Finding a web host is a task that can be accomplished in mere moments. Finding a web host that is reliable and that will grow with you and your business is another matter altogether. If you’re ready to jump into the exciting world of web hosting and get your site online, you need to read this guide first!
Your business can’t be reliable unless your web host is reliable
What would you do if your favorite grocery store kept undependable hours, sold spoiled
food or refused to restock empty shelves? If you’re like most people, you’d find
a new place to shop. The same thing will happen if your website is constantly offline
or your customers can’t reach you by email. Finding a reliable web host is the key
to running a successful business, blog or website. Without reliability, your customers
and readers will go elsewhere.
You can check a potential web host’s reputation by reading
hosting reviews and monitoring their uptime—that is the length of
time their hosting servers have been online without interruption.
A host to grow with
As your business or website grows, you’ll need a web host who can grow with you.
Do the hosts you’re researching allow for free and easy account upgrades of space
and bandwidth? If your site takes off and becomes a leader online, will your host
help you transition to a private server or larger hosting package? These are all
things you need to consider. Some hosts are small and exist only to cater to small
websites, offering no growth potential whatsoever. Make certain you’ve located a
host who fits your business plan and website ambitions.
An able host is a stable host
Can the host you’re considering handle technical problems with ease and minimize
network downtimes? A host who is able to handle its business with grace and style
is a stable host.
There are no shortages of one-man-shows in the world of web hosting. Smaller companies
often employ only one or two people to man servers, handle sales and backups, plus
correct technical glitches. This may mean that customer service is only available
during certain hours of the day. If you need a host who can answer your questions
just as easily at 12noon as they can at 12midnight, you’ll want to make sure your
host is available 24 hours a day. Look for hosts who post toll free 800 numbers
and advertise 24/7 assistance. If your website goes down in the middle of the night
and you’re running a mission critical business, you’ll want to be certain that someone
is around to handle the problem.
The value of free
There are free services that come with some web hosting packages. You may see advertisements
and talk about free domain names, free backups and free website templates. Determine
which services you really require before overvaluing a hosting offer. If you already
have a domain name, you won’t benefit from the offer of a free domain. Likewise,
if you have a site design, free templates will do nothing for you. Don’t let the
value of free distract you from finding a host that fits your needs.
Take your time when searching for a web host. If you find the host that’s right
for you, your business will flourish and your web host will help get you to where
you want to be. If you make a rash decision, you may find yourself searching for
another web host sooner than you think. As they say, patience is the companion of
wisdom.