There's nothing worse than a rogue host. At first glance choosing a host for your website seems as easy as the pizza delivery and Dvd option on a Sunday, though it is important that you are informed so Billy the Bully here doesn't crash your site. The fact is that some hosts are dodgy and you need to be able to make informed decisions to ensure you are up and running when you need to be for maximum uptime. In particular, if your website incorporates backend technology such as Java or ASP.net this topic encompasses matters which require careful thought and planning.

Costs can escalate rapidly if you are not prepared. Furthermore many hosting companies are simply not as reputable as you would expect from their slick marketing campaigns and, in reality, function in pretty murky waters. In short, hosting your website is an issue which must be considered seriously from the outset of the project to ensure no unpleasant surprises.

Below is a list of just some of the items which need to be addressed before selecting the right host for your creative websites:

Technology compatibility - Does your potential host support flash or java for example? Can databases be integrated?

Cost – Are there additional fees besides the standard monthly ones? Perhaps your site may require more memory than is being offered, or the operating platform is an additional fee. It is possible if you exceed your bandwidth that crushing penalties will be imposed.

Security - A no brainer. You want your data stored securely and backed up right?

RAM/ CPU/ Disk space/ Bandwidth Limits- Each a head scratcher in their own rights! Make sure you do your homework to be certain the host can meet your individual requirements – not some but all.

Shared Hosting - Suitable for small websites but not all shared hosting companies are created equal

Virtual Private Servers - Cloud computing offers a cheap and scalable way to control your own virtual environment. Could this be the right option for your business requirements?

Dedicated Servers – Usually for larger enterprises, and generally not cheap. We have partnered with Mossad Services (Australia and New Zealand) to provide complete solutions for those with extensive needs.

Uptime - Most hosting company’s brag about 99.9 % uptime but how can you be sure? Does the host include maintainence and power outages for example in their downtime? Have you monitored them? Can they prove their track record? The last thing your creative website needs is downtime.

Support - Customer support can be the maker or breaker of any relationship. Is your host up to your expectations? Try them out with a few well directed probes.

Analytic Tools – Necessary if you want to know where your traffic is coming from so you can develop marketing strategies accordingly.

Suspension Policies – Make sure you will not be kicked off because your site suddenly attracted a surge of interest and high traffic. Read the fine print.

Servers – Are your hosts using state of the art equipment with Quad cores and layered back up systems such as battery and generator to guard against power outages? Are they running in a suitable environment which is cool and dry? Are they using green technology to power the systems?

How many accounts are run on your shared server? – This can affect the performance of your site, so needs to be considered. Generally speaking over 150 accounts on a server will be detrimental to your sites performance.

SSL - Certification Secure Sockets Layer is the standard security technology for establishing an encrypted link between a web server and a browser. This link ensures that all data passed between the web server and browsers remain private and integral. Great to have, but some hosts won’t allow it.

International Domains - Are you sure your host will support your .co.nz or other international domain name?

And so on and so forth…

In short, each of the items addressed above are important and need your attention. We can take care of all your hosting requirements, providing a solution which is perfect for you. Our service will numb the pain of what can otherwise be an overwhelming exercise in information overload.

If you have any questions about hosting your website, please get in touch

Let us take the up the slack for you.