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Website Hosting Side-by-Side Comparisons |
Click on a company name below to see a website hosting review for that company |
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EasyCGI |
iPowerWeb |
StartLogic |
PowWeb |
HostRocket |
AN Hosting |
| Reviewed Plan |
Advanced |
Business Pro |
ProLogic |
One Plan |
Shared |
Mega |
| Monthly Cost |
$7.96 |
$7.95 |
$5.95 |
$5.77 |
$4.99 |
$6.95 |
| Sign-up Costs |
No |
No, but |
Yes, but |
Yes, but |
$29.95 |
No |
| Hidden Costs |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
| Web Design Tools |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
| Free Domains Included |
0 |
1, but |
1, but |
1 |
0 |
1 |
| Disk Space |
350 GB |
1500 GB |
1500 GB |
1500 GB |
1000 GB |
500 GB |
| Monthly Data Transfer |
3500 GB |
15,000 GB |
15,000 GB |
15,000 GB |
Unlimited |
5000 GB |
| E-mail Accounts |
500 |
2500 |
Unlimited |
Unlimited |
Unlimited |
Unlimited |
| E-commerce Options |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
| Security |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
| Marketing Packages |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Reporting Tools |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Database Support |
Yes |
Yes, but |
Yes, but |
Yes |
Yes, but |
Yes |
| Scripting Support |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Customer Support |
24/7 |
24/7 |
24/7 |
24/7 |
24/7 |
24/7 |
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What Is Website Hosting?
Website hosting (also known as "online hosting," a "service provider" or simply "hosting") is a service provided to display and maintain a website online. Hosting services invest in costly technology and infrastructure such as high-end servers and high-throughput connectivity to provide a virtual platform for thousands of customers. These customers each design, build and maintain their own websites independently of each other and of the host itself. Some websites may be little more than static text and graphics like a billboard, whereas other websites may be variable and interactive, even serving as a means for online sales and communication. The website hosting service provides only the equipment to keep a website visible, accessible and functional, although many providers sell additional services for both basic and advanced website design, e-commerce and programmable features. |
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Why Use a Website Hosting Service?
Capital costs. Website hosting services have a great deal of money invested in their computer networks, servers, connectivity and related software and hardware. Even for a retail business conducting business online, the expenses associated with purchasing and maintaining your own server equipment and related personnel is prohibitive.
Information technology expertise. Maintaining a website server is a full-time job in itself requiring advanced expertise and ongoing education in the computer systems involved, the software installed and the networks used. Paying for a website hosting service means you can outsource all these job functions for a fraction of the cost of the equivalent employees or consultants.
Convenience. Using a website hosting service means that you never have to deal with software upgrades, patches, virus protection, hackers, equipment faults or power failures. Most hosting services now offer user-friendly options such as website construction tools, templates, working examples and online libraries for all their feature components.
Reliability and security. Most website hosting services are built for redundancy and security. They often operate a group of many servers, so if one goes down for a fault or for maintenance, service is not interrupted. Many companies also house their servers at high-level secure locations, protected from everything from natural disasters to power surges to inexperienced employees. |
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What to Look for in Website Hosting
Standard of service. Reviewing these plans for website hosting, Value-Compare.com has compiled a “standard of service” that should be a minimum for most customers. Your requirements will depend very much upon your individual needs and goals for your website.
- $5.00 to $7.00 per month
- 100 GB or more of disk space
- 1000 GB or more per month of data transfer
- 100 or more e-mail accounts
- Domain name registration should be included
- Sufficient reporting tools to measure your usage
- 24/7 phone and e-mail customer support
We do not recommend selecting a hosting service based on a single criteria or product name, such as supported software or commercial affiliation. A basic website hosting service should include features sufficient for your immediate needs without additional or incremental costs.
Disk space and data transfer. One of the most common additional expenses for website hosting is exceeding the listed disk space quota or data transfer rate, which can be a result of media downloads, database activity or heavy website traffic. Make sure that the package you select includes a sufficient quota for both space and data transfer for your anticipated needs.
Database and scripting language support. While some websites are simply static text and graphic pages, others prefer to construct interactive web pages using various open-source and commercial scripting languages drawing on databased information. Make sure that the vendor and package you select includes support for your preferred programmable options.
Service upgrades and customization. Virtually all vendors offer multiple hosting packages that include increasing levels of service and features. Make sure that your website hosting can be upgraded or customized as needed and that you can purchase additional services as required as you grow. |
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