Choosing web hosting can take time and effort. There are many web hosting providers and packages to choose from, not to mention reviews.
By reading this article, you’ll be able to understand some of the facts about web hosts and decide which web hosting provider is right for you.
What is web hosting?
Web hosting is a term which is used to describe the space on an internet server that is allotted to you so that you can publish your web pages online.
There are various types of web hosting available, and choosing one that complements your needs and budget can be crucial to your website.
1) How much space will you need?
The amount of web hosting space depends on the type of database, website, platform and how it’s built. Are you going to use WordPress? Or Drupal or Joomla? If you have a simple, static site with no database, your requirements will be very different from those of someone who wants to host a large e-commerce site.
If you’re starting, you may have a few content or visitors to your site. If so, start with a smaller plan and upgrade to a bigger plan with more space and bandwidth as your needs grow. On the other hand, if the website is to host many high-resolution images or video files, it’s best to get a plan with enough space right away.
And if you already have a site, the best way to figure out how much space you’ll need is to look at your current site and see how many files are on it. If it’s a blog or a similar site, there will likely be images and other media files. If it’s just text-based content, there won’t be any images or other media files.
2) How much bandwidth will you need?
The bandwidth of a website is measured by the amount of data in Gigabytes (GB). Some web hosting companies offer packages with unlimited bandwidth.
The bandwidth of a website can fluctuate depending on the amount, size of content and frequency of updates.
If your website is constantly being updated (for example, if it’s a news website), then you’ll need more bandwidth than someone who updates their site once a day or once a week.
Also, you’ll need a rough idea of how many people will access your website simultaneously. If you plan to have a lot of traffic, ensure your web host can accommodate it.
3) What kind of a host do you need?
Shared hosting is an option if you’re starting and have a limited amount of traffic. If your site gets more traffic, consider moving to a dedicated server.
Shared Hosting Shared hosting is more affordable than dedicated servers and is best suited for websites with less content and traffic or without high-performance levels (e.g., blogs). You’ll find that most small businesses use shared hosting because it’s more affordable than dedicated servers.
Dedicated servers are great for sites with high traffic levels or require additional security measures, such as PCI compliance. They also allow more flexibility in choosing which operating system you will use (Windows or Linux).
Dedicated servers are for those with high-traffic websites that need dedicated resources, such as a video streaming site or an e-commerce store. They’re also for those who want complete control over their web hosting server’s hardware, software, and network configuration.
4) Cost is essential but shouldn’t be the deciding factor.
Knowing how much web hosting will cost per month or year is essential. But don’t let a web hosting package’s low price be the only factor. The quality of hosting customer service matters just as much, if not more!
5) Web hosting service reliability is critical.
Evaluate the uptime rates of your potential hosts, and make sure they can meet your needs in terms of reliability.
6) Choose a host that’s top of its class regarding customer support.
In terms of web hosting customer support, some are better than others.
When choosing your web host, look for one that offers all these things:
- A 24/7 live chat option
- Phone support during business hours (not just an answering machine)
- Provides an extensive collection of helpful articles on its website, such as excellent self-help guides and FAQs
Check online reviews for different providers and ask friends for referrals.
7) Think about future expansions.
Is your website to change in a year or three years. Do you plan on adding new features? If so, ensure you’re getting a plan to accommodate those changes.
8) Features are essential, but so is user-friendly functionality.
You should ensure your web host provides a user-friendly interface that lets you efficiently manage your account and site.
9) Consider the level of control you want in managing your site settings, content and more.
If you don’t have much technical experience or want to keep things simple, start with a managed hosting option. With this hosting, the provider will take care of the configuration and management of your site.
If you prefer a higher degree of control, an unmanaged server better suits your needs.
10) Invest in security features like firewalls, malware scans, etc.
Invest in security features like firewalls, malware scans, etc. These things will help keep your website safe from online threats and hacking.
Ask about SSL certificates and if they’re included in the price or if you’ll have to pay extra for that service. SSL certificates help protect your site and make it look more professional.
In Summary
This choosing web hosting guide has given you a good overview and helps narrow down your options.
If you’re still uncertain, remember that many other factors can affect your decision:
- how much space and bandwidth you need,
- how much traffic your site is likely to receive,
- what programs or CMS you intend to use, etc.
Above all, choose a web hosting provider that will give you the support you need if something goes wrong.