A company, no matter how large, is only ever as strong as its weakest link. Now, in most cases, a company’s weakest link is its web server or its web hosting provider. If you know nothing about programming, the terminology and numerous directories can be very confusing. When things seem messy, we sometimes make a random purchase decision instead of doing a proper evaluation. By learning a few things about hosting, you can end the confusion and avoid this trap.
Make use of all available directories of web hosting providers. These will allow you to view a listing of all of the hosts that are out there and you are sure to be able to easily compare prices and features. Then you can work with a smaller subset of companies and compare pricing and customer reviews.
Use a separate company for domain registration rather than registering it via your web hosting company. This way, you will retain control of the domain name if you decide to switch web hosting companies for any reason. Your host, rather than you, will control your domain name and registration if you use the same service for registration and hosting.
Make sure you stay weary of inexpensive web hosts. You get what you pay for with web hosting, so consider that when you’re making your choice. They may have a business model that is risky, or worse, could be cutting corners, leaving you and your site at risk.
Most web hosts offer various add-ons in their packages, but the number of features may differ from one host to another. Stick with the companies that offer the services you need. One company may offer lower prices, but you might have to pay extra to get the features another host gives as part of their package.
When you actually decide to make your web hosting purchase, use a form of payment from a well-known provider. If you use services such as PayPal, or a major name credit card, you will be given an extra bit of protection from unfair charges. Also, with PayPal, web hosting companies can’t charge you without your prior approval.
A good tip for anyone looking for a hosting service for their website would be to back up their content regularly. Even if your web host backs up your information automatically, take the time to make your own backups, so you do not risk losing all the work you have put in on search engine optimization.
Consider upgrading your services as your traffic increases. Make sure that there is no downtime in your upgrades to maximize your efficiency. It usually does not take a lot of time for a simple increase of bandwidth to your site. It should also be easy to switch from a shared server to a dedicated server.
Do not limit your research to a host’s website and advertisements. You want to find customer reviews so that you have an indicator of how reliable this host is before you invest into them. You can get a good grasp of the company’s true quality by checking out as many customer reviews as possible.
Do not be cheap if you are finding a web host. Anyone needing to maintain an online presence must be able to depend on their web hosting service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Use the tips in this article to choose a good, reliable web host for your business.
