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Targeted Web Hosting - Harnessing the Full Potential of the Web for You and Your Business

BY: Andrew Regan
Words: 471

Online presence is on the rise for UK businesses. In fact, research shows that there was a 50 percent increase in registered UK websites in 2006, compared to figures from the previous year. With the number of businesses increasing their online presence, it's essential for companies to establish their online objectives and know their technical requirements, as well as to acquaint themselves with the tools and resources available to help them achieve their goals.

There are currently three major types of small and medium sized (SME) online businesses in the UK, based on attributes such as frequency of site use, number of hosting services utilized and the number of servers or IP addresses required. These SMEs are: small or personal-sized businesses, medium start-ups or entrepreneurial businesses, and larger, more established businesses. And while all of these SMEs may have a similar objective - to drive business via the web - each requires a different approach to harness the potential of the internet in their favour.

"Compact" or personal-sized businesses, for example, tend to have websites which are updated only occasionally, with the exception of blogs. These businesses predominantly seek good value for money and reliability from their hosted IT services. And, as they only need to update their sites sporadically, many use low-cost traffic driver tools to boost their search engine rankings. Basic shared web hosting services and easy setup tools, such as site builders and standard POP3 email accounts, are ideal for such businesses.

Medium start-ups or entrepreneurial businesses, on the other hand, are usually updated on a regular basis. However, their websites may not be the top driving factor of their business, so they tend to employ intermediate hosting solutions or dedicated servers. Such servers allow companies to control their own security and anti-virus protocols, and thus protect valuable information. Targeted, intermediate hosting solutions ultimately help entrepreneurial businesses improve site performance, increase flexibility and maintain a functionality which encourages growth.

Last but not least are larger, more established businesses. The online element of such businesses is integral to their day-to-day operations; they therefore tend to invest heavily in advanced hosting solutions. This is partly because they require multiple IP addresses for more secure remote internet services, and because they have higher website traffic, and thus, a requirement for higher data transfer limits. Unlimited data transfer and multiple dedicated servers are the best options for such online businesses, as they ensure high capacity, availability, access speeds and security.

If your online business fits the mould of these SMEs, the appropriately targeted web hosting service will more than likely benefit you. Moreover, you can find various specialised web hosting companies within the UK that can further advise you on services suited to your business situation. With the right approach, you can harness the full potential of the web for you and your business.