CHOOSE THE RIGHT HOSTING PACKAGE
Why do some hosting packages cost more than others?
There are hosting plans for free, or they start of that way, and there are plans from a couple of bucks through to much more. So why is this so? As a rule of thumb I like to think of it like this but there are exceptions to any rule. It costs big money to set up a good hosting server. The costs include the computer equipment itself, the telecommunications expenses, quantity and trained staff and so on all cost money. The better the setup, the more it costs, which is reflected in the end user charges and support. The providers tend to do one of two things to when the setup costs are high. Either they get lots and lots of customers and divide the cost but this means the bandwidth is stretched to the limit and the service becomes less reliable, or they charge more per customer. The smart thing to do is picking somewhere in the middle with reliable good services but also within a modest budget. At the time of publication, it is not unreasonable to expect the hosting costs of a normal five page website to be less than one hundred Australian dollars per year including a domain name.
So what is the catch? Simply put, there isn't one. That is all there is to it. You can find yourself shelling out heaps of money to a web designer but personally I think they are worth every penny to get the look right first time with the minimal amount of fuss. You can also shell out big bucks trying to get to the top of a search engine results page or spend lots trying to get website visitors through pay per click programs and high cost advertising placements on existing well known directories or popular websites. But these additional costs are all by choice. So don't stress, speak to any designer and you will get the same story. Web hosting has never been cheaper, more reliable and more used by the general public. In fact because so many people are taking advantage of the internet marketing as a smart option, you will probably find choosing a cute domain name to be tougher than it looks.
compression or database depending upon your needs. It is also worth considering the performance a hosting package provides. A good idea to help discover the true abilities of a hosting package is to take a short term plan to test the service before committing to a longer and probably cheaper plan. Whilst it is normal to lock in a domain name for at least a year, a hosting plan can sometimes be purchased on a monthly plan. However because Australian domain names are nearly always sold covering two years of registration we recommend getting a hosting plan for a matching two years which will be your cheapest option. Also, remember you can have more than one domain name pointing to the same web host / website. This is often done when a company wants to dominate a certain business name having it in both the dot.com and the dot.com.au but we recommend only doing this with a name similar to your true registered business name to gain credibility. (If you need an ABN or to do an ABN search the link is on our Useful Australian Links page)
Remember that some countries have specific requirements on domain name registration.
Be aware, Australia requires an ABN or similar proof of identity before a dot.com.au domain can be purchased.
Be aware, Australia requires an ABN or similar proof of identity before a dot.com.au domain can be purchased.
Web Hosting Australia through iHostaustralia linking companies throughout the world. We find the some services are very similar but not all the same. It is worth considering your budget, the payment options, the range of services included within the hosting plan such as html
Should you promote your business on the internet?
Today you can't afford not to have your business on the Internet because having a web presence is no longer just a luxury... it is now a necessity! More and more consumers use the internet to research and/or complete their purchases. Even if you don't directly market your products online, consumers expect a reputable business to have a website for promotional purposes. It's important to provide current information to potential and existing customers, and a professionally designed website allows you to communicate your key selling points in a cost-effective manner. Increase your sales, attract new customers, reduce your advertising costs, accept credit card payments over the Internet or simply improve your corporate image. In 2009 iHostAustralia was started to bring you webmaster resources including lists of providers for the Web Hosting Australia market. So don't hesitate, take the first step by trying to find a good domain name now.
Are there any hidden costs in Hosting a website?
I still remember the very first web hosting plan I signed up for. I had this feeling about the same as the first car I ever bought, about the hidden costs and the commitment I might get stitched up into. It makes me laugh to think I felt that way because in truth there are no hidden costs involved. As far as advertising goes owning a website is still the most cost effective and yet far reaching form of media on the market. To buy an Australian domain name is still under $20 a year ($12 at time of this publication) and web hosting available around $50 a year and upwards for a 25GB plan. A website that can be pages and pages long for under $100 per year compared to a small printed publication in the local business phone directories costing thousands of dollars.
Want to register a domain name or buy a good AUSTRALIAN WEB HOSTING package?