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Choosing a Hosting Provider

TRACE ROUTE PERFORMANCE

Physical location of a server is less important than the performance of its backbone. A server in Hong Kong might easily send a better signal to your computer than a server across the street, for example because of its superior backbone. To check performance, run a trace route:

1.Open the DOS window on your PC by clicking on the Start button and choosing "Run...". Type "command" in the "Open:" field and click "OK" or type the "Enter" key.

2.At the command line in your DOS window, type the command "tracert", followed by the domain of a hosting vendor. For example, if your ISP is Donobi, you would type "tracert donobi.com".

3.Count the number of lines or hops that are returned. Each hop represents a switching computer that is passing the signal from your host vendor. Fewer hops means a shorter and faster backbone and fewer switches to break down.

CHOOSE A VENDOR

Unix is the native platform of the Internet. Some vendors have the option of using a Unix or Linux based server (including Apple), which is less affected by malicious attacks and is usually cheaper. Servers running the Microsoft platform, while more popular and widespread in use, are much more prone to security attacks, viruses and denial of service attacks. Microsoft servers also cost more.

Cut-throat pricing often means compromised support. Try contacting your candidate vendor. How easy are they to reach via telephone if your service is down? Ask to speak with a customer support technician, test their knowledge by asking them how the name servers work or about their trace route performance.

Are you talking to system administrator or just a temporary worker? Remember too, home-based providers can still be effective vendors and are often more dependable.

Some free and cut-rate providers require you to display their advertising on your site. Does this provider advertise in your site or e-mail?

Will the host company provide a mailing list service you can use? Not all host products include mailing lists. Find out up front.

TOOLS

Most hosting companies offer content editing tools for building your web site. Can the vendor show you a demonstration of how their tools work? Can you build a site without knowing HTML?

ETHICS, POLICIES

Ask to see the policies of the hosting vendor. There should be strict rules against pornography and SPAM. Absence of such policies may indicate a disposition to cater to these unsavory practices. Some vendors, like Tom Ogden Design, might even prohibit tobacco or alcohol. Examine their policies for how they will affect you.

HOW TO PROCEED

1.Obtain the name servers for the host provider and enter them into your domain record.

2.Obtain the IP address or temporary address of your web site and record it in a safe place.

3.Obtain the username and password for accessing your web site�s tools or hosting account. Keep it in a safe place.

4.If you are planning on creating the site�s HTML yourself, obtain the FTP username and password and any other special instructions.

E-MAIL SERVICE

Don�t get too involved in e-mail structure, since it can become a burden to maintain down the road.

WHAT TO AVOID

NEVER, ever choose a host provider that requires you to give them control of your domain as a condition of service.

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Providing services in the areas of domain registration, domain management, hosting, web mail, web design, graphic design, search engine optimization (SEO), e-commerce, merchant gateways, copywriting, content management and custom programming and development.

Serving the communities of Seattle, Everett, Bellevue, Kingston, Edmonds, Lynnwood, Northgate, Fremont, Shoreline, Preston, Issaquah, Factoria, Bothel, Mill Creek, Mukilteo, Port Ludlow, Port Townsend, Port Angeles, Chimicum, Poulsbo, Bainbridge Island, Silverdale, Bremerton, King, Kitsap and Snohomish County, Washington State.