Web Hosting Checklist

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Why Choose Virtualis?
Let's face it, when it comes to researching web hosting companies you don't have time to follow every link to determine if they are going to treat you right. Most of it is web-hype and techno-babble anyway. You want the basics. You got it! As a Matter of Fact Things to Think About What's the next step? .......................	. . . .
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`As a Matter of Fact`
Nearly 60 percent of Fortune 1000 companies surveyed said technical know-how is most important when choosing a Web hosting service. Forty percent look for reliability, and 34 percent look for the best price first.		. . . .
	. . . . .	"In the long run", said Christine Silva, product manager for Web hosting at GTE Internetworking, "high-end features will be what business customers will buy. Right now it is just about how good, how reliable, and how industrial-strength are your connections," she said. ............	"But when the market matures, the decision will be based on what you can do to enable customers to get more functionality." Brian Caulfield . . . . . . . . .
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The Web Site Hosting Business is well suited for the old saying: "You get what you pay for."

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`Things to Think About`
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`Technical Support?` This should be the number one consideration if you're not a technical guru. Is their tech support available seven days a week, 24 hours a day? How many members do they have on their support staff? How many customers do they have to support? There are many companies that have over extended themselves and can't offer adequate support.	How We Compare
	. . . .	`Free 24 hr. Technical Support` We offer four levels of support for all your Internet questions and promise to get back to you in one hour or less, 24 hours a day. Average email response time: 11 minutes. When is the last time you asked a question via email and got an accurate answer back in 11 minutes? With our on-line support department there's no guesswork. Just visit the support department any time, day or night, to see which Support Specialist is "ON-CALL". You may contact them via phone or email. If you are looking for quality support you have come to the right place!

`Services/Scripts/Software` A sharp hosting company should have a hefty library of scripts that you can use to add guestbooks, forms, statistics, counters and so on to your site. The host should also have support for Java, Shockwave, Cybercash, Real Audio, Real Video, VRML, secure transactions, and other utilities available to their customers.	. . . .	`Options, options, options!` We have 5 great virtual server options and 4 new low-priced dedicated server options to fit every need and budget. With no upgrade fee (for the virtual servers) your site can grow as your company grows. Search our list of services to find the server package that fits. Virtualis supports all leading edge plug-ins, utilities, and software (Java, Javascript, C, C++, RealAudio/Video, Shockwave, and CGI to name a few). We also offer full support for our pre-configured scripts which include great counters, guestbooks, bulletin boards, form e-mailers, chat rooms, order forms, database software, and more depending on your server package. Of course all options come with our hot new VSA software!

`Bandwidth?` A number of businesses have had to move their Web site because their host couldn't handle the number of hits, or charged exorbitant fees for hits above a certain level. What is the policy if your site becomes popular? How many other Web sites share your server? This may be a concern if the other Web sites on your server are flooded with visitors, your customers may not get through. `Speedy Connections, Peering?` T3 lines, also known as DS-3, are a must. Anything less means the host, as a whole, runs slower; thus your customers will have to wait. Ask your host what the collision or saturation rate is. If it's over 50% it may cause problems. A new technology hot on the market is called peering. Peering is when your host has multiple Internet connections and can automatically route traffic to the fastest line out. Less than 2% of hosts have this technology. Does yours?	. . . . . . . . . .	`Hardware Guarantee` We've taken great strides to provide reliable access to you. Our bandwidth saturation average is less than 30%. We use multiple DS-3 (T3) lines with diverse routes to the Internet Backbone. Our new BGP peering allows us to automatically re-route traffic away from "Internet Hotspots." This means when one part of the Internet slows down your site will not be caught in the bottleneck. All of our servers are Pentium Pro or RISC based technology with 256+ MB of RAM. We always keep our servers at less than 50% capacity so even when traffic peaks our servers won't overload. Virtual servers run on Unix (using Apache server software), and our line of dedicated servers can run any operating system such as Windows NT. Our redundancy, or backup line, is at full T1. This coupled with full daily backup, peering, and an average up-time of 99.9%, puts us at the cutting edge of web hosts. Here at Virtualis you are apportioned 1 GB of daily transfer. No disillusioning "unlimited hits" policies. All of this being said, we have a long-standing guarantee: If you're down longer than 1% of the month have that month free. *

`Site Administration?` You'll need to update your pages, manage files, collect orders, retrieve data from forms, get statistics, make counters, and perform other housekeeping chores to your site. How secure and user-friendly is the software you'll be using to do these things?	. . . . .	`The Virtual Server Administrator` Owning and maintaining a Web site has never been easier with our VSA. With point-and-click ease you can now "be your own Webmaster". The VSA allows you to instantly create/delete email accounts, manage your files and directories, upload files from the browser, password protect pages, make fun counters, create auto responders, mail lists, and much more. Version 2.5 just released! Don't hire an expensive Webmaster. Demo the VSA today!

`Flexibility?` Does your host honor special requests or instructions? Can you start out with an economy package and then upgrade as your needs and budget increase? Can you transfer from another hosting company without complications and extra charges? Don't get tied down to a lengthy contract once you've decided on a host. Make sure you have an out.	. . .	`Great Start` NO CONTRACTS to sign, ever! We'll have you up and running in 24 hrs. All site options are upgradable free of charge. Transferring is free and easy. We will take care of all the hassles. Special requests? Our 24 hour support department is standing by to help you. Don't wait any longer.

`Security?` What security features does your host offer or support? Many hosting companies claim to be secure, but when closely examined fall far short of their claim. Can they truly protect your data from the growing menace of hackers? The company should have a maintenance crew quick enough to dispose of such attempts.	. . . . . .	`Virtualis is Security` Virtualis comes ready to fight. The VSA (Mid and higher) comes with a great Security Manager that lets you password protect any files on your server. Want to keep people out? A few clicks and that directory is no longer accepting visitors you don't want! Hold on because that is just the tip of the iceberg. Throw in options like an SSL Secure Commerce Server, PGP Encrypted Email, Secure FTP, Secure Telnet, SSH, even a gateway if needed, and you are an on-line fortress.

`Customer Services?` The Internet market is suitable for the old saying "you get what you pay for." A quality host should offer an online area with FAQs (frequently asked questions), guides, tips, and other resources. Can they help you find a designer or programmer for your site? Make sure you're getting your money's worth.	. . . .	`Customer Area` This area is full of links and tips to help you on your way to a fun and profitable Website. Edit your profile, view your account status right on-line, even re-print any invoice for your records. Some other features in this area are a custom built Java and Javascript Library (with full technical support included), FAQs, guides, glossaries, a Network Status Page, a Web Specialists Directory, and much more!

`Price?` Cheaper is not necessarily better, but a large price tag doesn't mean your getting the best out there either. There are many start-up companies offering unbelievable prices. Be wary of "deals" that sound too good to be true. Often these "great deal" companies go under or can't really live up to their promises. Make sure your hosting company has a lengthy track record. Good service, support, and connections are worth a lot to your company image.	. . . . . . .	`Great features, no hidden costs!` While many companies make you pay 6-12 months in advance here at Virtualis you pay month-to-month. All our server packages come feature-rich and competitively priced. Our business hosting starts at only $36 per month which includes a full domain name and dozens of other goodies with no charge for upgrades (for virtual servers), support, or site uploads/modifications. Use our "year-in-advance" option to receive a great 10% discount.

`Do they support "Adult Only" sites, SPAM, or other practices you might not want your company associated with?`	. .	`No Indecent Material Allowed!` `No Spamming!` `Check out our policy`

* downtime caused by Virtualis Systems only.

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