Do Some Web Hosts Specialize in E-Commerce?

Almost any Web host will tell you that it's able to handle e-commerce. Take these claims with a grain of salt: E-commerce is a special application, and mistakes or problems can upset your customers and hurt your business.

E-commerce requires particular attention to security. E-commerce Web

servers encrypt credit card numbers and other personal information when customers submit them, protecting them from eavesdroppers. A qualified Web host knows what kinds of Web servers to use and how to configure them to protect your customers. Online security is a difficult and complex job, and your Web host should bring a lot of skill and attention to the task.

Once you've found a few Web hosts that take online security seriously, compare their e-commerce systems. Many e-commerce software vendors partner with hosting services, offering industrial-strength applications. These partnerships are now common among Web hosts, and they're a great way to get access to an e-commerce package that you could never afford on your own. When you find out which software a host uses, visit the vendor's site and familiarize yourself with the product. You can also visit online newsgroups, mailing lists and technology-news Web sites to learn what other people think of the product and whether users have reported major bugs or security flaws.

Be sure to read the AllBusiness.com special guide to sites such as Yahoo and AOL who offer such services for small business: "The Scoop on Business Web Site Hosting Services."