Is your nonprofit's Web site running off a server
in your 15-year-old nephew's closet? Does your Web
designer charge you $150 a month for hosting when
you've heard that $15 a month will get you everything
you need? Would you like to use a particular software
package that your hosting provider just won't let
you install?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you
may want to consider looking for a new Web hosting
provider.
At its most basic, a Web hosting provider offers
both a server where you can host your Web site and
an Internet connection your constituents can use to
access it. Good providers specialize in Web hosting,
with dozens or hundreds of servers, all protected
by carefully designed security, climate, power, and
backup systems to ensure that your site stays up and
running.
But how do you find a reliable provider that meets
your organization's needs — especially when
there are thousands of hosting services out there,
a plethora of features and tools to choose from, and
pricing options ranging anywhere from $5 to $500 or
more per month?
Idealware asked the seven nonprofit technology consultants
to share their favorite Web hosting providers and
to offer some guidance on navigating the options.
We've consolidated their advice in this primer on
Web hosting services.
Ted Fickes, Founder, Eagle River Partners
Jeff Herron, Vice President, Beaconfire
John Kenyon, Nonprofit Technology Specialist
Eric Leland, TechCommons Director, CompuMentor
Jon Stahl, Program Manager, ONE/Northwest
Michael Stein, Internet Strategist and Author
Chris Steins, CEO, Urban Insight
