A web hosting company can be your best friend or worst enemy. Web hosting companies are the foundation of any website, and if you choose one that is not reliable then it could spell disaster for your business.
To avoid this happening to you, make sure that your web host checks off all the boxes that you require.
Below are the five tips on how to choose the right web hosting company without getting duped into something you don’t need.
1. Understand Your Hosting Needs
Choosing a web hosting company is no easy task. With all the different types of hosts out there, it can be difficult to determine which one is best for you.
Some people might need more space than others while some may want specific features that other companies do not provide. If your page size is 50KB and you have around 20,000 visitors, your website will need about 5GB of bandwidth per month.
The first thing you should do before looking at any potential providers is understanding exactly what your hosting needs are and what they entail. This way, you will have a better idea of which type of provider would work best for your business or personal needs.
Additionally, web hosting companies are often one-size-fits-all meaning that they provide the same webspace for different types of sites. If you have a small blog or website with only 100 visitors per day then this is not really necessary and can be an added cost for your business.
Ask yourself if you need something that is more commonplace or one that provides more customization options. The more commonplace web hosting company will have lots of information available from others who are providing help.
A unique provider will not have as much help available and will take more background knowledge to configure.
2. Get Reliable Service Anytime You Need
Because your website never goes to sleep that means your visitors could visit you at any hour. This means that you are going to need help at any time of the day, any day of the week.
Find a hosting company that provides a 100% uptime guarantee so that if your web host goes offline for any reason then they will compensate you with some type of credit or service extension.
You want to be able to rely on them at all times without worry, and this is what the best web hosting companies provide. You should also look into customer support offered by providers as this is an important part of web hosting.
If you have a question, then it should be answered quickly and efficiently by the company’s customer service department so that your site stays up at all times. The best web hosting companies are always there for their customers when they need them most.
For a benchmark figure, 99.95% is a normal expectation for uptimes from web hosting companies. Anything below 99% shouldn’t be viewed as acceptable for your website.
There are server monitoring tools you can take advantage of to receive uptime information.
3. Upgrading Options From Your Web Hosting Company
Every good hosting company needs to be able to scale with your business. Without having the proper features available when your site starts growing, you will run into issues with your site’s performance.
Larger web hosting companies offer better features and more scalability than smaller companies, but not all of them have the same offerings. It is up to you to find a web hosting company that has everything your site needs in terms of upgrades.
This way, when it comes time for future scaling-up projects, as well as any down-scaling processes, you will be prepared.
It will also help with security as your site grows. SSL certification and firewall protection, DDoS prevention, malware detection, and backups are all options provided as extra security for your site.
Backup features will be automatic and frequent to maximize uptime in the event of a server failure.
Additionally, web hosting companies that offer customer support are more likely to have options available for upgrades and downgrading your account than web hosts with automated services only. It is always best to go with an option that provides not just webspace but a complete package of features so your business can grow.
There are different types of hosting servers that you can utilize when looking to upgrade. Cloud hosting, shared hosting, VPS hosting, and dedicated hosting are all available. Which option you choose will depend on how many visitors you get and your site needs.
4. What is the Signup vs Renewal Cost
When a web hosting company needs to bring in more customers it will generally run an advertising campaign of some kind. This can often include a discount on initial signup for its service.
The only problem is that initial payment is only good for a specific amount of time, usually 1 year. After the initial offer, your yearly payments will go up in price when it’s time to renew.
If this is the web hosting company you choose then it might be a good idea to plan on paying for your webspace for multiple years in advance, as they will likely charge you more when renewal time comes around.
By paying in advance, you can generally save money rather than waiting for your yearly renewal when prices might continually rise. The best web hosting companies are always upfront about their pricing and offer packages that include signup fees in yearly payments so there are no surprises.
You can always switch providers after the year to take advantage of a new deal. The issue with switching is it can cause problems with your website if not done correctly.
You’ll need to check with your hosting provider’s sales team before purchasing to see what the rate will be after your renewal. You can also check their terms of service page for additional information.
5. How Easy to Use Is It?
If this is your first time going with a hosting provider you may need to check how easy it is to use before signing up. Hosting involves a lot of technical information and if you don’t have the right background it can be overwhelming.
Some web hosting providers have a setup wizard that will help you with the process. These web hosts are more user-friendly and less technical, which is perfect for beginners as well as seasoned professionals.
If this isn’t an option or if you need something specific like email accounts then it might be best to go with a web host that provides more options for web hosting.
You should also keep in mind that some web hosts will have customer service available 24 hours a day, every day of the year to ensure you can get assistance regardless of when or why you need it.
Getting the Right Hosting Company
No matter if you are new or a seasoned pro, getting the right web hosting company means looking at all their features. You need to know what your personal needs are first and compare them with the web host for the best results.
If this list doesn’t have what you need take a look at our tool that helps you find the best web hosting company for you.
