To have a successful online presence, you need a great web hosting provider. But with so many providers out there, how do you find the one that's right for your business? Here are 4 tips to help you find the best web hosting for your needs.
1. Assess Your Needs
You can't just pick a web hosting provider willy-nilly. You need to choose one that has the features and price point you require. If for example, you don't think you'll need an email service, your business doesn't need an email account with your host. You can look at some of the options https://www.jolt.co.uk offer to get a better understanding of what you might need. Remember: when you register for a web hosting account with a company, it's like leasing space in their data center and whatever is included (or not) in that package belongs to only you! Make sure the deal includes what you need and know exactly what they're offering before signing up. Below are some of the more commonly offered features:
- Disk space - This determines how many files and emails you can store online at any one time. If you think you'll be storing a lot of files online, make sure your web host has more than enough space for all your needs.
- Transfer - This is how many gigabytes (GBs) per month the web host permits for downloads and uploads in your website/websites (this also includes e-mail).
- Email accounts - How many email accounts can you have at any one time? More importantly, does it include spam filters? Can these email addresses be accessed via an iPhone or iPad? Does it come with autoresponders and mailing lists features?
- Site traffic - How much bandwidth do you need to support your site visitors? What happens when they exceed this limit you've set? Make sure you can upgrade when necessary.
- Site builder - To make your life easier, look for a web hosting service that includes tools like templates or site builders. There are even free website builders out there so you don't have to pay a cent!
2. Get Recommendations from Professionals in Your Industry
If possible, get recommendations from professionals who have built their websites and e-commerce stores before. They'll be able to tell you what they think of the services of a specific web host based on real experience working with them. If not, ask friends and family members if they have any suggestions based on personal experience or reliable sources such as online reviews. In either case, get at least 3 recommended providers to compare web hosting packages and prices.
When looking for a web hosting service, there are a few factors you need to consider. Price is always important, but it's not the only thing you should look at. You should make sure the hosting service can provide enough bandwidth and storage space for your website. If you start small and your site doesn't get a lot of traffic, you may be able to get away with a less expensive plan, but as your site grows, you'll need more bandwidth and storage space. And, you want a hosting service that has a high uptime percentage so your website is always up and running.
3. Look for a Web Hosting Provider who Puts You First
Once you've narrowed down your list, look at the terms of service the provider offers. Are they willing to negotiate? Or do they have a strict no-refund policy? If so, this should be a red flag right away. A reputable web host will work with you especially if there are problems that arise in your account (website downtime or emails ignored because of spam filters).
They may give discounts if an issue arises during the move-in time too! Additionally, see what kind of support options they offer via phone, email, and chat. Make sure all these channels are available 24 hours a day because when your site goes down, you don't want to wait for hours or days on end for a response!
4. Test and Trial the Web Hosting Service
Before signing up with any web hosting provider, the first test out their hosting service. If possible, sign up as a new customer and use some of your domain names (you can always transfer them to another host if things don't go well). There's no such thing as one size fits all but try as many providers as you need until you find one that meets all your requirements and works best for your business. It also helps if they offer trial periods so you know what to expect before committing fully. That way, there's no risk involved!
Knowing what to look for when searching for web hosting can save you a lot of time and money. By following these simple tips, finding the right provider won't seem like such a daunting task after all!
