Small Business Web Hosting

One of the most important decisions a small business can make is who you choose for your small business website hosting provider. The choice you make for your small business web hosting will either give you worry free service or service filled with many regrets. There are many providers that cater to the needs of a small business hosting and making a choice can be very difficult if you haven't done any research on the different small business web site hosting plans. Has your small business hosting decision already been made, you are not happy with their service and you are now looking for other options? Whether you are a small business website hosting pro or you are just starting out you might be interested in the tips we have to offer on this website. There are a number of things to look at when choosing a small business web hosting service. We will just look at a few of these below.

Size of Pipeline

Look for a T3 connection. The difference between a T1 and T3 line is a T1 can carry up to 1.5 mbs (megabits per second) while a T3 can carry 45 mbs. This can make all the difference for you company. The expense in installing an adequate pipeline remains your biggest barrier to setting up your own Web server computer in your office. You can also explore the option of ‘co-hosting' your computer at your ISP's location.

Number of Clients Per Machine

Ask how many clients are assigned to each ISP computer. Even if you ask this question you might not get an answer but you should learn if the ISP has any policy limits.

Available Space

You will be assigned a certain amount of space on an ISP's computer. Most small business web site hosting needs can be accomplished nicely with 5 MB of space. This allows plenty of room for Web pages and graphics but be sure to ask if this includes mail, log files and system programs. If they do you are looking at needing 15 MB of space, minimum.

CGI-bin Access

Business accounts need reference programs in a cgi-bin directory, which will include a cgi program, which will generate the e-mail message sent out by Web page forms. Make sure a good forms-to-email message program is available. If you need a custom program you will need your own cgi-bin directory. Be sure to ask about Telnet access which will help keep out hackers but will slow down programming development time.

These are just some of the points you will want to go over as you determine where you will place your small business web site hosting needs.