International Web HostingFeatures and support are not the only differentiators between Web hosting companies; so is their physical location. While it might not seem important at first glance, the physical location of your Web hosting company can often be an important consideration, particularly for businesses. As a result, an international host is often an excellent choice.nnUnderstanding the local business market and practicesnnObtaining Web hosting services from a company that understands the North American market is easy. Thousands of companies throughout the continent offer services in English and generally provide technical support during business hours. This is not the case in many other international markets where English is not the dominant language. An international host particular to the market you are trying to reach is sometimes the better choice.nnIn Germany, for example, there’s great demand for Internet services delivered in German. Many of the most successful Web hosting companies in the country deliver their services in German. Customers simply appreciate the fact that local German companies understand the language and market, making them feel more at ease. (Japan and China, similarly large Internet markets, are other example countries where local firms reign supreme because of this.)nnThe bottom line is this: obtaining Web hosting services from an international host increases the chances of being served by a firm that understands the needs, customs and languages of the customers around them.nnThe impact of regulatory issuesnnAlthough Web hosting is an online service, it can sometimes have offline requirements – particularly for businesses. Some companies have concerns regarding where their data is housed for a reason. Consider what your legal obligations are from country to country if you’re considering different international hosts and locales for a corporate site, project or service; your choice could have an impact on records you are required to retain or divulge.nnNetwork proximitynnResponse and connection times may seem generally quick regardless of the site you visit, but response times can in fact be influenced by the physical location of the Web hosting company and its servers. Some companies choose to locate their servers or hosting accounts with different international hosts geographically to ensure redundancy and the fastest connectivity possible.nnHosting offshorennSome companies choose to locate their servers internationally not because of local market knowledge requirements; rather, they host elsewhere due to tax or other financial implications. This is sometimes known as “offshore” hosting, and usually coincides with the establishment of some sort of business entity in the same region. It is known as offshore hosting because islands in the Caribbean tend to be a popular location for these hosting services.nnWhat to look for in an international Web hosting companynnThere are several factors to consider when evaluating an international Web host, whether you are searching for a Web hosting company in Australia, India or the Cayman Islands:nnFlexible sales and support teams: If you live in New York but choose a Web hosting company in Belgium, it will be difficult to reach a representative after 11 a.m. if your Web host doesn’t offer support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Make sure to choose an international host that will be available when you need them. It’s also important to make sure you can obtain support in English (or other languages you may be fluent in).nnComparable connectivity and redundancy: The physical location of certain international hosting companies can limit the network connections available to them. Make sure they’re not located in an obscure location, potentially affecting their connection speeds and redundancy.nnYou should also consider the importance of backups, physical security, physical access and power redundancy when choosing an international host; smaller countries typically have fewer companies offering these features than in North America. What’s more, unless you have a local office, you will likely be unable to visit the data center your site is housed in; this makes colocation very difficult.nnChoosing an international Web hosting company shouldn’t be much different from choosing a local one: you should still expect quality service, features, support and redundancy. However, an international host can often help you in areas your local company cannot, such as succeeding in specific geographic markets. Choose an international Web hosting company when you need a specific location, but don’t feel you need to give up any features or benefits in exchange.
About theWHIR.com
Since 2000, The Web Host Industry Review has made a name for itself as the foremost authority of the Web hosting industry providing reliable, insightful and comprehensive news, interviews and resources to the hosting community. TheWHIR is an iNET Interactive property. For more information on iNET Interactive, visit http://www.inetinteractive.com
No related posts.
