A company cannot outperform its weakest link, often that is the web server it uses or a third-party hosting service. If you don’t program regularly, these fancy directories and words may seem confusing. Many people cave in when confronted with a decision and just take what comes first. This article will help you identify your real web hosting necessities.
There are free web hosting services available, but tread carefully. Such companies often don’t back up your information, so remember to back it up yourself. If your site goes down, loses a page, etc., you’re not going to get any help from your host.
Web hosts will typically charge you on a per-traffic basis. But this is not a given, many web hosts use a formula based on your traffic while some charge a flat rate.
Want a website that’s safe? It may be worth getting a certificate for a server that’s secure. This will give you the ability to put a small button on your site by letting visitors know that your site is secure and safe for transactions, including personal data or financial information.
A high-quality web hosting service should provide you with a wide range of useful site statistics, such as how much traffic your site is receiving. Add an automatic counter to the site so that you have something to compare with the numbers your host provides you. Being able to use this information to improve and grow your online business is crucial.
Some web hosting services rent space from other larger hosts. These companies purchase a block of space on the server at a discount and turn a profit by leasing space to smaller sites. Determine where your site will actually be hosted, and make sure that you receive the best possible price of the two companies using the same servers.
Can you talk directly with current and former customers of web host companies that you are considering? By asking questions you can rule out any company that does not satisfy your needs. You will also find your confidence for the right company, boosted after these discussions. There’s nothing like picking the brains of current customers for useful information about a company.
Choose a web host with multiple hosting awards. This will help you easily get a feel for the support and service that you can expect. Though these fan awards are easily reproduced, valid awards are awarded through site visitors casting their own votes to determine winners. Try to find a hosting company that has a number of such awards.
Ultimately, your web host should be capable of supporting multiple programming languages, including current ones, and any that could be used in the future. If your host does not support the languages you currently use, your site will not successfully load from their servers. You may run into the same problem if you use an unsupported language down the road. Keep in mind that switching hosts can be extremely difficult and time consuming.
It should now be possible to decipher the strange language of web hosting plans, and choose one that works for you. Even if you’ve already signed a contract, you can still use this information when you upgrade or switch companies.