Web Development and Design Foundations with XHTML, 5th Edition

10.5 Choosing a Virtual Host^415

Table 10.1 Web host checklist

Backups ❏Daily

❏Periodic

❏No backups

Most Web hosts will back up your files regularly. Check to see

how often the backups are made and if they are accessible to

you. Be sure to make your own site backups as well.

Site Statistics ❏Raw log file

❏Log reports

❏No log access

The Web server log contains useful information about your visi-

tors, how they find your site, and what pages they visit. Check to

see if the log is available to you. Some Web hosts provide reports

about the log. See Chapter 13 for more information on Web

server logs.

Domain Name ❏Required to register

with host

❏OK to register on

your own

Some Web hosts offer a package that includes registering your

domain name. It is better if you register your domain name your-

self (see http://register.com or http://networksolutions.com) and

retain control of your domain name account.

Price ❏_____ Set up fee

❏_____ per month

Price is last in this list for a reason. Do not choose a Web host

based on price alone—the old adage “you get what you pay for”

is definitely true here. It is not unusual to pay a one-time set-up

fee and then a periodic fee—either monthly, quarterly, or annually.

(continued)

CHECKPOINT 10.2

1. Describe the type of Web host that would meet the needs of a small company for its
   initial Web presence.


2. Describe the difference between a dedicated Web server and a co-located Web server.


3. Explain why price is not the most important consideration when choosing a Web host.