When it comes to finding a web host that is both reliable and secure it is tough to know where to start looking.
This is nothing to be embarrassed about as it is something that plenty of people struggle with due to the sheer number of hosts out there. What makes it tougher is that certain hosts will be better for one business than another business. So how do you narrow down the best option on the web for you?
Here’s a 6-step guide to help you avoid making any costly mistakes and to help you find the best option for you and your business needs.
1. Identify What You Need a Platform to Do For You
First and foremost, you need to identify what exactly it is that you need from a platform. When you have a clear understanding of this, it makes things a lot easier.
You obviously want a web host who provides reliable uptime, but you also need to consider the more unique features you might need from a host.
Are you simply writing a blog, or are you selling a product? Are you vlogging, or posting content, will your site be experiencing a lot of daily traffic, or is it just a place to host your virtual resume? Different hosts will be able to meet different demands.
2. Look At the Packages They Offer
If you are a small business, you might think that using a cheaper host will save you money but focusing on the immediate price tag could actually cost you greatly in the future.
Slow response times and limited bandwidth (which we’ll cover in more detail later) can cause your customers to click away, costing you more than you saved with a cheaper host.
Pay attention to the packages a host offers and don’t just go for the cheapest one. These are often plagued with poor customer service, lots of downtime and are unprofessional.
3. Do Your Research and Read Reviews
We cannot stress the importance of doing your own research enough. Do not blindly go on the recommendations of others.
What works for someone doesn’t mean it works the same way for someone else. Also, don’t rely on the reviews the platform posts. Look for reputable third-party reviews, that include the good, the bad, and the ugly, so that you can make an informed decision.
This will also give you a good idea of where the host excels and if it is the right host for you and your needs.
This will also give you a pretty good idea of how their customer support works. You can do a little bit of sleuthing and contact the host yourself if they provide an email or have a chat function.
Ask them a few of the harder-hitting questions, and ask for clarification on anything you haven’t been able to find. You need to know that the support team will be able to assist you before committing to using a company as your web host.
4. Consider Bandwidth
Bandwidth can be a tricky one. If you are a small company, a web host may try to convince you that you don’t need a lot of bandwidth and that sticking with them will be fine, but this doesn’t leave room for growth.
Many companies will lock you into a certain bandwidth and then charge you additional fees above and beyond the price of an upgraded package to change it. Growth is inevitable.
5. Security Features
Security breaches can and do happen, which is why you need to choose a host that is secure. You need to ensure that your web host has SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) in order to ensure that you are able to safeguard your customers’ private information.
In the case of a server crashing, you need to know that data can be retrieved and that you won’t lose everything, resulting in you needing to create a new website from scratch. Ask them about their security features and what strategies they have in place to avoid and handle worst-case scenarios.
6. Read The Terms of Service
You might be thinking “Who actually reads the terms of service anymore?” and you’d be right to think that basically, no one does these days.
These seemingly endless essays are packed with so much technical jargon that we would rather click “yes” or “I agree” than actually sit there and read what we’re agreeing to.
You need to read the terms of service. You could get hit with unexpected and unwanted fees and these highlight things such as the cancellation policy and limitations of your package.
When choosing a web host, make sure that the one you choose can handle the type of web traffic you are anticipating as well as has the option for your site and its traffic to grow.
This means a more enjoyable and seamless experience for users and less downtime. We hope this helps you find the best web host for your needs.