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Hosting Debunked - Top 10 Myths of Web Hosting

By Tina Yew, October 28, 2004

As an insider in the web hosting industry, one may lose sight of the consumer's view of the industry. This article presents hosting myths and ideas on how to demystify them.

10. Web hosting includes domain registration

Incorrect. These are two separate services which MAY be sold together. An analogy to this is that domain registration is like the license for a car, while web hosting is lease payments for your car. You need both in order to keep the car running (legally!)

9. I should wait until my domain expires before I renew it

This is incorrect! If your domain is going to expire in one or two months, the registrar (the company who you registered your domain with) will send you a notice to renew. At that time, you need to decide whether to renew the registration with your current registrar, or transfer your domain to another registrar. In either case, you will need to respond to the notice by authorizing the renewal, or unlocking your domain so you may transfer it to another registar. For more information, you may view FAQs at Web Hosting FAQs.
Please note that there is a scam from a company called "Domain Registry of Canada" or "Domain Registry of America". This company sends out a "formal" styled letter to the contact address for the domain, and states that "You must renew your domain name to retain exclusive rights to it on the web, and now is the time to renew your name from your current registrar to the Domain Registry of Canada." Please note that you are in no way obliged to renew your registration with the Domain Registry of Canada, who may charge an exobitant fee compared to your current registrars. Keep in mind that ONLY the company whom you registered your domain with is supposed to contact you.

8. I am locked into my hosting plan once I register

If you have began your hosting service with a company and realize that your needs have changed - e.g. you require a MySQL database, or need RealVideo streaming, a reputable host should be able to accomdate these changes. Just because you have already signed up with a certain plan does not mean you need to stick with it.

7. I need to sign a contract in order to use web hosting

This is not true. Web hosting service is like telephone service - your provider has the ability to connect and disconnect the service as the client wishes. However, some web hosting providers will offer one or two year contracts at lower price. It is up to the consumer whether she/he wants to take advantage of the special price by being commited to the provider over a longer term.

6. Only PC's can FTP files / Only Mac's can design web sites

While you may prefer to run certain software available on a certain platform, e.g. Frontpage for Windows, both operating systems are capable of web design and development, as typical web pages are text based.

5. I need a Windows server to host my Web site because I run Windows on my computer.

The computer's platform is unrelated to how a web site is displayed.

4. I need to purchase my hosting and domain together from the same company

Not true. As stated above, hosting and domains are separate services, so you may purchase them from separate vendors. All that is required is to point your DNS to the correct name servers, so when people type your web address in their browser, your computer knows where to go to look for your Web page.

3. I need special Web developing software to publish my Web site

Not true. Web pages based on text may be created with any textual editor, such as Notepad. For more info, view Web Hosting FAQs' guide to creating a web site.

2. I need a dedicated server because I want the best quality there is!

Though dedicated servers may be at the high end of the price spectrum for servers, your Web site may not necessarilly require that level of service. A shared hosting plan may deliver the same performance based on your needs.

1. Domains are not refundable once purchased.

This is a tricky one. Yes, while it's true that a registrar cannot revert the domain once it is purchased after 24 hours, they may try their best effort to do so within the first 24 hours after "check out", or before their registration gets pushed through the system.

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