Website Hosting IQ

When you have finally decided on a name for your website and then gone through the trauma of finding that the domain name has already been taken.. and then gone through the process of finding another name or twisting the original name around to one that has not been taken - you can then go ahead and purchase that domain name and get on the road to setting up your website.

There is however one thing that you will need to do before you can get your lovingly crafted HTML published on the web, and that is setting your Domain Name Server/Settings (DNS).

So what is DNS?

DNS basically a big database that is distributed across a network, such as the internet, that stores easy-to-remember domain names such as websitehostingiq.net against its respective IP address such as 66.249.89.104 - which are not so easy-to-remember.

So when you buy your Domain Name from your Domain Registrar you then have to configure your DNS settings. If you host your website with the same company you bought your Domain Name from, then you may not need to do this as it will probably be pointing at the hosting companies DNS.

However, if you are buying your Domain Name from GoDaddy and your web hosting from Blue Host then you will need to visit the Manage Domains section of your GoDaddy account. You will then need to get the names of the Blue Host DNS (there will probably be about 3). Then back to GoDaddy and change the DNS from the GoDaddy settings to the Blue Host settings.

Then all you need to do is wait. It can take up to 2 days for the settings to reach all of the Domain Name Servers throughout the internet. In my experience I have seen a new domain bought and then functional in 20 minutes and other times it has taken 24 hours.

Technorati Tags: dns, web+hosting, domain+registration, godaddy, blue+host

GoDaddy are offering 20% discount on their share website hosting packages which are rated #1* by Netcraft®.

So with packages now from just $3.16 per month you can get:

• 5 GB Space
• 250 GB Transfer
• 500 Email Accounts
• 10 MySQL Databases
• 50 Email Forwards
• Forums, Blogging, Photo Galleries
• FREE! Software
• No ads

If you need an affordable, reliable place to host your site — with no advertising banners or pop-ups and live, 24/7 support by expert staff who understand you — you’ve come to the right place.
And unlike the competition, there is no set up fee and no annual commitment is required.

When a site has outgrown its web host on all counts or when a web host does not keep its promises, moving web hosts becomes imperative. If a web host fails to provide much needed expansion requirements or technical support you need to upgrade to one that can meet your growth needs.

The first step is to ensure that you have all legal documents and contracts with you. Then make sure you have accurate and updated copies of all content, databases, scripts, and clientele lists. A back up needs to be done as a matter of routine not just when you need to move. Trouble can rear it head in the form of hardware failure or unexplained data losses.

Research the market thoroughly before deciding on a new hosting service. List your requirements and look for a host that can exceed your needs. It is not just bandwidth that you need to look at. Consider technical support, upgrading options, as well as whether the host is keeping up with new developments in the field.

Read More »

When it comes to choosing your Web Site Hosting Company, it pays to do a little research before jumping on the best too good to be true offer that you find advertised on the internet.

There are probably as many Web Site Hosting Companies as there are different needs for Web Site Hosting. You may only need a 3 page brochure web site which would only require very budget hosting, or you could have a number of niche marketing websites where multi domain hosting would be more suitable.

Also, It is wise to bear in mind that there are also many shady characters operating in this business, so it can be a good thing to take some advice from others who have already trod this path.

Here are 7 things you should start thinking about:

1. Monthly Bandwidth Allowance - Are you expecting lots of visitors or will you be hosting large files for download. Extra bandwidth can soon make your monthly bill creep up - but there are many Hosting Companies that have a generous bandwidth included in their more premiumn offerings. I have heard to beware of hosts offering unlimited bandwidth.
2. Disk Space - The amount of disk space is dependant upon how many websites you wish to host and how large the files are that you will be hosting. Of course, more MB’s usually = more $$$.
3. Server Up Time - You will see Web Hosting Companies offering uptime from around 95% t0 100% with many offering 99% uptime. Cheaper hosting will have less reliable uptime and this might not be a problem. However, if your livelyhood depends on your web pages being served, then down time can be more expensive than high quality hosting.
4. Web Site Security - We should’nt need to be warned about this, but it is something that can be un-wisely overlooked. Check it out when looking for Web Site Hosting.
5. Quality of Support - Will you need to call support if you don’t know how to ftp your home page. If so, expect to pay for it - Also, you would want to make sure you can call support (i.e. there is a phone number to call!). Try emailing or phoning all the Web Hosting Companies on your shortlist to see what responses you get (and how timely those responses are).
6. Number of Email Accounts - How many email accounts will you need.
7. Number of Domains Hosted - If you are planning on setting up a lots of web sites then it could pay to look for a Web Host that caters for this. Many offer multi domain hosting and some even offer unlimited domain hosting.

Check out the Web Site Hosting Companies listed here.

And please feel free to leave a comment if you can recommend any other tips.