What to look out for from a good web host.

Choosing a good web host is not just about price.
Beware of the hosts that look cheap and then charge you extra for every little extra or service. It soon mounts up.

You need to ask yourself a number of questions.

What size will my website be?

You need to be certain that the space provided by your hosting package will be enough for your website. In general most hosting packages provide more than enough for your use, but if your website will contain a number of large photographs or files, make sure that you aren't going to run out of room.

How much bandwidth will I need?

Bandwidth is a measure of the amount of data being transferred from your website (eg When a visitor views a web page, that information is transferred from your web host to that visitors computer). Web hosting companies calculate bandwidth on a per month basis. It is in many ways linked to the size of your website and the number of visitors you have. If you have huge numbers of visitors, all viewing large photgraphs or files, then the bandwidth increases very quickly. If you have a fairly normal website with pages of information, then bandwidth should not be a concern.

From my experience a smallish website will use up to 500Mb per month, a medium website uses about 2.5Gb per month, assuming that there are no huge files to download.

A lot of hosting companies do not like you to have a lot of downloads on your site, because that will use a lot of bandwidth. If you intend to host downloads, mp3's etc - remember to read the terms and conditions of your web host.

What email services will I need?

There are many email services provided by hosting companies.

Mailboxes (POP3)- These are individual email addresses that you can collect mail from using your normal email program (e.g. Outlook, Outlook Express). How many of these do you need. You will probably need at least one for each person associated with your business. Make sure your host provides enough mailboxes for your needs.

Forwarders - These allow you to forward an email send to (for example)you@yourcompany.com to say you@gmail.com. How many of these are provided. Are there enough?

Autoresponders - These are very useful for sending an automatic email reply when someone sends an email to a particular email address. For example a responder for orders@yourcompany.com may say "Thank-you for your order - we will contact you when it has been despatched". Make sure you have enough autoresponders for your needs.

Webmail - This allows you to view and respond to email from an internet page. This is useful if you are travelling and don't have access to your normal email account.

Junk mail filters - Are they provided. Is it free or an extra?

Will my data be backed up?

I know it's a bit technical, but make sure that your web host has proper facilites for backup etc.
Look for words like:
Load balanced storage systems
Redundant uninterruptible power supplies
Redundant standby generators
Redundant data backup

These things enable your website and email to be always there, wih almost no interruptions.

I want to use Frontpage

Make sure that Frontpage extensions are provided free of charge.

I want to create a blog, but don't know much about websites

Look for a hosting provider that includes automatic setup of standard blogging software like Wordpress, Geeklog or Nucleus. Make sure it's part of the standard charge. Make sure your host provides databases like MySQL as part of the package. Most blogs need a database.

I don't know much about creating a website

Look for a hosting provider that supplies a website builder package. You just choose a supplied template, add your text and headings and your website magically appears.

What scripts and code is supported?

Do you want to use any scripts on your website? These are usually is Perl, PHP, ASP. Does your host support these?

I want a shopping cart

Is there one or more provided with your hosting package. It not does your hosting package support the database / scripting language / software that you want to use.

Other items to consider

Do you need any databases? How many? Are they free or extra.

Scripts - Are they supported? Are any provided with the package?

Do you need password protection on any folder? is it provided?

Do you need an online file manager? Is it provided?

These are some good (and cheap) hosting companies that can provide these services.

	Heart Internet (UK) Low prices Great package, all the services and more.. Standard packages (from £2.49) and reseller hosting.
	GoDaddy.com Hosting Plans Hosting from $3.99 per month Basic package has great services.
	Powweb (US) Only $5.77/month for 300 GB!!
	Bluehost (US) Affordable Web Hosting - $6.95 Per Month - Free Domain - Free Setup
	Mango Hosting (US) Host multiple domains for low, low prices. All the services and more..
	Hostgator (US) All the features you could possibly want!
	Lycos (UK) Check out their offers.
	1&1 (US) Great Microsoft hosting. Get free domains, valuable software, free marketing tools, free online ad $. FrontPage included!
	1&1 (UK) Sign up for 1&1’s Web Hosting and get £400 worth of FREE software
	Hostmonster (US) This is the one to use if you have a large website or need very high bandwidth.