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Whether you are considering website hosting
or software file hosting be leery of free services.
While free hosting might initially appeal to your
financial senses, it could cost you money in the
end. How? Quite simply most free hosting services
provide unwanted pop-up offers, on overloaded
servers that are slow to respond. Potential customers
could become distracted by an alluring pop-up
ad or they might simply become impatient waiting
for your website or file to download. The adage
you get what you pay for has credence here.
When looking for a web host consider the following:
- disk space
- allowed bandwidth
- email hosting features
- upload options (FTP)
- management tools
- database support
- server scripting language support
- service / support
- uptime
Web hosting of course comes in a variety of flavors
from to co-located unmanaged dedicated servers
to shared managed servers.
Many software developers quickly determine that
the file hosting associated with website hosting
is not sufficient or adequate for their software
file hosting needs, and will use a separate host
to specifically manage their software downloads.
Why use a file hosting service specifically software?
Control! The file hosting services that are specifically
designed for software developers provide a level
of control that is not available through standard
web hosting packages.
1. Bandwidth
Dedicated software hosting is less expensive.
If publishers exceed their bandwidth on a standard
web host, it can become very expensive.
2. Storage Space
Software file hosts allow for large files.
3. Redundancy
Most services have redundant servers for software
downloads. Software file hosts typically have
multiple pipes with redundant Internet connections.
4. Filtering
Software file hosting will often allow for the
filtering of crack site referrers. Software developers
can also filter specific IP addresses preventing
them from downloading files.
5. Password Protection
Customizable password protected files for users.
6. Reporting
Software file hosts often will tie into ecommerce
for advanced reporting and sales tracking.
7. Protected Download Link
A file can be generated with restrictions. The
download link can be set to expire after a specified
period of time. This is especially helpful if
your "registered" version is a separate
download from the trial.
Suggested 3rd Party File Host - FileKicker
FileKicker is set up specifically for software
developers and it has a number of advanced features
and functions.
http://www.filekicker.com
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