eCommerce hosting is a specialized type of web hosting geared specifically toward those who own and operate online businesses. With an eCommerce web hosting package you’ll have all the tools you need to develop and run your very own web shop. How do you choose the right eCommerce web hosting for your website? Start here.
How much can you afford to spend?
eCommerce web hosting packages tend to cost more money than more traditional shared hosting accounts because of all the extras that are included. Instead of purchasing a dedicated IP, shopping cart and online billing software, those things are included as standard with most eCommerce hosting plans.
How much can you afford each month? Some companies offer great incentives to test their services, like 30 day trial periods and 30 day money back guarantees, and others charge you extra to get your domain online. Compare plans and features, read web hosting reviews and find a host that fits your budget.
Will you need merchant services?
Payment gateways, merchant services and payment integration are some of the methods you may wish to use to collect money from your customers. Know the difference between each payment model and their respective costs to find the one that will work best for you. Some hosting companies include basic payment gateways free of charge and others charge for merchant services.
How much will you be selling each month?
With some hosting companies you can complete an unlimited amount of transactions each month and with others you’re limited to a preset number. If you won’t be selling many products each month this won’t matter much to you and your business. On the other hand, if you don’t know how much you expect to sell and your business suddenly picks up, the added sales can lead to extra fees, bandwidth costs and other extraneous charges.
Will you need SEO services and software?
Many eCommerce hosting companies give you a full set of software tools to help propel your website to the top of search engines and increase your daily traffic. That said, not all hosting companies include search engine optimization tools with every eCommerce plan. If it’s something you need, be sure to seek it out. Having integrated tools can be a huge plus for new businesses just getting started.
No two eCommerce hosting companies are the same. Some hosts offer all the bells and whistles of an all-you-can-eat buffet and others take a more ala carte approach, letting you pick and choose what you want included in your plan. Remember to read hosting reviews and glance over each host’s terms of service contract.