What to look for in a good hosting company

There are many hosting companies that provide you with server space to store your files. But a good hosting company isn't just storage space.

Ultimately, you will want to have as much control over your files and their manipulation, especially if you decide to create a website. Hosting companies should be able to provide you with as many features as possible to make your web and internet presence easy and manageable.

Here are some points to consider when looking for a hosting company.

- Make sure that it provides you with Domain Name registration and renewal. There is nothing worse than finding you DN has expired because it was monitored by a company other than your hosting company.

- You shouldn't have to pay more than $10 (I would say $8) a month for good, basic services.

- The company should provide you with sub-domain options so that you can have secondary websites.

- There should be good email services, including web-email.

- Free amenities (like blog builders, web design tools) are standard features in all competent companies.

- At least one type of e-commerce service should be available.

- Make sure that there are current databases available.

- Other programs and software should be current

- Additional storage space can be purchased

Getting Your Own Website

Artists and restaurateurs can often add their business to a group website which advertises specifically for their business.

This can have several advantages.

- Whoever is looking for focussed information can go to these sites and find a large collection of similar products, also giving your work a chance to be viewed.

- The business or individual doesn't have to worry about upkeep, design decisions, maintenance or finding a good and reliable website designer.

- These sites are usually much cheaper

But, there are some disadvantages as well.

- The look of these websites is pretty generic, and doesn't leave much for creativity or individuality. Since one way to attract potential clients or buyers is by how unique your website is, your product (menu, business name, artwork) etc... has to outshine all the others on those group websites.

- These websites provide website addresses that are usually attached to their own address. So, your website address may a long string of words, many of which have no relation to you or your work - something like: wwww.name of group site.com/your name.html. Such a website address is hard to remember, and harder to print on a small business card.

- You may want, at some point, to add interactive elements like e-commerce, or a newsletter, or comment box other than for email. Addition of extra elements is often impossible in these group websties.

Of course, the type of website you want depends on a large number of factors. But, if you are really serious about your business or activity, a website with your own unique address, and unique identity, and with the flexibility to add new elements and technologies will be much more cost-effective.