Website Hosting Packages

Choosing the right web hosting service may seem like a relatively straight forward process; often it is but you do need to ensure that the hosting service you choose can provide the services you need and do it reliably.

Without wanting to worry you there are certain features you are probably going to need and which you really should be provided with when you start to use a hosting package for the first time.

There are many companies offering packages that seem like a really good deal at first sight; but when you have actually committed to their program and start using it in earnest you can potentially discover a few shortfalls on functionality..

Some of the things to watch out for: -

• Does your email option have both an incoming (pop3) and outgoing (smtp) server facility or alternatively IMAP functionality
• Are there sufficient email addresses assigned to your account to cater for your needs
• Does your host support .php scripting ( a necessary feature if you want search engines to read RSS feeds)
• Does it have a setting of "GD Library" (JREG) in the configuration so that it can support PHP coded images (Ex. Captcha Text etc...). In a world of ever growing spam , one way of preventing unwanted, unsolicited mail that is automatically generated is to use a Captcha verification facility
• Do you have access to a CMS (content management system) so you can modify your own website if that is your preference

These are just a few of the issues to consider when selecting the best web hosting package, but there are many other considerations that may be of interest. You can visit my website hosting post if you would like to find out more about the intricacies of the web hosting options that are available.

If you prefer to go with a web hosting provider that you can be confident will meet all your current and future needs either with a basic package now or via a comprehensive upgrade path that will meet pretty much any need, I can recommend HostGator.

You can visit HostGator directly to arrange hosting of your choice; or if you prefer your hosting taken care of, then you could consider taking out one of our re-seller options (Hostgator via Moulin Website Design) or perhaps having the web hosting included as an integral part of your website development via a premium package deal. See the Prices page for details or go directly to our Web Hosting Plans page.

The benefit of taking a reseller option is that you can attain a very reasonable rate on an annual basis, if you go directly to Hostgator, as with most hosting companies, the advertised rate is based on a minimum contract period i.e. shorter periods cost more.

Blogging Options

Hostgator comes with CPanel as standard on all options, this means that you have the facility for content management and can download your favourite Blogging Platform very easily using the 'Fantastico De Luxe' feature. This includes options for 'Wordpress', 'Drupal' and 'Joomla' plus many others.

For a review of WP Remix, which is a Wordpress theme construction package for non technical users, please visit my post on 'A Good Time is Blog Time', which I have linked for your convenience.