Finding
The Appropriate Web Host
The first step in actually getting your site Online is to decide which type of hosting is best for you. There are a variety of levels of Web Hosting. Lets take a look at some of those now.
The first level puts your site among a number of others on a single machine, in a virtual domain that points at your site's location in the machine. This is called "Free Sub-domain Hosting" and you would not be able to use your own "Domain Name". These sites are free, however, you are obligated to have your host´s ads and sponsors displayed on your pages.
For small businesses just beginning to get involved in the Web, "Free Virtual Web Hosting" is a viable option. These types of services allow you to have your site hosted using your own domain name. The draw back being, once again, that you will have your host´s ads and sponsors displayed on your site. As your site grows or as you decide to develop an interactive site you will probably want to move to a machine with more resources and fewer sites competing for those resources.
When you want to avoid the posting of a Web Host´s ads and banners you should consider "Paid Virtual Hosting". Paid Virtual Hosting is where your web site is given a portion of a server, shared with other web sites. Virtual web hosting, sometimes called "Shared Server Web Hosting", offers a wide range of plans to choose from, mostly for about $20 per month. Virtual web hosting allows you to have your web site hosted on your own domain name without the inclusion of banners and ads.
The next step up is a "Dedicated Machine" at your host's site. The host owns, maintains, and backs up the server and provides all of the physical site security, power backup, and other aspects of running a data center. But basically it is your server and you don't ever have to share it with other Web sites.
The highest service offering in Web hosting is "Colocation of a server". With colocation, you actually own the hardware, but it is located in the host's facility. You choose the bandwidth you'll need, and the host provides you with the connection. This option allows you great freedom and control over your Web site however it also means that you are responsible for your own security and firewall provisions. You would not be protected by the host's firewall. You'll want to contract with the host or a security consultant for proper protection of your site and server unless you are proficient in the installation of security measures.
The next link is a very useful tool which allows you to enter your Server/Web Hosting needs and then returns you a list of Hosts which correspond to those needs. (Cnet's Interactive Web Host Chooser). Here is a link to another helpful site which offers a far more comprehensive list of Servers and Web Hosts. It works on the same principle of entering your needs and then returns you a list of hosts which meet those needs. (The List-The Difinitive ISP Buyers Guide).
Our Suggestions For Hosts
We feel that one of the better "Free Sub-domain Hosts" that we have found is 50megs.com. They provide 50 MB of free Web space and also give you the option of banner free web pages for a small monthly fee.
For "Free Virtual Web Hosting" as well as "Paid Virtual Web Hosting" we feel that Dream Host and Pro Hosting offer perhaps the best rates and services. Both are able to boast a greater than 99.9% server uptime rating, offer a 30 day money back guarantee and offer extensive lists of services.
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