What is Web Hosting ? Part-4
4 min readYour computer’s operating system has no connection.
Let me begin by dispelling a myth that many newbies hold. You do not necessarily need to find a web host that uses the same platform just because you are using Windows, Mac OS X, or something else.
The PC you’re using has nothing to do with your web host system. They are essentially two different things. Let me break this down into the two parts of this issue that novice webmasters are concerned about.
Some individuals worry that using a system that is different from their web host’s system will make the two systems incompatible. This anxiety is unwarranted. Since they cannot be executed on your computer, things that run on your web server must be specifically designed for your website.
You might be saying to yourself, “I’m comfortable with Windows (or Mac) computers, therefore getting a Windows (or Mac) web hosting account will be simpler.” Whatever operating system your web server offers, the interface you use will be comparable. The firm, not the OS, determines how simple or difficult the user interface is.
The real standards for selecting the ideal OS
You now understand that your web hosting plan has nothing to do with the machine you use. But why must you choose between a Windows hosting and a Linux hosting?
The requirement to select a system first arises from the fact that hosts utilise software as well. What you want to avoid is creating a website on your own or having one created for you, purchasing hosting, and then realising that the two are incompatible. Your choice will therefore be based more on the requirements of your website (we will talk more about that in Part 3).
Do you require hosting for Windows?
The main query is whether your website will use Windows-specific technology like ASP,.NET, Microsoft Access, or Microsoft SQL Server (MSSQL). Not whether you require these technologies for your personal computer, but rather if ASP or.NET will be used to develop your website. It’s unlikely that you’ll use them if you don’t comprehend any of this. Ask the person creating your website what technologies they use so you can determine your hosting requirements.
Do you need hosting for Linux?
Some of you are undoubtedly shaking your heads right about now. You simply want to start a blog, build a straightforward website, or conduct an online sale. Why is there so much web jargon anyway? In 99% of the cases, you will find it easier to utilise a Linux based server if you only want to construct a blog, sell products online with a shopping cart, or just create a regular website like firstsiteguide.com without any specific requirements.
Note: Whether it’s a small business, blog, or e-commerce site, the majority of websites today are constructed utilising free / open source and commercial software (WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, etc.). Similar to how most online tutorials presume your website is running on a Linux-based system, particularly those that focus on configuring your web server.
What more information do you require about the hosting company?
You must consider the answers to a number of questions in order to choose a reputable host. You can find a list of general and technical questions to ask a company to determine its validity below.
Is the business legitimate and can you trust it?
What kind of client assistance do they provide?
What level of support is offered?
Where is the location of their customer service?
Is their customer service contracted out?
How long is the uptime typically?
What city are the servers in?
Is there a server location option?
Do they provide any further technical services, and if so, how much?
What features do they provide?
What security measures exist there?
What are their fallback plans?
How are their servers upgraded?
Are there any software restrictions with them?
Can your hosting package be increased or decreased?
What services are included in their “unlimited” plan?
Do they offer hosting or are they merely reselling?
What options are there for payments?
Are there any promotions for brand-new clients?
Are there any free trials available?
What are the terms and costs for renewal?
How do they handle returns?
What conditions must be met to cancel a web hosting plan?
What is their stance on privacy?
How do they handle private information?
What are the definitions of space and bandwidth?
How long has the company been a web host?
How many clients do they have?
What are testimonials from recent clients?
Although you may have other inquiries, the ones listed above will guarantee that you sign up with a reputable host. We’ll assist you in finding the answers to these queries and ensure you understand how to pick the best hosting company in the following section.
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