Having quality, reliable web hosting is a key part of running a successful business website, yet with so many hosting options available, finding the right host provide can be a challenge. Should you choose a large hosting company, or an individual contractor? Is it a good idea to cut costs by hiring a web host that’s located outside the country? How much should you pay for your hosting?
The answers to these questions will depend on what type of business you run, how your website will be used and how much website support you will need. Before deciding on a website hosting provider, consider the following.
Identify Your Business’ Hosting Needs
Before starting the search for a web host, it’s a good idea to first figure out exactly what it is you’re looking for in a hosting provider. What kind of website do you or will you own? If it’s going to be an ecommerce or database-driven website, you’ll likely require more hosting space – and a hosting provider who can provide the kind of expert support you’ll need to keep the site well maintained. On the other hand, if your site is going to contain a standard amount of content, be sure to avoid being “oversold” on a hosting package much larger than what you really need.
Also consider how frequently you’ll need to make changes to the website. If you will be depending on your website host for frequent site maintenance, be sure to take this into consideration.
Will you be switching an existing website over to a new host, or will you be developing a new website from scratch? Many web developers also provide site hosting solutions, so you might be able to kill two birds with one stone by finding a great web developer and host all in one.
Factors to Consider
Customer service and server reliability are two of the most important factors when it comes to site hosting. A website host that is frequently unavailable will likely not be able to provide good service if you need regular site changes and maintenance, and working with hosting providers who don’t make customer service a priority can be a big time waster. The web host’s reliability is equally important, since hosting server speed and frequency of maintenance will influence how fast your website loads and how often it’s out of commission.
It’s often tempting to choosing the web hosting option with the lowest price tag, but when it comes to business website hosting, scrimping is a bad idea. You get what you pay for more often than not, so don’t let price be too big of a factor. Rather, look for a web host that provides the service and reliability you need to make your business more successful.