Web hosting is a lucrative business which is why there are quite a number of service providers in the industry today. This may present a challenge to anyone that does not know how to choose the right web hosting service for a business. However, learning a few of the things that make a provider stand out can be key to understanding what you should be on the look out for.
1. Reliability
This factor determines your presence on the Internet. A reliable host provider works on a full time basis to ensure that there are no web outages. You should go for a provider that has a good track record with regards to continually having live websites. Keep in mind that when potential customers visit your website a couple of times and find it down they are ultimately going to stop coming back. This will negatively impact on the sales you make each year. A website that keeps going off does not only compromise sales but also damages professional reputation.
2. Speed is important
The amount of time your website takes to load is vital to making profits or receiving more visitors. Remember some clients use slow Internet connections and may not have the patience to wait for your slow website to fully load. Instead they will look for alternatives that are much faster. Servers that are overloaded tend to process information slowly because of the distribution of resources. An exceptional service provider does not overload servers just so they can make profits but rather focuses on quality over quantity.
3. Affordability
While most people are lured to web hosting services because of cheaper rates, the truth is that not all providers are able to back up their words with service delivery. If a host provider is too cheap the reason may be related to slow speeds and constant server failures. Rather than going for the cheapest provider, choose a host that is affordable and has a reputation that is respected by a majority of players in the industry. Taking a look at the payment plans that each service provider has to offer can be key to finding something that is affordable and makes business sense in the long run.
4. Reliable customer support
For most people running a website may seem like a simple task. However, after some time many web owners realize that certain technical issues arise and unless they are resolved quickly the business may end up suffering a lot of losses. A web host service provider that has a team of dedicated customer support staff can be of great help whenever such issues arise. Good companies allow their clients to reach customer support through various platforms including email, live chat and telephone contacts. Customer support that is available on a 24 hour basis is an added advantage.
5. Money back guarantee
Before subscribing to any host provider you are likely to come across colorful advertisements that let you know what you will gain when you use the services offered. The best way to avoid confusion that tends to come up with such campaigns is to look beyond the colorful wording and go deeper to find the guarantees offered by each web host provider. A provider that is willing to back up such claims with a money back guarantee or some other form of compensation should be preferred over those who give no guarantees.
6. Security details
Your website holds some of the most important information regarding your business, personal finances and the finances of clients. Failure to provide high level security for such information can lead to unbearable losses to the business or clients. This is why you should work with web hosting companies that have invested in security details. Before subscribing, have an elaborate discussion with the company’s representative to find out some of the measures in place to guard against data theft or loss. Only work with a company if you are convinced that the security details are up to date.
7. Latest hardware and software use
To ensure that servers and other aspects of the hosting network work flawlessly, a good service provider keeps its systems up to date by incorporating new hardware and software. Find out some of the hardware or software that your host provider is using before continuing with the service. If these issues are not properly checked, your website may end up malfunctioning at certain periods.
8. Offers room for growth
As your business continues to grow you may require more storage space and additional features for the website. This is not possible if the company you are working with does not have an adaptable system. It is prudent to go for a web host provider that has unlimited storage space and can tweak the website to accommodate new features that are relevant to the growing demands of your customer base. Keep in mind that most of your business competitors will opt for scalable options when it comes to web hosting.
9. Length of time in business
While the duration of time a company has been in business does not necessarily mean it is good. However, it is likely to offer better services. This is because it has had the time to make mistakes and learn from them. It has also had enough hands on experience to resolve any issues that may arise. A well established company is also likely to have more qualified staff as compared to a new company.
1. Reliability
This factor determines your presence on the Internet. A reliable host provider works on a full time basis to ensure that there are no web outages. You should go for a provider that has a good track record with regards to continually having live websites. Keep in mind that when potential customers visit your website a couple of times and find it down they are ultimately going to stop coming back. This will negatively impact on the sales you make each year. A website that keeps going off does not only compromise sales but also damages professional reputation.
2. Speed is important
The amount of time your website takes to load is vital to making profits or receiving more visitors. Remember some clients use slow Internet connections and may not have the patience to wait for your slow website to fully load. Instead they will look for alternatives that are much faster. Servers that are overloaded tend to process information slowly because of the distribution of resources. An exceptional service provider does not overload servers just so they can make profits but rather focuses on quality over quantity.
3. Affordability
While most people are lured to web hosting services because of cheaper rates, the truth is that not all providers are able to back up their words with service delivery. If a host provider is too cheap the reason may be related to slow speeds and constant server failures. Rather than going for the cheapest provider, choose a host that is affordable and has a reputation that is respected by a majority of players in the industry. Taking a look at the payment plans that each service provider has to offer can be key to finding something that is affordable and makes business sense in the long run.
4. Reliable customer support
For most people running a website may seem like a simple task. However, after some time many web owners realize that certain technical issues arise and unless they are resolved quickly the business may end up suffering a lot of losses. A web host service provider that has a team of dedicated customer support staff can be of great help whenever such issues arise. Good companies allow their clients to reach customer support through various platforms including email, live chat and telephone contacts. Customer support that is available on a 24 hour basis is an added advantage.
5. Money back guarantee
Before subscribing to any host provider you are likely to come across colorful advertisements that let you know what you will gain when you use the services offered. The best way to avoid confusion that tends to come up with such campaigns is to look beyond the colorful wording and go deeper to find the guarantees offered by each web host provider. A provider that is willing to back up such claims with a money back guarantee or some other form of compensation should be preferred over those who give no guarantees.
6. Security details
Your website holds some of the most important information regarding your business, personal finances and the finances of clients. Failure to provide high level security for such information can lead to unbearable losses to the business or clients. This is why you should work with web hosting companies that have invested in security details. Before subscribing, have an elaborate discussion with the company’s representative to find out some of the measures in place to guard against data theft or loss. Only work with a company if you are convinced that the security details are up to date.
7. Latest hardware and software use
To ensure that servers and other aspects of the hosting network work flawlessly, a good service provider keeps its systems up to date by incorporating new hardware and software. Find out some of the hardware or software that your host provider is using before continuing with the service. If these issues are not properly checked, your website may end up malfunctioning at certain periods.
8. Offers room for growth
As your business continues to grow you may require more storage space and additional features for the website. This is not possible if the company you are working with does not have an adaptable system. It is prudent to go for a web host provider that has unlimited storage space and can tweak the website to accommodate new features that are relevant to the growing demands of your customer base. Keep in mind that most of your business competitors will opt for scalable options when it comes to web hosting.
9. Length of time in business
While the duration of time a company has been in business does not necessarily mean it is good. However, it is likely to offer better services. This is because it has had the time to make mistakes and learn from them. It has also had enough hands on experience to resolve any issues that may arise. A well established company is also likely to have more qualified staff as compared to a new company.
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