Boutique Website Hosting FAQ's
What is Website Hosting?
Many people get hosting and registration mixed up. Domain registration is when you buy the domain name e.g. "yourdomainname.com".
Web hosting is the server space with a web company to put the files that Blossom will create. We upload these files to the host server and they are able to be read through a web browser (such as Firefox, Safari or Internet Explorer, or more recently the delightful Google Chrome). This server space is called web hosting.
You need both web hosting and domain registration to have a website.
Hosting Considerations
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Server performance- a business needs a web hosting server that is reliable and fast. Web hosting access speed can be tested in advance for free.
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Bandwidth - the number of people viewing your site will affect the bandwidth needed for your website. Some hosts will disable your site if it exceeds the bandwidth allowed for your site.
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Style and Size of Your Website - you want (an image heavy website will use up a lot more space than just text and flash).
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Security - will your web host update their server software regularly enough to combat hackers infecting your site with malware or viruses?
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Reliability - is your host a reliable and secure company that will stick around? If your host company disappears, what will happen to your website? Make Sure that the company you select to host your site is secure and stable.
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Cost - how much do you want to spend on hosting? Generally the less expensive the hosting, the less reliable your website will be. Uptime needs to be kept to a maximum, and many hosting companies that look too good to be true, are.
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Hosted E-Commerce - if you are selection an hosted e-commerce solution, then you generally don't need to worry about security updates and have support around the clock. Ensure that the hosting company that the e-commerce solution use, is reliable.
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Support - now and then you will need help and want a company that will help you through the technical red tape and jargon so you can get your email and website working the way you want it to as soon as possible.
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Usability for developers - there are several hosts that are extremely difficult to work with technically and we recommend that our clients use one of the host servers listed below.
A quick note on cheap hosting... it may seem like a good idea to save money at first, but a few dollars more can mean the difference between a fast, secure and effective site, or a site that simply doesn't work. Choose your hosting wisely and ask the company questions if you aren't sure.
Online Business Partners
We have a relationship with the following web hosting providers. Please take time to click through and read what each have to offer.
