Web hosting is fundamental to the success of every business today. The lingering issue for many enterprises, however, is that hosting quickly becomes an afterthought — if ever a serious thought is given. Highly technical, Web hosting can be quite confusing to master for even those most expert among us. Unfortunately, providing specific guidance about Web hosting is no easy task as every business and every business’ need is very different. Instead of focusing on broad, higher-level trends or lower-level guidance for those just starting out, this issue of Website Magazine has put together a collection of articles for novices and experts alike and published it on the Web at wsm.co/WMWebhostingGuide.

Web Hosting Cost Matrix
The price for a Web hosting package is determined by a variety of factors too numerous to mention. Cost-conscious businesses often choose discount hosting services, and while sufficient for some, that path can be fraught with peril. Check out WM’s Web Hosting Cost Matrix.

Relationships with Web Hosting Providers
More important than cost, and far more important than features, the relationship you have with your Web hosting provider is key to your success. Read interviews with two different Web hosting experts.

The Top Cloud Hosting Providers
The cloud has taken the Internet by storm. Explore the leading vendors, examining their features and finding their faults in WMs list of top cloud hosting providers.

Making the Move to a Dedicated Server
A time comes in the virtual lifespan of successful digital enterprises when they will outgrow their current shared-hosting package and shift to a dedicated server. Discover the basics of making the move to a dedicated server.

The Ultimate Web Hosting Glossary
You may never fully understand the jargon that your IT staff and hosting provider routinely toss about, but it doesn’t mean you at least can’t follow along. Do just that with WM’s Ultimate Web Hosting Glossary.

No Time for Downtime
If there’s a worst-case scenario for websites of any size and scope, it’s downtime. Learn how to avoid downtime and discover practical ways to minimize the impact at http://wsm.co/AetqbD.

What Ever Happened to Green Hosting?
The faltering economy may have squashed the utopian dream of truly green Web hosting (which tended to be pricier in nature, but cutting down on carbon emissions remains top of mind for many hosting providers). See who’s leading the green hosting charge.

Deploy a Private Cloud
Many organizations may be hesitant to utilize the many public cloud services as total control is all but out of their control. For these enterprises, deploying a private cloud may just be a better fit. Learn how to deploy a private cloud for your digital efforts.