| One of the most important decisions you'll make as a | | | | print.FTP and Telnet Access. File Transfer Protocol |
| Web site owner, Internet marketer or Webmaster, is | | | | (FTP ) is used to transfer files to and from servers |
| choosing a reliable Web hosting service. Sorting | | | | on the Internet and allows you to manage your web |
| through a multitude of hosting companies and making | | | | site. If your site permits visitors to download |
| sense of the various service plans offered, can | | | | software, see whether you can set up an FTP site |
| certainly be intimidating.Knowing what to look for and | | | | exclusively for downloads. If you have large files for |
| the kinds of questions to ask, will help you to make | | | | download, find out if the FTP site permits the |
| an informed decision that ultimately saves you | | | | resumption of interrupted downloads. Most FTP |
| money and grief. The aim is to find the provider that | | | | programs can accomodate this today.The Telnet |
| best serves your particular needs. And there lies the | | | | protocol is one with which many users are not at all |
| key -- your particular needs.You should have a clear | | | | familiar, but it is still used extensively. It's useful for |
| vision of your Web site's purpose.How is it going to | | | | troubleshooting CGI scripts and changing server |
| be used?What do you intend to accomplish with | | | | configurations. Not all servers allow Telnet |
| it?Will you be selling products, or simply providing | | | | access.Platforms: UNIX / NT. UNIX is the most |
| information?Will there be interactive forms on your | | | | popular platform in use today on web servers. It is |
| site for subscriptions, referrals, surveys and so | | | | reliable, easy to configure and flexible. Setting your |
| on?These answers will be useful in helping you decide | | | | own file permissions is a snap. It supports scripting |
| on the best hosting package for your type and size | | | | languages like Perl and PHP. Most of the free scripts |
| Web site.A smart way to begin your search is by | | | | available for download are from the UNIX |
| soliciting feedback from friends and associates who | | | | platform.Microsoft's NT is favored by the next |
| already have a Web presence. Their responses will | | | | largest number of hosting providers. Scripts that |
| usually be candid and insightful, and you could then | | | | work on this platform are not as readily available as |
| followup on your own.Another approach is to visit | | | | with UNIX, and NT users often require assistance |
| discussion boards and online forums like | | | | from their Web Host Administrators to set file |
| WebHostingTalk, where you'll find informative posts | | | | permissions. NT supports MS applications such as |
| and discussions complimenting reputable providers and | | | | ASP, Access, Front Page and scripting languages such |
| griping about unsavory ones.Host directories are | | | | as Perl and Cold Fusion.e-Commerce. A robust Web |
| another resource you could utilize. Simply typing "host | | | | hosting company should be facilitating your |
| directory" (with quotation marks) into your favorite | | | | e-commerce needs with shopping cart software, |
| search engine query box, will return thousands of | | | | merchant account setup support, secure real-time |
| pages for you to investigate.The next step is to | | | | credit card processing and so on. They should have a |
| compare service plans, features and tools. Here are | | | | library of scripts to accomodate forms, statistics and |
| areas you need to look at closely:Technical Support. | | | | guestbooks on your site. Support for Real Audio, |
| This ranks at the top of my list of priorities. You | | | | Real Video, VRML, Java, Shockwave, Cybercash, |
| must have help when you need it. Support should be | | | | secure transactions and other utilities should also be |
| available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and | | | | available.Some Other Considerationse-Mail Boxes & |
| should be accessible by telephone, email, online forum | | | | POP Aliases - Are you permitted a limited or unlimited |
| or even live chat. The size of the support staff and | | | | number of e-mail addresses?Autoresponders - A |
| the number of customers they service is also good | | | | powerful on-line marketing tool for putting your |
| information to have.Customer Service. It should be | | | | promotions, sales letters, brochures or catalogs on |
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| e-mailing the company and making note of how they | | | | essential to successful Internet marketing.Web Mail |
| handle your query.Storage Capacity. You will need to | | | | Access - Allows you to retrieve e-mail from any |
| know how much hard drive space you get and how | | | | computer connected to the Internet.As you can see, |
| much it will cost if you need to increase it. The | | | | several factors ought to be seriously considered |
| amount of space you need depends on the size and | | | | when selecting a company to host your Web site. |
| type of your site. Generally 25 to 35 MB is more than | | | | This is an important decision. Be diligent. Do your |
| enough for a small site. If your site is an art gallery or | | | | homework and be prepared to be flexible.Choose a |
| music site, for example, with lots of image and mp3 | | | | host that has been in business at least a few years, |
| files, this area will be particularly important to | | | | and who offers features that can be upgraded as |
| you.Bandwidth. Bandwidth refers to the amount of | | | | your Web site expands. Your company image hinges |
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