A web host may provide:
1. A means to create your web pages with a web page editor.
2. A means to upload pages and images that you have already created
using a FTP program.
3. A means to promote and market your site.
4. An email address and/or autoresponder
5. Multimedia/CGI Scripts.
6. Shopping Cart Software
7. Tracking Software
8. Site Statistics
9. Automatic Data Back Up
Choosing a Web Host is important because it has a bearing on
which software you will use to create your web pages and upload
them to view online. It also affects the way your site looks and
if you choose a free web host, it may determine the complexity
of your web address. Depending on which service you choose, you
have varying degrees of control over how your site ultimately
looks.
If you want a simple basic Web site and not a lot of choices,
then you might go for one of those free services like geocities.com
or hometown.aol.com. However, your site might take on a generic
look but the set up is easy, especially if you are not familiar
with web design.
If you are the independent type and are seriously thinking of
expanding your business and making money online, then I would
suggest selecting a host that will give you a lot of room to grow
and be part of the technology trend.
Other Possibilities
The sky is the limit as far as the new possibilities that are
beginning to emerge from the Internet. "Host4Profit" offers a
means to host your page while earning a profit every time someone
signs up from your page. This new concept is "Get Paid to Host
Your Site." A "Control Panel" also provides you with full capabilities
to operate your business on a wide scale. Sooner or later everyone
realizes that they must have their own domain name. However, whom
you get to host that domain makes all the difference in the world.
Most hosts simply provide you with space and that's that. You're
on your own when it comes to making your new site profitable.
Do your research and choose what is best for you.
Turning to your ISP for web hosting is another good possibility.
The advantage is that you will not have to pay any additional
fees for web hosting. Your monthly ISP charge will, in most cases,
cover web-hosting fees. Competition is fierce among hosting services.
Some hosting services may promise you the moon in order to get
your business. Be sure to read the fine print and get everything
in writing before you sign that contract. Ask questions like:
How long have you been in business?
Can you suggest customers who will give you a reference?
Choose a "Host" that will give you the most with the best rates
and the most reliable service. Visit some sites that they host
and email the webmasters or owners of these sites for their opinion
of the hosting service you are interested in.
