Basically, there are three types of web hosting:
Acquire your own server
This is the most expensive way to run your business. You may need to purchase an expensive $2,000 server and have it up and running 24/7 from your home. In addition, the cost of the connection is close to $500 per month, excluding the electricity bill that may be considerable.
Dedicated server
This is a server owned by a web hosting company that is used by you exclusively. There is no one else on the server that will compete with your site. In addition, you don't need to worry about configuration conflicts. The problem is you may end up paying the web hosting company more than $250 - $400 per month for your dedicated server.
Shared server
In a shared server, there are many websites hosted on the same server. Sharing a server is the cheapest way to have your website up and running for as low as $7.95 per month.
WHY pay for a web-hosting company, when you can easily use Geocities or Tripod for displaying your site?
- When you have your own domain name, your site address will be http://www.yourdomain.com, instead of http://www.geocities.com/yourdomain.
- If you are looking to receive traffic from Yahoo or Google, you will never reach the top 30 to 40 in your search ranking, because most search engines are now refusing to list free web sites. Now Altavista has also implemented this rule.
- It looks more professional in many ways. It gives the credibility for people to purchase from you.
- Your email address will be different. xxx@hotmail.com, you can have Henry@xxx.com. this is how you want it to be when setting up your Internet business.
