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: Define your needs. If your web site is a small or medium-sized informational site with a few graphics, it will require less disk space and bandwith than a multi-product e-commerce site will. If your site uses a specific programming language such as PHP or ASP.NET, you will be required to use a web host that offers hosting in that particular language. If you plan to sell online, your host must include e-commerce security and shopping cart functions. Knowing what to look for will help you find a suitable web host.
2: Look For Solid Customer Support Before signing up with a company, test out their support team. Do they offer a chat interface on their website? Then give it a spin and see how well their support team can answer your questions. Do they provide a phone number? Call it and see if they actually answer. Find their email support address and see how long it takes to get a response. Too often, hosting companies view customer support as a secondary issue, but you won't know this until you actually need help, so do yourself a favor and test it beforehand.
3: Is the web host company reliable? How long have they been in business? Your web site needs to be accessible. If your web site is always down, visitors may leave and never come back. Most web host companies advertise their average 24 hour uptime. It should be no lower than 99%.
4. Secure Server. If you will be selling products or services on your website it is essential that your website offers a secure server (SSL.) A secure server ensures that personal information collected through your website is safe from hackers.
5. Payment Plans. Web hosts offer monthly, quarterly or annual payment plans. Oftentimes the annual rate will be less expensive overall than the monthly or quarterly plans. Ensure that you research the various rates offered and select the best price from the web host that supplies all of your requirements.
So there you have it. Those tips should have you well on your way to becoming a safer shopper when it comes to purchasing your new web hosting service. Just remember, if there's anything you're unsure about with a particular host, just keep moving, because the choices are nearly endless! Good luck!
1: Define your needs. If your web site is a small or medium-sized informational site with a few graphics, it will require less disk space and bandwith than a multi-product e-commerce site will. If your site uses a specific programming language such as PHP or ASP.NET, you will be required to use a web host that offers hosting in that particular language. If you plan to sell online, your host must include e-commerce security and shopping cart functions. Knowing what to look for will help you find a suitable web host.
2: Look For Solid Customer Support Before signing up with a company, test out their support team. Do they offer a chat interface on their website? Then give it a spin and see how well their support team can answer your questions. Do they provide a phone number? Call it and see if they actually answer. Find their email support address and see how long it takes to get a response. Too often, hosting companies view customer support as a secondary issue, but you won't know this until you actually need help, so do yourself a favor and test it beforehand.
3: Is the web host company reliable? How long have they been in business? Your web site needs to be accessible. If your web site is always down, visitors may leave and never come back. Most web host companies advertise their average 24 hour uptime. It should be no lower than 99%.
4. Secure Server. If you will be selling products or services on your website it is essential that your website offers a secure server (SSL.) A secure server ensures that personal information collected through your website is safe from hackers.
5. Payment Plans. Web hosts offer monthly, quarterly or annual payment plans. Oftentimes the annual rate will be less expensive overall than the monthly or quarterly plans. Ensure that you research the various rates offered and select the best price from the web host that supplies all of your requirements.
So there you have it. Those tips should have you well on your way to becoming a safer shopper when it comes to purchasing your new web hosting service. Just remember, if there's anything you're unsure about with a particular host, just keep moving, because the choices are nearly endless! Good luck!
About the Author:
Mike has been involved with web hosting companies for over 10 years. At Rate Your Web Hosting help helps you chose a cheap web host and presents you with all the information you need to make smart decisions.
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