Then, you begin to search for a place to host it and realize that there might very well be more hosting companies out there than there are websites themselves.

Yes, hosting companies these days are a dime a dozen. With the advancements in technology and prices dropping, hosting is cheaper and easier than ever before.

However, first things first. Let's define just what a 'Web Host' is. Essentially,  A Web Hosting Provider is a company or business that provides you with space on a computer that is connected to the web 24/7 . This space is set aside for your website's web pages(.html), graphics(jpegs), scripts, files, databases and more.

This host is the link between the users web browser and your website. When a surfer types your website address into his/her browser, the web host is 'contacted' and requested to locate and display the contents of your site. Neat, hey?

So, back to selecting a host. With the multitude of providers out there, where does one begin if looking for an affordable and reliable host?

If money is you ultimate concern, sit back and consider what the purpose of your site is. Is this just a personal/hobby type site? Is this for a business?

If you are merely hosting a personal/ hobby type of website, many of the budget hosts should be perfect for your needs. Of course, the old adage applies - you get what you pay for. Budget and cheap hosts open suffer from frequent downtime, slow speeds, and little to no customer support. For your personal site, this may really be of no great consequence, but for those who require a site for more commercial purposes, these issues can be disastrous.

The key is finding a hosting company that strikes the right balance of affordability and reliability. More >>