Choosing a Web site host
By Dave Rosenberg
(September 28, 2004)

When you're ready to launch or update a business's first Web site, you'll find that there are hundreds of hosting providers with a variety of offerings. Any of them can keep your Web site up and running, but they're not all the same. Somewhere out there is the best host for you--one that has the right combination of ease of access, performance, security, and price. But which will you choose?

Since each business needs different things from its online presence and, thus, from its Web host, it can be hard to figure out which host is right for you. For example, company size shouldn't dictate your hosting platform, although many hosts pitch "small-business" solutions. The business functions that you plan to run online matter more than company size. A 150-person PR firm that plans to use its site for informational purposes will have a lighter set of requirements than a 20-person research firm that depends on a transactional Web site to sell research data and manage customer relationships.

The key to shopping for a Web host is to come up with your baseline architecture first, then see which hosting companies meet your needs. For most business Web sites, some basic best practices apply. Here they are:

	Best practice #1: Evaluate your online presence Here's a checklist to get you started.
	Best practice #2: Take inventory These tips and tools give you a sense of where you are.
	Best practice #3: Figure out who is in control Architect your Web presence for safe publishing.
	Best practice #4: Pick the type of hosting package Shared hosting fits most small-business needs.
	Best practice #5: Choose a server platform Linux is the best choice for most sites.
	Best practice #6: Select the features Your top must-haves and wish lists.

HOSTING RESOURCES:

CNET: Web hosting zone Host power search Domain name search

Web hosting buying guide BNET: Web hosting white papers CNET course: the Web host for you