Web Hosting Services
All web hosting services offer a certain amount of storage space that you can use to hold your files. What's counted toward your data storage quota and what isn't varies from one web hosting service to another, so before you hire us or any other company, make sure you know what files you'll need to store.
It's a great idea to estimate your storage needs for various website functions. For instance- how much room will you need to store your web files, email, log files and databases? By separating your usage into categories, it will be a lot easier to decide how much storage you'll need.
Even if you don't choose us, you should check to see if your web hosting service includes all different types of file storage in their quota; you should also check to see if you can exclude some files or switch your logs off. If you can do this, you will save quite a bit of disk space; this is beneficial if you have a "busy" site.
However, if you choose to turn on your logs, you should keep in mind that you may not get to delete the log file until the server stops writing in it. Daily logs are good, if you remember to save to disk and delete them with regularity.
If your inboxes and email settings are part of your storage quota, you should set a smaller maximum size for the mailboxes, if you can. This step will keep you from storing enough mail to go over your limit.
Another common feature of web hosting services is the provision of email accounts. Some hosts allow control over mail settings, but keep restrictions on account number or mailbox size. Some hosting companies will set it up for you, even though it can be easy to set up your mail accounts yourself.
How your email accounts are configured is purely a matter of your personal preferences, but you have four types to choose from: aliases, auto responders, forwarding, and POP3. POP3 accounts are an "inbox"; you have space to store your mail, and you also have the option to download it.
Forwarding mail accounts are good if you want to send your mail to a spam-deletion service or run it through filters before you get it. As opposed to storing it on your server, it'll redirect to another email address where it is then dealt with in the specified manner.
Aliases are names set up for each kind of email account; they can redirect to POP3 mailboxes on your server or another email address. Aliases are often used to collect email sent to departments or workers that are not recognized by the mail server.
Email autoresponders aren't a true email account, but they do possess their own email address and simply send out a form reply to anyone emailing a request for information. These are useful if you wish to send the same information to multiple people, instead of replying to each individual request.
Another common feature among web hosting services is FTP access. An FTP program allows you to upload your files, then manage your content on the server side. FTP allows file management at a much faster pace than a web-based interface. Some hosting companies allow you to create FTP accounts; this is good when you have assistants helping with the site or if you want to share your web space.