Chapter 3 - Choosing a Host
Choosing a HostTo put your page on the Internet, you need a host. What host you choose can vary, depending on the goal of your page. To make it easier to choose, I have created a list of type of sites you might make, along with the recommended requirements for your host.
This would be your homepage - your spot on the Internet. You could put your personal information, pictures of your family, your favorite links, etc. here. Here are my recommended requirements for your host.
Disk Space: At least 10-20 mb. Minimum. If you have a lot of photos, you might need more.
Transfer: At least 200 mb. Depends on how popular you are :)
Languages: Probably CGI, others optional. If you want a guest-book, forum, or other cool stuff, you need CGI support.
Support: Yes. You probably will need some help.
Domain Registration: Optional. Domain Registration discussed later. www.yourname.com
Email: Optional, if you have a domain, you probably want it so you can be: firstname@yourname.com .
Price: $0 - $5 a month. Judging by these requirements, you can have a free host, or an low cost host - depending on if you mind banner ads.
This would be a hobby site - like a clan site for your favorite game. Depending on the type of site, your requirements could change. Here are the recommended requirements.
Disk Space: At least 10-100 mb. Minimum. Depends on the size of your site.
Transfer: At least 500 mb. Again, it depends on how popular you are :)
Languages: Definitely CGI, others optional. If you want a guest-book, forum, or other cool stuff, you need CGI support.
Support: Yes. You probably will need some help.
Domain Registration: Optional. Domain Registration discussed later. www.yourname.com
Email: Optional, if you have a domain, you probably want it so you can be: firstname@yourclan.com .
Price: $0 - $5 a month. Judging by these requirements, you can have a free host, or an low cost host - depending on if you mind banner ads.
This would be a small business site - either with no store front, or a few local stores. Here are some recommended requirements:
Disk Space: At least 100 mb. Minimum. Depends on the size of your site, and if you will list all of your products.
Transfer: At least 1000 mb. More if site is popular.
Languages: Definitely CGI, others optional. If you want a shopping cart, you need CGI.
Support: Yes.
Domain Registration: Yes. Domain Registration discussed later. www.yourname.com
Email: Optional, if you have a domain, you probably want it so you can be: firstname@yourstore.com .
Price: $5 - $100 a month. You can range from a cheap host, to your own server.
It would be unlikely that a large business would want to create their own web site, so I won’t bother listing the requirements. You would be better to hire a professional.
Finding a Host
Now that you know the requirements of your host, you need to search for one. Ask other people with the same type of web page what host they have, and whether they recommend them or not. If you are making a home-page or personal page, you could probably go with a free host.
Your best resource is my guide to choosing a host, which has a collection of only the very best hosts for great prices. Check it out!
For a list of awesome web hosts that meet these requirements, click here!
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