Just like most things, deciding on which web hosting company to pick can be tough. With every company out there promising to have at least 99 percent uptime, exceptional support, and unlimited resources, is there any way that you can cut the slack and make an informed decision? 

 

In this post, we will give you a walkthrough of the eight vital considerations that you should take note when picking a web hosting provider. 

1. Features and limitations

Give your site a close, honest look and figure out what you want to do. If you want to create an e-commerce site or set a blog, then do not pick the cheapest web hosting provider out there.

 

Chances are, if you go with a cheap hosting plan, it would not have disk space, processing power, or RAM to help you with your needs. Your site may also have a lot of downtime and a host of loading issues that will frustrate you. 

 

When picking a web hosting provider, know what you are getting. It can also help if you know the features that are included in the overall price. 

 

Do they charge extra for support, extras, backups, and additional domains? Call them and ask them. Also, make sure to see hosting reviews online to know which web hosting provider to pick. 

2. Customer service

The internet never sleeps. That's why your web host should also have a support team that is working 24/7. 

 

Around the clock, support is crucial, especially if your site is receiving visitors from all around the world. 

 

Ideally, you want to pick a hosting provider that gives you excellent and responsive support either via chat or the telephone. That way, it is easy to resolve any web issues should they arise. 

 

Also, research the host's reputation with customer support. What are the different ways you can contact them if ever you run across a technical issue? Is it through chat, toll-free phone, email, and so on? Are they staffed 24/7? Do they outsource their customer support? 

3. Price

When choosing a hosting provider, price is an important factor to consider. Although, keep in mind that it should not be the main deciding factor.

 

When you see the price difference, remember the old maxim that you always get what you pay for. 

 

Choosing the cheapest offer out there is not necessarily a good idea, especially if you are relying on your site to make money. 

 

High-quality hardware and support that is non-outsourced costs money. So if you are just paying for a site that costs less than 2 dollars monthly, you will not likely get these features. 

 

Know first what every web hosting provides you with, then that is where you would compare the prices. 

4. Hosting security

Security is another thing that you should prioritize when it comes to picking a web host provider. Malware threats and cyberattacks will cause your site to crash, and even place your customer's private data at risk.

 

According to the Northern Ireland Business Info, “Security is an ongoing concern on the internet, so any hosting solution you choose should demonstrate that it is secure and able to withstand hackers, fraudsters and other attacks.”

 

That said, you should pick a web host service provider that utilizes encryption technology between the server and the user, or between your business server and the web host. 

 

That will ensure that everything is encrypted and is protected from hackers who wanted to obtain important data from your website. Doing so can also reduce the risk of data security breach.

5. Hosting reputation

Check every hosting provider that you are considering on social media or do a quick Google search. That will help you gain a lot of insight into what their past customers feel about the company. 

 

Here, you will know the average amount of time it gets before they respond to a ticket, or how good they are in following up, ensuring all issues are resolved. 

 

You should also consider the multiple levels of support that a web host can provide. Some offers live chat and toll-free phone call, there are those you can email, and some are also available via social media.

 

Regardless, it is important that you can talk to a real person and that the provider has an in-house customer support team.

6. Server reliability and uptime

Go with a company that has reputable uptime scores, particularly one that has over 99.5 percent. That’s because a reliable server with 99.5 percent or more uptime is crucial for your success.

 

According to Zac Johnson, “Weak servers and unstable network connections can often push your site offline. This not only denies you possible viewership or sales for an e-commerce store but also leads to low rankings on search engines like Google and Yahoo.”

 

Meaning, server uptime can have an impact on your website’s search engine ranking, which can affect your business’ online reputation and bottom line. That’s because your server’s reliability can make or break your search engine visibility.

 

Thus, you should avoid web hosting service providers with an annual uptime score of less than 99 percent.

7. Performance

To perform well, a site should have a fast internet connection. A connection's speed will largely depend on the bandwidth. So, if you do not have a connection that is fast enough, users will also be going to access your site slowly. 

 

Over time, this is going to cause problems such as the number of users that are trying to access your site at the same time. 

 

Most web hosting companies consider speed as the backbone of their web hosting services. 

8. Upgrade option

Finally, you should make sure that your web hosting provider can accommodate your ever-growing site. This means that it should have the option to make you upgrade your site. 

 

For instance, if you availed of a shared hosting service when you are just starting, and as your site starts getting steady traffic, the hosting provider should also provide you with a VPS or a dedicated hosting option. 

 

While other web providers offer that ability as well, transferring your site to another hosting provider is time-consuming, and would take a lot of effort on your part. So, it is better to pick a hosting provider that offers upgrade options right from the get-go. 

Final Thoughts 

Setting up a website online can be relatively simple, but for you to be successful, you need to pick the right web hosting provider that tailors perfectly your needs. 

 

Do your research first, really get to know your host, and find out what are the benefits they can bring on your end before you decide to create a partnership with them. That will help you land the right hosting provider for your business and your website.