6 Factors Of a Good Web Host

I remember when I got my first computer 15 years ago, I was so excited about it and I never stop since then about learning about IT related stuff. When the Internet came around I was even more excited that ever.

And, I remember many years back I hear on my radio a 30 year lady managed to do a website using Frontpage during that time. I told myself if she can do it so can I! as I eat, live and breath IT almost everyday! Until today it’s still online and it’s super ugly. You can look at it here =P You look at the my picture and layout you know how far I have gone since I started on web designing.

I used to do my own web hosting too and realized that there are many people who have no idea what are the good qualities of a good web host. Well here are 6 things you need to look out for when choosing your web host.

1. Bandwidth (the amount of times people can download your site)
Example you are given about 100MB of bandwidth and every time someone visit your site the person need to download 1MB of data. This means that only 100 people can see your website for the month. And hosting companies do charge extra if you want more then 100MB of bandwidth.

You would want to find a host that gives you about 50GB of Bandwidth for your hosting so that you can install videos in the future.

2. Disk Space (the amount of space given to store data)
Similar to a hard disk in your computer but this time it’s in the server, they will normally allocate 200MB or 400MB for web hosting depending on the plan you have choosen.

If you seriously know the COST of one 80GB hard disk in Singapore is only about US$100. What is 200MB storage given to you? It actually cost that very little to get more hard disk to divide that 80GB into many 200MB ( 1GB = 1000MB for your info ) .

So, You would want to find hosting which at least gives you 1GB of data worth for a good host.

3. Price (self explanatory)
Some hosting charge US$10/mth for hosting, while others maybe US$50/mth. It all depends on the type of plan you are thinking of getting. But what if I tell you my hosting only COST me US$36/YEAR (noticed it’s not month).

4. Reliability (self explanatory)
All web host will guarantee you that they will have an up time of 99%, the numbers are real but in reality a web host are not capable to stay up 24/4 every year. There will be at least 1 or 2 down times every 3 to 6 months and that’s normal because of the overloading of the server, they are required to restart once a while every month (even YouTube also does have downtimes just recently about 2 months).

Caution! If you get downtimes every week, I suggest you change to another web host which is more reliable.

5. Features (self explanatory)
This is an important point many people miss out. Features are script software that are installed together with your server as an additional bonus. Do Make sure that your web host comes with Fantastico (a list of free useful program scripts) and your emails and sub domains and domains and database are put as unlimited!

6. Location (physical location of the server)
Depending on your target customer, the server location also plays an important role when choosing a server. Example you would want a US based server to if you are targeting US based customers and like wise for your own countries.

Why? Because the nearer your target audience are to your server, the faster the download speed will be to view your website! Make sense?

So I did my research and I found TdotHost.com . It comes with 2500 MB Disk Space, 50 GB bandwidth, with Unlimited domains allowed AND it only COST US$36 PER YEAR! not month! Isnt it a great deal or what! you can click here for more details!

For your info, GatherSuccess.com is power by TDotHost too =)