Domainate

There are so many webhosting companies and packages for them to choose. Here we will listed out some main factors that need to be considered.

#1 Disk Space

Disk space is depends on the size of your web site. So, have a look on your web site folder and see how much disk space it takes up on your computer. You should always get more space than what is taken up on your computer. For example, if your web folder is 200MB, you should probably get 250-300MB of disc space. This extra space allowed you to further expand your web site and put more materials there. Remember that you need to think about what kind of materials you planned to add later. If what you plan to add is some flash animation or some audio/video file, you'd better to get some more buffer.

#2 Bandwidth

Bandwidth is the amount of data transfer that your web site can use. If you plan on having a massively popular site with a large amount of files, then you should have a high bandwidth. For casual web sites, bandwidth is not as big a factor. Again, consider cost and try to have more bandwidth than you need, not less. It is also important to check the bandwidth for local and overseas.

#3 Web site speed

Web site speed is seldom taken into consideration. Web site speed is a really important factor. If your web host has a very slow speed for all of its web sites, then you may not want to go with that host. People won’t stay around at a page forever. If you want many people to visit your site, having a fast speed is very helpful. You should check with the web hosting company and ask them to provide a list of their sites. You can then try to access to see the response of these sites.

#4 Database / Programming Language support

Database and Programming Language support are important if you plan to have a dynamic website and interact with your customers. Currently, most web hosting provides support for database and programming language, but there are great variety on database and programming language. You should check and pick the one you plan to use.

Of course the above factors are depend on how much you want to spend on it. It's always difficult to take all the best. You should think about your own case and find out the best fit. For example, you have a text-centric site with little photos and target in local market only, you may find a hosting with little disk space, enough bandwidth for local (overseas is not important in this case) and normal web site speed.

#5 Technical Support

Technical support is one of the important factor you need to consider. But how to know their services level? You can test by sending them an email with some questions or just make a phone to their support hotlines. If they respond quickly, this is a good sign. If they cannot provides you answers, you'd better find another one.

#6 UpTime

The more uptime they guarantee, the better. 99% uptime is the minimum acceptable standard. You'd should Look for 99% plus guaranteed uptime.

#7 FTP Access

You need an FTP program to transfer files to the server. You should seek for an unlimited and unrestricted FTP access, otherwise it will troublesome to maintain your website.

#8 Control Panel

Most web hosting company will provides a web based control panel for you to maintain your web site. You should looking for one with a easy-to-use interface.

bizops

My advice is don't get too stuck on price. In the last year I have bought many cheap webhosting accounts thinking that I would save money only to find that the hosting company disappeared after a few months.

I find that paying by the month and hosting your sites with larger companies, you run into less problems.

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bizwiz

For me in getting a good host, price should not be an issue. If they provide quality service then i'll host with them provided the price is not extremely high.

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puffin

It mainly depends on the requirement. Weather you want a high end server or normal one or dedicated server or you are ok with shared hosting. Also how much you are willing to pay for it. But one thing always matters is the support and uptime.

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Cicero

I wholly agree to bizops and Domainate.
Bizops states an extremely valid point.

But I must say, only if your site is going to make loads of money host it like that else for a cheap one.

I have a site that doesnt make much money. So I use it as a passtime in this case I use hosting which is not more that 5 $ a year :D

sunken

A comment about bandwidth. A lot of people get suckered in by the UNLIMITED bandwidth ploy. Usually if you read carefully in their TOS (always read the TOS), you'll find that it's not unlimited as they claim. The whole concept is pretty much a scam. There is no such thing.

Always ask whether you can upgrade your bandwidth later on. No one is really sure what their bandwidth requirement is at the start and many are overestimated. I know I've done this myself. The best thing to do is be sure that you can upgrade without having to move or if you have to, what their procedures are.

Time in business, reliability and customer service are what is important in choosing a server. You want to know that when a problem arises, there is someone to call (and there will be some problem at some point).

Another thing to ask about is backup procedures...

Arch3r25

The popular hosts like hostgator and lunarpages oversell their space and bandwidth.

A really good one I've heard is dreamhost, which is decent and carbon-neutral. A good free host is http://www.jothost.com

Hunter1

There are only 3 things important to me with a web hosting company and that is:

1. Stability in the company

2. Downtime to a minimum with excellent Support!!

3. Full Cpanel access!!!

There is only one that has given me all of that!!

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