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A web site comprises many files for
the visible site and many more for databases and suchlike that work in the background. These files are written in languages that can be translated by web
browsing software such as Internet Explorer, Firefox etc into the pages that
are displayed on your computer. Along with your email, they sit on a specialised
computer known as a web server, or simply a server.
In a nutshell, web hosting is the
provision of space on the web server for your website files and your incoming
e-mail.
Your website needs hard drive space (or disk space) to accommodate its files.
Obviously it is essential that this space is available 24 hours a day, 365 days
a year. Additionally, your website needs a fast and reliable internet connection
to enable your site to be seen by potentially thousands of viewers every hour.
So why can’t my website sit on my own
computer?
It can, of course - but it wouldn't work as well and your
computer would have to run 24/7 and be constantly monitored. A web server is
much more than a personal computer. In addition to hosting web sites, the
server also holds hundreds of software programs that both support and enhance
the functionality of your web site. Some of these programs add functions to your
site, operate the database, offer backup facilities etc, whilst others (for
example) will track your site’s visitors and produce statistics etc.
But to get back to web hosting…………. The two prime 'components' of a web hosting
package are disk space and bandwidth.
Disk space
Disk space (sometimes called
'quota') is the amount of space on the hard drive(s) of the web server that is
allocated to, or is taken up by your website and also any stored email although
if you download your email onto your own computer, using a program such as
Outlook, Windows Mail, Mac Mail etc, then very little disk space is required
for email. However, if you leave your email sat on the server, it can quickly
eat up your available disk space - especially if you should receive a lot of
spam or large attachments. Many servers (ours included) are able to assist in the filtering out of
spam.
How much disk space will I need?
Probably a lot less than you imagined. Your website files are generally
small and compressed so that they can be downloaded quickly. Our web hosting
plans offer generous amounts of both disk space and bandwidth with the result
that the majority of our clients need only our smallest (Bronze) hosting
account for their site. But if your site or its traffic should grow, then we
can upgrade your hosting account within minutes.
Bandwidth
Bandwidth is the capacity, often measured in bits per second, of
communication channels between the web server and 'visiting' computers i.e. the
measure of incoming and outgoing data traffic created by those accessing your
website plus your incoming and outgoing email. These communication channels carry
your web pages down from the server to be displayed on the viewer's own
computer - so the more visitors your site receives, the more bandwidth is
required to accommodate those visitors.
Our hosting plans include a monthly bandwidth allowance (which can be increased
instantly if required) and which is reset to zero on the first day of each
month.
Our dedicated servers
Many hosting providers will share servers with other providers to reduce
costs, but this can slow down access to your website and limit the services
that they can provide. We have dedicated Hawke Internet servers which means
that we can offer faster access to our clients’ websites for thousands of
visitors from around the world.
Which of your hosting accounts do I
need?
We are happy to advise you on this at any time, but we have four standard
hosting packages – Bronze, Silver, Gold and Premier – which offer what we
consider to be realistic combinations of web space, bandwidth etc., although some
clients may need more storage space for their files, or perhaps less storage
space and a greater bandwidth allowance. If none of our standard packages is
the right fit for you, we shall be happy to create a bespoke hosting account
that exactly suits your requirements.
As always, we are happy to answer any questions that you might have and should
you need to meet us face-to-face to discuss any matter, do remember that our
first meeting (at least) will be free of charge.
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