Choosing a Web Host

There are many companies out there offering web hosting packages and it’s hard to know which Web Host to choose to host your website.

Your Requirements

The Web Hosting Provider that you choose must be able to support your requirements. If you have not yet defined your requirements, read our post 10 Steps to Choosing the Best Web Hosting Package, to help you identify what you need.

It is sometimes difficult to assess your exact requirements at the outset and some web hosting companies charge large amounts if you exceed your limits or even worse, suspend your site. Check how easy it is to monitor your allowances, what the penalties are for exceeding your limits and how to change plans if required. Be very wary of ‘unlimited’ plans; be sure you read the small print.

Customer support

Check the levels of support given by the web hosting company e.g. 24/7/365 email and phone support. If this is your business and something goes wrong with your website, you want to know that they are at the end of the phone when you need them to be. This is where it is useful to check forums; you will get real life stories from real life customers on the support given by various web hosting companies.

Reputation

Choose a web hosting company that is reliable and has a good reputation. Performing a simple search for ‘best web hosting companies’ will provide you with a number of useful resources to start your research. Find out how long the company has been in business and how many clients they have.

Server speed

Average page load time is 2 seconds; this is the average time taken for a web page to load for an internet user. If your web page takes longer than 2 seconds to load, you could be losing valuable site visitors and potential customers. You may want to consider choosing a web host based in the same country as you, this often ensures the fastest speeds available.

Costs

Web hosting costs vary widely from provider to provider so it’s worth comparing costs from a number of different providers for the level of service you require. Ensure that you are comparing on a like for like basis as the plans, available features and associated costs vary significantly. Some web hosting companies try to attract new customers with a low cost plan that is only available if you take out a long-term contract. Check for setup fees, some hosting companies charge a setup fee for new accounts.

Uptime

Check the uptime for the web hosting company. As a gauge, you should consider companies with an uptime higher than 99.5%. Check if the web hosting company has an uptime guarantee and what it covers.

Backup Facility

Check if the web host has a database backup facility. You should perform your own backups on your website but it adds an additional safeguard if your web host also has a database backup facility.

Website Administration

Most web hosting companies provide a control panel to manage aspects of your account. See if you can get a demo of the control panel to ensure it is simple and intuitive. At the very least, the control panel should provide access to upload and manage your web pages, install features and applications, perform data backups, manage FTP accounts, manage databases and manage email accounts and tools.

Setup Time

Check how long will it take to set up your web hosting account. Many companies offer instant setup but this is not always the case.

Following this guide will allow you to make an informed decision to ensure that you select a web host that will meet your requirements and provide a quality service at a price you can afford.