Introduction Into Web Hosting

Everybody goes through the same steps to launch their website; acquire a domain name, secure a web hosting company, go through the website design process and then go live by launching their web site onto the World Wide Web.

In order to talk about web hosting, we have to talk a little technical, but don’t worry. We’ll K.I.S.S., Keep It Soo Simple. In order for a web site to go live on the World Wide Web, the content of the website must be hosted on a server. There are a number of ways to accomplish this action.

Become Your Own Web Hosting Company
If you are a major company or otherwise have deep pockets, you can afford to have your own servers and the network infrastructure. Essentially, you become your own web hosting company. Which also means that you are responsible for your network in its totality. If things crash, get hacked or temporarily stop working, you simply contact the man or the woman in the mirror and fix it! If you’re not ready for that responsibility, never become your own webhosting company.

ISP and Fee Free Based Web Hosting

Some ISP’s, also known as “Internet Service Providers” such as: AT&T, formerly known as Bellsouth, AOL, Comcast and others offer their brand of web hosting for subscribers to their services. The catch is, almost of them put unsightly advertisements on your web pages. If you choose one of the free web hosting companies, you will not only have advertisements on your web pages, you will also face other restrictions.

Such as the number of visitors you can receive per month, the amount of space they allow you, and the fact that they don’t allow you to have your own domain name, i.e. “www.yourname.com. Instead, you’re stuck with a ridiculous looking domain name like: www.comcast.net/QTl45/yourname.htm.

How you’d like to give that website out to a friend or business associate? In our opinion, free web hosting is only for amateurs and those experimenting with the Internet.

True Web Hosting Companies
The best option is choosing a web hosting company, who for a monthly fee, will host your web site on its servers. This helps you in two important ways; (1) it eliminates the need for you to invest in servers and other network gear to build your own network, and (2) it protects you from the disadvantages of using the free web hosting services.