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Paid Web Hosts

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Introduction

Reasons to pay for web hosting

Choosing a Host

6 Omens of a bad host

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Basics of Finding a Web Host

Which to Choose? Reseller, Virtual/Shared, or Dedicated?

Domain Names

Introduction to Paid Hosting

If you've begun to reach you free host's bandwidth limits, or you want to host your own domain name paid hosting is the only way to go. There are literally thousands of web-hosts out there and this article should help you whittle your prime choices down.

Oh yea, avoid buying your domain from the same company that you plan to host with.

Reasons to pay for web hosting

Also see Differences Between Most Paid Web Hosting and Free Web Hosting

1. You get many more features that a free host can't or won't offer. They include:

SSI

MySQL

PHP

ASP

CGI-BIN

Hot linking images

FTP

Domain hosting

Sub-domains

POP accounts or Web Mail

And a ton of other things.

2. You get better and faster support, if you choose the right host.

3. It looks more professional.

4. You don't have to put up your host's banner ads or pop-ups. Make sure you read their FAQ to verify that.

Choosing a web host.

The first thing you do before choosing a web host is getting a domain name. Go to registering a domain name for more info. Most web hosting companies will usually give you a sub-domain if you ask for one, but it's better just to buy a domain for under $10. And remember avoid buying a domain with the same company that you want to buy hosting from.

After you have a domain name, write down all of the things that you'll need. If you're not sure what you'll need go to What should a good the host have?.

Next start searching for a company that fits your needs.

WebHostingTalk.com is a great place to find a host that you'll like there are reviews, special offers, and helpful people there.

WebHostingPages and Web Hosting Jury are nice easy to use directories to find a host with reviews, make sure you do a search for the host a WebHostingTalk too!

7 Omens of a Bad Host

1. Their website doesn't load.

2. They offer ‘Unlimited Bandwidth', or ‘Unlimited Space'. No host can offer any of those things. Ever server has a limit to how much data it can transfer or hold. Any host that offers the things listed above are one or some of the following:

a) Scammers.

b) Deceiving. They usually have something in their TOS that puts a limit on the amount of bandwidth you can use.

c) Going to go bankrupt soon. If any host tries to live up to unlimited bandwidth promotion they WILL go bankrupt and they'll take your site down with them.

3. They can't type. I know that my typing isn't perfect, but if the host you're looking at can't type what are the chances of the person or persons being able to set up a server or website properly without any major bugs?

4. Their prices are too low. For example if a host offers over 12 GB of bandwidth, CGI-BIN, over 50 MB of space, and a bunch of other stuff for under $3 a month then they probably cut corners on everything from support, server up-time, and/or speed.

5. They don't answer your emails or questions. Be sure to ask a few pre-sale questions to a host that your looking at. If they don't answer you in 48-50 hours don't bother buying from them.

6. Their TOS, Terms of Service, don't make sense and are extremely complicated.

7. Their packages are extremely limited. Make sure you get a host that allows you to have at least the following more advanced features: CGI-Bin, a few POP email accounts, WebMail, FTP, and SSI.

If you're not sure if a host is going to rip you off just search for them at WebHostingTalk.