Web hosting is a tougher thing to get right than you might think, so it’s not sensible to pick a provider at random and hope for the best, as you’ll only end up getting burned.
So what are the factors which separate a merely average web hosting firm from a genuinely good one? Let’s discuss them, and explain why they are so important to keep in mind as you start your search.
Reliability and Uptime Guarantees
When choosing the right web host, reliability and uptime guarantees are must-haves. Your website visitors expect to find your site online at all times, and if it’s not available due to server outages or crashes, they’ll go elsewhere, and your brand identity will be tarnished.
This is why you need a reliable website hosting provider; one that guarantees 99% uptime or better so your customers can always access your content without interruption.”
When researching different hosts, make sure to read user reviews and check out their service agreement for more details on their commitment to delivering reliable services.
Fast Loading Speeds
If you’re looking for a web host that can help increase the snappiness of your website, you need to take page load speeds into account.
This matters because fast loading speeds are essential if you want visitors to remain on your site, and to boost engagement levels. An optimal load time should be under two seconds; anything more than this will likely cause users to abandon it altogether.
To ensure fast loading times, consider choosing a hosting provider like namehero.com that offers web hosting plans with the latest server tech, including solid state storage to eliminate this as a bottleneck. Additionally, a staging environment can help you test and optimize your site’s performance before going live, further ensuring a smooth and speedy user experience.
You may also want to check out packages with unlimited bandwidth so there’s less chance of slowdowns due to traffic spikes or unexpected surges in activity.
Security Features
Selecting a web host with robust security features is another essential step, and is necessary for keeping your website safe and secure. This is particularly wise as cybercrime is on the rise, so you’ll want to make sure you’re protected from malicious attacks.
Look out for providers that offer automated backups, firewalls, encryption technology and malware scanning solutions as part of their hosting packages. All of this will help defend your data, and your visitors, from harm.
Also look out for hosts offering DDoS (distributed denial of service) protection services if your site experiences frequent attack attempts, or requires extra layers of protection against hackers. There are lots of ways for malicious third parties to mess with site owners, so it’s best to plan for worst case scenarios at the point of picking a web hosting provider.
Customer Service Support
We’ve already talked about the damage that can be done by downtime, and so you’ll want a provider that offers fast and reliable help whenever you need it. Whether you’re facing technical issues, require advice on how to use certain features, or just have general questions about the hosting package itself, good customer service is a real selling point.
Look for hosts offering 24/7 support via phone, email and live chat so you can get assistance any time of day or night if problems arise. Also make sure they offer comprehensive knowledge bases with step-by-step tutorials as additional resources, making your life easier when tackling tricky tasks in-house.
Comprehensive Features For Scalability & Growth
Lastly, you need to look into the integrated features and potential add-ons that are available from each hosting provider that you add to your shortlist.
You’ll want comprehensive hosting packages that provide you with everything you need for your website, whether that’s mail accounts and databases, or compatibility with particular programming languages and server-side scripts.
Also check that there are options for scalability and growth too. Some hosts offer cloud plans which allow users to add additional resources as needed, without having to migrate their site elsewhere if traffic blossoms or more complex capabilities need to be added further down the line.
The Bottom Line
The question of which web host is right for you has to be answered based on what your site requires, and what wiggle room exists in your budget.
There are plenty of reputable providers out there, and the time you put into researching different packages is definitely not time wasted, but rather an investment in the future of your website.
