Understanding Bandwidth and Data Transfer
The amount of data transfer available with
a budget hosting plan is important, so understanding some basics
about bandwidth and data transfer can help you choose the web host
and plan that's best for you.
While
bandwidth and data transfer are somewhat synonymous, the two are
typically referred to from unique perspectives. In a nutshell -
both have to do with the amount of data that is transferred to and
from your web site either by you uploading files, your visitors
viewing pages and downloading files, and your emails if you are
using your host for your email service. If someone comes to your
web site and downloads a 1MB file, you've just transferred 1MB of
data. If 1,000 people download that file than you have transferred
1,000MB or 1GB.
The
Difference Between Bandwidth and Data Transfer
In nearly all cases, budget web hosting plans are looked at in terms
of data transfer and not bandwidth. Why? Think of an internet connection
as a water hose and the data (site traffic) as water. Bandwidth
refers more to the size of that hose in addition to the amount of
water flowing through it. Most likely the one offering you unlimited
data transfer (back to the water analogy) is only letting you drink
from a very small hose. This means you can drink and drink all you
want but chances are you could not get enough water through the
small hose to amount to much.
In
the web hosting industry, bandwidth is a real and significant cost.
There are no unlimited plans out there. A host that offers a really
generous data transfer plan is bound to have one if not both of
the following, 1. a small and limiting connection to the internet
or 2. lots of sites using up lots of the available bandwidth. Either
results in a slow loading web site.
How
Much Data Transfer Do You Need?
Would you believe that of the thousands of D2DWebHosting users less
than 1% ever exceed their allowed data transfer in a given month?
. Unless your site offers things like MP3 or Video downloads or
receives thousands of visitors per month chances are data transfer
will never even be an issue.
Many
hosts, such as D2DWebHosting offer added features to our web hosting
service such as email, web site statistics, backup and restore functions,
pre-installed scripts and more. Today there are over 15,000 web
host providers offering everything from affordable budget services
to high end managed services. Being a leader in budget hosting means
offering a comprehensive and reliable plan at a great price.
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