If you're looking for a cheap web hosting service, there are many companies offering low monthly rates to host your web site. There are hosting firms who have millions of web sites on their servers. When you multiply that by the average monthly fee of around ten bucks a month, that adds up to some serious cash flow! The information that follows is based on the widely used Linux server hosting packages, though some firms offer Windows web hosting too. Forget about the difference here, since it will not affect you, unless you're an advanced user and intend to produce your site by ASP, FrontPage, the NET environment, Windows Streaming Media, Access, MSSQL, or any of the other Microsoft technologies, in which case, you probably have to use a Windows host.
Remember that a cheap webhosting is simply a firm that gives a storage area on your website. Along with this service, they usually offer a variety of obviously necessary plus other nice to have add ons. Some of these include, data transfer, disk space, a sitebuilder, free website templates, customer and technical help, MYSQL databases, POP email accounts, Fantastico, statistics like Webalizer or referrer logs, more than one hosting plan and of course other features too numerous to mention.
Most of us desire to save money and we don't want to waste it, so, based on what is discussed on online forums and elsewhere the best, what is to look for when searching for one of the best cheap web host plan. However, immediately, it would be advisable to make sure you're not having to pay more than $10 monthly for hosting, because it isn't necessary unless you would like extra special management controls. We'll also assume that you only want one page, but when you plan to create more in the future, best to get a plan that enables several or unlimited domains.
For the list that follows, one point need to be set for each of the five items if the web host has these features. When researching hosting companies, a total score of four is excellent, however five is excellent.
Top five Cheap Web Hosting Service Features
1. Client Service as well as Technical Support - will this company offer email, phone and live chat (at their page) 24 hours per day and 7 days a week (24-7)? Do they reply to your questions within 24 hours or within minutes using live chat? How would you know? Try them out, even if you are not a client yet - send them an email or try their live chat. Or, check out business forums like the Warrior Forum and search for like discussions. If they've these features, then add 1 point because of this company.
2. How long have they been within business? A minimum of 1 year? Visit Google and type in "Who Is" and type in the company name, like xyz.com and see at what time their creation date was - if it was more than a year ago, it is possible to at least know they've been inside business for some time all of which will hopefully exist here to stay. I might provide them 1 point if they've got been within business for at least a couple of years to become for the safe side.
3. Do they offer unlimited data transfer? Bandwidth may be best described as gas for any car. If your web site runs out of data transfer no one can visit it. 1GB of bandwidth is equivalent to over 100,000 hits. The average page makes use of less than 2 GB of data transfer a month. Your data transfer number used will normally reset back to zero on top of the first of each month.
Similarly, do they provide unlimited disk space? The more disk space you have the more files, webpages, emails, and everything else you can use and store. Yes, unlimited sounds excessive I know, but when they provide it, better safe than sorry. If the company offers unlimited in both cases, provide them another point.
4. Guarantees - do they offer a a refund guarantee, if for any reason, you intend to cancel? If it is at least a 30 day assurance and they're going to refund 100% of your money, that is good. As well, do they guarantee your site's uptime, in other words, that it's going to be live on the web always, or over 99.9% of any time? If that doesn't happen, will they provide you the full refund for that month? If the answers are yes to both these inquiries, then put in 1 more point.
5. Specifics for Cheap Web Hosting Service. Have they got Fantastico Deluxe? This program will allow you to install over fifty scripts instantly. Examples are WordPress, Joomla, discussion boards, ecommerce, polls and so on. Many people these days put up web sites according to WordPress due to it's search engine optimization features and available plugins, so using fantastico considers it easier. Give them one point if they provide fantastico at no extra charge.
And yes, there are several free hosting plans out there, but do they place ads in your web site? Do they provide 24-7 support service? Will Google view your site the same if you are not willing to purchase hosting each month (they know which internet sites are free)? Frankly, do you think you're serious about your internet website and do you think you're treating it as a business? In that case, then you ought to be willing to pay out a few bucks a month for a necessary service. Also, if you need to build more than one domain, do they allow you to build them under one account? Not likely. All in all, it is advisable to skip the free hosting for life provides out there.