When it comes to choosing a good webhost, this important task often becomes a success when an individual may use a variety of resources in order to make the best decision. Researching web hosting companies on the Internet is a beneficial tool to take advantage of because there is a wealth of information on the Web pertaining to various webhosts. Company comparisons and peer reviews shed light on the type of services that may fit into the scope of your needs and future endeavors.
The Top Three Web Hosts of 2007 - Which One Is Right For YOU?
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Matt_Colvin]Matt Colvin
When it comes to choosing a good webhost, this important task often becomes a success when an individual may use a variety of resources in order to make the best decision. Researching web hosting companies on the Internet is a beneficial tool to take advantage of because there is a wealth of information on the Web pertaining to various webhosts. Company comparisons and peer reviews shed light on the type of services that may fit into the scope of your needs and future endeavors.
One of the best ways to receive a well-rounded look at some of the leading web hosting companies is to analyze the details offered through a web-hosting guide. Not only will you be able to save time and energy usually spent on visiting individual websites, but also enjoy the ease of conducting research all in one place (an approach that furthers proper decision-making without the distractions of web design gimmicks).
When selecting a webhost company, it is key to pinpoint and separate web hosting requirements from personal desires. In some cases, individuals spend a lot of time fixating on features that sound good at first, but in the end, don't fulfill the needs of their goals. For instance, why purchase 200GB of storage when you know your ventures will more than likely require only 20GB?
Jotting down the basic requirements and features before conducting a webhost search is suggested. Some of the factors that may affect your decision includes email account details, URL redirects, FTP access, public and private FTP accounts, subdomains; autoresponders, Internet-based control panel, pre-installed software like blogging capabilities; and shopping cart software for online businesses. Once your list is complete, you may use search engines, such as Yahoo, Lycos or Google to find reasonable comparison sites.
Whether you are prepared to base your decision by price, features, or need-fulfillment, side-by-side comparisons and user reviews often become a vital part of your web hosting research. Below you will find reviews and comparisons regarding some of the top web hosting companies on the market: Hostgator, Bluehost and Ipowerweb.
Entry-Level Packages
To test the waters of a web hosting company, committing to an entry-level package is a convenient way to get a feel for the quality of features and service. All three web-hosting companies offer a great deal of features for the cost-conscious individual, but only one will shine above the rest when it comes to satisfying individual hosting needs.
IPowerWeb: For consumers who want all of the features of a deluxe web-hosting package regardless if they possess a need, the IPowerWeb hosting solution aims to please all clients. Through a consolidated, all-inclusive web-hosting package, Business Pro can easily accommodate the ventures of beginners, professionals and business owners. These all-encompassing perks aid new customers who receive free domain and design templates, as well as transfer clients who obtain free marketing.
Bluehost: Sometimes price is an important factor when choosing a web hosting company. The small business owners and individual users who wish to gain the freedom of fully accessing an assortment of features at a low cost will also enjoy the enhanced multimedia features associated with Bluehost. Offering enhanced storage and site transfer capabilities, Bluehost also allows users to compete within the online world of business for a lower monthly cost.
HostGator: While HostGator offers four different web-hosting packages, the entry-level option appropriately referred to as the "hatchling" package presents many features that allow beginners to get acquainted with this beneficial online system. For those looking for a wealth of control panel options, as well as supported features, HostGator is a decent web hosting solution. A 30-day money-back guarantee also allows users to test the merchandise before fully pledging allegiance.
Comparing the Features
Price
Sometimes the price of a web hosting company is enough to make or break a purchase. Both Bluehost and IPowerWeb offer the same pricing guidelines for 3, 6, 12, and 24 months of service. A 3-month ($59.85) and 6-month ($83.70) account also includes the price of a $30 set-up fee. When signing up for 12-month ($95.40) and 24-month ($166.80) plans, you will receive a free domain name that excludes the set-up fee. With HostGator, the $6.95 monthly fee is paid on a yearly basis.
Best Bet: HostGator offers the lowest price for their monthly services, which also includes free and instant setup.
Disk Space and Bandwidth
Determining the amount of space you need for both current and future business activity will help narrow web-hosting selections. Both HostGator and iPowerWeb provide 50 GB of disk space, but it is Bluehost that offers the most storage space with 200 GB with a monthly site transfer of 2000 GB. HostGator only features 200 GB site transfer, followed by iPowerWeb's 750 GB.
Best Bet: For the price, Bluehost makes sure you don't have to skimp on space or site transfer.
Number of Domains
While you may currently only need web hosting for one domain, have you ever thought about future needs? Some webhosts do not accommodate multiple sites. Perhaps, you are satisfied with access to several sub domains. HostGator only allows one domain per user with 20 sub domains. One free domain name is also offered through iPowerWeb with the exception of 100 free sub domains. Bluehost, on the other hand, lets users host 6 domains on one account.
Best Bet: For those who plan on expanding their domain potential, Bluehost encourages more website possibilities.
Email Accounts
While some websites are in need of many different email accounts, others can function quite well with only a handful. HostGator provides 20 POP3 accounts with auto responders, mailing lists, catch alls, and mail forwarding. With iPowerWeb, unlimited forwarding accounts with autoresponder and email filtering are included with 2,500 POP3 accounts. Unlimited forwarding and email autoresponder with secure POP3 email support is offered for 2,500 accounts connected to Bluehost.
Secure Server and Ecommerce
Ecommerce sites handle secure information on a regular basis, which requires SSL. This promise of security strengthens the bond between clients and online companies. Shopping carts are also needed to promote an easy shopping experience. With HostGator, shared SSL is offered with access to Agora Cart, osCommerce, ZenCart and Cube Cart features. GatorPower offers access to osCommerce, Agora Cart and the very popular PayPal shopping cart. Through Bluehost, a SSL secure server presents access to Agora Cart, osCommerce, ZenCart and Cube Cart with password-protected directories.
Best Bet: Bluehost offers additional security features that other web hosting companies do not, but if you receive most of your business through PayPal, you may want to look into GatorPower's capabilities.
Multimedia and Plug-ins
For ambitious website design and presentation, you should choose a web hosting service that can support these formats, including Flash, audio, and video. Web hosting plug-ins also makes attractive extras a possibility. With HostGator, instant blogs, forums, counter, and guestbook features are available. Blogging, guestbook, chat, bulletin board, polling and simple search are offered through iPowerWeb. Need help with building your site? Bluehost offers a free drag and drop site builder, whereas HostGator does not provide a site builder with their entry-level hosting.
Best Bet: It is Bluehost that may provide the better selection of software, including multiple guestbook options, live chat, poll and survey and web auction. The multimedia features associated with Bluehost are also quite impressive, including support for streaming video and audio, Flash, Macromedia Shockwave and MIDI files.
Customer Service
Questions should be promptly answered and solutions available from the web hosting company you have selected. While iPowerWeb and Bluehost offer 24/7 network monitoring, it is HostGator that not only satisfies hosting fears, but also adds a few guarantees to boot.
Best Bet: HostGator provides 24/7 support, but also offers 99.5% uptime, backing it up with a 30-day money-back guarantee
Matt Colvin is an online entrepreneur that enjoys writing about a variety of internet based subjects. The top 3 webhosts covered in this article can be accessed by the following links. http://cheapbluehost.com http://mygatorhost.com http://goipowerhost.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Matt_Colvin http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Top-Three-Web-Hosts-of-2007---Which-One-Is-Right-For-YOU?&id=432956
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