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The
Truth
About
UNLIMITED
Web
Hosting is a commodity. The main elements
of any web hosting plan are disk space and
bandwidth. Disk space is the space you
have allotted on the web server to store
your website. Bandwidth is an amount you
have available to transfer web pages from
the web server to the browsers of visitors
to your site. Web pages and graphics
consume bandwidth or capacity on the web.
Bandwidth and disk space cost
money.
The
network lines that carry data around the
web (optic fiber, cable, copper wire etc)
have a finite capacity. There is a limit
to the amount of data that can be
transferred at any point in time.
Likewise, the hard drive of a web server
has a limited amount of space determined
by the physical size of the hard
drive.
Many
hosting companies claim to offer
"unlimited" plans (both disk space and
bandwidth), but be aware that there are
physical limitations to both disk space
and bandwidth. Before you buy an
"unlimited" plan, know what you're getting
into.
The
Attraction to
Unlimited
When
consumers decide they want to place a
website on the internet, they are often
unaware of the fact that there are
limitations. Unlimited is attractive
because it requires no further thought. If
it's unlimited then I never need to worry
about running out, right? Although this is
understandable, there are risks with
purchasing unlimited plans.
The
Unlimited Myth
Many
web hosting companies offer "unlimited" as
a plan feature. It is impossible for any
provider to actually provide an unlimited
amount of bandwidth or disk space. It's
just not possible.
So
Why Do Unlimited Plans
Exist?
Most
websites only consume a very small amount
of bandwidth and disk space. Web hosting
companies that provide unlimited anything
as a plan feature are banking on the fact
that you won't use very much. Unlimited is
a marketing trick to get your business.
The web hosting market is very
competitive. Although selling plans that
pretend to be unlimited can seem
dishonest, it does not mean that the
hosting company will not provide good
service. Check in the hosting company's
Terms of Service: there will probably be a
note about what "unlimited"
really means. Be aware that there are many
dishonest webhosting providers on the net.
Many will set up as many "unlimited"
hosting plans as they can, and when the
server is about at the breaking point, the
seller will dissappear, along with all
your accounts if you are a reseller. Be
sure you are dealing with a reputable
company.
When
Are Unlimited Plans
Ok?
If
you have a small website and know that it
will not consume too much space or
bandwidth, then unlimited plans make your
choices a bit easier to understand. Most
plans that offer unlimited will have some
restrictions such as no audio or video
downloads. The reason audio or video
downloads are typically not allowed in
unlimited hosting plans is because these
types of files consume significant
bandwidth and disk space which exposes the
host to the risk of having to add more
hard drive space and bandwidth, which
costs them more money. If you choose an
unlimited plan and you know your needs
won't be very intensive then you won't run
into any problems.
When
Are Unlimited Plans Not
Ok?
If
you intend to have a lot of visitors to
your site, lots of downloads, including
audio or video files, do not choose an
unlimited plan hoping to get unrestricted
bandwidth. You will find yourself with
problems. Your web host is not going to
run at a loss for long - they could shut
down your website or even charge you extra
(read
the terms of
service).
So
What Is The Best Thing To
Do?
The
best course of action is to plan ahead.
Calculate what type of bandwidth and disk
space you will need then multiply it by 2
just to allow for expansion. Remember, you
can always buy more bandwidth or disk
space if you need - often for only a few
dollars or pounds a month extra. Look for
plans that meet those
requirements.
Only
consider an unlimited hosting plan if you
know your disk space and bandwidth
requirements are very low. If, on the
other hand, you have an ecommerce site or
a site that you expect to grow in size and
bandwidth in future, avoid any plans that
offer unlimited bandwidth or disk
space.
(If
you're still hoping to
find
a real unlimited
disk
space/bandwidth
deal, I have a car to sell you that gets
unlimited mileage from a single tank of
petrol.)
Still
not convinced? Do a Google
search
for unlimited web hosting myth.
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