What Host Plan You Need

Do you know which web host plan you really need? When you start comparing web host accounts you normally will see lots of techie jargons appear in the site. Here is a sample of a web hosting plan: 1000 mb storage, 5000mb bandwidth, pop3 email account, FTP, mysql database, cgi, php, python, ssl, ssh, Front Page extensions and many more.

Seems lots of stars on your head? Giving up? Don't let the techie jargon frighten you away. You just need to know few items below if you are going to start with a simple website first. Throw all the Stars away first. Just simplified them.

1. Storage Space - this is the amount of space you are entitled and allowed to use on your web host's servers. If you are just starting out don't worry about the plan you select won't have enough space for you. It is ample for you. Trust me.

All you will probably need a web host account which is merely having about 1000 mb of storage space as a good start. The average website uses between 2-3 mb of space. As an example, one of my sites has over 500 pages and uses less than 5 mb of space. What if you have 1000mb? Can you imagine this?

2. Bandwidth - whenever someone visits your web site your web host's server has to transmit your site data to them. The space it takes up when your host delivers the site is called bandwidth. This is also called data transfer by some web hosts company. The more times people visit your site, the more bandwidth is used. Thus, the more popular your site, the more bandwidth you will need.

Most sites never exceeded their allotted bandwidth so you probably will never have to worry about this. If your site gets popular your web host provider will tell you that you need to move up to an account with more bandwidth.

3. Email - most web hosts plan offer a POP3 email account and either unlimited email addresses, auto-responders and forwarders.

A POP3 account lets you send and receive email from your computer using a program like Outlook, Outlook Express, Eudora, etc. That way you don't have to log into your web mail to check your mail. You can receive it and send it directly from your desk top.

Email Addresses (also called aliases) lets you create a lots of different email addresses using your domain name. For example, you could create you@yourdomain.com, feedback@yourdomain.com, support@yourdomain.com, etc.

You really don't need to worry about the email offerings since most web hosts offer all of this as a standard.

4. CGI - if you want to get a bit technical and offer certain scripts from your site such as "tell your friend", "Bookmark" this Site and etc. then you want to make sure the hosting account you sign up for includes CGI feature. This allows scripts to work on your site. Don't worry, most of the web host plan offers this.

You don't even need it as a beginner (I never used it until now). Just want you to know what is CGI.

5. Front Page Extensions - this only applies if you are using Front Page to build your software. Your web host needs to support Front Page extensions in order for you to transfer your site to your web host's servers using front page. Most do, but a few still don't. If it doesn't say so on their site, check with your web host prior to signing up just to make sure they do support Front Page.

You don't even need it as a beginner. (I don't want to know this)

6. PHP, Perl, MySql, SSI, etc. - if you don't know what is it, you don't need it. (I don't need it too)

As a matter of facts, all of these stuffs are available by most of the web host company BUT the most important thing is that DO THEY support you if you have some simple problems and don't know how to solve it when you just started with your first website. (Especially if you are a Beginner and know nothing about creating a website JUST like me, 2 years back). You really need a good web host services to provide the best service and guide you all the way to make your website success.

So, now you know what you need, what to look for and what to look out for. You are now set to begin your web host search. Not sure where to start? So many people asked me to recommend hosts that I prefer.
OK.
Don't register any Web Host if you have not read this, "how to choose the best Web Host"