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Before you begin your search, analyze your needs. What features does your website require? What features are good-to-have? And what features are critical?

Things to think about:

• What programming language will you be using?
• Do you need a database?
• Do you need email addresses?
• Do you have a domain name?
• How much bandwidth do you expect to use?
• How much disk space do you need?
• What is your budget?

Once you understand your needs, look at your selection of web hosts:

• Do they offer fast connections?
• Do they have a back-up system in place to protect your data in case there is a power outage?
• Do they require you to make payments in advance? Who processes these payments charges, the company itself or a third-party payment gateway?
• How is their customer support? What is their response rate? How knowledgeable is their support staff?
• Do they provide you with an online website manager or an account control panel?
• Do they support you with an online support manual, knowledge base, tutorials?

The basic features you should look for when selecting a web host:

• 24/7 reliable tech support
• Your own domain name
• Sufficient monthly transfer (traffic) and disk storage for your website needs
• POP3/Webmail email accounts, email aliases and autoresponders
• Scripting support as your website requires
• Unlimited free access to your server via FTP
• Easy access to your log files
• Referral program