Different types of Hosting Services

*
Cheap Web Hosting

This form of hosting is the perfect alternative for you that want affordable quality hosting for your personal or small online business website.
*
Dedicated Servers

This is probably the strongest type of hosting on the market. Great for all websites expecting a lot of traffic.
*
Reseller Web Hosting

This type of hosting is especially popular among web designers that want to offer their clients a complete package.
*
Linux Web Hosting

Popular hosting alternative for anyone into Perl, PHP and MySQL. The hosting itself is cheap and qualitative.
*
eCommerce Web Hosting

If you are into the eCommerce segment it is important that you partner up with a reliable web host. We have listed the best and most trustworthy providers on the market.
*
Windows Web Hosting

This toplist is for all of you looking for the best Windows Web Hosting. Low fees and top quality.
*
Virtual Private Servers

Great web hosting alternative for all of you looking for that thing in-between shared hosting and dedicated server. Much appreciated among for example medium sized online businesses.
*
Server Colocation

This toplist is dedicated to all of you that are into server collocation. Quick and reliable solutions.
*
Shared Web Hosting

Shared Hosting is the most popular form of hosting on the market today. We have created a toplist with the best and most affordable shared hosting solutions.
*
WordPress Hosting

WordPress is increasing in popularity and getting a stable WordPress hosting solution is a must. Take a look at our toplist and compare the different providers.
*
ColdFusion Web Hosting

Compare different ColdFusion hosting plans to get the one matching your needs. A must have for all future website creators.
*
Java Web Hosting

This toplist is for all of you on the lookout for great Java Web Hosting. Read our reviews before you make any decision.
*
Business Web Hosting

Regardless if you run a small or medium sized business you will be able to find top Business Web Hosting matching all of your needs right here.
*
PHP Web Hosting

PHP is the most popular scripting language and through this toplist you will be able to find quality hosting supporting it.
*
Unix Web Hosting

Are you using Unix features such as Perl, Php and MySQL. If yes, take a look at this toplist to find matching Unix Web Hosting.
*
FrontPage Web Hosting

Combine Microsoft Frontpage with Frontpage Web Hosting to squeeze the most out of your creation.
*
Managed Web Hosting

Find easy and powerful Managed Web Hosting solutions with the help of our toplist. Compare all providers before settling upon one.
*
Image Hosting

If you are looking to upload and store images, Image Hosting just might be the thing for you. We have listed the best providers on the market.
*
Almost Free Web Hosting

Yes, it is true. You can find almost free web hosting right here. Take part of the different offers via our toplist.
*
Cpanel Hosting

Cpanel is probably the most popular control panel of them all and here is a list with web hosts offering it along with some great hosting.
*
ASP Hosting

Active Server Pages is still very much alive and if you are into this scripting language you should check out this listing with the best web hosts supporting ASP.
*
ASP.net Hosting

Millions of people are taking advantage of the dynamic scripting language ASP.net and here is a list with the very best ASP.net hosting.
*
Blog Hosting

If you, like us, love to blog it is a good idea to get web hosting that allow you to easily install useful blog-software. Use our list to make your blogging experience an even better one.
*
Mysql Web Hosting

As you know are databases quite useful for building dynamic websites but it can also be rather technical. These web hosts will help you with the technical factors making it easy to set up and handle your website.
*
Email Hosting

With email hosting you will get more functions out of your hosting than you thought was possible. Get hosting that supports IMAP, POP3 and SMTP right here.
*
Exchange Hosting

Want web hosting and an email service that is produced and offered by the almighty Microsoft Corporation? If yes, this list is for you.
*
Forum Hosting

The hosting industry is becoming increasingly narrow and hence they are now offering forum hosting. This is the perfect alternative for you that are looking to set up a forum at your website.
*
phpBB Web Hosting

This is a list with the best web hosts supporting the popular Internet forum package phpBB. Take a look at our reviews.
*
Joomla Hosting

Joomla hosting is constantly growing in popularity and here is a list with the best web hosts within this niche.
*
Drupal Web Hosting

Drupal is a highly popular content management system and this is a list with the best web hosts supporting it.
*
Free Domain Hosting

This type of hosting is the perfect alternative for you that are looking for a web host that is offering a free domain.
*
Multiple Domain Hosting Packages

Are you interested in setting up and maintaining up to 10 different web sites? If yes, multiple domain hosting is the perfect form of hosting for you
*
Reliable Web Hosting

All website owners want their sites to be supported by reliable hosting and this list will help you find exactly that – reliable web hosting.
*
Mambo Web Hosting

Mambo is a popular open source content management system and this is a list with hosting supporting it. Check it out!
*
Web Page Hosting

If you want to set up stable website with great web pages you need quality web hosting. This list consists of web hosts offering the best web page hosting.
*
Web Hosting Plans

This list consists of the best web hosting plans on the market. Plain and simple.
*
Mac Web Hosting

No, there is no such thing as hosting that is only intended for Mac users but through this list you will be able to find web hosting that at least is very suitable for all of us using a Mac.
*
Web Hosting Packages

Web hosting is not only “hosting” – you will sign up for a complete package. The web hosts offer some of the greatest web hosting packages on the market.
*
Web Hosting Companies



This is simply a list of web hosting companies that are offering their clients great web hosting.
*
Web Hosting Solutions

It is difficult to say what constitutes as a good web hosting solution as it depends on what you are looking for. With this said we have created a list with some of most qualitative and popular hosting solutions.

Local Hosting

n the list below you can find reviews of web hosting providers divided by their geographical position. This way you can endorse your local web host and it is also benificial for you since their support team are located in the same time zone as you.

*
Asia
o
India
+ Gossimer Read Review
+ SpeedHost
o
Taiwan
+ SinoHosting Read Review
o
Indonesia
+ iDot
*
Europe
o
United Kingdom
+ 1&1 UK Read Review
+ Aventure Host Read Review
+ Cyber Host Pro Read Review
+ Dataflame Read Review
+ FreeVirtualServers Read Review
+ UK2 Read Review
+ WebFusion Read Review
+ First Protocol Read Review
+ eUKhost
o
Germany
+ LDHosting
o
Slovakia
+ Platon Webhosting
*
North America
o
United States
+
Pennsylvania
# 1&1 Read Review
+
Illinois
# AN Hosting Read Review
# Host Clear Read Review
# Just Host Read Review
# midPhase Read Review
# Steadfast Read Review
# Ubiquity Read Review
# Web Hosting Pad Read Review
# SingleHop Read Review
+
Kansas
# Aplus Read Review
+
California
# Arvixe Read Review
# Globat Read Review
# InMotion Read Review
# LunarPages Read Review
# Super Green Read Review
# Mochahost Read Review
# DreamHost Read Review
# GreenGeeks Read Review
# Omnis Network Read Review
# StartLogic Read Review
# Pronet Hosting
# Gate
# Infinitely Virtual
+
Utah
# Bluehost Read Review
# FastDomain Read Review
# HostMonster Read Review
# PropellerHead Read Review
+
New Jersey
# DedicatedNOW Read Review
+
Wisconsin
# eMonsterHost Read Review
+
Massachusetts
# FatCow Read Review
+
Arizona
# GoDaddy Read Review
+
Texas
# HostGator Read Review
# Frictionsweb
# Kazila
# Lush Technologies
# Sprocket Networks
+
Virginia
# HostICan Read Review
# Network Solutions Read Review
# VPSNext Read Review
+
Ohio
# IX Web Hosting Read Review
# XLHost Read Review
+
Delaware
# Web Hosting Buzz Read Review
# HostColor
+
Florida
# HostDime Read Review
# Host Infinity
# Server Intellect
+
Alabama
# Ipower Read Review
+
Oklahoma
# Yahoo! Web Hosting Read Review
+
Washington
# Fazewire
+
Nevada
# HostKitty
+
Michigan
# ServerJolt
o
Canada
+ eSecureData Read Review
+ Gogax Read Review
+ Hostpapa Read Review
+ Ultra Hosting Read Review
+ Aeris Network
+ ClickHOST
*
Oceania
o
Australia
+ Jezweb

Dedicated Servers

Choosing a good but cheap dedicated hosting provider can be complicated, so we have made it a little easier for you. The list below is the result of our vast market research, our effort to bring you the best and the most reliable dedicated web hosting providers. These companies deliver good value for the money, have high commitment to quality, and have extremely stable server racks. Because every dedicated server customer has his own specific needs and requirements, it is difficult to single out the provider that will suit you the best. Therefore, we recommend that you visit the company websites yourself and have a look at the different hosting offers. Some of the companies have very cheap dedicated server plans so it is important to note, reliability and service do not suffer.

Compare Rank Provider Plan Price Rating Location
1 DedicatedNOW Core2Duo E7200 $189.00 95% United States Flag Sign up now
Read review
2 InMotion Dual Core Xeon 3.0GHz $199.95 94% United States Flag Sign up now
Read review
3 eSecureData Gen 6 Junior $99.00 94% Canada Flag Sign up now
Read review
4 XLHost Dual Core E2200 $69.00 90% United States Flag Sign up now
Read review
5 SingleHop ATOM 330 $149.00 91% United States Flag Sign up now
Read review
6 Mochahost Dedicated Hosting $129.00 92% United States Flag Sign up now
Read review
7 The Planet Celeron 2.0 $89.00 88% United States Flag Sign up now
Read review
8 Arvixe Celeron 2.0 Ghz $105.00 94% United States Flag Sign up now
Read review
9 Ultra Hosting Elite 1 $51.15 89% Canada Flag Sign up now
Read review
10 eSecureData Gen 5 Junior $79.00 94% Canada Flag Sign up now
Read review

Compare Plans

Results 1-10 of 25

* 1
* 2
* 3
* Next

VIRTUAL SERVERS

Virtual Servers or Virtual Dedicated Servers are also referred to as Virtual Private Server (VPS, also referred to as Virtual Dedicated Server or VDS) involves a way where the physical server is partitioned into multiple servers. Each of the multiple servers in effect carries the appearance & capabilities of running on its own dedicated machine. Each virtual server can be rebooted independently and can run its own full-fledged operating system.
virtual_server
Go4hosting’s Virtual Server hosting plans empower you the control that you’d expect on a conventional dedicated hosting service at just a fraction of cost. Go4hosting’s low server density also supplies the availability and reliability that you need for high-demand, latest applications. Go4hosting’s Virtual Server hosting plans present proper virtualized instance of the operating system instead of a containerized system. Enjoy maximum uptime for your mission critical applications with server virtualization.

Types of hosting

Internet hosting services can run Web servers; see Internet hosting services.

Hosting services limited to the Web:

Many large companies who are not internet service providers also need a computer permanently connected to the web so they can send email, files, etc. to other sites. They may also use the computer as a website host so they can provide details of their goods and services to anyone interested. Additionally these people may decide to place online orders.

* Free web hosting service: Free web hosting is offered by different companies with limited services, sometimes advertisement-supported web hosting, and is often limited when compared to paid hosting.
* Shared web hosting service: one's Web site is placed on the same server as many other sites, ranging from a few to hundreds or thousands. Typically, all domains may share a common pool of server resources, such as RAM and the CPU. The features available with this type of service can be quite extensive. A shared website may be hosted with a reseller.
* Reseller web hosting: allows clients to become web hosts themselves. Resellers could function, for individual domains, under any combination of these listed types of hosting, depending on who they are affiliated with as a provider. Resellers' accounts may vary tremendously in size: they may have their own virtual dedicated server to a collocated server. Many resellers provide a nearly identical service to their provider's shared hosting plan and provide the technical support themselves.
* Virtual Dedicated Server: also known as a Virtual Private Server (VPS for short) divides server resources into virtual servers, where resources can be allocated in a way that does not directly reflect the underlying hardware. VPS will often be allocated resources based on a one server to many VPSs relationship, however virtualisation may be done for a number of reasons, including the ability to move a VPS container between servers. The users may have root access to their own virtual space. This is also known as a virtual private server or VPS. Customers are sometimes responsible for patching and maintaining the server.
* Dedicated hosting service: the user gets his or her own Web server and gains full control over it (root access for Linux/administrator access for Windows); however, the user typically does not own the server. Another type of Dedicated hosting is Self-Managed or Unmanaged. This is usually the least expensive for Dedicated plans. The user has full administrative access to the box, which means the client is responsible for the security and maintenance of his own dedicated box.
* Managed hosting service: the user gets his or her own Web server but is not allowed full control over it (root access for Linux/administrator access for Windows); however, they are allowed to manage their data via FTP or other remote management tools. The user is disallowed full control so that the provider can guarantee quality of service by not allowing the user to modify the server or potentially create configuration problems. The user typically does not own the server. The server is leased to the client.
* Colocation web hosting service: similar to the dedicated web hosting service, but the user owns the colo server; the hosting company provides physical space that the server takes up and takes care of the server. This is the most powerful and expensive type of the web hosting service. In most cases, the colocation provider may provide little to no support directly for their client's machine, providing only the electrical, Internet access, and storage facilities for the server. In most cases for colo, the client would have his own administrator visit the data center on site to do any hardware upgrades or changes.
* Cloud hosting: is a new type of hosting platform that allows customers powerful, scalable and reliable hosting based on clustered load-balanced servers and utility billing. Removing single-point of failures and allowing customers to pay for only what they use versus what they could use.
* Clustered hosting: having multiple servers hosting the same content for better resource utilization. Clustered Servers are a perfect solution for high-availability dedicated hosting, or creating a scalable web hosting solution. A cluster may separate web serving from database hosting capability.
* Grid hosting: this form of distributed hosting is when a server cluster acts like a grid and is composed of multiple nodes.
* Home server: usually a single machine placed in a private residence can be used to host one or more web sites from a usually consumer-grade broadband connection. These can be purpose-built machines or more commonly old PCs. Some ISPs actively attempt to block home servers by disallowing incoming requests to TCP port 80 of the user's connection and by refusing to provide static IP addresses. A common way to attain a reliable DNS hostname is by creating an account with a dynamic DNS service. A dynamic DNS service will automatically change the IP address that a URL points to when the IP address changes.

Some specific types of hosting provided by web host service providers:

* File hosting service: hosts files, not web pages
* Image hosting service
* Video hosting service
* Blog hosting service
* One-click hosting
* Pastebin Hosts text snippets
* Shopping cart software

What is Linux (Unix) Hosting?

Web pages are developed using various kinds of platforms. They might be developed using the windows or even Linux and UNIX platforms. Thus, a web page that is developed using the UNIX or the Linux operating platforms are called as Unix/Linux based hosting. There is not much of a difference in the above two operating systems. It can be called that Linux/Unix is an upgraded version of the Linux/Unix operating systems.

Advantages of Linux/Unix hosting

There are many advantages related with Linux/Unix based hosting. One of such benefit is that Unix/Linux is extremely compatible with the PHP programming language that is gaining popularity these days. The cost involved is also a factor that is attracting a lot of developers these days. The fact that these operating systems are mostly available for free makes it really economical. Thus, customers can get some additional software's that are required for Linux/Unix platforms. Some of these software's are Apache, BIND, Sendmail and APF Firewall.

Some other advantages related with Linux/Unix based hosting include the security that is provided by the platform. The security that is offered by this platform is incomparable to that offered by Windows based hosting. Even the various developers have proved that this system offers a lot of control and stability over the operations. Linux based hosting is also very beneficial as it provides the developers with the ability to integrate various other things like Mod Rewrite, MySQL, Chmod permission, Apache Web Sever and even PHP. The important thing that can be noted about Linux/Unix based development is that the codes can be changed very easily because it is an open source operating system. Thus, the various people can easily change the codes according to the requirements and needs.

Reliability, Usability and Functionality

It has been proven by the various developers that the Linux/Unix based platform is the most reliable one and only depends upon regular maintenance. Thus, the stability and the quality related with these platforms won't be affected with sudden system problems. They even prove to be consistent as it secures the functioning of the web site.

Over the years Linux/Unix has developed very efficiently. In the beginning this system was really tuff to be controlled by the beginners and was thus, used by only professionals. But in the present scenario it has been made really user friendly and can be administered quite comfortably. Today the beginners will find this system to be very comfortable with the availability of the easy to use features and control panels. The professionals will find this platform really easy and handy providing total control and stability.

Linux/Unix platform is absolutely different than that with other platforms. It has the capability of handling a lot of processes that can be run at the same time. This platform also provides the developers to obtain more from the server. This platform supports more application languages than any other platform, even windows. Some of the languages supported compromise of Tcl, Python, Shell, Java, C+ + and PHP.

Important Considerations for Your Colocation Needs

After deciding that you need colocation, your work is far from done. There is so much that must be carefully considered outside of the price. This is a very important business move, and one that should not be rushed into by any means. When drawing up your colocation plans, keep this list of key factors in mind.

Proximity

Because colocation is a solution that provides you with access to the facility, it would be convenient to choose a location that is in the proximity of your place of business. Having to purchase an airline ticket or plan a road trip ruins many of the benefits this type of service delivers. Being that this is a service that isn't necessarily prevalent in all geographic locations, you may also want to consider options that provide you with remote control of your server. This will ultimately prevent you from venturing out to the facility every time the server requires a reboot or other minor tasks.

Company Track Record

Before entering an agreement with a colocation provider, it is highly recommend that you check into the company's background and find out how long they have been in the business. Some firms simply offer this service on the side, while others specialize in it full time. You can end up with a quality service in either scenario, but it best to consider vital aspects, such as reputation and commitment, when making such an important investment. Ask for a few references, and if the company cannot comply, consider this as a sign to move on.

Bandwidth Options

There are essentially two types of colocation: carrier neutral and carrier specific. Carrier neutral tends to be the most highly sought after variation, as it provides you with more flexibility in terms of bandwidth options. This basically means that the host is not locked into any exclusive bandwidth commitments with specific providers. A good carrier neutral facility will offer redundant connections from a nice variety of carriers, in addition to reliable peering arrangements with other networks connected to the internet. The more dependable connections you have, the better chance you have of eliminating downtime.

Stability and Scalability

Choosing a colocation facility with lightning-fast, scalable internet connections should be one of your top priorities. Your current bandwidth requirements may not be suitable once your business grows and demands more resources. Tier-1 facilities with large OC (Optical Carrier) connections tend to provide the stability and scalability a business needs to flourish with their internet infrastructure. It is crucial that you inquire about these aspects, as they can be dramatically impacted by a colocation provider that oversells its bandwidth for the sake of profits.

Data Center Features

The colocation features you require will all depend on your individual needs. For the most part, you want to keep your focus on data center features that provide adequate protection for your equipment. Some to look out for are surveillance systems, physical security, fully air conditioned server rooms, environmental controls and backup generators among others.

Rack Space

Very few businesses these days operate in static fashion. Therefore, the colocation arrangement that suits your organization today just may not be enough tomorrow. For example, you might only require rack space for two servers at the present time, but could need room for an additional three down the road. Can the provider comfortably meet the needs without costing you a fortune? Never hesitate to ask a prospective host about meeting such demands and finding out how quickly these upgrades can be made, and how much they will cost.

Cost of Service

While the price of a colocation service is not exactly the most essential factor, it is definitely of paramount importance. When comparing services, make sure you understand all the pricing terms and will receive all the features and services for which you have been quoted. Don't focus on a company that offers the lowest price, but instead one that offers the best value for your money. Once you speak with a few firms, you will quickly understand what is too high, too low or just right. After you have found a colocation provider that offers a fair price, evaluate them based on the factors discussed in this article to determine if they are an ideal suitor for your business.

The Truth about VPS Hosting

VPS hosting has become a popular offering on the web hosting market. The allure behind this solution is that it creates a common ground between shared and dedicated hosting. Despite its power and all the benefits, a VPS is not suited for everyone. This type of arrangement will cost you a few hundred dollars per year on service, but there are more glaring disadvantages that need to be considered as well.

Technical Challenges

With the typical shared hosting service, you lease a plan on a monthly or annual basis. What you sign up for is an outsourced, fully managed solution. The hosting company provides the hardware and internet connectivity, administers the server, and takes care of all the technical aspects behind the scenes. With a VPS hosting plan, however, you move up in status and virtually have complete control of your private environment.

While this can be a major advantage, it can also present challenges for the simple fact that you are responsible for managing the server, installing software, applying updates and monitoring security. This isn't much of a problem for the more technically inclined user, but could be a terribly frustrating ordeal for the less experienced. If you do not have firsthand knowledge of server administration or OS commands, you could end up out of your league with a VPS hosting solution you simply are not equipped to handle. The power of a virtual platform is sometimes too much for the needs and experience level of many individuals.

Hardware Limitations

VPS hosting can provide you with a much greater degree of control and better performance, as critical system resources are more adequately allotted. However, even though you get the benefit of guaranteed resources, there are some limitations that might be cause for concern.

Due to the similarities of a VPS and dedicated server, some have the misconception that you have all the resources to yourself. This is not the case. You are still required to share hardware assets with the other virtual servers partitioned on the machine. While this is not an issue for most, it could be for you, depending on the nature of your business. This essentially means that you are not guaranteed access to the memory you require at any given time due to an instance such as a log jam. Though very rare, an error like this can occur on a virtual platform. If these are disadvantages your business cannot afford, you might be best suited for a dedicated server in order to have all the hardware resources at your disposal.

Making a Decision on VPS Hosting

There are a few telling signs that indicate it is time to upgrade to a VPS hosting package. Maybe you are not longer satisfied with the performance of your current shared hosting arrangement. Slow response times are impacting the end-user experience, and you just can't afford to sacrifice quality any longer. Perhaps you are concerned about all the lingering potential security issues that can become a reality at any time and compromise the sensitive data on your website.

These are perfect indicators that the shared hosting environment is no longer sufficient for your needs and the time for change has come. When a shared server is no longer an option and a dedicated server is out of financial reach, VPS hosting is the rock that can provide a happy medium. And although virtualization will cost you a little more than the standard hosting arrangement, the competitiveness on the market makes it easy to find a plan for a very reasonable price.

Selecting a Host

Just like most web hosting solutions, the level of success you get from a VPS hosting plan largely depends on the company providing the service. When signing up with an unreliable host, you are guaranteed nothing but heartache and a failed investment. This is one quality that means everything when your business and web presence are on the line. Virtualization is becoming a commonplace on the market, and finding a service provider shouldn't be much of a challenge. What we recommend is being very selective in the decision process and comparing the services of as many qualified providers as you can.

The Crucial Aspects of Reseller Hosting

If you are looking to enter the reseller hosting market, the most important decision you make will be the web host you select. The level of services you are able to provide all depend on what the host can provide to you. As the "middleman," you need a partner that can support your business and drive it to success. There are three important qualities that make up a viable reseller hosting solution: reliability, features and support.

Service You Can Depend On

Reliability is extremely important in the web hosting business, and the same holds true for the reselling sector. Everything could be smooth sailing in the beginning, but once your business starts to grow, you may encounter some problems. It could actually be the success of your customers and their traffic that results in slow response times and presents the threat of unavailability. This is when the complaints start to arrive, as customers become concerned about the performance and availability of their websites, leaving you with no choice but to contact your web hosting provider for assistance.

Unfortunately, if you have not taken the time to seek out a reliable host, you could be in for a rude awakening. Perhaps the provider is utilizing inadequate hardware or takes the common approach of overcrowding its server with customers for the sake of profits. Maybe they take forever to respond. Each of these scenarios equals a disadvantage for your business.

There are many signs that point to reliability. You can start by identifying and then verifying the hosting provider's uptime guarantee. They keyword here is "guarantee" so you need to find out how you are to be compensated if the host cannot assure its uptime claims. It is also advisable to learn more about what measures are being taken to protect against system failures, power outages, environmental issues and security breaches, as each of these elements can severely impact the overall reliability of the service.

Functionality for You and Your Customers

Whenever reseller hosting is mentioned, disk space and bandwidth are the features most often discussed. These resources play a major role in how many hosting packages you can sell. Therefore, when shopping for your reseller package, you must pay attention to how much you are being provided and at what price. You need to plan carefully here, as not all of your customers will have the same requirements. Some may have moderate needs while others have demands that eat up tons of disk space and bandwidth. In this scenario, it is wise to acquire more than enough to comfortably suit the business as your needs increase.

Another critical feature of the reseller hosting process is the control panel. This software acts as the office that allows you to manage customers and your entire account. The control panel aims to provide administrative authority that permits you to create custom hosting plans, create, suspend and delete accounts, view bandwidth usage, bill customers and much more. Most notably, this software also provides an interface that allows your clients to manage their own individual accounts. The reseller software you decide on could either make your venture a smooth experience or a turbulent ride.

Other features you want to consider will be to accommodate the needs of your customers and your personal preference as well. Features abound, but some of the basics you may want to have onboard are multiple email addresses, webmail and file managing facilities. Because sensitive business transactions will likely be conducted frequently, you need to provide must-have e-commerce features, such as shopping cart programs and SSL for security measures.

The Backing of a Solid Business Partner

Support is vital for the longevity of any reseller hosting business. This is such an important aspect that you may want to consider testing the company's response time before even singing your name on the dotted line. Give the host a call or send them an email, as this contact information should be openly published and easily accessible on their website. The response you get and the time in which it is received can tell you volumes about the overall quality of a reseller hosting solution. If a host cannot provide an acceptable service and support, then they are not equipped to meet the needs of your business.

"Bluehost" hosting plan

From the business owner to the individual who desires full functionality on a small budget, Bluehost provides your complete web hosting solution.

"Bluehost" details | Review this plan

General Information:
Plan category: UnixHosting space: UnlimitedMonthly traffic: UnlimitedMultiple domains: UnlimitedFree domain: Free setup: Fantastico library: Phone support: Money back: 30 Marketing bonus: 75 Special details:

Pricing Information:
3 months:$9.95/mo6 months:$9.95/mo1 year:$7.95/mo2 years:$6.95/mo

Easy-Install CMS:
Wordpress: Joomla: b2evolution: Drupal: Special details:

Marketing Bonus Credit:
Yahoo Marketing: $50Google AdWords: $25Microsoft Adcenter: $Bidvertizer: $

Domain Features:
International domains: Multiple domains: UnlimitedParked domains: NoSub-Domains: UnlimitedSpecial details:

Email Features:
POP3 Emails: 2500 IMAP Emails: 2500 Spam Protection: Virus Protection: Special details:

Site Management:
File Manager: FTP Accounts: 1000 Backup: Error Pages: Special details:

Databases:
MySQL: 100 PostgreSQL: 100 MySQL Admin: PostgreSQL Admin: Special details:

Scripting:
PHP: Perl: CGI-Bin: CGI-Library: Ruby: Python: SSI: Special details:

ECommerce:
osCommerce: Agora Shopping Cart: CubeCart: Zen Cart: PayPal Cart: Google Checkout: Special details:

Security:
SSL Secure Server: SSH Access: HotLink Protection: PGP Protection: Special details:

Site Building Tools:
FrontPage Extensions: Website Builder: Website Templates: Special details

The Essentials of Web Hosting

The internet has become a common way of life for many of us, and every day, more users are starting to realize the benefits. This global network has opened the doors for users around the world to communicate, seek entertainment, shop and conduct business online. Many are leveraging the internet as their medium for connecting with the world – and the same opportunities exist for you. If your plans require a website, then you will need web hosting to accomplish those goal.

What is Web Hosting?

Web hosting is a common service designed to serve websites to internet users. Operated by companies known as web hosting providers, or simply web hosts, these services are managed out of data center facilities and made available to personal and business customers in various regions throughout the world. Web hosting is composed of numerous elements, and four of the most essential of all are the server hardware, web server, operating system and the hosting provider itself.

Server Hardware

Though technically a computer, a server is very different from your typical PC. The standard home-based computer has a single processor and limited capacity, while a web hosting server usually contains at least two processors, a robust hard drive and larger capacities of other vital hardware components. This allows the machine to execute much faster and simultaneously process more applications. When set up in most environments, this high-powered computer can run one or dozens upon dozens of websites with relative ease. In theory, a server keeps your website available 24/7 with redundant dedicated connections to the internet.

Web Server

Often confused with its hardware counterpart, a web server is a software application that plays a critical role in the web hosting process. As the name indicates, it helps the server hardware serve your web pages when they are requested by a visitor’s web browser.

Web servers run a method known as HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol), a standard communications procedure that utilizes the client-server model to facilitate communication between remote computers. For example, when a visitor opens your website in their browser, which is a client program, a request is sent to the server hosting your site. The server application then processes that request and responds accordingly, displaying your web page to the visitor. There are many types of web servers, but the most prominent on the web hosting market are Apache and Microsoft IIS (Internet Information Services).

Server Operating System

The operating system is the most important piece of software for a server or any computer. Often referred to as a platform in the web hosting environment, this software is responsible starting and shutting down the server, communicating with computer hardware and allowing the installation of various other software packages. If you are like most users, the operating system you are familiar with is Windows, the popular software developed and distributed by Microsoft. In the hosting arena however, several platforms exist, with Unix and the open-source Linux operating system being among the most widely used. Although the web server application is extremely important, the operating system is the heart of the server hardware. Because the platform acts as the core of the computer, it must be installed and configured before implementing any other applications.

The Hosting Provider

As a customer, the most essential element of web hosting is the company providing the service. The web host must be able to ensure quality and reliability in order to make sure that your website will be available to internet users. This is made possible by running their network operations out of data centers, complete with state of the art electrical and backup power systems, environmental controls and advanced security measures. They must also deliver a superb level of customer service and technical support to make sure you have a way to present your questions or concerns 24/7/365. Collectively, these features better assure that your website is secure and running smoothly with minimal downtime.

There are many aspects that go into a web hosting operation, and these are just a few of the key ingredients. You don’t need to be a technical wizard just to run a website, but knowing what makes this business ticks can result in a less frustrating experience.


What are the options for web hosting?
If you are just starting out and want no string attached, there are plenty of alternatives. Free hosting allows you to not only create a website, but it helps beginners, no matter how much experience they have. Although there are popup downsides and other annoyances, free web hosting will give you everything that you need. If you are not sure if you even want to extensively design one, Geocities or AngelFire is great to experiment with.

Shared Web Hosting

Are you looking for something a bit more customized? For many webmasters, shared unix hosting or shared windows hosting are the most favorite platforms. This means that an abundance of websites are actually on one server. While this only costs a few dollars a month, there are still issues that come along with it. For instance, if a fellow webmaster were to have done something illegal, chances are your website would be shut down as well. This is because you share an IP, which of course can be quite dangerous. For this reason, you must be careful when choosing people to share a host with.

Dedicated Server Hosting

While these are great alternatives, many professional companies enjoy dedicated server hosting. Fortunately, the website is the only one on the server, which results in a lot less complications. With freedom comes a plethora of features, which include extra bandwidth, visitor trackers, and your own I.P. As a result, you do not have to worry about illegal situations occurring within your server. Everything is based around your needs.

Reseller Web Hosting

Reseller hosting is another admired amenity. If you are a webmaster and are looking to make some extra cash, reseller web hosting is a great opportunity. In simple terms, you purchase a web hosting package from a company and divide the space into several sections. These sections can easily be purchased by fellow webmasters, who are in need of space. With this business in place, you will effortless make a few dollars.

Regardless of what you are looking to make, web hosting is necessary. From affordable shared unix hosting or shared windows hosting to dedicated servers with only one website, there are endless opportunities. Although most beginner webmasters assume that there is only one type of web hosting service, this article clearly shows how wrong the myth can be