Choosing a web host isn’t the easiest thing to do. If you aren’t careful, you might find yourself in a nightmare situation with a host that doesn’t provide quality service, respond to technical support requests, or provide solid up-time for your website(s). There is a huge selection of companies providing web hosting services, and to someone unfamiliar with the industry, it’s very easy to end up with the wrong provider for your needs. Here are five tips to hopefully get you pointed in the right direction.
1: Beware of Unlimited Resources Many web hosts offer what they refer to as “unlimited” file storage and “unlimited” bandwidth. Put simply, this means you can upload as many files to your account as you’d like, and there is no limit to the amount of visitor traffic your site can receive. This certainly sounds like a good deal, but the truth of the matter is that many hosts oversell on this promise and their service quality suffers as a result. This isn’t to say ALL hosts using this model are bad; some of the bigger names in the game do it just fine, but be aware of any smaller companies trying to compete.
2. Bandwidth. Your website will generate traffic. The amount of traffic that is driven to your website will determine how much bandwidth you will need. If you are a small business owner or have a personal website, a small amount of bandwidth, such as 5 MB, should be enough. To stay competitive, many web hosts now offer unlimited bandwidth. If you foresee heavy traffic to your site, ensure you read the fine print to avoid overage charges because unlimited usually has restrictions.
3. Email. Ensure your web host offers an email address using your domain name in the address. This gives you a more professional appearance and is a great way to further advertise your website. This is an example of how your email address should look: support@yourwebsite.com. An email address is usually a free addition to the web host service.
4: How does the web host handle support issues and problems? Is email the only way to get in touch with them? Do they offer a 24 hour helpline? 24 hour phone support is more desirable than relying on emails. In addition, many hosting companies offer support forums on their web sites. Visit them. Find out what customers are saying and what problems they are discussing. Read the web host FAQ page.
5: Read The Terms of Service! This one is actually more important than many people realize. There are quite a few things you can do to get kicked off of your hosting account with many hosting companies, and they usually do not give you a chance to retrieve your files or configurations from their servers before deleting your account. If you plan to host a site containing adult content, inflammatory language, or other questionable content, make absolutely certain to read over the TOS carefully for any clauses forbidding such content. If you’re uncertain, ask customer support.
It is important to choose an established and well-respected web host that offers the hosting services you need at a reasonable price. With a reliable, professional web hosting company, your web site will be readily available to you and your site visitors, your data will be safe, you will be able to easily upgrade your hosting plan if needed and your hosting package will include FTP, email and other features so you can get the most out of your web site.
