CHOOSING WEB HOSTING:
Hardware & Data Center Issues
5. What type of server does the hosting provider offer?
6. Do those servers have quality reliable processors?
7. Are there back-up generators (in case of power outages)?
8. Will UPS devices be used? (these will insure that site remains live in the event of a power outage while the power generators are being turned on).
9. How will your site be protected in the event of a fire? Do they have adequate fire protection and smoke detection systems in place?
10. Are the servers adequately guarded against theft or other mishaps? Internet Issues
11. Where are the web servers located? How reliable and fast are the internet connection there?
12. Are there back up internet connections in place that will insure site uptime in the event that the primary internet connection fails?
MORE QUESTIONS TO ASK WHILE CHOOSING WEB HOSTING:
Hosting Software Issues
13. Does the hosting company offer Linux or Windows based hosting plans or both? A Windows platform will usually be required if you plan on using MSSQL, ASP or ASP Net, MS Access, etc. If you plan on using PHP, MySql, Joomla, etc. then Linux will probably be the most appropriate choice. Most Open Source Software and Technologies operate on a Linux platform though many have cross platform capabilities.
14. What type of control panel will you be given? Examples: Plesk, CPanel, H-Sphere, Ensim, etc. Some control panel solutions offer better options than others. Many hosting providers will give you the option of choosing between 2 or more control panels. Others only use 1 control panel solution for every client.
15. Do they offer CMS (Content Management Systems) such as Joomla, Mambo, PHP Nuke, Drupal, Slashcode, Geeklog, etc.,? CMS are probably needed if your website will be used interactively by a lot of active contributors.
16. Will you have access to any preinstalled scripts or commercial script libraries such as Fantastico, Ilance, etc. Comercial Script libraries will allow you to easily install scripts, CMS, Image Galleries, Ecommerce Shopping Carts, Polls and Surveys, etc.
17. Are you offered SSL (Secured Socket Layer) or TLS (Transport Layer Security). SSL or TLS use cryptography in order to make websites more secure. This is especially important if you are operating an Ecommerce site or if your site handles private or privileged information. The secure transmission of website information is made via HTTPS (HTTP over SSL). This is the same technology used for encrypting chats, internet faxing, web browsing, emails, etc.
18. Does your hosting provider offer Ecommerce solutions? Even if you don’t plan on opening up an online store now you never know where your site will take you in the near future. Knowing that you can easily add an ecommerce section to your site will give you piece of mind.
19. Are you offered Web Site Statistics? This used to be very important but nowadays 3rd party software such as Google Analytics will probably be a better choice for keeping track of your site’s visitors.
20. Will you be able to incorporate discussion boards, blogs or forums into your site?
21. etc.