Looking for a home for your web site? Here are a few things that I've learned over the years.
Free verses paid - Don't even look at the free hosts. It really doesn't matter what kind of web site you are creating - a free host will give you nothing but frustration and pain. The free hosts will always let you down when you need them most (some paid hosts can be pretty bad, but nothing compares to the poor customer service from the free services). Remember, you can get a very nice hosting package for around $10 a month (less than the price of pizza for lunch), so why skimp?
Bandwidth - Look for as much bandwidth for as small a cost as you can. As you site(s) grow you will find this is perhaps the most important factor of all (at least I did). Sites suck down bandwidth, and it often just seems to get worse and worse. I've found it does not do any good to try and calculate your requirements up front - bandwidth requirements simply don't calculate well. A good rule of thumb: try and get at least 20gb a month included with the base cost if you have a medium size/traffic site. However, it's easy to burn 50gb or even a hundred if your site gets busy.
Bandwidth Overages - Web hosts must have a method for handling the problem of their customers using more bandwidth than they have allocated. Most simply have an additional cost per gigabyte, usually between $2 and $10. This amount is almost always automatically billed (sometimes automatically charged to a credit card), and it often comes as a shock to see a huge (several thousand dollar) charge as a result of going over the limit.
Disk space - This is a little easier to figure than bandwidth. Except for the largest sites, a few hundred megabytes should be more than enough.
Dedicated or shared - If it's important that your site be fast, available and, most importantly, under your control, then consider a dedicated server. Shared servers (sharing one machine with multiple users) are fine for smaller or less critical sites, but you are at the mercy (to some extent) of the user users on the box. For a hobby or small business, a server run off of a DSL line is a fine alternative (remember, you will need a static TCP/IP address to do this). Shared services start at around $10 a month, while dedicated servers typically are over $200 a month for a smaller system.
Operating system - Choose the operating system that is appropriate for your needs. You can find Windows (make sure they are using Windows 2000 and not some earlier version) and Unix or Unix-like (Linux, FreeBSD and so on) hosts easily. The choice really boils down to do you prefer Apache (Unix-style operating system) or IIS (Windows)?
Web Server Platform - There are two major web server platforms: Apache and IIS (there are other platforms, but I wouldn't recommend any of them). Apache runs on both Windows and Unix-type operating systems, while IIS only works on Windows. Ignore the "religious wars" about which platform is best: both are excellent. What platform you use probably depends upon (a) do you have existing applications which depend upon a particular platform, (b) which do you (and your staff) understand, and (c) which do you prefer.
Scripting language - Do you want to use PERL, PHP and/or ASP (or something completely different)? Check out the services from the hosting company to see what is available.
Server Side Includes (SSI) - Do you need to use server side includes? This is a nice feature, available on both IIS and Apache. Many web hosts, however, restrict or entirey disable this feature for security reasons. If you need it (or think you might in the future), be sure they offer it.
User Supplied CGI - Many web hosts (especially the cheaper ones) completely disable the ability for the user to add his own CI scripts. This is because it's very easy to create security and performance issues due to simple mistakes. Some hosts offer only "their own" pre-written CGI routines (generally entirely unsuitable for any real use) - be sure they offer what you need.
Mailboxes - Many web hosts offer one or more mailboxes along with their service. Personally, I would avoid using these for anything significant. I have found it much more effective (especially when changing web hosts) to keep my email accounts seperate from my web host. That way when the web hosting company is down it does not effect my email (and vice versa).
Autoresponders - A userful feature that is provided with most web hosting services is "unlimited autoresponders". These are inexpensive email accounts which return a simple text email message to any and all senders. These can be very useful for article reprints and information requests, although the service is usually primitive.
Databases - If your web site needs to use a database or two, be sure your web hosting company supports your needs. You might need SQL, MySQL, or some other database, and if you find out after setting up that your host doesn't support it, you might have to move.
Domain Name - Never, ever purchase your domain name through your web hosting service. Every time I've done this I've suffered. It may seem like a great deal to get that domain name for "free" with your one year contract, but it won't be in your name - which means there will be trouble when you want to move.
Check out the forums - Most web hosts set up some kind of forum for their customers to ask questions, get information and have discussions. These forums can be quite enlightening. Now, every web host on the planet has some problems once in a while, so be sure to take the occasional complaint with a grain of salt. However, if you see a pattern of complaints, especially those which are not resolved, then perhaps you will want to look elsewhere.
Unless otherwise noted, all photos and text is Copyright © Richard G Lowe, Jr.