ASP.Net is an application for the web created by Microsoft. It uses the .Net language and framework that the Windows operating system requires. ASP.NET cannot be used with other operating systems. The program allows you to build dynamic websites, applications and services. ASP stands for Active Server Pages. An active page is something a client will want to see when they download your site to their browser. ASP was the original program and since then ASP.NET was created. Now ASP.NET has various upgrades. The last upgrade was to ASP.NET 4.
ASP.NET hosting is a type of server available to you. It literally means the server will be able to support your ASP.NET scripted pages. ASP is technically for SEO purposes in creating a text and image page that can be downloaded quickly and supply the information needed by the potential customer of your site. If a web server provider says they offer ASP.NET host capabilities it means you can use the program to design your pages without issues. As mentioned ASP is for Windows, which means Linux hosts will not be offering ASP options. ASP.NET also works on the Microsoft IIS Server. Any other type of server may not work with the ASP, even if it is Microsoft designed.
The benefits of the ASP.NET hosting are outlined here:
- Any page created with C++, Java or Visual Basic will be supported
- Forums, blogs, social networking applications, etc can be used
- Microsoft Access as the database
- SQL properties
- Save on development time
Is there an extra cost for this type of hosting? You are probably asking yourself this question. The answer is yes. Unfortunately, to obtain hosting with ASP.NET capabilities you have to pay a little extra. The good news is the price is based on the additional licensing requirements; therefore, the extra cost is relatively inexpensive. The cost is actually insignificant compared to the benefits you are gaining.
We mentioned above that you can save on development time using the ASP.NET option. The time you save in creating the site means you will upload it faster to the server. The site will be launched and making money quicker. Through this process you will be able to gain back what you are spending for the ASP.NET fairly quickly.
The major downside to ASP.NET is not the cost. It is in your experience. A small business or blogger really has no need for this feature. You can create a great website without it. If you are hiring an experienced Microsoft programming expert then you may want to use it. Otherwise there are numerous hosting options that offer open source based programming that are easier to use than ASP.NET hosting.
Corporations find more benefit from the ASP.NET than small companies. They have more products, therefore a need for more images and other web features like a forum. Review your website requirements to ascertain the real needs you have in a host before going with the ASP.NET option.