Webspace

This is where websites are stored, or hosted, so people can access them. It is basically an allocated amount of storage space on an ISP(Internet Service Provider) computer which is permanently connected to the web.

If you have a dial-up account with an ISP you will probably have been given an amount of free webspace varying from 5Mb to over 100Mb (realistically 50Mb is more than enough for a small business site as it will hold many pages and images).

There are drawbacks though for those planning a serious site. Many ISPs don't allow their webspace to be used commercially and they limit advanced interactive features like forms. The future is uncertain for many of the free ISPs themselves and you can expect no comeback if a free service goes wrong.

For reliability and service you may need to go for a professional web-hosting package. This will also allow you to expand and add advanced features to your site in the future. It is an option which is becoming cheaper all the time (see links). Remember you don't have to have your site hosted locally. If you live in the Irish Republic where the cost of professional hosting can be very expensive then consider what's on offer elsewhere.

Things to look out for are

1. Free domain names (see domains)
2. Web statistics - letting you know details about traffic to your site.
3. Scripting facilities - in the form of languages like PHP or ASP or access to a CGI-bin which is a folder where you can store programs or 'scripts' that let you do things like collect information from visitors and make your site more interactive. Some will also allow you to host a database such as MySQL or MsAccess.
4. Bandwidth - Usually expressed in Mb or Gb of transfer per month which is a measure of the total amount of information passing through their servers to and from your site. This could be a consideration if you get a lot of traffic to your site. If you go over the limits you will be charged more, although in most cases the chances of this happening are small.

© D-WARD 2000-2006

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