Article: Ensure that the web host you choose has the services necessary for running your website, such as cPanel, WordPress or other blog integration, FTP access, analytics, email support, and a variety of other back-end tools. Some services allow you to choose an operating system (usually Linux or Windows). The industry standard is Linux, but if your site uses custom tools written with Microsoft .NET, you'll want to choose Windows. Make sure the service offers acceptable security tools. Security is especially important if your site is commerce-related or collects user data. Storage is the amount of hard-drive space allotted for your web-pages, images, videos, databases, and other data. Many plans offer claims of unlimited space, but this is usually not necessary for simple websites. In fact, this claim should be a red flagunlimited space is a technical impossibility. The host's servers could be overcrowded, thus decreasing server performance. Make sure that you have room to expand and grow. Examine the different storage upgrade optionssome companies offer more space as your needs expand. Bandwidth is the amount of data allowed to transfer between your site and your visitors. Some services offer unlimited bandwidth, while others implement limits. The amount of bandwidth you use will be determined by the amount of traffic you receive as well as the amount and size of content you host. A heavily-visited site with lots of pictures will take a lot more bandwidth than a heavily-visited site with mostly text. "Unlimited bandwidth" is rarely unlimited, and the trade-offs for services like these are often very noticeable. These hosts will typically be much slower than a host that applies bandwidth limits. Make sure you know what happens if you go over your bandwidth allotment. Depending on the company, you may be charged a fee, or your site may be taken offline until the next billing period. If you don't have your own admin team, you'll want to make sure someone's available if something goes awry. Do you need support to be available 24/7? Is email and chat support acceptable, or will you need to be able to talk to someone on the phone? Do you have to pay extra for support or is it included in the plan? Some hosts don't provide any support (just a support forum for users to help one-another). These services tend to be cheaper, but may be frustrating if you're not tech-savvy.
What is a summary of what this article is about?
Find out which tools are provided. Check the amount of storage offered. Compare bandwidth amounts between hosts. Check out the technical support options.