Virtual Hosting: Pros and cons

Virtual hosting is the term used to describe multiple domains that are hosted on the same server. Virtual web hosting can be compared to leasing an item as opposed to purchasing it. In this case, you are leasing a service offered by a provider that generally includes the following:

Basic server features

Internet connection services

Domain name registration

File storage and directory services

An e-mail account with related services.

In addition, a provider of virtual hosting may provide web site and web page design.

Like most other leasing situations, whether likened to tools, cars, or apartments, there are advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages of Virtual Hosting

Support. Providers generally offer round the clock support, providing you with the security of available help when you need it most. In addition, many companies have measures in place to keep your site from hackers.

Flexibility. You are can try a variety of features without the burden of long-term commitment. You can also customize your virtual hosting arrangements with the bandwidth and database access that matches your business needs.

Cost. Virtual hosting is a great value for small or medium companies on a tight budget. With no major equipment purchases required, it is also ideal for start up companies trying to minimize their initial investment

Disadvantages of Virtual Hosting

Limitations. Since you share the virtual host's services with your provider's other clients, your customers compete for access. As a result, your site may have slower server response times during peak periods and could time out with "Web Site Not Responding" messages as visitors try to browse your pages.

Risks. You may end up sharing an IP address with scammers, spammers, or adult sites. Since all hosted sites are treated as a group, you could easily end up banned from search engines that actively seek to block questionable activity.

Control. Users share software components. The result is an inability to configure individual settings independent of the other clients serviced by your virtual hosting provider.

When sharing a server, you are receiving a low cost service with others. Be sure to think through how this might impact your business. There are definite advantages and disadvantages to virtual hosting. Evaluate them in light of your business goals, budget, personal style, and target audience.

Dedicated Hosting

Dedicated hosting is a smart choice if you have determined that you need an entire server and Internet connection specifically reserved for your business activity. Shared servers may be cheaper and less of a commitment than dedicated hosting, but these advantages will quickly fade in comparison to the problems you might experience. Without a dedicated host, you could have problems with speed, reliability, and the ability to customize your web site environment.

Speed: Server response times in a shared hosting environment depend highly on the activity of the other sites your company is sharing with. Dedicated web hosting enables you to better control your server response times and more efficiently manage any related issues that arise.


Reliability: With a dedicated hosting environment, you have unlimited access to the operating system, software applications, and database applications. This allows you a reliable way to meet the needs of your customers - it's all there when you need it. A dedicated server can also provide better security for your site, shielding you from the problems that can develop when others are using the same server.

Customization: As your company grows, your web site will have to keep up with it. The dedicated hosting option allows you to adapt your applications, increase bandwidth, and upgrade your hard drive as needed.

Dedicated hosting is available with Unix, Windows, and Mac based servers. Take time to look closely at the various companies out there that offer dedicated hosting. Look at our dedicated hosting reviews, check out web hosting directories, and talk to those who have already chosen a company - find out what they think of their service. Shared service may be inexpensive, but it might not be the answer you are looking for. While dedicated hosting might cost more in dollars per month, it could cost you far more in profits and customer counts if you don't take the time to analyze your needs.

Web Hosting Definitions

Web hosting plan reviews, like those featured on this site, bring with them their own unique set of technical phrases. As a matter of fact, there is an entire language dedicated to the hosting field. This short glossary will provide you with some brief definitions you should know as you begin your search for a web hosting service. Keep in mind that this is not an all inclusive list, but a starting place to help you put new information into context.

Internet Protocol (IP) Number: IP addresses that identify hosts, networks, and your computer, much like your house address is used to identify your city, street, and house number.

Domain Name: Title and address of your web site.

URL (Uniform Resource Locator): The standard way an address is presented on the Internet. The first part indicates what protocol to use and the second part specifies a domain name. (E.g. "aol.com")

Server: A computer or software system that allows other computers to store information on it and use its resources.

Host: A company that uses servers to connect domain names to Internet Protocol numbers. This enables your domain name to be called up in Internet searches. There are a variety of types of hosts around, each with their own web hosting plan and offers.

ASP (Active Server Pages): A Windows-based specification that allows web developers to create dynamic sites with database driven content. The server reads the ASP code, translates it into HTML, and sends it back to the browser. The web site owner relies on it to ensure that all visitors are able to view the site's dynamic content. PHP is a similar specification used by Linux servers. Your web hosting plan determines which one you will use. Click here to read more about ASP Hosting

Internet Service Provider (ISP): A company that offers Internet access. Users dial up through a modem, DSL, or cable connection and then move through web pages with their browser.

Audio Streaming: This feature provides the audio content of a web site. Since it takes up quite a bit of bandwidth, it may not be included in the web hosting plan you are looking at. Find out before you make a commitment that will exclude a needed item.

Bandwidth: The amount of data that runs through an Internet connection. Larger sites need a web hosting plan that offers more bandwidth than a smaller one does. Pricing structures vary, so you'll want to find out how much it will cost if you suddenly need to add more to your site.

Common Gateway Interface (CGI): A program that translates data from a web server to a readable format in the web browser. It can be used for visitor registration, guestbooks, technical help, and more. Many web hosts offer prewritten versions of CGI scripts.

Encrypted Password: A password that has been camouflaged to prevent hackers from entering a site area registered to an identify other than their own. Look for this feature in the security features of your chosen web hosting plan.

Web Hosting’s Dirty Laundry

The world of web hosting is magical and wonderous. Having a website lets you show the world extremely important things like pictures of your cats, and also lets you share your not-at-all-crazy political views with the WORLD!
Let’s say you don’t know a whole lot about web hosting, but you really want to get into the business because this guy your brother knows runs some porn site and he “totally never has to work and dude he just made like a grand yesterday. The guy drives a Ferrari! I’m so super cereal dude.”

That doesn’t sound like a bad idea! Your first thought would probably be to search around for reviews of some of the more popular web hosts, and then you’d probably wind up signing up with a highly-rated host. Google around for “hosting reviews” and you’ll see a plethora of helpful web host listings.

Nearly every web host that’s listed on these totally unbiased and completely objective sites have one thing in common - they all have affiliate programs. Each unsuspecting visitor that clicks through to a “highly rated” web host earns the site-owner a hefty little commission. The hosts that pay out the biggest commissions are usually the ones that you’ll find listed near the top of all these lists.

They’ll make it sound like they’ve done all the research for you, and that their top ten picks are the absolute best web hosts in the industry! But in reality all they’ve done is researched how much cash they can squeeze out of any given web host’s affiliate program.

Of course we’re generalizing here, so not all of these types of sites are as bad as they may seem…oh wait, yes they are. Some of these sites produce little fluff “reviews” of web hosts, and some don’t even bother to go that far, instead making lists to the “Top 10 Web Hosts” and waiting for unsuspecting prey to come along and make their next yacht payment for them.

Dedicated Servers - Facts and Fiction!

Dedicated Servers - Facts and Fiction!

I know not everybody has, but some of you have done a little dedicated server shopping. To many folks, dedicated servers might seem a little scary. Thinking about all that space and all that bandwidth at your fingertips is the good thing. The bad side comes in when you have to manage it all.

Some of the "terminology" is flawed as well. We have all seen Web hosts and data centers advertise unmanaged servers and managed servers. Common sense would tell you,"One is managed by the Web host and the other is not" but that isn't always the case. At least not to the extreme that you are thinking.

When you get a dedicated server, no matter if it is managed or unmanaged, you should always have at least one team member that will know how to run, setup and use that said server. This will keep you up and running a little longer, because you don't have to work with a middle man to get certain tasks done.

Now with managed servers, the Web host or data center you bought it from will handle a little more support than an unmanaged server. You will get somebody ready to answer your questions and help you with your tasks 24/7 (if you have found a good Web host, that is).

So with that said, you would probably think that an unmanaged server is just some Web host tossing you a box and saying, "Hey, have fun!". You get your login information and server details, then they let you loose on it. Well, it isn't really as much of a loner job as you might think.

As I said before, it is good to have somebody on the team who is skilled in running a server. You will receive less support than you would with a managed server, but you aren't all by yourself just yet. Many hosting providers will help you with your unmanaged server. The thing to remember is don't expect the same level of support you would get with a managed sever.

So as you can see, both sides have both good and bad points to them. Managed servers will cost a little more, but unmanaged servers will require you to know a little more about what you are doing. Which one should you pick? It really depends on your current company setup.

The thing to remember is to do your homework before you buy anything.