If you have decided that you want to create your own website and have a
particular domain name (web address) in mind, you will need to choose a suitable web host.
There are many providers that are low cost and charge on an annual basis, so the key is to know what you are looking for. Here are some things to consider.
Size/Disk space
The more information and features that you have on your website, the more disk space you will need. Gigabytes (GB) are a measure of the amount of space that your website can take up. You could think of it in terms of an online book shop – the more online books that you have, the more ‘virtual’ space you will need to store them. Your website may store information such as text, images, documents and videos that all require online space.
Depending on how much space you will need, a simple website might usually need no more than 1GB. As a guide, a 256MB memory stick holds approximately 250 images (depending on the resolution/quality). When looking at your web hosts, compare how much data you are allocated and whether this affects the overall costs.
Bandwidth
Bandwidth is the amount of data that visitors download from your website. Some web hosts offer unlimited bandwidth, whilst others specify monthly limits. Data is used every time someone visits your website, so it is an important factor to consider, especially if you are hosting lots of images, videos or documents.
Operating systems
The operating system is the technology behind your website to make it all work. Most web hosts use Linux or Windows. Linux hosting is the usual choice when using open source content management systems (CMS). The main thing to consider here is the web server. Every website and online service needs a server to store and process the information, so you need to choose an operating system and web server that is reliable and efficient. If a server is ‘down’, visitors will not be able to view your website. Look for a web-host that can offer uptime guarantees, for example, 99.9%.
Many web hosts also use cloud hosting, which is an internet based system which shares resources and software on demand. Cloud hosting means that web hosts use multiple connection servers, for instance, based on how much data they need at the time, so they are not over-dependent on one server or piece of technology.
 Compatibility
Many web hosts now offer websites that provide other online services such as emails or blogs. You might want to consider this if you want a more interactive type of website, or a specific service, so that it can all work together more seamlessly.
Monitoring and optimisation
Some hosts have control panels and offer user statistics so that you can optimise your site’s performance. Statistics can tell you how many visitors you are getting, which parts of your website they are viewing the most, and how much time people are spending on your website. This can be a really great way of finding out how to improve your website and what visitors find most useful about it.
E thics and energy
The IT industry has been one of the fastest growing industries over the last 10 years, which means it uses a significant amount of energy. You might want to consider whether your webhost is committed to or is already using renewable energy (also known as ‘green’ energy). HostPapa is the UK’s leading green hosting provider, www.hostpapa.co.uk
Customer support
Many web hosts offer online or telephone support. Check whether this support is part of the package, whether telephone calls are free or charged at the local rates, and how often this support is available (are telephone lines open 24hrs a day, for instance). You might want to choose a web host that is based more locally or within the UK in case you need to access further support. Some web hosts also offer a free web-chat service and online support through video tutorials or user manuals, so have a look at what is available and what you might find useful.
|
