Web hosting services have become increasingly competitive in terms of the rates charged per month and also the speed and options available for the clients. However, the decrease in rates are not only due to cheaper hardware, but also because of new revolutionary concepts. The introduction of cloud computing and virtualization has increased the overall speed and performance for those using web hosting services. The use of innumerable servers spread over different locations make up for an unfailing network.
Web masters should look at the quality of service along with the rates that are quoted. Cheaper rates and better services do not go together for all service providers. This can be judged by knowing the data transfer speed for relatively smaller files across the network. Unusually, slow speed means that the user's computer is also being used as a part of the virtual server network. Problems may also be exacerbated, when the host is located overseas or at a great distance from the clients. The high density of users around the host, and their high volumes of data transfer can hamper accessibility for far off users. Other factors, like the difference in Internet bandwidth that is locally available and high quality softwares used can further flare up compatibility issues. Difference in softwares may be in the version or creator.
Although the web world is a great unifier, there are many issues that crop up due to local tastes and the type of customers that make up the majority of a web host's clients. Those availing of services from overseas service providers may not be connected directly. This is one of the reasons for unjustified latency. Often the pinging time is well within reasonable limits, although data transfer is slow. Such effects may be due to a high number of router hops taken by the user to reach the server.
When the host is locally-based, the user can get a fair idea of the traffic that flows through the web server and the load at peak hours. Also, service personnel form the host are better equipped to sort out latency and data transfer issues, due to the absence of secondary obstructions like compatibility of software, hardware and bandwidth. The advantage of local presence has led to most businesses to set-up servers, dedicated to local audiences in many countries.
Problems faced with hosts can vary from security breaches to deliberate modification to web pages. There may be possibilities, where the server is not secure enough, leading to leak of email addresses and private information. Also, the hosts may reply visitor's requests with additional pages of links to generate secondary traffic. Here, a different set of pages are created to cater to people and search engine spiders in a discriminatory way. There may also occur pilferage of actual web content, since it is easier for hosts to manipulate the working of their servers. Hosts, who do not maintain and upgrade their security installations, may lead to virus attacks and invariably the websites may propagate them on a large scale.
Since majority of the web servers are located in the western world, the international web traffic is lopsided. This results in an Internet log jam for almost 24 hours in a day. Looking for hosts that are located nearby in locations with reasonable web traffic is ideal for small and medium businesses. The growth in the number of service providers has made web hosting a cheaper service, but there has been erosion of quality of service.
Peter Brittain is a director of Perth Website Hosting company, Northern Lights who specialize in high speed, secure Linux Hosting solutions. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Brittain |  |
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