If you’re thinking of starting a small business online, one of the first things you’d need is a web host.

 

Of course, you don’t want just any web hosting provider. Instead, you need a service provider that can cater to your needs.

 

This article will talk about web hosting and the eight things you should look for when choosing a web host for your startup business.

 

What is Web Hosting?

Web hosting provides a safe place to keep your online content or web pages. It comes with technologies and services that would allow business owners to post their websites on the internet.

 

Think of it like this: Your website is your home on the Web, while your web host is the plot of land where it stands.

 

For this reason, a web hosting provider is crucial if you want to start a business online. Without it, connecting with your customers may be useless.

 

However, with so many web hosting services provided out there, how do you choose the right one? Well, below are eight things you should think about before choosing a web host for your business.

 

Consider Your Needs

Each business is unique, so you can’t simply look at what most people are using. Instead, look at your business’s specific needs. To help guide you on this, below are three essential questions that you should answer:

 

• How many websites are you creating? Some will only host one site, while others allow you to create multiple sites.
• How much traffic are you hoping for or aiming to have every month? If you’re expecting that your business will grow big, you need to find a service provider that can accommodate a company’s growing needs.
• What is your budget? This will help you eliminate hosts that go over your monthly budget, making it easier for you to choose the best fit within your budget range.

 

Check for Reliability or Server Uptime

Server uptime mainly refers to the length of time your website would be available online. Of course, any business owner would want their website to be available any time of the day, so make sure that you find a reliable web hosting provider.

 

As this is a significant factor, most host providers already claim a 99.99% uptime. Regardless, you need to be cautious.

 

Always double-check by looking at the host’s uptime history. Another thing you can do is ask for an uptime guarantee so that if any issues occur, you can hold them accountable.

 

Ensure Reliable Customer Support

Having a server uptime guarantee is not enough. It’s also best to make sure that the hosting provider has excellent customer support.

 

Your website can go down any time, and it would be good to know that you can talk to someone 24/7, especially if you’re not a technical person. They should provide a phone number, email, or chat support, making it convenient for you to reach them on any platform.

 

The faster you get your support, the better your website back up whenever you face problems.

 

Discover Security Features

Another critical thing to check is the security features that the web hosting provider has.

 

One thing that you should check is if they can provide SSL certificates or also known as the Security Sockets Layer. SSLs help ensures that your customer’s private information remains safe.

 

As people become knowledgeable about privacy, not having one will make any customer stay away from your site.

 

Ability to Scale

When it comes to doing business, there’s nothing wrong with starting small. But of course, you should always be looking forward to scaling or growing your business in the future.

 

So, even if you’re not there yet, make sure that your web hosting provider can provide you that ability.

 

Choose a provider that can give you an option to upgrade your current service with ease. That way, you can accommodate more traffic to your site as your online reach grows.

 

Optimal Storage and Bandwidth

Storage mainly refers to the amount of space your website can give to a single customer. Meanwhile, bandwidth refers to the amount of data transferred between your site and your site’s visitors.

 

Again, this feature has a lot to do with scaling your business. The more room or space you have, the better as this means that you’ll be able to accommodate more visitors.

 

Go for a web host provider that can accommodate your growth with optimal storage and bandwidth.

 

Know the Backup Plan

Technical problems in websites may not be a natural occurrence but can certainly happen. So, try to ask about a backup plan from service providers. After all, a down website means that your customers won’t find you, which can significantly affect your business.

 

Find a web hosting provider with a backup plan that won’t leave you wondering what you should do next while they still haven’t fixed the problem.

 

Read Web Hosting Reviews

Last but not least, find out what other customers say about them.

 

You can’t just subscribe to a web hosting provider without knowing more about the service they offer. Check out their features and claims, and find out if customers agree.

 

Thanks to the power of the internet, we can find out a lot by just looking at testimonials from previous customers. And if a web hosting service provider has a lot of satisfied customers, there’s a big chance that they can provide you the best service, too.

 

If a company has excellent reviews and there are some complaints, check out how a company responds. Even the best providers experience issues, but sometimes, the way they fix those issues also matters.

 

Conclusion

Starting a business is not easy. It takes courage, lots of brainstorming, research, strategic planning, and budget. Plus, there are many risks, and you need to make sure that you are investing in the right tools and services to bring that business to success.

 

As we already mentioned, a web hosting provider plays an integral part in building that online presence. If you get wrong on that, you’ll be facing lots of stress.

 

So, don’t be in a hurry and do lots of research. Ask for recommendations from friends and use these tips to find the one that best fits your needs.