Assignemnt: Web Hosting
Scenario/Summary
Site Plan
Scenario
Role
Players
Deliverable
Scenario
Congratulations! After a judicious round of user testing, Sunholm Solar has decided that the website you've created for them is ready to be deployed live on the Internet. There's just one catch: Sunholm Solar doesn't want to run its own Web server, and the company executives really don't know what Web hosting company to use. Only a few days remain before the company's planned market launch, so they need to find a Web hosting company fast.
Role
You are an independent Web developer who was hired by Sunholm Solar for the job of designing and building their new website. Now that the site itself is finished, the company has requested that you provide the additional service of recommending a Web hosting company for the site. You are meeting with Sunholm Solar executives to determine their hosting needs, after which you will prepare a memo with your recommendation.
Players
1. Hugh Holben
President and CEO
2. Susan Dalton
VP of Marketing
3. Janet Mclane
CFO
4. Steve Garry
VP of Operations
Deliverable
Given the scenario, your role and the information provided by the key players involved, it is time for you to make a decision. If you are finished reviewing this scenario, check the Your Role/Assignment section below and complete the tasks as instructed. You can return and review this scenario again at any time.
Your Role/Assignment
Research five hosting companies and compare their
• features (FTP versus web upload, Site Builder, etc.);
• prices;
• service level (uptime, database support, PHP/ASP.NET support, and throughput or bandwidth);
• customer support;
• ease of e-commerce integration; and
• SEO support.
In a one- to two-page business memo to your client, compare and contrast the different hosting plans. Choose the best hosting business for your client and explain your choice. You may include a chart, but be sure to describe your recommendations about which of these host plans has the characteristics required to best serve your client's needs. Are there any plans that are comparable? Are there any that are unsuitable?