The Top 15 Essential Ingredients of Every WINDOWS HOSTING
Plan (Package)
First things First. Why would you like to have Windows
Based Hosting when there are Linux packages for cheaper
rates ? The answer is - it depends on what application you
are looking to use for your hosting. Consider the tools
and scripting languages you plan to use - if you use PHP,
Perl or MySQL, Linux is the way forward. If apps are Microsoft-specific,
then Windows is what you need. Clear??
Now let's proceed with the essential ingredients of any
Windows Hosting Plan.
1. ASP Support - The clear reason why you chose a windows
plan is to use Microsoft Specific Languages. Active Server
Pages, Microsoft's technology to enables HTML pages to be
dynamic and interactive by embedding scripts. Check all
the windows hosting plans and make sure, the host doesn't
charge for this extra.
2. .NET Support - ASP.net is the next generation of Microsoft's
Active Server Page (ASP), a feature of their Internet Information
Server (IIS). ASP.net is different from ASP in two major
ways: it supports code written in compiled languages like
C++, Visual Basic, and Perl, and, it features server controls
that can separate the code from the content, allowing WYSIWYG
editing of pages. Most of the hosts give this feature free
of charge while few charge extra. Go for it if you really
need it.
3. CDONTS - CDONTS stands for 'Collaboration Data Objects
for Windows NT Server' and it's a Messaging Component comes
along with Windows NT/2000. A windows hosting plan without
this is Incomplete. This provides you the easiest solution
for your messaging thro' your website ASP pages, provided
you have SMTP support.
4. DATABASES - Microsoft Access 2000 Database is supported
by all the windows hosting plans. This will do if you are
a starter. For experienced campaigners, MS-Sql is a must
have. This is an advanced feature and most of the hosting
companies charge extra. The control for the Databases must
be provided in the Control Panel. Check that.
5. DATABASE Connection - DSN or DSNless Connections, whatever
the case may be, please check if the host has provided the
option in the Control Panel to create/manage DSNs. (Data
Source Name). If DSNs are NOT allowed, ask for the Connection
String for DSNless connections.
6. ASP Components - Apart from the default components,
there are loads of third party software. Check the list
of such components that the host provides. ASP Upload, ASPImage,
Dundas Mailer, ASPjpeg, ASPEncrypt are few popular components.
At times you may require to have your own components (DLLs)
installed. This is provided by most of the hosts, but after
the DLL undergoes a complete test in the server environment.
This does not come free.
7. PHP & Coldfusion - ColdFusion is a server-side scripting
language web development tool. It uses HTML-like tags called
CFML to enable back-end ODBC database connectivity as well
as data manipulation and validation within webpages.. This
is again an advanced option and NOT every hosting provider
provide this. But PHP, Mysql is also bundled with windows
hosting plans. Keep an eye on both of these.
8. Control Panel - This is the nucleus of your website.
In a Control Panel, popularly known as CP, you can literally
do anything. The moment you signup for a Hosting Pack, you
must be provided with a CP to manage your webspace.
9. POP3 email Ids & Aliases - yourname@yourdomain.com
is an example POP3 ID. You must be provided with ample of
POP3 email ids and it depends on the Package size.
10. FTP Account - This is where you upload your files,
delete them, update them. This again comes along with the
CP.
11. Backup - Most of the Hosts take Automated Backups.
But users do not take much care on this while choosing the
Hosting Pack. This feature is as essential as anyother in
this list.
12. Web Statistics - Analysis of your website visitors
plays a key role in the success of your website. Say, your
website has been launched and you get NIL Visits or More
than 100 Visits per day. Whatever the case may be, you can
view the Report using Statistics Application that run in
the server backend.
13. Bandwidth - Choose the Hosting Plan that gives enough
Bandwidth for your website. Even though you cannot judge
at the beginning, as time progresses, you can easily deduct
the Bandwidth required.
14. Webmail, SMTP & SPAM - Email becomes key part in
your life once you launch the website. Check if the Hosts
provide with WEBMAIL (mail.yourdomain.com) to check your
mails thru a web based interface using Squirrelmail or Horde.
Corporate Users prefer downloading mails thru Email Clients
such as Eudora or Outlook Express. Only if SMTP or IMAP
support is enabled you can use this option. Hence check
if SMTP support is provided.No email user is free from a
spam attack. Hence you need to have Spam Filters installed
on the server where your website resides.
15. IP - If your website prefers SSL Support (https://)
as time grows, makes ure you get a DEDICATED IP. Most of
the websites are hosted on shared IPs. Ask your Hosting
Provider about the extra charges involved in getting a dedicated
IP and SSL Support. Note : For SSL (https://), you need
to buy a Digital Certificate
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