Whether you've created a website for your personal pleasure or as part of your next big business venture, one thing's for sure'you need to get your site on the web! Web hosting is a phrase that refers to the process of getting and keeping your site online. Without web hosting, your site would exist only on your PC and couldn't be viewed by others. There are two ways you can obtain web hosting'you can host your site on your own computer or you can hire someone else to host your site. There are pros and cons with each. By understanding the differences between the two, you can make a good decision as to which one is right for you.

If you're tech-savvy, there are a few reasons you might prefer to handle the web hosting yourself. First, there's no monthly fee. Web hosting fees start out at only a few dollars a month, but can reach into the hundreds for more complex needs. Also, if you have server problems, you can resolve the issue yourself, ASAP. You don't have to call up the help line to report the problem and wait for the company to send out a technician. Plus, it really can be fun! If you've got a strong computer background, you might enjoy a foray into web hosting.

On the other hand, there can be a downside to handling your own web hosting. To start, you're responsible for keeping the security up to date. Every time a new virus comes along, a 'patch' is created, and it'll be up to you download and install it. Also, maintaining your server can be time consuming. For a business, this time might be better spent in other ways. Do-it-yourself web hosting also requires a computer dedicated solely to being a server, and high speed internet access is a must. In the end, these expenses could wind up being significantly higher than the cost of hiring a web hosting service.

For these reasons, hiring a web hosting service might be the right choice. The security updates mentioned above will be the responsibility of the company you hire. Another responsibility that falls on the web hosting service is repairs. While you might have to wait a little longer, technicians are there to handle server issues for you'sometimes even in the middle of the night!

There are also a few reasons you might not want to hire out your web hosting. Developers of certain types of web content, such as an adult site, may have a harder time finding a company willing to work with them. Also, not all web hosting services support all computer languages. For instance, if your site is written in ASP, you'll have to find a server that supports ASP. Finally, it involves completely trusting this company. Without reliable web hosting, your website won't be seen by others.