DIYers IT Zone

When choosing a web hosting service, there are few things we need to concern about, especially for those who are not familiar with hosting service, just like me… haha….

1. What kind of server OS ( operating system ) / environment u want ?

U can choose either window plan or linux plan. Both environment are totally difference.

Windows Hosting is ideal for those who prefer the functionality of ASP.NET 2.0 and Access database. Operating under the Windows OS such as 2003 / 2000.
While Linux Hosting is ideal for those who prefer the functionality of PHP and MySQL database. Operating under linux OS such as Fedora, CentOS, Debian and much more.

For OS, normally linux hosting will be cheaper than window hosting due to the OS licensing fee.

2. What kind of hosting u prefer?

U need to choose a package type such as shared hosting, reseller hosting, dedicated hosting, Colocation hosting or VPS hosting. More details regarding these can refer to my post in What is hosting ?

3. Hosting company

Now we come to hosting company, here we separate to local hosting company & oversea hosting company. Local hosting means that the hosting provided is based locally while the later is based oversea. Normally local hosting will host their servers in local datacentre such as KL Netmyne Brickfields Datacenter, Myloca datacentre in Cyberjaya or Kuching Jaring Kuching Datacenter and etc.

For oversea hosting company, they will host their servers in respective country such as Data 393 datacentre in Denver/Colorado USA, The planet datacentre in Dallas/Texas USA and etc.

For local datacentre, there are pros & cons.

Pros:

- no time zone, easy to look for their support in phone call or direct contact especially encounter with complicated technical stuffs.
- easy to make payment such as local GIRO, direct deposit.

- u have their address, easy to talk/find them. Less worry that they will just closed & run away with your money.

- Easy to communicate because same language.

- For target browsers in local, speed will be faster because u didnt use International Bandwith.

Cons:

- More expensive caused by hardwares and international bandwidth ( Major ISP count in USD ).

- Poor technical & response from Telekom datacentres . For those streamyx users u will know how good is the streamyx broadband service they provided …

4. What do u need to concern after choosing a hosting company

- After u choosed the suitable company, u need to check also their server uptimes, customer services.

- Make sure the company is not a reseller because lots of reseller do not have technical background…

5. Features

Lastly we need to compare what kinds of features the hosting plan provides. Such as control panel, database/domain/email/bandwidth restiction, supports, backup and etc.

Hopefully this article can give those who looking for hosting plan a clear view or guidance.

PS: Do not get cheated by those cheap cheap shared hosting which got plenty of problems….