Choosing a web host is not an easy task and should be done carefully.This is because the success of your website relies on its capability to “host” all of your needs on your defined budget and every business needs adequate features to support their goals and vision.
Determine Your Hosting Needs
First, determine what type of website you are going to launch, in order to decide on your hosting needs. For example, if you want to run a blog, choose a provider that allows you simple WordPress installation with upgraded hardware features, unlimited storage and bandwidth, pre-installed programs and experienced WordPress support.
If you are launching an online store, search for a webhost with strong eCommerce options. Keeping in mind that consumers buy more things online than in stores these days, opt for added security features to make sure that the customer and payment information are protected.
For a personal site, on the other hand, consider a low-cost provider. For business sites, find a hosting company that can handle a growing business.
That said, you are able to choose from three different types of hosting. Shared hosting is for small to medium sites, since many customers and websites are sharing the same server. Virtual private server (VPS) hosting is for fast growing sites, as customers are still sharing the same server, but have much larger portions and better control of them.
Lastly, dedicated hosting offers maximum server resources and security which is meant for high performing websites.
Price
Dedicated hosting plans are the most expensive ones, as they operate on top-notch hardware, have many luxury features and around-the-clock customer support-system. Essentially, with your needs recognized, you will be able to easily determine the type of hosting you need and define a budget for it.
When comparing prices of different providers, take a closer look at the features they offer. Most of them will provide a chart, giving a detailed list of everything that is included in their hosting packages – you just need to do a little bit of research. Keep in mind that most hosts will offer you various discounts if you sign up with them for a year or longer.
That said, there are many web hosts available that offer cheap prices while still offering important features – there is a good uk web hosting comparison on MangoMatter.
Features
When choosing a perfect web host, look into features setting them apart from the competition. Here are some examples of features that web hosts offer:
Amount of Storage
Many providers offer unlimited storage and most of the users don’t even come close to reaching this limit. Data can be stored on traditional hard-drives or on much faster and reliable solid state drives (SSD).
Bandwidth and Data Transfer
Bandwidth is the amount of data that can be uploaded or downloaded from your website. The higher the bandwidth, the higher the number of people who can view your website at the same time.
Email Hosting
Email hosting is a feature that appeals most to business owners. It often provides added features such as forwarding and filtering services, autoresponders and enhanced security.
Uptime Rates and Reliability
Every second your site is unavailable to users may cost you money and reputation. Therefore, it is important to choose a host that can guarantee a minimum of 99.9% uptime threshold under any circumstances.
Support and Security
When choosing a webhost, focus on these two features the most. Customer support must be responsive, easy to reach and ready to assist, while security must be provided through firewalls, monitoring services and other security features.
Conclusion
A successful hosting relationship is a long-lasting commitment. When choosing a web host, make sure you choose the one that understands your needs and can follow and support your growth. Do the extensive research on cost/service quality ratio, measure up the features they offer and focus your attention on the security and customer support.