In the times we live, not having a website for your company is not even an option anymore. In a world where everything from working and advertising, to shopping and in some cases, even ordering food is done online, a company needs to be represented on the World Wide Web. But, just having a website isn’t enough. It needs to be globally accessible and out there. That is where web hosting comes in.
A web hosting service is a way for individuals to get their websites out there for the whole world to access it and benefit. But, choosing the right web host can be a real challenge, especially if you don’t know what to look for. Just like when buying anything, you have to keep a number of factors in mind that work for you. Same goes when you go to buy a website hosting.
- Technical Specifications and Storage:
The first, most basic factor to keep in mind, when buying web hosting, is the storage they provide. You need to evaluate your disk space and bandwidth needs. It’s always good to have lots of storage space and your bandwidth depends on your work. If your website features a lot of graphics, dozens of pages and get a lot of traffic, you’re going to need decent amounts of bandwidth and disk space. But, if your site is going to be simple and not generate a huge amount of traffic, you should be able to get away with smaller amounts of disk space and bandwidth.
- Pricing:
Not all good web hosting is pricey and similarly not all low priced web hosting is good. Find a host who provides you with all your basic requirements and then some at a reasonable price. Believe it or not, but there are quite a few companies out there, with great deals and packages as well as good services to go with it.
- Servers:
A lot is riding on the servers of the web host. If the server hosting your website goes down, so does your site because of which costumers, visitors and sales don’t go through. This can be a huge problem for you so make sure that the web host has an up to date server.The same goes for the load time. A better server means faster loading time and faster accessibility of your site. So, knowing the kind of server a website hosting has is an important factor to keep in mind.
- Support and Customer Care:
When buying web hosting always look for the kind of support and costumer care they provide. Having a 24/7 customer service is a huge help. If you end up having problems with your website etc. you will always have a place to go to in your time of need and deal with it adequately and in the least amount of time possible.
- Free Domain:
Registering a domain and getting web hosting are two different things. Anyone can get a domain from a popular registrar. After you have a domain, you still have to find hosting though. So if you plan on keeping your website for a long time, you can save some money in the long run by going with a hosting company that offers a free domain for life along with your hosting package.
- Additional Domain:
Some hosting plans allow you to add additional domains to your existing package. If down the road you decide you want to start a new site, you only need to register a new domain with a registrar and then add it to your existing package instead of going out and purchasing another.
- Specialties:
It’s a fact that not all web hosts are right for all different kinds of customers. Your company has different needs that can’t be met by all web hosts. Look into a company’s specialty or area of expertise before you buy, and go with one that understands your particular needs as a customer.
- Features/Add-Ons:
This area of consideration comes down to the following question – What makes this hosting company so special? What extra incentive do they provide to make hosting your site with them just a touch more attractive? Whether it is multiple data centers, energy-saving practices, or additional features such as regular data backups or free domain privacy, hosting companies often offer more than just servers. If you see one that offers something you need or find important, that can be a good indicator that you should look into using that company.
- Security:
When visitors and customers log into your website, they expect a safe and secure experience. Some inexpensive hosting services are less likely to have the latest and most up-to-date software and security updates. The lack of site updates can cause a negative experience for your potential customers and may make search engines rank your website lower than one with current software updates installed. Make sure your hosting company keeps their scripts and software updated regularly.
- Site Backups:
When considering a particular host, make sure that they provide site back-up as you never know what may happen when. Your website is prone to break down once or twice and having backup will save you from a wonder of problems.
- Customer Reviews:
Before deciding, always read the reviews of costumers. They will give you a clear idea if that particular host is the one you want for your site.
Web hosting is not to be taken lightly as it is the main thing between you and potential clients. Choosing the right host can be a matter of success or doom of your business so be sure to choose the right one for your company.
About the Author:
Selena is very active when it comes to hosting and domains for websites. She also has her own Hosting Coupon website where she offers free Godaddy Hosting Coupon Codes.