Website hosting services provide the virtual space for your website storefront to exist on the internet. Every website needs a place on the web, and these companies act as landlords, ensuring your site is up and running for customers to access when they type in your URL. Various types of web hosting cater to different business needs. Some companies offer complete web development, while others simply provide the space for you to build your own site. Your specific business model and size will determine which hosting company best suits your needs, as outlined below.
You should look for web hosting companies that offer availability rates of 98 and 99 percent, commonly referred to as uptime.
A web hosting provider’s security features are also an essential concern. Choosing a provider without knowing about their security features can be a big mistake. Firewalls, daily backups, and user authentication are all important to look for. You can make a better decision about which web hosting site is right for you if you see how we choose the best web hosting sites in the industry.
The larger or more complex a website is, the more comprehensive configuration package is needed. The main ones are:
Web hosting services like Bluehost and Ionos offer shared hosting, which is the most basic package. You are sharing the server with many other websites, so you are sharing memory and CPU resources. For small or startup businesses, shared hosting is the cheapest and smartest option. It’s good for basic website needs like email, file sharing, and basic ecommerce websites.
Unlike a shared server, a virtual private server is specifically designed for your specific needs. It’s possible that you’re sharing an actual server, but the service creates a virtual server of your own, so all of your resources are yours alone, from memory storage to processing power. This is a safer and more reliable option that keeps your site separate from the others while still maintaining affordability.
Dedicated hosting is already another level. In addition to getting your own server, dedicated hosting lets you take full control over your server. That means you have full administrative access and can set things up the way you like it. This type of package comes with a royal suite of features that may not be necessary for all types of businesses.
WordPress is a shared hosting service that caters to a more specialized clientele. WordPress performance is enhanced by different server optimizations, and WordPress performance features such as faster loading times, pre-installation, security features that work specifically with WordPress, and WordPress updates. Businesses with WordPress websites can benefit from this.
The quality of hosting is affected by several factors that you should consider when making your decision. These include:
It’s one of the most important factors to consider, so don’t skimp on uptime. Bluehost guarantees 99.9% uptime.
There is also a lot to consider regarding load time. In recent years, studies have found that the average attention span has shrunk to smaller than a goldfish’s. Consequently, if your website takes even a drop too long to load a page, you’re already out of business. Make sure your hosting service offers fast load times to stay competitive.
Because having an issue with your website is nothing to take lightly, you want to make sure customer service is available, knowledgeable, and easy to work with. More on this below.
The number of servers and location plays a huge part in the speed of your website loading and service. Obviously, the more servers available, the faster the service, but where those servers are found in the world will also affect the quality. Look for servers in substantial locations close to you such as the UK, US, or Germany depending on your location.
As tempting as it may be to choose a web hosting provider quickly and just get on with your life, it’s undeniably better to take your time. In doing so, you’ll be able to find a provider you can stick with for the long haul. Browse these reviews to get the most data in the least amount of time/effort, in order to make a well-informed decision.