Secure Your Presence on the Web

The fantastic thing about the Internet is that companies of almost any size can entice consumers across a global market using the World Wide Web. One disadvantage, especially for small- and medium-size companies, is supporting the technologies, equipment and extra staff needed to build an online business. However, there is a solution: Web hosting.

A Web hosting company has the equipment, staff and software to manage the complexities of a server. These companies lease space to businesses leaving the customer only the responsibility of posting their files. Web hosting allows companies to launch anything — from e-mail services, Web sites, or a full e-commerce business — without requiring them to hire their own staff or purchase their own equipment.

Shared Web Hosting uses a Web server platform shared by multiple customers, each provided with their own virtual environment. The memory, central processing unit (CPU) and bandwidth are shared between customers and hosted on a single server.

Benefits

Web hosting services allow a company to publish a Web site using the domain name of their choice, typically corresponding to their company name, such as www.mycompany.com. By outsourcing this to a Web hosting company, the service is typically faster, with a more reliable Internet connection. These providers also deliver better management tools and support for higher-level functions.

The virtual environment is secure, ensuring that one customer can't access another customer's information. As more and more companies realize the marketing value of the Internet and the cost-savings in equipment and manpower, they're looking into outside hosting options. By outsourcing, companies can work with experts who provide cost-effective features and services.

Web hosting features may include:

• Site statistics - such as how many visitors come to the site, which pages they visit, and how long they stay on the site.
• FTP access – for quickly uploading Web files to the server.
• E-mail accounts
• Auto-responders - that simplify responses like "Thank you, your order is being processed."
• E-commerce tools – such as customized product order forms.
• Regular site backups
• Secure socket layer (SSL) - and other security measures for e-commerce.
• Account control panel - for administration function from a browser.

Web hosting companies offer a variety of services. When looking for a host, some things to consider include:

• Setup fees, if any
• Free support or support upgrade options
• Tools and software provided
• Up-time guarantee and compensation for lost time
• Data transfer (bandwidth) offered
• Back-up method and schedule
• The amount of space your site can use
• Upgrade policies

The Internet has leveled the competitive field of global business. Shared Web Hosting can help small- and medium-size companies use the Internet to its fullest potential.

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