Whether it’s business or pleasure that takes you onto the Internet, if you are a website owner you’re going to need the assistance of a web hosting service to get your site online. There are a tremendous number of hosting companies out there, and it can be tricky to choose the one that will give you the right combination of service and affordability. Below you can find some basic points that are important to consider with any hosting service.
1. Hardware and Software. The amount of information you gather on this point depends a lot on your own level of technical expertise. If you have strong preferences about equipment manufacturers, operating systems, and server procedures, obviously you’ll want a hosting service that measures up. If your technical knowledge base is relatively modest, don’t worry. As a rule of thumb, you should avoid any hosting service that is reticent to disclose what hardware and software they use – if they won’t tell you, there’s probably a good reason.
2. Tech Support. With many web hosting companies, the solitary difference between some of the packages they offer will be the amount of complimentary tech support they include. Once again, you need to make an honest assessment of your own technical skills. Don’t think that you’ll be able to fix every problem, but don’t assume you’ll need constant hand-holding, either. Aim for a happy middle ground and avoid zero-support packages.
3. Protection & Security. A good web host can do a lot to keep your online data safe. Hosting security concerns both the physical and the online safety of your website and your information. Like tech support, security is a feature that you will see offered at multiple service levels, and the best server security comes with a high premium attached. Unless you are handling sensitive information for other people, (e.g. you’re an accountant sharing financial data with your clients online) you don’t likely need to pay for top-of-the-line security. Be wary of hosting companies that will not give you any security services unless you pay extra, though.
4. Contracts & Discounts. Stepping away from the technical concerns, purchasing web hosting is like subscribing to any other sort of ongoing service. You’ll want to inspect the sort of benefits and drawbacks in the same way you’d examine, say, a cell phone plan. Thanks to the competitive market for hosting services, you’ll find many companies offering discounts. You’ll want to make discount-hunting your lowest priority, though. You shouldn’t let a discount tempt you into purchasing hosting that doesn’t meet your needs. Web hosting contracts are also like phone contracts in that you will often be “locked in” when you sign a new one. Make sure you clarify any long-term commitments you’re making when you sign up with a hosting service.
You need not lose sleep over your selection of hosting provider. While there are traps out there waiting for the unwary consumer, it doesn’t take much to avoid being one of those. By reviewing this article, you’ve already done a great deal to prepare yourself for the web hosting market. As long as you move slowly and give yourself the time to exercise some common sense, you’ll be able to secure a good deal on the hosting you need.