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Selecting a Host

When first starting out on the web, it is easy to overlook some of the most important factors when selecting a web host while also paying too much attention on attractive features which you may never need.

Here are some points to consider when choosing a web hosting company:

Don't Rush

Look carefully at what is being offered. Some offers may look good at first but they may be missing an important service that you will definitely need. For example: if you are planning an ASP driven dynamic site, a Unix/ php ready site that only offers ASP as an add on, is not a good choice. If you are planning an ASP site, get a Windows host save yourself the hassle. If you are planning a PHP based site, get a Unix host.

Uptime - This is a measurement of a hosting company's record of server or connectivity breaks. 99% is the standard, however they only consider when their facilities were down, not when the ISP or various routers went down on the Internet.

Disk Space - Determine how much space it will take to grow your site. If you only plan a small static 'brochure' type of site, then 50 - 100 meg is all you need. However, often times people find themselves expanding their site as time goes on and quickly they run out of space or get hit with a big increase in billing. Currently there are several affordable web hosts that offer plenty of disk space for a few dollars per month.

Bandwidth - This factor is usually overlooked until the bandwidth limit is reached. If you go over your allotted bandwidth, you will get a hefty bill. If you are running a site with lots of downloads, or a site with lots of images such at a photo post site, your bandwidth will be a lot higher than a site with mainly text.

Domain Name - What's the point in buying web space if you cannot point your own domain name to the site? Some companies will help you register a domain name but you should compare prices and learn how to register your domain yourself. This way you are in control of your domain name if you ever change hosts.

FTP Access - Unlimited and unrestricted FTP access to your site is essential. You will need an FTP program to transfer files. Usually web authoring software like DreamWeaver™ or FrontPage™ come with FTP.

Control Panel - This is the area on your hosting account that you can basically control your site. Some are easier to use than others. Check out a demo of the control panel, before you buy (if you can). Part of our choosing or qualifying has to do with the user-friendly control panels.

Other factors such as SSL (secure sockets layer) for credit card transactions are worth finding out about if you are planning to sell directly online. Email accounts, content management, scripting etc. are all good factors to check out, however if you are going beyond a simple static site, it is best to hire a professional to guide you through the process of choosing a quality affordable web host.

©2004- 2006 CoreWebSolutions.com. All Rights Reserved.

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About Secure Passwords

Here is something that most people don't usually think about very often. Over the years in my experience with website clients, one thing I have noticed is that website owners don't really know the dangers of using simple passwords. A password is the electronic equivalent of a key. Most people in their right mind would not install a lock for their home or office that used a simple flat key with no teeth. If they did, with any thin piece of metal or plastic it would be incredibly simple to pick that lock and break in.

Believe it or not, using a simple dictionary word (meaning any word that can be found in a standard dictionary) is the same as using that flat and toothless key. All one needs to crack that password is a elementary password-cracking tool and about .8 seconds. Usually, FTP access does not have any hindrance to using a 'brute force' method of cracking a password. Using a dictionary password or any combination of plain lowercase letters is like having no password at all. This is the most common reason that websites get hacked.

Just like joy-riding car thieves, run-of-the-mill hackers love the thrill of breaking into a website and messing with the files. You don't have to have anything of real value to them, they just like to break in and fool around. Sometimes the attack can be malicious and extremely damaging, other times it can be subtle changes in text that will surprise your visitors when they come across a series of expletives in the midst of your well-written sales copy. Or maybe they just post naughty pictures on your arts and crafts page. These are the less damaging hacks that occur every day to unsuspecting website owners. Why? because the password was too easy.

You may think that no one knows your fathers middle name, or Granny's address, but no one needs to know; all they need is a simple password cracker that can be downloaded off the Internet for free, and BAM! they're in your site. Its not about guessing something about you that you think they don't know. Its about hacking software that can do all the guessing for them at about 10,000 times the speed.

Not heeding this advice can be hazardous to your website or computer. Some people would rather remember a simple password than having to try an memorize a difficult one. I wonder if they leave their car unlocked with the keys in the ignition too. Or maybe they are the ones who leave the front an backdoor unlocked when they go to work. All it takes is one time for a company to get violated and they will never forget what that was like, not to mention the potential loss. Do yourself a favor; make your website hard to hack and the hackers will move on. Don't wait until something awful happens.

©2004 - 2005 CoreWebSolutions.com. All Rights Reserved.

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What's a Website Anyway?

Where to begin? This is the most frequently asked question for any one new to the website building world. Often business owners decide they need a website and immediately start looking for the cheapest and fastest way to get online with their business. They don't necessarily treat the Internet like a traditional marketplace, and figure "if you build it, they will come." However, the Internet is not a 'field of dreams' but rather good old fashioned hard-nosed business dressed up in technological garb.

The truth is, the widespread use and accessibility of the Internet has created a business machine similar to traditional business in so many ways, yet people mistake it for something totally different. With a few major exceptions (eBay, Amazon, Yahoo), the most successful websites are owned by already successful businesses. A website is primarily a marketing tool. When you add eCommerce or point-of-sale purchasing it becomes an additional location of your business.

Just today I ordered a new cell phone from a major cell phone company. I first thought, "I should go down to that cell phone store and get a new phone." Then I thought, "lets see what their website is like." I ventured onto the web, easily found their site and shopped around. I then read through various features and found the one phone I wanted. I ordered it and it will be here tomorrow. This company is a big name in cell phones. They have massive brand recognition which first enabled me to think of them, then enabled me to find them on the first try with my browser. It also provided trust, buyer confidence and all that 'traditional' marketing stuff. See, I didn't even bother looking at www.weegotcheapphones.com, or www.bobscrazyphoneplace.org to find anything. I went to an established business, which I do most of the time I shop online.

This illustrates my main point, that is, a website should be recognized as a business tool that adds a dimension to your existing business. With few exceptions it should not be all the focus of your business. In some cases the type of business could be of a kind which only works on the web. For example; selling domain names, or hosting services. But selling products or services online that are not naturally web-related is rarely successful without an already established business. The most notable exceptions are eBay and Amazon, but they got started way-back when there were few sites and zero competition. Those days are long gone.

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