The purpose of this article is to help you determe your web hosting requirements.
At one time, website hosting plans were determined by the amount of web space and bandwidth you thought you would need. You still need those things, but technology has helped us to downplay them.
Now, one of the most important things the host considers is the amount of server memory required. So, Unlimited Space and Bandwidth (for a good discussion on web space and bandwidth, see our download article for What Happened to Web Space & Bandwidth?) is said to be Unlimited!
Unlimited bandwidth and web space is really a misnomer. Your server is a physical machine and can only produce a given amount of resources. And your website takes up some of them. And when a visitor downloads your pages, it takes up some more resources.
Unlimited gives the idea that you have all the bandwidth in the world. Because of this misnomer, some hosts began using terms as Unmeasured or Unmetered so as not to misrepresent the truth about limited resources. Check the host’s policy carefully. You will find something there that will tell you what they monitor in order to control their server resources and protect their other clients’ accounts.
As site owners, we usually make our decisions about a hosting plan based upon how many special features or free tools come with the plan as: a free domain, number of email accounts, databases, web scripts, site building program, etc. You should check closely about freebies and see if there are any hidden costs. For example, a free domain may not be registered in your name, or a free design may come with advertisements on your pages that are not appropriate for your business. Just check out free stuff closely.
Here is another tip and some questions that Inphase encourages you to follow when you start looking for a webhost.
Call the host and talk to them, asking them plenty of questions as:
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Does the host offer any kind of trial period or guarantee
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What type of support system do they have in place
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Is there a contract involved (If you were to terminate your service in the middle of the term, what would happen)
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What server resource is measured to monitor hosting activities that are over and beyond allowed usage
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Is there anything else I should consider to be important
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Why should I choose your company to be my host
A good web host will offer you good services and help you if you have any hosting problems.
