How to find a webhost for your website

Do you have a website but don't know what to do next? You'll need a web host to get it out to the millions of people on the web. Following the steps below will help you find a web host.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Website
• Working knowledge of basic website functions
• Budget
• FTP Software

1. Know what your website requirements are. How much disk space will your website need? How much bandwidth will you need? (Look at the tips at the bottom of this page for a description of these)

2. Know what other programming and database languages your website needs. If your website is programmed in PHP then your web hosting account will need to be configured for PHP, and so on.

3. Know what features your website needs. Do you want built in statistic software? Data backup? Nameserver control? Email? Will you need E-Commerce services? Many web hosts offer various features that you should be taken into consideration when finding a web host.

4. Calculate your budget. Your budget, along side website requirements, will dictate your web host. Although there are many free web hosts, it's probable your web pages will have to display ads. Also, these free web hosts won't have many features or software support. For a professional web host expect to pay anywhere from $4 - $10 monthly for an entry level account.

5. Choose a web host.

6. Upload your website with FTP software as instructed by your web host.

Tips & Warnings

• Try to find a web host with 24/7 toll-free phone support. If you don't like the hosts that offer this kind of feature then be certain your host has some form of cost-free email or chat support.
• Disk space refers to how much space your website uses. A 1MB HTML page will require at least 1MB of disk storage from your host.
• Bandwidth refers to how much traffic your website can receive monthly. Every time your 1MB HTML page is viewed 1MB is subtracted from your available bandwidth on your account. Be sure to sign up for an account with plenty of bandwidth, when it reaches 0, your in trouble.
• Look long and hard at different web hosts. Read multiple reviews for each and ask around. Don't choose the first one you see, you might regret it!
• Read the hosting service agreement before you sign up. Although long and tedious, you may find out that your not signing up for what you thought you were.
• Be aware of reseller web hosting. Many (but not all) often deliver the same exact products, service, and user experience as their parent web host but at a much higher cost!