Wondering how you can get the best web host that suits your needs? A website is essential for every type of business these days. That’s obvious if you’re an eCommerce shop or a restaurant that takes online bookings. But even if you are a gardener or a dog walker, lots of people will want to check you out before they hire you. Whatever line you are in you will need a showcase.
As well as choosing the right domain name and getting your website designed, or doing it yourself with one of the tools available, you will need to choose an appropriate web hosting service. Your toolbox provider will always offer you their own hosting service, but that’s not necessarily the best option for your business. So read on for an overview of the things you should consider before choosing the best web host for your website.
Loading Speed
Nothing is as frustrating as trying to open an unresponsive or slow-loading website. Google prioritizes websites that load faster. So, to offer the best user experience, check if the web host, or the specific hosting package, offers a good loading speed. If you already have a website and a web host you can check the speed anytime with Google PageSpeed insights. If it’s not good enough then talk to your web host and change if necessary.
Users can easily get annoyed by a slow website, they won’t wait around for 10 seconds. And a slow site will also rank lower on Google search, so chances are they won’t see your slow site anyway. In other words, a fast-loading site is essential and don’t settle for anything less.
Pricing
Pricing is obviously another important factor when choosing your web host. You will want to strike the balance between the best speed at the right price. Look out for discount coupons and promotions and always ask to get the discount provided by the coupon. But take care not to get locked in to a long-term plan too quickly. Leave yourself a trial period where you can check that the host keeps to its word on loading speed, leaving you with the flexibility to change quickly if they are not reliable.
Storage and Bandwidth
Web hosting companies consider bandwidth and storage when pricing their services. Bandwidth refers to the bytes you serve over a specific period. You will require lower bandwidth if you expect fewer visitors to your site. Your bandwidth can surge if your products suddenly go viral. Speed is another vital aspect that you need to check before hiring a web hosting company. You should understand the type of data that you will handle on your website.
Understand the Type of Server
There are different types of servers used by service providers. Shared servers are cheaper, and they host several websites. However, the load put on the host determines the performance of your site. Shared hosting comes with limitations like preventing shell access, reducing the amount of data you can access, as well as limiting the files that you can upload via SFTP or FTP.
A virtual private server operates on a simulated computer and runs on a box. Hosting providers can run VPS on a single box. The performance of this server is better than a shared host. When you choose this option, you must be familiar with server management and maintenance. You can also consider a dedicated server if you do not want a box that is not very different from the one on your desktop. The only difference is that the provider keeps the box.
Cloud servers are the best choice for any type of business. These servers run on giant public clouds and are customized to protect data. A service provider can configure the services to suit the needs of the customers. Cloud servers can seamlessly scale and hold big traffic.
Customer Service
What happens when and if your website is hit by hackers, a virus, or just a coding error? In all of those cases, a fast-acting web host is absolutely essential. The longer your website is out of action, the more business you will lose. Ask around about how reliable customer service is with your chosen host. It can be searching their name on Twitter as people often go there to complain or ask for support.
Reliable service providers offer email, live chat, and phone support to assist their customers with anything they may need. Some providers offer 24-hour service. Test out the customer service while you are on a trail period to see if they will be up to the job when a real crisis hits your site.
Data Security
A web host effectively manages your confidential data. Check their reputation for data security and reliability. And only sign up to a host that is located in a country with effective data protection legislation.
When choosing a web host you will need to strike a balance between speed and price, but you cannot afford to compromise an inch when it comes to customer service and data security. Try before you lock yourself in for too long and remember that over time great services can go downhill. Always keep your web host under review, above all prioritising a reliable and effective online experience for your customers.