Ok, so DreamHost offers unlimited bandwidth in their web hosting package, what does this mean for you and your website? Essentially, bandwidth refers to the amount of traffic you have to your site, and the amount of information they receive while visiting. The bandwidth is measured by the amount of data that is transferred from your site to their computer. So, when you create your website, if you build your web pages with very large files (ie. a lot of graphics, videos, etc.) then when Internet users go to your site every file they visit will count against your allowable bandwidth.
With "Unlimited Bandwidth" you may be thinking that you do not have to worry about what size your files are, or thinking you shouldn't have to anyway. BUT, in reality how you create your website not only affects you but also all other web sites that may be sharing your server.
Note: If you are concerned about slowing your site due to transfer - See our post on DreamHost Virtual Private Servers.
You can still have an amazing and interesting web site without using a ton of bandwidth, or slowing down everyones site. By doing a few simple things when you are designing/creating your website you and your visitors will have a better experience. By minimizing your server storage, bandwidth, file system, memory, and cpu impact you will be doing your part to insure all sites on your shared web server runs smoothly.
Keep in mind, DreamHost does not allow:
•Copyrighted content you are not the copyright holder of.
•File upload / sharing / archive / backup / mirroring / distribution sites.
•A site created primarily to drive traffic to another site.
•Making your account resources available (whether for free or pay) to the general public.
This is not only so DreamHost can protect their reputation, by not allowing the small amount of people who want to run free porn affiliate sites or pirated video trading, but for your benefit as well.
