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Talking about podcast hosting, there are two separate parts that every podcaster has to consider. The first one is podcast file hosting, and another is podcast site hosting.

Podcasters can host both of them on the same hosting account, but occasionally this is not possible for some reasons. Most sites, including podcast sites, consist of mainly text content. Podcast files, on the other hand, are audio or video content that consume much more space on storage device and bandwidth transfer to get from the server to the end users.

If your hosting account is capable of handling this kind of load, more power to you. Otherwise, consider migrate to another one. Alternatively you can use another hosting account to host the gigantic files and handle bandwidth issue.

For first time podcaster who started from scratch, selecting the right hosting is also important to keep both the files and site manageable and save cost.

1. Free podcast hosting

There are services that provide free space for your podcasts, such as ourmedia.org. The uploaded files should be released under Creative Common License. This solution is suitable for hobbyists who just want to distribute messages through them but don't want to invest money in it.

For the podcast site, there are free blog hosting service like Blogger.com and WordPress.com which can help you publish episode notes and other content easily.

2. Commercial web hosting

Podcasts don't use any proprietary protocol or standard so any web hosting that you use to host your site is good to go. The only consideration is that the web hosting server should be able to handle the load and have the disk space to transfer and store the files. Beware of the fact that hosting companies who promise unbelievable amount of disk space and bandwidth may not actually provide them without requiring you to upgrade and pay more.

Using commercial web hosting, you can setup WordPress blog to manage podcast site and also publish podcast feed.

3. Integrated podcast service

This is the easiest way to host your podcast. Usually podcast service provides file and site hosting in one account, with more other features. Choose service provider that know what they do so they can provide the level of service that you are expecting.

In this type of hosting, no further step is necessary other than signing up and start uploading and publishing.

To record a podcast is easy, but to publish it to the world and keep the podcast available is another different issue. It is very important to ensure that you it is available to listeners. Lousy podcast hosting not only causes listeners to go away because they can't download it or view the podcast page, but also can put your credibility at stake as a professional business.

Do you want to learn more about podcast creation and marketing? Have you considered podcasts as part of your business and marketing mix but are confused about the strategy?

Download your free 3-step podcasting guide and business case for podcasting from http://podcastingscout.com/subscribe

Getting a product you want to sell online has some difficult steps:

1. Researching and creating your product (or purchasing one with resale rights)

2. Setting up your marketing plan

3. Arranging for autoresponder digital delivery and online payment

4. Designing your website

5. Creating your riveting sales letter

Now it is time to delicately wade through the stormy seas of selecting a hosting company to present your business to the world and keep it safe from disaster. More than likely, you've spent a good portion of your money on website designs, copywriting for the sales letter, graphic designs for your website logo and attention-grabbing clip art.

Trap #1:

This is not the time to fall for the easy, cheap way out when you are selecting the perfect web hosting service for your business. You can find hosting services all over the Internet, all promising you the moon for almost no money at all... even some offering free hosting. Ignore them!

Think about what you really want in your website host before making any decisions. You need reasonable bandwidth, very low downtime, superb customer service, to start with. Without those three guarantees, you've got nothing.

Trap #2:

Vagueness is not a useful when you are trying to fit your website requirements with those offered by hosting providers. You have to know exactly what you need and want from the service. If you don't, it would be easy to get lost in the slate of glitzy enticements offered that may, or may not, support your business.

Make a list of your specific initial needs and your possible future needs. Keep the list current, updating it as your business expands. When you are considering a service to host your website, send them your list of current requirements so you both know exactly what you need.

Trap #3:

Ignoring this trap will cause you more grief than you could ever imagine. When you are selecting a hosting service, do not even think about one that does not offer 24/7 quality support. If you do, you will be left hanging when your website is down for whatever reason.

Offering that support is also meaningless if you cannot directly contact the technicians responsible for keeping your business online. Without 24/7 availability, you will have to wait until the next day or after holidays or weekends to get help with your site.

In order to avoid this business killer, make sure you get a contact phone number that is a direct line to the technical support people. Get a physical street or mailing address, too. Difficult or non-responsive contact can make your business a nightmare for both you and your customers.

Before contracting and paying for your new hosting services, get that important phone number and call it at various times during the day and in the middle of the night. Make sure it works and that someone professional answers it. The success of your entire business depends on it.

Dan Thompson is a veteran website designer and has used numerous web hosts in his time. Dan specializes in writing web host reviews, his latest article is a Hostmonster Review. You can view Dan's latest web hosting review at http://www.hostmonster-the-review.com