If you run any business, you will know the importance of having a website. Your website is your business’s storefront, where potential customers can find out more about what products or services you offer. In this article, you’ll see four of the most important factors to consider while looking for a web host and top tips for choosing it.
First impressions are important, especially in business, and you’ll want to make sure that you have a great-looking website that is fast to load, easy to use, and works on all types of devices, such as laptops, desktops, and mobile phones.
The importance of web hosting
The company you use to host your website will be one of your most important decisions. So you will want to make sure that you get it right.
Several factors need to be considered when searching for a web host for your site. In this article, we will look at the main factors and explain why they are important in making your choice.
Choice of hosting options
Different types of hosting apply to different websites. So you should check that the web host you are planning to use offers a range of options.
Many websites provide excellent analysis and suggestions for web hosts.
Most people’s most popular option is shared hosting, where a single server is shared among many users. Sometimes, this can be more than a hundred different users. All sharing the same resources on the server. It is the most affordable and ideal for those running a simple website.
Other options include VPS (virtual private server) hosting, where you have a virtual server. This allows you more control over the hosting functions and options. This is a good choice for those running a more extensive website, such as an e-shop. As a result, top host important factors and features to consider while choosing a website server.
The most powerful option is a dedicated server, where you have a physical server all for yourself. This is a much more expensive option. It will require a level of experience and knowledge about server setups. Making it a choice for larger companies that often have their IT departments.
If you use the WordPress CMS, you might want to consider getting dedicated WordPress hosting, which will be on servers optimized for that specific platform.
It’s also important to check with the web host about upgrading your hosting to a different type should the need arise. You might find that after a year or so, you’ve outgrown your shared hosting package and will need something more robust.
Reasonable pricing: Choosing web host
Another thing to pay attention to is the price. You’ll want to be sure you are not overpaying for your hosting, especially if your hosting package includes lots of expensive add-ons you aren’t using.
Most shared hosting options come with three choices: for a single site, multiple sites, or unlimited sites. They all provide the same functions and options. However, with some web hosts, you are allowed to use a different amount of disc space and bandwidth. As a result, top host important factors and features to consider while choosing a website server.
The price will usually be around $7-$10 a month for single-site shared hosting accounts—multiple sites around $10-$15 a month, and unlimited anywhere from $15-$15. You should also check to make sure if the monthly prices being shown on the hosts’ website cost a month-to-month basis or for an annual subscription.
More often than not, the lowest price you see being advertised is when you sign up for a contract of one year or more. If you want to use a month by a monthly payment plan, then the prices will usually be a few dollars more each month.
VPS hosting can range between $30 and $100 a month, depending on the specifications. Dedicated servers usually start at around $120 a month and can go upwards of hundreds more, depending on the type of server you need.
Reliable performance factors to consider in a web host
Uptime is an essential aspect of web hosting and relates to how much time your site will be up and running each month. Problems with servers and data centers can happen out of the blue, and though, in most cases, the issues are fixed promptly, you might have a situation where your website is down for a prolonged period.
You should use a web host that offers at least a 99.9% uptime guarantee. Anything less than that could lead to trouble when choosing a web host.
Good support
One of the most important things to look at is the type of support that the host offers. You never know when you might run into a problem, whether it’s something simple, such as an email not working properly, or a more complicated issue with a database. You will want to be sure that there is someone on hand who can help.
Many web hosts offer round-the-clock support, while others may only provide support during working hours. If your host has limited support hours, ensure they are similar to your work hours if your host is on the other side of the world. You might discover that their working hours are during the night for you. Going with a local host would be the better option in this scenario.
It’s also worth spending a little time looking for reviews from clients using that particular web host. They will be in the best position to share their experience and tell you if the quality of service and support from the host is good enough.
The last thing you’ll want is a serious problem with your website and no response from customer support when choosing a web host.
Some final thoughts about factors to consider in a web host
When it comes to web hosting, you’ll find that many companies are vying for your business. Take your time and look closer at some potential hosts you are considering using.
Check out the reviews for their hosting services online. Some websites are purely up to reviewing different web hosts. These can give you a much clearer picture of what type of service a specific web host offers.
Suppose you are moving from one host to another. So, try to find one that offers site migration, where the new host will take care of everything—in other words, moving your websites from the old host to their servers. If you don’t know what you are doing, this can be a tricky process, so it’s a great option to let the new host take care of this for you.
