Host Hunting: An introduction
By Dave Methvin, Computer Shopper
So you've decided to make the move from bricks to clicks. Or perhaps you've outgrown your space on Amazon zShops or Yahoo Store and plan to go it on your own. A key step in becoming the next Amazon.com (maybe even a profitable one) is to choose the right Web host. Although nearly every Web host can handle the services e-commerce requires, not all can handle them well.
Sure, you could go it completely alone and become your own Web host, but there are costs involved in maintaining a persistent connection to the Internet, not to mention issues of security and data backup. What's more, if you're using cable-modem or DSL service, your provider may not even allow such high-volume traffic. You're better off leaving the hosting to someone else, so you can concentrate on your core business.