Figuring Out The Features
Written By: Debbie Gillespie
If this is your first time searching for a host, there are a few terms you will want to be familiar with. Below is a list of common features you may find offered with various hosting packages.
This is constantly growing list. If you are unsure what something is, while searching for a host, be sure to check their FAQs and e-mail them if needed. You should know what all will be available to you when your new hosting account is setup.
- Anonymous FTP
- Anonymous FTP allows visitors to upload and/or download files from a directory within your web site account without requiring a unique id and password.
- ASP
- Active Server Pages (ASP) is a server based scripting language that is used to build database driven websites where the browser may have no scripting at all. It is recommended, if you require the use of ASP, to find a web host with NT servers and request your domain be placed on the NT server.
- Autoresponders
- Autoresponders, also known as mailbots, reply to incoming e-mail instantly and automatically. With an autoresponder you can allow your visitors to send an email to a particular address that you have already assigned to your autoresponder. When the mail server receives this message it automatically replies to the sender with a message that you have predetermined. Autoresponders are perfect for sending out information about your products and informing people when you are away.
- Bandwidth
- This is the amount of data being accessed from your site For example, each time a web page, image, midi file, wav file, etc. is loaded, data transfer is generated. All packages have a bandwidth limit, regardless what the host may be promising you. It is impossible to offer unlimited bandwidth since all of the bandwidth in the world is limited and none of it is free. You will need to assure the package you choose comes with enough bandwidth for your web site. For more information on deciding how much that is visit the Size Does Matter article here on Host Help.
- CGI directory
- CGI scripts are small programs that run on the server to add interactivity to your web site. CGI Directories are where the scripts need to be stored (unless the host allows otherwise). If you plan on developing a web site that does more then serve static pages you will want to make sure your host offers a cgi directory (most commonly called a cgi-bin). Many hosts will also offer pre-installed cgi scripts. Examples of these would be counters, mailforms, and guestbooks.
- Control Panel
- Control Panels come with many different names and with many various features. A control panel should be able to help you with many of the tasks associated with your web site, without having to know all of the core server commands to accomplish these tasks. For example: A control panel may include the ability to create and delete e-mail accounts by only typing in the name of the account you want to create/delete and clicking a button. If you are a novice with web development you will want a control panel available to you. You will also need to ask the host what features come with their control panel (if an example is not provided on their web site) to assure it will meet or exceed your needs.
- Database Servers (mSQL, mySQL, etc..)
- Database servers are designed to provide fast, configurable, convenient access to stored data. In most instances, custom programming (commonly Perl, PHP, or ASP) is needed to implement a fully functional web-to-database interface.
- Disk Storage Space
- This space is used to store your html files, graphics, multimedia files, e-mail, and other files that make up your web site (or store on the server). Every hosting package comes with a specified allotment of disk storage space, Usually defined in Megabytes (MB). For more detail on storage space and how to decide how much you need Size Does Matter article here on Host Help.
- Domain Name Registration
- This is the process of registering a domain name with the proper registrar (the most popular one is currently InterNIC). Many web hosts will register your domain name for free. As such they advertise this fact prominently on their pages. Do NOT mistake the domain name registration with the purchase of a domain name! You will still be responsible for paying for the domain name. The cost is over and above the charges for the hosting services and you will be billed by the registrar of the domain name not the host. (unless specified clearly to not be the fact by your host).
- Alias / Email Forwarding
- This causes all email messages that are sent to an email account associated with your domain to be forwarded to another e-mail address of your choice. For example: If someone were to send a message to you@yourdomain.com you would be able to receive it at you@yourISP.com. Be careful: Many hosts that claim they offer unlimited email accounts or even POP accounts are actually only offering aliases. Make sure, you will be receiving true POP e-mail accounts if you require them.
- FTP Access
- FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is the method used to upload and download files to and from your web site. This is the main method you will use to update your site. You will need unlimited access to your account via FTP 24-hours a day. Make sure this comes at no extra charge with your package.
- FrontPage Extensions
- Microsoft FrontPage is a program that can be used to design and manage your web site. To use the facilities provided by FrontPage you need to have FrontPage extensions installed. The extensions are programs that run on the server. Not all hosts offer FrontPage support. If you will require FrontPage extensions it is recommended that you select an host with NT servers and request an account on the NT servers.
- Merchant Account
- A merchant account is a commercial bank account established by contractual agreement. A merchant account enables your business to accept credit card payments from your customers. Many hosts achieve an alliance with companies that are able to offer merchant accounts. Do not be mistaken by the very different aspects of these two businesses. A host provides you with an Internet presence, they are not banks and do not provide merchant accounts, they only provide you with suggestions for who to go to if you are unable to use your own bank for this service.
- MIVA (HTML script)
- Miva makes building dynamic, data driven web pages as easy as HTML. You can quickly develop interactive web pages that are 100% browser independent. Miva runs on the web server, interprets the Miva tags and outputs pure HTML to the browser. You can also use Miva to output Javascript and other browser languages, and use the built-in database to easily manipulate and publish data.
- PHP
- PHP is an HTML-embedded scripting language. Much of its syntax is borrowed from C, Java and Perl with a couple of unique PHP-specific features thrown in. The goal of the language is to allow web developers to write dynamically generated pages quickly. Some languages do things, others get things done. PHP is commonly known as the latter of these two.
- POP E-mail Accounts
- POP e-mail accounts allow you to retrieve e-mail directly from POP3 mailboxes. POP3 mailboxes are like PO boxes for emails, the emails are stored there until you collect them. You should probably receive at least one POP e-mail account with your hosting package. You will also want it to be able to use your own domain name as the SMTP server. Most hosting packages come with multiple POP e-mail accounts for you and others who also work on your web site and the products/services it offers. Additional POP e-mail accounts can usually be purchased at a low cost if needed.
- RealAudio/VideoTM
- RealAudio/Video is a client-server based streaming media delivery system for the Internet. You can create and deliver audio/video-based streaming multimedia content through the Internet to audiences worldwide. Your host must provide the proper extensions for you to offer RealAudio and Video to your visitors. Many hosts will charge extra for this feature. Also note, you will probably need extra disk space and bandwidth if you plan on offering many files that require these extensions.
- Secure Shell (SSH)
- Cryptography helps to ensure your privacy tremendously. While on the Internet, you need to be on guard at all times. SSH was developed by Tatu Ylönen and is a program that will allow you to Telnet into your account securely. It provides strong authentication and secure communications (RSA-based) over insecure channels. If you have telnet access to any machine this is definitely the way to go. Accessing your account via standard Telnet compared to accessing your account via a SSH connection is like sending a postcard compared to sending a letter wrapped neatly inside an envelope. Anyone near your postcard can read it easily, wouldn't you rather your private information be tucked away a little better then that? Finding a host that offers SSH will take a little more work on your part, but with the amount of people (young, old, good, and bad) accessing the Internet today, better to be safe then sorry.
- Shopping Cart
- A Shopping Cart program allows you to implement your own on-line storefront. Depending on the complexity of the cart and the programming skills needed the costs vary greatly between hosts and packages.
- SSL Secure Server
- SSL (Secure Socket Layer) allows you to collect data, such as credit card information, from visitors to your web site via a strongly encrypted connection. Many hosts offer shared SSL servers which allow you to utilize the secure connection without having to purchase a secure certificate (certs usually cost $100 or more). If you wish to have secure space setup with your own domain name you would need to purchase a cert. If being able to transfer information securely from your web site is of high importance to you, do your homework! Many hosts may offer a SSL server, but a great deal of them do not set them up correctly, causing hidden security risks that you would not want to find out about after it was too late.
- Statistics
- Statistics allow you to see the activity around your web site. They show you how often your site was accessed and which pages are being viewed the most. Web hosts offer a wide range of various stat packages. Before selecting your host, ask to see an example of their stats package. You will want to be sure it offers the information you need. Statistics should be updated daily. Knowing what is happening around your web site will greatly improve your ability to improve your web site by showing you what is working and what isn't!
- TELNET
- TELNET is the Internet standard protocol program for remote terminal connection service to a Unix or Linux server. TELNET allows you to login into your account and have access to the contents of your account as if you were sitting right in front of the server (computer) your web site is actually stored on. Via a command line interface you will be able to accomplish much more with your web site then you could via FTP. Note that Telnet is not generally available on Windows NT servers. If your prefered host runs Unix or Linux, it is recommended that your hosting plan includes Telnet (See also, Secure Shell)
- Unlimited
- "Unlimited" is a term that will surely fade out in the hosting business. It has been used excessively without regard to the meaning of the word. There is a limit to every feature offered in the web host arena! If your host advertises anything with the term Unlimited, be sure to ask for the specific meaning and find out what the limits are.
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