A Guide to Choosing a Web Hosting Service

Websites are essential to help your business attract new clients. Since everyone is online, it’s the perfect way to spread brand awareness. However, you want to find the right service to house your site. There are multiple ones available, such as Bluehost. So, consider the following factors when choosing a web hosting service. 

1. Determine Your Website’s Goals

Think about what you want your site to accomplish. For example, do you want to sell a product? Then look for a hosting service that specializes in eCommerce. Also, consider the type of website you want to build. Will you be using WordPress or another platform? 

In addition, consider how much traffic you’re expecting. If it’s a high amount, find a site that can easily handle multiple user interactions. Knowing this information helps you pick a hosting service that has all the features you need. 

2. Research Server Reliability 

You want to ensure your website is always available for your customers to see. If its temporality down it can cause you to lose important business. So, find a hosting company that can provide stability. 

To find this information use server monitoring tools, such as PRTG. Pay attention to the site’s uptime scores, which is the time a website is available to users in a given period. When choosing a web hosting service, look for one with a 99.5% uptime or higher. 

3. Make Sure You Can Upgrade Your Server

There are multiple types of plans hosting companies provide. These include things like shared hosting, virtual private sector (VPS), and dedicated servers. You will probably start with a shared plan since they are the simplest to use. The service comes with useful features such as website builders and WordPress hosting. 

The one downside is you share the server with multiple users. This means that when usage spikes it affects your website’s user experience. So, once your business gets more traffic, you’ll want to switch to a VPS or dedicated server. Having a company that allows you to upgrade saves you the stress of moving your site. 

4.  Understand the Signup and Renewal Process 

The price you pay to sign up may not be the same as the renewal fee. It can cost around $3.95 per month for a shared plan. In many cases, the renewal price is higher. So, try to find a company that has a reasonable price jump. When choosing a web hosting service, carefully review the terms and conditions. You can find renewal information on the company’s homepage. Use a keyword search to quickly find what you need. 

5. Find One With a Refund Policy

Using a hosting provider can be costly over time. This is especially true if you’re a start-up with a smaller budget. In fact, you can spend about $142.20 on a provider. Multiple factors influence prices, such as web hosting type, contract length, and renewal rates. If the company has a refund policy or even a free trial this reduces expenses. 

A free trial gives you time to explore the website’s features and see if it’s a good fit. If not, refund policies allow you to lose less money. Some companies may charge cancellation fees. So, look for ones with money-back guarantees. 

6. Look For Essential Features 

Many hosting services offer basic features like disk space and email. Another important factor is having a speedy and reliable server. Google takes into account page loading speed for its rankings. Plus, a faster loading page provides a better user experience.

Here are some more features to look for when choosing a web hosting service:

• One-click installer: This helps you easily install applications, such as WordPress or Drupal. 
• .htaccess File Access: This tool helps you make administration changes, like editing passwords. 
• FTP/SFTP Access: With this feature, you can safely move large amounts of files. 

7. Find a Company With Quality Customer Service

There are times when you’re faced with technical issues. Having a responsive support system allows your organization to run smoothly. Look for a web hosting service that can provide quick responses via phone or live chat. Also, prioritize companies that have in-house customer support. Research the hosting provider through social media reviews or forums. 

8. Make Sure They Provide Backups

Backing up your information is essential. It prevents hackers and data loss. Plus, it’s a lifesaver if your hard drive fails. That’s why you want a service that offers regular backups. Ask if they’re any programs to create auto backups and how that process works. For example, can you restore the information yourself? 

9. Look for Ones That Offer Multiple Domains

When starting, you may only need one domain name for your website. As your business grows, you may need more. Therefore, check and see if you can run multiple sites on a single web hosting account. Research and compare prices for unlimited website and subdomain packages. Having multiple domains is essential to gain more traffic. 

10. Pay Attention to Account Limits 

Each hosting company has its terms and conditions. If you violate these, you have to pay extra charges or could even be removed from their service. For example, some hosting providers limit the amount of CPU you can run. Before signing up, understand all the conditions and make sure you can follow them. In addition, ensure the rules are clearly stated. 

Choosing a Web Hosting Service Guide

Building a website is an important part of any business. It’s what brings in new business and helps you sell products. So, follow these tips when choosing a web hosting service.