How do you choose a hosting provider when there are thousands of hosting companies available online? It's like going through the yellow pages trying to find hamburger restaurants.
There are many of them. Hopefully these tips will guide you in the right direction. Important factors in selecting a web hosting company include the percentage of server uptime.
From 98 to 99% uptime is the dream standard for server uptime, 65% is unacceptable.
The longer the server downtime, the lower the potential for traffic to your web site. Another consideration is how much space is provided for the files that make up your web site.
How much bandwidth is in your package? Monthly bandwidth is the amount of data transfer allowed visitors to view and use your web site.
With the current changing trends in web hosting services, it is important to get as much server space and bandwidth as you can.
This will allow for necessary updates and increased traffic to your site as it becomes more popular.
It is equally important when purchasing web hosting companies that CGI access is provided; along with features like MySQL, Real Audio, Real Video, and Cold Fusion (which some companies sell as an add on component).
The crucial feature needed to do e-commerce is SSL, or Secure Socket Layer.
This encrypts all order and credit card information until it reaches you.
An SSL certificate can be purchased from most web hosting providers. Display it on your e-commerce website which verifies your website transactions are safe and secure.
We've talked about this before in other articles. You will need a domain name that reflects the nature of your business.
For example, a sports company might have a URL that is www.coloradosports.com.
To obtain your own unique domain name, you must first verify the availability of the name with a domain name lookup, offered by domain registrars such as Network Solutions.
There are many service providers to choose from. If you do your homework, you'll find some good deals that fit your budget.
Login with your domain name
Use common sense when choosing a domain name, because your domain name, or URL, can have an impact on both the online and offline marketing of your website.
Long or difficult to spell domain names can make people ignore your site and it has to be really nice for them to stick with it (eg go to www.thedolphinsmakemecry.com website.
Short domain names register better with people's memory and are easy to remember.
Get a domain name that will help you in your niche and market strategy.
As I said before, you can use the company name as your URL.
If your company name is already taken by someone else then get a URL name close to what you are doing.
Buying a business name domain name is not the only way to go, and when a keyword domain name could do just fine.
If you plan on using the NET extension, you may want to wait to decide your name after you have found an available domain name that is suitable for your type of business.
If you follow the steps below, you should be good at identifying your brand name to the internet community.
Structure your Brand – Put your domain name on your letterhead, business cards, printed materials; put it on your phone recording, next to your car; don't forget to include it with your email.
Keep it short and memorable – Don't have a URL that uses all 26 letters of the alphabet.
Secure a .com URL – I highly recommend purchasing a .com domain name as opposed to a NET, .info, biz, or anything else.
If your chosen domain name is not available on uma.com, keep looking until you find one that is not taken.
There's nothing wrong with the other extensions, but when you have a com extension, it feels like you've been on the net for too long.
Remember, your domain name is an extension of your business and your product or service brand.
Author: Joao Goncalves