation with a live person. If a hosting company is legitimate it will provide you with a way to contact a live employee and allow you and that employee to have an impromptu conversation-if this is not provided the company is probably just another internet scam. Even a small operation will be run by at least one person. The time to choose another company is the time when you realize that you cannot make real contact with a live person.
How do you feel about advertising? Did you plan on selling your own advertising on your web property? Have you thought about hosting ads for another web developer? The answers to these questions will help you figure out which hosting is best for you. If you don't have any strong feelings about showcasing someone else's advertisements on your site and your site is going to be small and personal, you should take advantage of some of the free hosting packages that are out there. Paid hosting is also available for people who do not wish to showcase outside advertising or who want to sell their own advertising space for a profit. Some hosts have no problems with advertising on sites. Other hosts prohibit ads on sties. Be sure that your hosting provider meets your wants and needs before agreeing to pay for space. Making sure that your web hosting company does not take advantage of you can be complicated. It is better to be too careful than to get taken advantage of. There is no such thing as asking too many questions or being too careful. Remember, this is a service that you will be paying for. Don't share your private information or bank account information with a company that you do not trust. The last thing you need is to trust someone who simply turns around and sells your information or uses it for bad things. Identity thieves lurk around every corner! You can't be too careful.
