There are a number of factors that must be considered when it comes to choosing the web server application you want to utilize. Elements such as the operating system, the level of security, scalability and price should all come into play when basing your decision. It can be a grueling process but focusing on these key components will make your choice much easier.
Operating Platform
The operating system you choose to run the server on will have a major influence on the software you decide to go with. The most popular platforms today are Windows, Unix and various flavors of the Linux operating system. While all can perform in a multitude of environments, Windows is usually preferred in the business setting while Unix and Linux are designed for more complex and demanding tasks. There are also other choices such as Mac OS X, but this platform isn’t as common and therefore lacks support from the web community.
Solid Security
Above all, security should be your number one priority in choosing web server software. Since most websites are public, they make a prime target for hackers and other cyber criminals looking to steal sensitive information. Even if you decided on a seemingly secure application, keep in mind that the server is really only as secure as its configurations. For example, it probably wouldn’t be a good idea to leave the default security settings intact because the attackers have already discovered ways around them. Additionally, you want a server that is easy to patch and update to ensure that the latest security vulnerabilities and issues are addressed.
Easy Scalability
Scalability refers to your web server’s ability to grow alongside the growth of your web operations. This is an extremely important quality as a slow server could end up costing you new visitors and customers as well as existing ones. On the web, they say that you only have a few seconds to grab the attention of potential customers. If your web server can’t perform or slows down after a couple thousand hits, you have essentially set yourself up for failure.
Good Support System
Apache is the most popular and widely installed web server in the world. The software is freely available and can be downloaded by virtually anyone. While this is definitely a plus, it can also be a disadvantage considering how you view the situation. Apache and other open-source programs come at the price of limited formal support. If you don’t have an experienced IT staff on hand to deal with the server, you may want to choose a product that comes with official support to help out when things get rough.
True Value
Cost is often the first factor many people consider when they want to invest in something. With a web server, it should be the last thing you consider. As we mentioned, there are free servers as well those that come with expensive licenses, particularly Microsoft’s IIS (Internet Information Services). This specific application ranks up there with the best but you could actually hurt your efforts by judging web servers on cost. Pick the cheap software and you just might end up with a product the lacks the compatibility, scalability and functionality you need to be successful.
