Web Hosting Features

Web hosting companies try and fit as many features as they can onto their homepages to try and get the attention of a potential customer who knows what he is looking for: 1000mb web space, 2Gb monthly bandwidth, SSH, SSL, ASP, PHP, sub domains………….

The list goes on. But what exactly are each of these features? In this article, I aim to explain almost every aspect of web hosting features, from scripting to bandwidth.

Bandwidth:
The first thing when looking at purchasing a web hosting account is how much bandwidth they give you. For every file that is transferred from your site, it takes up a small amount of bandwidth. If the file is 1Mb is size, it will take up 1Mb of your bandwidth. This is usually given in Gb, or Mb (1024Mb = 1Gb) but you should look for at least 2Gb of monthly bandwidth. If you go over this in a month, the company will charge you extra usually per Gb or Mb. However, make sure they allow you to go over by around 500Mb because you might get a good month and go over slightly. Finally, ensure they do not suspend you account if you go over. This is also known as data transfer.

Diskspace:
Self, explanatory – this is the amount of space you have on their server to store your files. This is usually given in Mb. The company may bombard you with the space in the hundreds or thousands of Mb, but you actually don’t need that much. The Olate site is only 4.7Mb! Look for around 100 – 500Mb as a minimum. Again, as with bandwidth, if you go over then they will charge you – usually though, you can’t go over and they will warn you when you are approaching your limit. You can then buy additional space. Also known as web space.

Control Panel:
This is a must with all accounts as it allows you to manage your website – setup e-mail addresses, manage the database etc. Many hosts will provide a demo of their control panel for you to see. It should be fast and easy to use.

Windows Hosting:
This is where your account is located on a Microsoft Windows server allowing you to use ASP, .NET, Access Databases among other things. The usual web server is IIS5.

Unix/Linux Hosting:
This is where your account is located on an open source Linux or Unix server, commonly Red Hat Linux allowing you to use PHP, SSH and MySQL. The usual web server is Apache.

Domain Name:
This is an essential part of hosting – having your own domain name (like olate.com) that points to your disk space. Some companies will allow you to register the domain with them, although it is usually cheaper to do it via an independent registrar and then transfer it in to them. Beware of free domain names as the company may actually own your domain. Always ensure it is registered in your name and also find out what happens if you want to leave them and if they charge to move the domain away. Don’t go with a host that does charge.

FTP:
FTP allows you to move files from your PC to your web space so they can be displayed to the users. This is an essential feature and must be available 24/7.

POP3 E-Mail Accounts:
These are individual mailboxes that messages are delivered to and each have their individual username and password. You can then give an address to each staff member – contact@domain, sales@domain etc. You should expect at least 10 of these, although the more the better. You may have to pay for additional boxes. Also known as mailboxes.

SMTP Server:
POP3 is only any incoming mail system. If you want to be able to send messages via your account without using your ISPs mail server, then you will need an SMTP server. Some hosts do not provide this and you may have to ask them if you really need one, although your ISP should provide you with one.

Catch All E-Mail Account:
If an e-mail is set to sles@domain when it should have gone to sales@domain, then usually it will be returned to the sender with an error. However, if you have a catch all account setup, then the message will be sent to that instead, which can be forwarded to your own address. That way you catch any e-mails sent to the wrong addresses.

Aliases/Forwarder:
These allow you to set up an address@yourdomain which goes to a different address. If you have your own personal address, for example, that you wish to use but want an address@yourdomain then you can set up an alias to forward any e-mails sent to it, to a certain address.

Auto Responder:
When an e-mail is sent to an address with an auto responder setup on it, a message of your choice will be sent to the sender in response. This could be a thank you message for their order, or a message to say you will respond within 24 hours, for example.

Webmail:
This will allow you to check your e-mail accounts from any internet enabled machine with a Hotmail like interface.

Scripting - CGI/CGI Bin:
If you want to use CGI scripts on your account such as CGI message boards or guestbooks, then you will need CGI support.

Scripting – ASP:
This will allow you to use the Microsoft Active Server Pages technology on your account. This is usually only available on Windows servers. It allows dynamic and interactive websites.

Scripting – PHP:
The alternative to ASP is the open source PHP technology which is usually available on Unix/Linux servers only, although it is possible to use on Windows. It allows dynamic and interactive websites.

Scripting - .NET:
Microsoft’s latest interactive website technology – provides an upgrade for many of the languages including C++ > C#, VB > VB.NET and ASP > ASP.NET.

Scripting – Coldfusion:
ColdFusion is a set of Web development products developed by Allaire, which merged with Macromedia a while ago. The ColdFusion development environment makes it easy for you to build dynamic Web sites and Internet applications.

Database – Access:
Used usually with ASP, a small database solution for websites. However, it only supports up to 50 simultaneous users and is therefore no good for large sites.

Database – MSSQL:
The next step up from Access – very flexible and reliable database solution. Ideal for large websites to replace an Access database.

Database – MySQL:
The open source alternative to MSSQL used usually in conjunction with PHP.

WAP/WML Support:
Allows you to create pages for WAP on mobile phones and serve them on your account.

Media Streaming (Real Media/Windows Media):
Provide live music and video streamed from your website. This usually takes up a large amount of bandwidth.

SSL:
Provides 128bit secure connection between the browser and the server making sure all data is transmitted securely with no chance of interception. Creates the small padlock in the bottom of the browser.

Raw Log Files:
Allows you to download the log files from your site to analyze them with your own tools. This is useful for tracking errors, but use the stats package the host provides which will be easier and sometimes more in depth.

Website Statistics:
A web based system that will monitor your site to see where visitors are coming from, how long they spend on your site, what search engines they used, etc.

Custom Error Pages:
When the visitor gets an error, it will display the page of your choice allowing you to direct them to another page of your site and report the error preventing them from seeing just a blank error.

Those are the most common features you’ll find advertised from a host. If you spot something you don’t understand not listed here, let us know and we’ll add it! 

By David Mytton (Source: http://www.hostlibrary.com)