Some basic quick points to remember and planning for traffic.

Shared server for start up.

A shared web hosting can support around 1000 hits or less per day in most cases on an average a visitor visits upto 5 pages.A good designed page takes around 20 - 25 KB with graphics and content. 5 pages visit consumes 100-125 KB of band width. Assuming you have 200  unique vistors per day, you have to keep apart 25 MB /day. assuming you have 500 MB bandwidth limit set up buy your server admin for 30 days of month you need 750 MB per month you have 2 options decrease your page size or purchase more bandwidth. On comparison with redesign and increasing band width you choose lesser expensive option of increasing band width.

1000 hits /day with 20-25kb page cost you 750 MB per month so go for increased monthly bandwidth.

You need to be connected to internet to receive and process orders best option dsl broadband conectivity, as they are cheap and good.

Minimum server requirement If you are looking for chaep and best hosting go for linux hosting they may start from 5$/month.

Check if your service provider gives you the following. With a linux package.

Part A

• Minimum 100MB web space.
• Bandwidth - 1GB minimum.
• FTP access - to upload and download files.
• Mailbox with online mail access.
• Web interface for administration like CPanel
• Firewall protection
• Back up service atleast weekly
• Logs - helps ou about your system

Part B

• Scripting language support PHP/Perl you may opt for JSP also
• Database preferably MySQL - 2 Database allowed
• .htaccess this takes off a lot of load from you in redirecting and protecting
• Robots.txt for search engine you may also put it a text file with 0777 mod with name mentioned above.
• Hot link and directory protection interface( can do it manually with .htaccess
• Subdomains and domain parking (make it clear idf allowed)
• Cpan modules if you are using Perl.
• Payment gateway support -if you receive online payment.
• SSI if looking for non scripting alternatives for template based publishing.
• Front page extension if you are using a MS Front Page developed system that requires one.
• SSL if your's is an ecommerse website.

Look if you host is using optical backbone conectivity like OC3 to OC192 etc and have multiple backbone service provider connectivity.web server is Hosted on a server Pentium 4 or later.

If you go for something better always check if you are given an IP address and your own nameserver with increased webspace, bandwidth,pop accounts(mailboxes) etc.

In conclusion if you go for big promotion make sure you/server/service provider can afford the traffic.

Be ready for unlimited traffic.
The series end here.
Author
constantine