Every website has different needs when it comes to a web host. If your site isn't huge, doesn't stream video and won't have huge bandwidth needs, then hosting it at home or work might be your best bet. This article will teach you what you need to know before even considering hosting your website by yourself.
The first step you will need to take is to buy a server computer. If you already have a computer lying around, you may be able to upgrade it cheaply to make it work for your needs. You will need an adequately sized hard drive, some RAM and a motherboard, as well as a network card. It doesn't have to be powerful, but it should work quickly enough that the site is served to your visitors without delay.
You need to know about hardware before running your own server. You have to be able to fix problems, upgrade parts and know where to locate the pieces you need. If you are new to computers, this definitely isn't for you. If you know your way around a motherboard or understand how to turn a hard drive from master to slave, you may be skilled enough to 
be able to manage a server on your own.
You have to have a business internet connection to have enough bandwidth and speed to allow visitors to view your site in a timely manner while you conduct your own business online. If you use a personal account, you may find that your connection is sluggish and that visitors complain your site is unreachable. Investing in a business account will ensure that your site is available, plus the additional cost won't even compare to the cost of hosting your website elsewhere.
You need to know how many visitors you should expect once your website goes live, and then you should be tracking your traffic once the site goes online. If you expect to have thousands of visitors per day, you need to host your website with a professional service. You will also need to move your site to a web host if your visitor numbers begin to rise. This is a good thing, of course, as your profits should be increasing at the same time.
To know whether or not you are actually saving money, you must research companies which offer hosting and the plans they offer. Figure out which would fit your needs and then look at how much they cost. Call, email or chat with the company to find out about any other fees which might apply so you know what you'd actually be paying every month. Then you can compare it to what you will spend on hardware costs, your business internet connection and time lost to working on the server to see if you are actually saving money. If not, then switch to a web host.
The ability to host a site on your own at low cost is a great way to get your site up on a budget. That said, it isn't for everyone and may not fit your needs. After reading this article, you should be ready to decide if you want to self-host or not.
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Related searches: Web Host, Web Host, Server Computer, Business Internet Connection, Business Internet Connection, Web hosting service, Business, Website, Amazon Web Services, Bluehost, Customer, E-commerce, HostGator, Internet, Internet hosting service,
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