7 point checklist to choose a web hosting service
by Josh Bender

Before you can launch your web site, youll need to engage the services of a web hosting company.

A web host, quite simply, allows you to rent space on a web server. Your web pages are then stored on this server, and the host computer allows other people connected to the Internet to view them.

There are literally hundreds of web hosting companies to choose from. How to choose the right one?

As with trying out any new service, you wont really know how good a web hosting company is until you try it. Therefore, ask around and see whether you can get any recommendations from those who already use a web hosting company. You might also want to consider how long the company has been in business, how reliable it is known to be, and how expensive it would be if you want to upgrade your plan in future.

Other areas to consider include:

* Disk space
How much disk space do you need? Does you website have less than 10 pages? Youll need only a small amount of space. Is it a huge site that has thousands of pages? Youll be needing a lot of disk space. Most web hosting plans limit how much space you will have, so make sure the plan you choose meets your needs.

* E-mail accounts
How many e-mail accounts do you need? Youll probably need one for each employee and one for each department (sales, accounts, support). Make sure you purchase a hosting plan that has enough e-mail accounts. Also, do you want full POPS access, Web-based e- mail, or both?

* Data transfer
How much data do you need to transfer? Most hosting plans limit how much data transfer you are allotted each month. If you expect a lot of people to visit your site, youll need a plan that allows for plenty of data transfer.

* E-commerce
Will you be selling goods or services through your site? If not, theres no need to sign up for an e-commerce web hosting service. If you are, e-commerce web hosting services such as shopping cart software, SSL support and a merchant account will be vital.

* Database, script and extension support
Some hosts will try to blind you with all the features they provide: Frontpage, MS Access, MySQL, MS SQL, Peri support, PHP support, ASP support and SSI support. Do you really need all these features? If not, make sure you are not paying for extras youll never use.

* Operating systems
Do you want a UNIX hosting plan or a Windows hosting plan? Unix is the most commonly used operating system among Web servers. It is known for its flexibility, reliability and stability. Windows hosting plans give you the ability to utilize many forms of dynamic content and specialized databases. Windows hosting plans are often used for sites utilizing Frontpage, ASP, MS Access databases, MS SQL Servers and other Microsoft applications.

* Support
Is customer and technical support available 24/7? Can you easily get through on the customer support hotline? Or are you on hold for hours?

• Amazon Payments Launches New Streamlined Customer Experience for “Checkout by Amazon” — Millions of Amazon Customers ...
  
  SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Amazon Payments Inc., an Amazon.com company (NASDAQ:AMZN), today announced the next generation of Checkout by Amazon (CBA) that enables Amazon.com account holders to make purchases on a merchant’s site using their Amazon.com account credentials without leaving the merchant’s site. Consumers can now access their Amazon address book and payment methods directly on a ...
  


• Mobile banking seems to be growing as the concerns about security ease
  
  Smartphones let you watch NFL games, read books, and check e-mail. Now a suite of mobile banking services is just a tap away, too. Banks have significantly expanded their mobile offerings as concerns about wireless security ease. Mobile banking - Wireless - National Football League - Bank - Mobile Computing
  


• Going mobile? Link payments to credit cards for best protection
  
  When it comes to mobile commerce, all payment methods are not created equal. Transactions linked to prepaid cards offer the least protection against unauthorized use and billing disputes
  


• Amazon Upgrades Checkout, Plays Catch-up with Google, PayPal
  
  It's been a few years since online retail giant Amazon started offering hosted e-commerce payment services in the form of Checkout by Amazon , and today the company has rolled out some upgraded features that should be good news for merchants. Third-party sellers now have the ability to provide customers with a full-blown Amazon.com experience from directly within their own site , including ...
  


• 401(k)s: Far More Dangerous Than IRAs
  
  401(k)s and IRAs are America?s most popular retirement plans. It seems most employed Americans