How to choose the right hosting and what should we pay attention during signing a web hosting contract?

Which parameters are crucial, while we are choosing a server?

Before we' start to compare offers from hosting companies, we need to know the difference between the basic issues with which we can meet in the description of each server specification. There are 2 kinds of severs, that are offered by hosting companies: dedicated servers and virtual servers. Virtual server is shared for few users and everyone get some amount of space. There is nothing to worry about, because virtual servers usually meet the requirements of the most people.

VPS (Virtual Private Server) is a server with shared resources depending on bought package. Server management is performed remotely, using simple admin panel, for example Plesk Panel or via SSH console.

Dedicated server is a server from which we get the whole computing power for personal use. This solution is for the more demanding users. High efficiency and flexibility are its features. However it is much more expensive than shared servers.

The advantages of a shared server:

• Low price
• Constant administrative care
• Managing panel

A shared server is best for simple website, landing page, blog or small e-commerce shop.

The advantages of VPS server:

• Independent virtual server management (flexibility)
• Guaranteed computing power
• The guarantee of reliability

Server VPS is best for projects, portals and e-commerce shops.

The advantages of a dedicated server:

• Exclusive use of the equipment
• Guaranteed server parameters
• The ability to install own tools
• High performance

Dedicated server is best for huge, complex web portals, social media and internal corporate applications.

Space and server transfer (dedicated or virtual servers)

Disc space is a shared space, where we can store our files, while the server transfer can be explained as a used server resources. Assuming the average size of the site, 1 GB transfer is enough for 50 000 views of our site.

Web domain

Domain is nothing else, like our website address, that can be purchased from one of the suppliers and next implement in our server. We will not be able to use a domain without sever, exactly like using a car without a fuel.

Domain can be registered in one of the fallowing domain registrar: www.nazwa.pl, www.home.pl, www.masternet.pl

Management panel

Management panel is a key of a good hosting. Be aware of hosting providers, which don’t have mentioned panel. It's where can be created new e-mail accounts, added domains to sever, do a backup with our files and much more things without helping from administrator side.

FTP account (File Transfer Protocol)

FTP account is a protocol for transfering files on servers. We should obtain access to our account with administrator privileges from server administrator. Using programs like Filezilla or Total Commander, that are allowed on GNU General Public License (available free for everyone), we can connect to our account and send necessary files.

Database

Data base is collection of data saved in line with the specific guidelines. Assuming, that we would like to have and use more databases, note the creation possibility. Sometimes we might meet a limited option.

Amount of sub-domains

Subdomains are additional address, which will allow us to develop our website. The example of subdomain could be: test.merixstudio.pl

Amount of e-mails account (aliases)

By purchasing a domain with a sever we get the opportunity to create new e-mail accounts. Limits imposed by the company can cause that we will not be able to create as many e-mail accounts as we need at the moment, which will involve of course additional fees.

Handling Script technology (CGI)

CGI Scripts allow to install on your server final scripts and applications like forums, questionnaires or CMS in just few clicks of mouse.

Requirements – for how much or for free?

Specify exactly your needs before choosing a hosting company offers. Individual companies offers are very similar. They usually differ basic parameters such as disk capacity, data transfer and subscription fee.

There we also have free hosting, which is definitely not recommended. Just some of the many disadvantages are: limited transfer, huge load on the server and no support for MySQL. After few hours of searching, there might happen servers almost perfectly – having configurations similar to the paid servers but for free. However, by opening website on such server there might wait an unpleasant surprise – a giant advertising banner inviting to visit another site.

Google your future web hosting provider

Before we choose a web hosting provider, let’s get opinion from Google. On the web you can comaper the most well-known companies detailing in strong and weakness. In this way it will be easier to find the right hosting server provider or even a company that we could never heard about.

Security Guarantee

Looking for a company with at least few years of experience and with positive opinion in the Internet, we should find a well-configured server. An experienced Admin is often our last help desk.

Security Guarantee is also regular backups of our files, which in any case of damaged can be restored. Many companies offer daily backups in hosting price, but be careful – it’s not a rule! Sometimes we might find hosting, where after the data is damaged, we are not able to get any part of our files!

Test your future web-hosting

Almost every hosting provider provides an opportunity to test their services. It’s good option to check out what we got. Try to check if the offer, which was introduced to us, meets our needs. Make sure if contact with server administrator is quick and if they are answering on questions and needs. Moreover, verify mail or administration panel – does it work like you want? In any kind of doubt you can cancel the contract during test time. There is nothing to prevent checking few servers in the same time.

Conclusion

When choosing a web hosting, we should always guide by our own needs matching the requirements to the type of our business. For help in finding the perfect domain comes Google.pl. Before purchase, compare several offers from different companies. Don’t be afraid of contacting representatives, who help us in case of doubt. The last step, which you must take care of, is to test our future server. The trial period is usually long enough that we can find out without any problem whether the server is suitable for us.