Web Hosting Essential Needs
by: Joshua Mabilia
Web hosting, in simple terms, is a service that allows individuals, companies and other organizations to store information in remote server such that it is always accessible through internet. Information for the purpose of web hosting can be text, audio (like song and music), image, video (film, animation, etc.) and all those that can be transmitted via web.
Web hosting company offers space to store and retrieve information in servers, which they may or may not own. Web hosting server is typically located in data center that also houses communication equipment needed to connect the server with the world wide web.
Web hosting thus enables your stored information to travel from server via web to any computer across the globe. How do you store information in remote server? When you hire web hosting service, you will first connect your computer with the internet and then dispatch (upload) all your information from your computer hard disc to remote server via web with the help of special program called 'file transfer protocol' or FTP.
Not all web hosting providers offer same level of service. When you approach a web hosting company, you are likely to come across many options. Among many web hosting parameters, following are the ones that need close attention.
Disk Space
Similar to storing data locally on your computer's hard disk, web hosting company will allot space - commonly termed as 'disk space' - in web hosting server where you will upload and locate your information for access by all. Ensure that the disk space offered as part of web hosting service is sufficient for your needs.
Bandwidth
Imagine four people trying to pass through a 2-feet wide door at the same time. This is seemingly impossible. The way out will be to either widen your door to 6 feet or make them pass in a queue. This is akin to the concept of bandwidth in web hosting service.
Higher bandwidth in web hosting will certainly allow more amount of visits at any given time. Bear in mind though that if there is unprecedented traffic to your website, the web hosting provider will automatically resort to making queues. In which case those who stand at the back may not reach your website because the time allotted by web hosting server to each request would have expired before their turns come.
Control Panel
At the heart of web hosting service is control panel. Many a time, low-cost web hosting does not include access to control panel. This is not suggested because unless you have access to the control panel of your web hosting, you will not know or control many vital information.
A control panel in web hosting is nothing but a browser-based interface provided as part of web hosting service, whereby you can monitor your website. Notable among what you can do in web hosting control panel are access to log files and analysis, configure email setting if preferred, manage database if in use and monitor FTP user account(s). You will also be able to view spare and used disc space and bandwidth of your web hosting account.
Other Considerations
It is always a good idea to run a random check on credibility and credentials of web hosting provider. For a start, note whether the main frame computer and web hosting server conform to latest market standards in terms of processor speed, server space, data accessibility, server uptime and so on. Second, is your web hosting provider reliable? To check, refer to forum comments and feedbacks left by earlier customers. Do not hesitate to ask questions from web hosting company if you need any specific information.
Finally, consider if the asking price of web hosting service is reasonable. There are many web hosting providers in the market. There is no harm to shop around awhile for good bargains to be had. All things considered, ensure that you get good value for your money while deciding on a web hosting service.