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Choose a Web Site provider

See our recommended Web Hosts

Identify your Web Hosting needs

Do you want to use your own domain name?
Some hosts force you to use theirs. However, there are some services that let you register your own domain name and house it elsewhere (even on a free Web hosting service).
Do you want a Web host OR to use your own computer?
Of these two choices, running your Web site on your own computer on your own premises is more expensive, more time-consuming, and should be avoided if possible. If you host your Web site on your own premises, it will need its own phone line and its own account with an Internet service provider, in addition to the account you use to access the Internet.
Do you want to be able to use a database?
You only need to ask this question if you are thinking of linking your Web site to a database. This can be tricky. We do not recommend a database for your first Web project. It's easier to start with a simpler site. If your database is large (10 megabytes or more) or is updated more frequently than once a day, you may want to host your Web site on its own computer on your own premises instead of using a Web Host.

Gather a pool of Web host candidates

The company you use to reach the Internet to look up information will probably not be the same company that hosts your Web site. Many use one provider to connect to the Internet and a second, specialized provider (called a "Web Host") to host their Web sites.
Ask people you know who already have a Web site
If they are doing something on the Web similar to what you want to do, ask who hosts their site. Are they satisfied?
Ask local computer user groups
Look at ads in computer magazines and the Yellow Pages
Look at directories & search engines on the Internet

Eliminate hosts that don't meet your needs

Print out a list of questions to ask each candidate.
Estimate how much disk space you will need
If you attract many visitors, your Web site will need a faster connection. If you use large graphics, audio, or multimedia, you will need more disk space and a faster connection.
Does each Host provide 24-hr phone support, 7 days a week?
This is crucial. Don't even think of any Web Host without 24-hour phone support. Voicemail and pagers don't count.
Does the Web Host allow Web pages to use CGI scripts?
You need to ask this question only if you plan for your pages to use CGI or Java, which some providers do not allow. Secure credit card transactions require CGI scripts. You may not need Java; most Web sites don't.
Does the Host provide tutorials new users?
Does the Web Host offer any special services?
Don't depend on Web Hosts to promote your Web site to attract visitors. Web Hosts that offer this service do not perform it as effectively as Web site promotion agencies. For more information, open the project "Attract Visitors to My Web Site".

Are reports provided showing Web site traffic?

If you cannot measure visitor traffic, you cannot effectively improve the results that your Web site generates.
Do reports show hits on my overall site, or each page & file?
A report showing only hits for your overall site is worthless. Data must be reported for each individual graphics and text file.
Are reports generated daily, weekly or monthly?
Is there an extra fee for reports?

Get price quotes from at least 3 hosts

Is there an initial setup fee, and if so, how much?
What does the setup fee cover?
How much is the charge per month?
How much disk space does the monthly charge include? What is the rate for extra space?
Is there a fee for the number of times my site is accessed?
Is there a per-megabyte fee for the data transferred?
Can I use my own domain name? Is there a fee for this?
Domain names can be important.
Does the provider back up Web sites? If so, how often?
A technical failure can wipe out your site.
Does the Host provide software to manage your site?
Site management software is worth paying extra. Make sure you get more than just HTML editing software. HTML editing software is NOT worth paying extra.
Does the provider offer any special services?

Compare prices and services

Be suspicious of a price drastically lower than others. Reliability and access speed can be critical, particularly as your site grows.
Call technical support yourself
See how long it takes you to reach a live human
Eliminate all but a small number of finalists
Call people and get uncensored opinions
Ask each client what the Web Host could have done better. If the client had to do it again, what would the client do differently? What kind of service has the client received recently? Would the client use this Web Host again?
Visit client sites and see if pages are delivered to you quickly
If client sites from all potential Web Hosts arrive slowly, the problem might not be with the Web Hosts, but that your Internet access provider is overloaded and slow.

Make your selection

Avoid getting stuck in a long-term contract
Some Web Hosts offer a discount for a one-year or six-month contract. When you first start with a provider, stick to a three-month or month-to-month agreement. If the Web Host is not satisfactory, you don't want to be trapped for a year.