Web hosting

Once you create a Web site, how do you connect your site to the Internet? While you can turn a home computer into a Web server, there are technical issues involved that can often be better handled by a professional Web hosting organization. Web hosting companies offer servers with a very high speed connection to the Internet. They also provide your Web site with a unique IP address, mapped to your domain name, so when your address is typed into a Web browser, that browser is directed to the right Web page.

Web hosting can be free or cost thousands of dollars per month — depending on the type of service you need.

Shared or virtual hosting means your Web site will reside on a Web server with many other sites. Shared hosting is like renting an apartment in a large building. Shared hosting is an economical option for sites that don't expect thousands of hits per day.

Dedicated hosting means your site will reside on its own server and won't share resources with other Web sites. Dedicated hosting is like having your own house on the Internet. If a Web site requires strong security or customized database connectivity, a dedicated server will provide the best solution.

Before selecting a Web host, do your homework! If you do all of your development in Microsoft FrontPage, make sure the host supports FrontPage extensions. If you know you want e-commerce on your site, check the host's e-commerce package. Shop around for the best deal with the most reliable service.

Most Web hosting services will include domain name registration, or you can register your domain name yourself through companies like Verisign. If you register your domain name yourself, you will need to provide the IP address assigned by your Web host.

Many ISPs (Internet Service Providers) offer free hosting as part of your internet access fee. This is a good option to investigate if you want to post a personal web site without a lot of custom programming. Once your site moves beyond a few static Web pages, or if you want to add features like e-commerce, you'll need to consider hosting at the next level. For more information about ISPs, refer to the task Internet Service Providers.