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| A Site-Owner's Guide to Web Hosting Agreements |
| If you have just created a web site, you will need to choose a web host to get it up and running. |
Your agreement with the host should take into account the following: |
Performance Specifications and Accessibility |
Your web site will be useless if it is not readily accessible to your users. The web hosting agreement must clearly set out performance specifications such as bandwidth, minimum connection speed, maximum server response time, guaranteed uptime, permissible downtime, backup procedures and also the means by which accessibility is to be monitored and reported. |
Bandwidth |
The capacity of your chosen server to carry and process information, known as “bandwidth” is shared by all web sites hosted on the server. Low bandwidth prevents graphics-laden web pages from downloading quickly. Further, busy sites use up a large amount of bandwidth and reduce access to other sites. So that your site may be accessed quickly and easily, ensure that the hosting agreement guarantees you a sufficient portion of the available bandwidth. |
Uptime |
The web host should warrant under the terms of the agreement that your site will be accessible to visitors via the Internet for a certain percentage of time, in other words, “uptime” should be guaranteed. You may wish to specify in the agreement that the host provide alternative or back up server capacity and/ or indemnify you for any losses faced in the event that a server crash or other communication failure renders your web site inaccessible. It is important to note that backing-up the web site on a different storage medium will be significantly cheaper than creating a “mirror site” or replicating server data on a separate server. |
Downtime |
Specify in the agreement an acceptable amount of time for your site to be “down” or inaccessible for the purpose of maintenance and up-dating. The frequency with which you wish updates and maintenance to occur, the time to be allocated to the host for implementing them and the party responsible for bearing the costs of both should also be clearly set out in the agreement. |
Portability |
Ensure that the hardware, operating system, and software on which your web site will be hosted are specified in the agreement and that they have been developed with regard to future cross-platform and cross-operating system compatibility. The use of mainstream hardware, operating systems and software will make your site more portable if you wish to transfer it to a different server in the future. |
Data Storage |
The agreement should specify the amount of space on the host’s server, which will be made available to you to store your web site data. The grounds on which storage capacity may be varied and the calculation of any charges should also be set out. |
Security |
The agreement must specify the particular encryption protocols, which you wish to use. This will ensure that your chosen host is able to support them. |
Statistical Data |
Accurate statistical information about your site, such as the amount of visitor traffic it receives, will among other things, assist you to assess the success and value of your site. The hosting agreement should outline the means by which you wish to receive this information and the frequency with which you wish to have access to it. |
