What Web Hosting Services
Do You REALLY Need?

Typically, business owners new to the Internet will purchase far more power than is needed to efficiently run their online enterprise. Added to this problem is getting an online host far too early in the process.

Let me explain...

Once a business owner decides to "go live" on the Internet, one of the first things they do is get a Web hosting service provider.

WHY?

What are they going to put online?

Wouldn't it be a good idea to build the Web site FIRST? Not to mention that building a creditable Web presence takes quite a bit of time. So why pay for services you are not quite ready to use?

My suggestion is to write most of the content for your Web site BEFORE paying for hosting services. This way you will have a pretty good idea of how much storage space will be required to host your site.

Check out the numbers...

Most Web hosting plans start with a basic package that allows 10 megabytes of storage.

Putting this into perspective, if an average Web page was say 100 kilobytes (100,000 bytes) including graphics, 10 megabytes (10 million bytes) of storage could hold 100 Web pages.

Fifty megabytes of storage could hold 500 Web pages.

Simply add up all of the file sizes, including graphics, and then add about 20-30% for expansion and growth.

So, how much storage will you "really" need?

Generally, with most Web hosting services, you can always upgrade to the next-level-plan for additional storage space later, if you need it.

This brings us to another question...

Now most of us would like to believe that we could end up getting over a million hits per month online. But, that's not realistic for most.

So, what is realistic and how does it affect the data transfer rate?

Great question!

Here's a definition of data transfer -- Monthly data transfer equates to the sum total of ALL the files used to display the information requested from your site during a one month period. It's the data transferred from the host server to the requester's browser.

Data transfer includes HTML pages, graphics, forms, downloads -- everything used to show your Web pages and other information to an online visitor.

More numbers to use...

Now let's use our example (a 100 kilobyte Web page) to see how  traffic (page views/hits) can be used to determine the amount of monthly data transfer needed.

Typically, monthly data transfer rates go anywhere from 4 gigabytes and up.

So using 4 gigabytes (4 billion bytes) as a guide, our 100 kilobyte Web page could receive 40,000 hits per month under these basic plans, without paying another fee.

Again, step-up to the next-level-plan once you are receiving enough traffic to justify the additional expense.

To help keep the data transfer rate at a minimum, many Webmaster will use graphics sparingly on most pages except perhaps the homepage.

Of course, if your hosting service provides UNLIMITED data transfers, the monthly transfer rate becomes a non-issue.

E-mail is one of the most used functions on the Internet. However, when it comes to Web hosting services, what kind of accounts will best suit your needs?

SMTP access is the primary source for outgoing e-mail on the Internet. This service is usually provided by the Internet Service Provider (ISP). 

POP3 e-mail accounts are the most common incoming accounts in use. These are accounts through which you receive mail online.

Using what is known as an IMAP server requires special considerations and is beyond the scope of this discussion.

All of this can be a bit confusing, so I will attempt to clarify.

Determining the e-mail account that's best for your needs is actually a two-part question. First there is outgoing mail, then of course incoming mail. 

Here's the point.

For outgoing e-mail, most servicing companies provide packages to accommodate SMTP access, but not all.

The question is "How many out-going e-mail accounts do you need?"

Outgoing e-mail is generally reserved for the functions/individuals within a company that need to be specifically identified on outgoing e-mail or have a need for a separate or private e-mail account. Generally, multiple accounts are more a matter of convenience than anything else.

Actually, the real identity of the function or person sending the e-mail is controlled by the e-mail program software. Not the account!

Let me explain...

The outgoing server (SMTP) provide the e-mail services through the Internet Service Provider. For this service, you must provide a USERNAME and PASSWORD.

This is different from the name (sender) and return e-mail address that you set up in the e-mail software program to IDENTIFY who sent the message.

Multiple e-mail accounts (outgoing) are needed if your mailings require filing in separate mailboxes. You should balance that need with the cost of additional outgoing accounts.

Incoming e-mail is controlled in different ways depending on the Web hosting provider. These are your POP accounts.

Here are a couple of the major POP features that should be offered by any good Web hosting provider.

Want to avoid major mistakes in the area where most new businesses make them?

This is it! 

I suggest you spend a lot of time understanding exactly what you need in this area, before leaping into an agreement.

Unfortunately, "merchant accounts" fall under the generalized heading of E-COMMERCE.

Because the topic is so broad, I will just give you some of the basics on the type of merchant account you might need.

A complete e-commerce solution, which includes your own merchant account, should contain most of the following capabilities:

There are many merchant account providers who also provide Web site design options and special Web hosting packages.  In other words, the options available will accommodate almost any need.

Here are a couple of other options to consider.

Consider purchasing shopping cart software separately. Then, use a third-party merchant account to process the credit card transactions. This is especially convenient if your company or personal credit is not quite up to standard.

Service Only Businesses -- Third-party processing can make securely taking credit cards a snap.

If You're Just Starting Out...
Check This Out!

If you're just starting out on the Internet with a new product or service idea, you should spend some time reviewing the information at our Site Build It! Reference Center. We'll show you the RIGHT WAY to develop your ideas for maximum profit potential.

You'll find that choosing a Web hosting provider is just the tip-of-the-iceberg when it comes to online SUCCESS.