The Host with the Most: Web Hosting Basics for Ecommerce Sites

By Julia Wilkinso
Choosing the right Web host is a daunting process, not least of which because 1) there are so many Web hosts out there and 2) there are many different features to consider when choosing a host.
In researching Web hosts, I was surprised that there seemed to be even more companies out there than I thought. But MyEZsale is going to give you some Web hosting resources to choose from. And, being a big fan of consumer feedback, I also would like to invite readers to help us break in our Reader Ratings feature by posting your feedback on Web hosting companies you've had experience with on our message boards at http://www.myezsale.com/forums/phpBB2/index.php.
Although I can't tell you which host to choose, I can give some general guidelines that have taken shape while working on this article. To wit:
1) A free site is not worth it.
If you choose a free Web host, you'll get what you pay for. If you are serious about running a business, it's so worth it to spend at least a little money every month to help ensure your Web site doesn't have major issues.
Listen to the voice of experience: "The big mistake Newbies make is thinking that technical support and the appearance of a Web site is not important," says Web business owner Yisroel Goodman (also the author of an article in this issue). "Someone started the myth that everything on the Internet should be free or cheap. As Albert Einstein said, "Sometimes the most expensive things we own are those we got for free."" Goodman believes he lost thousands of dollars because he used a free Web site, when an article he wrote for Internetday drove thousands of people to his site, but resulted in few sales. "Some people took the time to email and say they were impressed by the article but unimpressed by the poor site with the pop-up ads. If I had spent the $10 a month then to have a professional site, who knows how far ahead I would be today?" he says.
Web Host Magazine & Buyer's Guide Editor (at http://www.webhostmagazine.com) Ron Dunlap agrees: "One of the first rules in Ecommerce Hosting is "don't cut corners - it's your store and reputation," he says. It doesn't mean you have to spend thousands of dollars a month, though. "Expect to pay $30 -$50, or maybe more, if you're going to have the best quality."
2) Determine the combination of features that you need for your business when choosing your host.
Of course, which host you choose will depend on your needs. Determine just what your priorities are, and what level of support and built-in features you think you need.
"Dr. eBiz" Ralph Wilson http://www.wilsonweb.com says you should determine which shopping cart software you're using before choosing Web hosts. (Wilson has an ebook that evaluates shopping carts, at http://www.wilsonweb.com/ebooks/carts.htm. It's been out for a little while, but the information is still relevant).
Business owner Carol Norland http://www.norlandmerchandise.com was attracted to the combination of features (the "Value Package") that Bizhosting.com offered, including: a Shopping Cart that supports 250 products, 200 MB disk space, no banner ads, Domain Name hosting, Priority email technical support, store management tools, and FTP access to files. There are ready-made templates to choose from for those who are not advanced in Web site creation, or experienced users can start from scratch. It also has a forum for members to chat with others concerning all sorts of subjects, including help and support.
She says Bizhosting.com provides a good starting place for a small business. "Because of my being new at this, I thought it would be a good place to start, also I already had an account with Propay E-Commerce and they work along with Bizhosting.com, so I decided to give it a try."
3) Know at least the basics.
Most folks I talked to agreed that even if you want someone else to handle technical details, it's good to know a little HTML so you won't be completely at the mercy of someone else for every little change.
"I believe that anyone who owns a Web site should learn at least the basics," says Goodman. "The more you know, the less you have to pay someone else to do. Running a Web site without even attempting to learn some HTML is like driving a car without bothering to learn about routine maintenance and putting in gas," he says.
Goodman points out that there are dozens of sites with tips, tricks, scripts, etc., as well as free newsletters (like his) with useful information. "In my newsletter, I like to include links to other newsletters like boogiejack.com, langa.com and of course auctionbytes.com," he says, adding, "Some free things are valuable." Goodman has some articles on his site at http://www.ccs-digital.com, and links to very detailed lessons in HTML. "Someone who wants everything done for them doesn't realize how expensive this can be or how easy it is to learn to do it (at least the basics)," he added.
Another thing to consider is bartering for technical work...this worked well for jewelry business owner Thea Kolosseis-Kendis of http://www.theassparkleplenty.com. She swaps merchandise with one devoted customer who also happens to be a friend and Web teacher at a community college. "We've been able to work out an arrangement whereby she's teaching me to manage the site myself, & I'm keeping her in necklaces & earrings. We're both happy campers," says Thea.
Hopefully these tips will give you a place to start. If you are looking for a Web host for the first time, or to change hosts, be sure to check out our Resources section, in this newsletter and on the Web site at http://www.myezsale.com.
The bottom line is, the Web landscape is changing every day. As the world of Web hosting evolves, and leaders emerge (or submerge), MyEZsale will be here for you covering the changes.

About The Author: Julia Wilkinson Click to contact the author Julia L. Wilkinson is Editor of MyEZsale Ecommerce Guide. (MyEZsale.com is an ecommerce guide for Internet retailers and businesses that want to learn how to sell online more effectively.) Julia worked for America Online (formerly Quantum Computer Services) from 1988 - 1997, and was Director of Community for womenCONNECT.com from 1997-1999. Julia wrote My Life at AOL, Best Bang for Your Book and several ebooks about the online auction business, including What Sells on eBay for What . She has been quoted on National Public Radio, USA Today, the Washington Post, and the Los Angeles Times. Her articles have appeared in the Washington Post, Virginia, Catalina, Multimedia Online, Boardwatch, COMPUTE!, CONNECT, ComputorEdge, and Digital Publishing Strategies and AuctionBytes-Update. Julia also publishes her own monthly newsletter Yard Salers and eBayers. She currently lives in Alexandria, Virginia with her husband, daughter and son. Email julia@myezsale.com. Visit the author's website at: http://www.MyEZsale.com

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