How to choose a web host

If you've ever thought about creating a website, I'm sure you know that choosing a web host can be a confusing task. But it also happens to be one of the most critical decisions you will make for your website. It's essential that you choose the right web host or all your hard work and designing could be lost and wasted. But how do you choose a web host? Where do you even begin? How do you know that your files will be safe? How can you know that you're in full control of your website at all times? Keep reading and learn how to choose a web host.

1. Begin by getting email through the domain name of your website. You should usually go with a host that provides unlimited autoresponders, pop mailboxes, email aliases etc. You need these so that you can keep in contact with your visitors and potential and past customers. It also looks more professional and official to have an email that looks something like this: your_name@your_website_name.com.
2. Learn about the uploading method. An online manager takes a lot longer when transferring large amounts of data. Always look out for a host that provides a good online manager, too.

3. Track your website's progress with logs. If you are a serious netpreneur, pay close attention to these. All good hosts will provide you with the ability to access your website logs via download.
4. Be sure that your web host has room enough for space if your website expands. Always look for a host with at least 25GB of space available with the option to buy more space if need be. Transferring hosts can be a difficult. You can avoid this with a little foresight and planning.
5. You probably want a web host that is speedy. Test the speed of a host's network to your location by clicking start > run > type in "command" enter, and then type "ping hostdomainname.com" and then wait for it to finish. Then wait and look for the average ping. A faster site will have a lower ping number. An average of about 80 would be good. Anything over 100 is very bad except, of course, if the host is based in another country.
6. You should find a web host that has a good customer service with many help pages and FAQ pages. It should also have toll free telephone support, and 24-48 hour email support or live chat. Don't choose a web host that has a bad customer service reputation. They should also have a good uptime guarantee.
7. You should be able to enable interactive features with the "cgi-bin" directory. This is where scripts are carried out. Without CGI scripts, there would be no functionality on the web. So be sure that your web host has running CGIs.

Here are a few other things you may want to do:
 Test out the web host's customer service before joining by calling in. The reason for this is to avoid hosts who never answer their phones, have a terrible technical support department or have absurdly long hold times.
 Don't choose a web host based on their advertised plans. Choose one based on other people's recommendations and experience. A cheaper web host may not be the best one for you.
 Be sure that you're getting a guarantee that your host will honor. Many web hosts give guarantees that are prorated or worthless.
 Choose a web host that has been around for a while. To do this check a "whois" on their domain name. If the creation date of the domain name was created less than a year ago, you may want to find another web host.
 Search for the web host's name on google for reviews by other people. That will give you a good idea of the type of web host you may be choosing.

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