Selecting a host for your new website - Part 3 of 3

Selecting a domain name in 4 simple steps - Part 1 of  3
Registering your new domain name - Part 2 of 3

Selecting a hosting plan can be a little confusing, so mistaking this step can blast your momentum. Picking the right plan now will allow you to grow and provide you with services at a competitive price. Finding that sweet spot will make your life easier by letting you focus on your primary goals.

It's no simple thing to try to predict the level of demand your website could generate, so be realistic about your potential, and determine a range that is perfectly reasonable. Lets assume for simplicity sake that you do not require a dedicated server. That kind of power is not typically used by young Jedi's.

Understanding your requirements will make this part much simpler.

If you are just starting out, measure in gigabytes the totality of your website. Double that figure. For bandwidth, it's fair to assume 1000 page views is equal to 1 gigabyte. Having a database is a popular feature. Does it use MySQL and PhpMyAdmin or is a Linux alternative ready and waiting. Maybe E-commerce is high on your list, if so pay special attention to the certificate rules. A popular feature that allows you to host any number of domains within one single plan is a convenient way to buffer your margins.

Hosting companies generally charge you for the bandwidth served plus features in use. For those of you just starting out the basic plans are generally enough, so let's stick with that. Going for a plan with unlimited bandwidth sounds like a winner, but don't be fooled by this gimmick, you could end up paying more.

Assemble a list of qualified matches into a matrix of features and hosts. How do you list all of the plans when they come in so many forms and configurations. Keep it simple by only listing those that include the feature that you need most.

You may have noticed that most of these plans are hosted on a shared server. Shared hosting spreads the cost of maintaining the server to all of  it's users. It's certainly cheaper but when the server gets busy your website will suffer. Sharing just means that the hosting provider will not guarantee the speed of your page loads when traffic gets busy. Your visitors will have to wait in a queue before the server sends the page they have requested. When traffic is light your pages should load without any delay.

Alternatives to sharing can expose you to risks that if not handled precisely can wreak havoc for you. A popular one is dedicated hosting. This type is usually reserved for enterprise class businesses that demand the best performance. The cost is much greater than shared, but is optimal for companies not ready to host their website in house. Another alternative is to do it yourself. This will require you to install a server and maintain it somewhere. Only an expert should handle this beast.

All the big names in hosting provide a detailed control panel designed to assist web masters with the complexities of offsite hosting. It's sort of feels like a file manager on steroids, when all the bells and whistles are  installed and functioning. It will become your command and control center, supplying you with metrics  to boost your performance, helping you deliver a superior experience.

By now you've determined which of the hosts match your criteria. If you're left with a choice between two hosts, call them both to ask the same question. A response from one could tip the scale, and give you a reason to make a decision.

Here's where it can get sticky. Your decision at this point will bound your ability to expand if the features you need are not available. A change of host may be unavoidable. Don't panic if you make a decision that eventually changes as your domain name will always remain in your possession. Moving your website sounds like a chore but can be made simpler with the right tools.

Once you've committed, purchase the plan.

When your website has outgrown its birthday suit, an upgrade from basic to business class hosting is just a click away.

Hosting prices fluctuate mildly but are expected to remain at this level.