subject: Finding The Right Web Hosting For Your Project [print this page] Finding hosting, especially if you have no experience in web development or site building, can be very intimidating. Choosing the hosting provider that is right for you usually turns out to be far easier than you think it will be. There are lots of methods that you can use to help you determine which hosting company will best serve your needs. All you need to do is take some time and do some research and before long you could be up and running. Here are some tips to help you get started.
What kind of e-mail set up do you require? If e-mail marketing is going to be part of your project your hosting provider will need to also give you access to services like list building help and automatic responder services. If you plan on having lots of contributors to your project you might want to provide them with their own, easily accessible, project specific e-mail address. This means that you need to choose a hosting plan that will provide you with enough e-mail capability that giving out a bunch of e-mail addresses is not a problem. Double check to make sure that the hosting company you want to use can meet your e-mail needs.
Is your mind already planning out your budget? If your budget is small, you might think about using hosting that charges lower prices (or is free) in exchange for putting their ads up on your site. If your budget is not one of your worries, choosing a more extensive host package could save you a headache later on. You might even be able to work out a deal with someone who is selling server space on their own account as well. If you work out your budget ahead of time, you'll have an easier time finding a host that meets your needs.
How do you feel about advertising? Do you think that you will put your own advertisements up on your site? Could you use space on your site to advertise for someone else? When you answer these questions you can begin to narrow down your host company choices. If you don't mind hosting ads for someone else, you might be best served with a free host-especially if your site will simply be small and personal. For people who are more interested in selling their own advertising and advertising space, a paid hosting plan is a better option. Some hosts have no problems with advertising on sites. There are some hosts, however, that have a big problem with it. Be sure that your hosting provider meets your wants and needs before agreeing to pay for space. From the amount of space you get to the amount of money you'll pay for it, the criteria for choosing web hosting vary depending on the person doing the choosing. Take some time to explore all of the choices that are out there. Instead of choosing quickly based on something arbitrary, plan your project and then explore the different hosting options that meet your project's needs. When you take the time to figure out what you want and need, you immediately start to narrow your search which can help make the process easier.
