| Choosing a web host is the first vital step you'll | | | | -- Web Usage Statistics |
| taketoward having your own website. Your web | | | | -- Web Space Allocation (you can get howmuch web |
| hostwill provide space on the Internet for your site | | | | space you'll need) |
| sothat the whole world can view it. But, choosing | | | | -- URL Redirection |
| aweb host is not as easy as it may seem. | | | | -- Autoresponders |
| There are a few mistakes to avoid while | | | | These are just a few "necessary" services tolook for |
| choosingyour host. I'd like to share these with you | | | | when choosing a web host for yournew website. |
| below,and explain why it's important to avoid | | | | 3. Low Cost Hosting - Watch out for verylow cost |
| thesemistakes at all costs - especially if you wish | | | | hosting packages (i.e. $2.50 permonth). They usually |
| tostart an online business. | | | | require something inreturn, which can take away |
| 3 Mistakes to Avoid | | | | profits fromyour online business. |
| 1. Free Web Space - Remember seeing all thoseads | | | | I must admit that it does sound appealing tosign up |
| that mention "free web space"? Please | | | | for free or very low cost hosting, butcount the costs |
| avoidparticipating in these services. In most cases, | | | | before signing up... |
| thereason it's free is because the company will | | | | - Each time an advertisement banner is placedon your |
| placeadvertisements for other websites all over | | | | website, it's designed to get your visitorto click out |
| yourweb page. This defeats the entire purpose | | | | of your website and go some placeelse. Most free or |
| ofhaving "your own" web business. | | | | low cost web hosting servicesplace these banners at |
| Why should you have to give your | | | | the very top of your webpage - giving the visitor an |
| potentialcustomers away? Shouldn't you be able to | | | | opportunity to clickout of your site before getting to |
| keepthe visitors that you have paid to receive | | | | the first wordsof your presentation. |
| throughyour own ad campaigns? | | | | - One complaint that comes to mind about afree |
| With "free web space" sites, you'll give awaymore | | | | hosting service was that the company'sserver |
| business than it would cost you to get yourown | | | | became overcrowded and the customercould not get |
| domain and hosting service. It's not worth it. | | | | their website to come up 50%of the time. When this |
| 2. Limited hosting - Avoid hosting packages thatwill | | | | happens, your businessis closed - and you have no |
| not allow you to add order forms, statistics,or | | | | control over thissituation. |
| multiple email accounts to your website. Theseare | | | | One final point about hosting before closing. |
| necessary tools for any webmaster who desiresto | | | | If you get your own domain name, and yourown |
| open an online business. | | | | hosting, your visitors will have moreconfidence in your |
| It's best to choose a hosting service that | | | | site, and will be morewilling to buy your products or |
| offersmany options such as: | | | | services. |
| -- Multiple POP Email Accounts | | | | Search for a web host that offers fabulousservice, |
| -- Dedicated Hosting | | | | affordable rates, and everythingyou'll need for your |
| -- Secure Servers | | | | online business. You'llbe glad you did! |