Web hosting for small businesses
Article by Nathan George, 21 July 2009

When it comes to web hosting, a small bussiness's hosting requirements will be very different to that of a large company. A small business might not require as much storage space or traffic allowance, or some of the other features a hosting company may provide. In this article we will look at what features are essential to small business.

Technical support is a major point of consideration for any company looking for web hosting. If your site is down, you are losing money which can be detrimental to a small business. It is important that your web host can provide a reliable service, but also respond to any problems quickly. Your host should also be helpful and explain any technical aspects in an easy to understand manner. Some hosts provide the technical answers, but have a 'fend for yourself' attitude.

You may choose a web host for their online applications, such as e-commerce or content management. Most proprietory software needs to be hosted on the developers servers. This allows the developer to provide better support. Sometimes the less links in the chain, the better. You may also require control panel access to your account, so that you can instantly add email accounts, change passwords or modify databases. Common control panels are Plesk and Cpanel.

Your hosts speed should also be important. Should your site get busy, you don't want your customers waiting an eternity to download a page. A good host will provide you with a test file link to test a download. This is a good indication of whether you can 'max out' your connection to the server. You could also try downloading the test file in peak and off-peak times.

Cheaper is definitely not always better. The old saying 'you get what you pay for' is very true in the web hosting industry. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Budget hosts come and go. Most cramming as many users as they possibly can with as little support as possible until they crash, sell up and move on. Get to know your host, give them a call, see how much they are willing to talk to you over the phone. If they are unwilling to spend the time to discuss your needs and keep directing you to their web site, chances are they are struggling to cope with the support demand.

At the end of the day the host you choose should be someone you can trust one of the biggest components of your business to. Investigate your options and don't be afraid to ask questions.

To view George I.T.'s hosting plans click here or contact us for more information.