Your web site contains files that need to reside on a special computer, known as a Web Server, which is connected to the Internet via the Internet Backbone.
In order for your visitors to view your site, they will have to establish connection to the Web Server via the Internet by typing your web site's URL (Uniform Resource Locator / Domain Name). Therefore, the Internet connections of the web server must be fast and powerful enough to respond and handle your site's traffic and visitors' request.
When looking for a Host Provider, there are some questions which you must ask before deciding to engage their service.
- What connection are you using to connect my site to the Internet? How many hops are you to the Internet Backbone?
The heart of the Internet is made up of about a dozen private "backbone" networks that exchanges data at a remarkable speed. Upon request by your visitor, your web server will send your site's data to these "backbone" so that your visitor's can be accessed on the Internet.
However, if your host provider does not have direct connection to the Internet "backbone", tendency is they will go thru another channel of host provider who has the direct connection. The more channels your host provider has to go thru, the higher the chances of things going wrong as your data hops from one provider to another.
Look for a provider that has a minimum of one T-3 (45 Mps) line connection to the Internet Backbone or to a direct host provider. For your info, T-3s line connection are 28 times faster than T-1s used by many smaller providers.
- Which server hardware and software are you using? Do you store backup copies?
Check if your web host is using top-of-the-line hardware, preferably multiprocessor server machines. Ask about the "Redundancy period". You'll want to know what happens when the web server crashes. Usually a good host provider will store backup copies of your files on another server that is ready to take over if the main web server fails.
Also find out about the operating system (OS) your host provider is using. The most common operating system is Windows NT and UNIX. This info will be useful if you're planning on implementing other compatible software in the near future.
- How many sites do you allocate to one server for Virtual Hosting?
Virtual hosting is an arrangement in which your site is housed on the same web server with several other web sites. This is an economical solution for small-to-medium sized web sites.
However, one thing to bear in mind, always check with your host provider how many sites are being allocated to one web server. Some host providers tend to squeeze hundreds or even thousands of sites into one server, which means, the connection speed to and from that server is being shared among all its occupants. As a result, the speed and downloading time of those web sites will be affected especially during peak hours.
- How can I apply for a credit card merchant account?
A host provider can only assist you on the technical aspects of your e-commerce site. Only a bank can grant you a merchant account. If a host provider claims that they can provide you a merchant account ask them how are they going to do it and from who are they getting it from. The only way your host provider can help is to engage the service of a payment processor.
A payment processing service handles credit card transactions between an E-commerce site and a merchant account. Ask your merchant bank if they have any references or related payment processors to recommend.
- Can you help me with site security?
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is the current standard for online transaction security. Introduced by Netscape in 1995, SSL is an encryption technology that scramble messages which only the recipient can unscramble using technologies developed by RSA Security. URLs beginning with "https://" are using SSL.
To implement SSL you need to enable it on your web server and to get it working you'll need a digital ID, also know as the authentication certificate. Ask your host provider for more information. A good host provider should be able to provide you with the answers and solution.
The average hosting cost can range from $10 to about thousands of dollars a month depending on your site's needs and the solution required. Question your potential host provider about their connection and services. By following the guidelines given above you should be able to find a reliable host provider that can cater to your site's requirements at a reasonable cost.