Web Site Hosting Reviews

   One of the most important decisions you'll make for your business Web site is selecting which Web Site hosting service will display your Web pages to the Internet.

   So, let's examine the types of Web Site hosting services available.

   Dial-Up Access. There are thousands of local dial-up access providers in the country, each of which also provides Web page hosting for businesses. I've learned that ISPs either specialize in dial-up access or Web page hosting, and it's a rare ISP that ends up doing both well. Many dial-up access ISPs don't really understand the needs of small businesses, and aren't quick to improve service. After all, their bread-and-butter is dial-up access, and that's where their focus and investment goes. A few large companies have separate divisions for Web site hosting which help them avoid some of these problems.

   Developer's Web Site Hosting. A second kind of service is becoming common. Web site developers commonly host the Web pages for the businesses which are their clients, often on a computer in the corner of their office. They often provide good service, since they are customer focused. The downsides may be: (1) price, (2) smaller connection to the Internet backbone, and (3) dependence, which we'll discuss below.

   Web Site Hosting Only. Increasingly you find companies which specialize in business Web site hosting. They allow no dial-up access (site owners gain access to their Web pages via FTP), which doesn't allow bandwidth (speed of connection to the Internet) to be compromised by access customers frequenting chat rooms. They provide a wide variety of services to their customers. This is where the bargains are to be found. How do you find them? Look at ads in the Web developer magazines at your local newsstand.

   Industrial Strength Web Site Hosting. If you have a very high traffic site, you'll need to look to the largest national companies which provide mirror sites on both coasts, 24-hour staffing, redundant connections to the Internet backbone, and substantial prices. No bargains here, but you have the expectation of maximum reliability.