
Finding a web host is a crucial step to get your website off the ground, yet many people are unaware of what a makes for a good web host. You might be wondering how to get started in finding a host and getting your site online, and the thought might be overwhelming. Read on for some enlightenment on how to choose a good web host.
Find out what kinds of web pages you can create using each potential web host. Most free hosting services offer only static web pages, meaning you won’t be able to script your own language. If you are going to be using script on your page, you should probably invest in a dynamic hosting service.
Are you having problems deciding between shared or dedicated web page hosting services? Shared hosting may create a problem for well-established websites with heavy traffic, as it may mean limited bandwidth or even downtime. If this is the case, then you definitely want to look into going with a dedicated host.
Ask about a potential web host’s security precautions before signing up for service. Your website will be under constant attack from hackers, code injection bots, and other nefarious crooks. Ensure that your chosen web hosting service has security measures that can handle all kinds of attacks or threats to the integrity of your web site. What will the potential risks to your website be if your host is attacked?
Create a priority list prior to looking for your web host. Determine your business goals and needs, so that you can look at each host and decide if they will be able to help you meet them. Creating a detailed list also prevents you from rushing into a decision based upon only one feature.
For most people, it is best to pay-as-you-go rather than commit to a long-term hosting contract. Consider monthly payments – what if you need to cancel service sometime down the road? The quality of the hosting service could decline or your site could expand so much that you have to move it to another server. Unless your host offers your money back if you do not complete your year-long agreement, go with a monthly subscription.
Some web hosting services will charge you by how much traffic your site gets. Ask your host how your bill will be computed. The formula varies between providers with some charging a flat rate based on amount of traffic, and others charging a varying amount according to usage by month.
When reviewing potential web hosts, look for one that can give you detailed analytics about your site’s traffic. Add your own visitor counter on your site, and compare your visitor count to the one provided by your host. As someone who is trying to make a living using the Internet, this data will help you figure out how to best reach your audience.
Research the terms and conditions thoroughly before signing up to a web host which is offering an unlimited service package. Unlimited server space may include limitations on what kind of files can be uploaded. Furthermore, unlimited bandwidth packages often have data management software on their servers, which can limit your transfer rate. Review your contract carefully, consider different kinds of plans and remember that there is, generally, no such thing as unlimited features.
Check the hots you’re looking at for money-back guarantees. If you experience any problems within a certain period, you should be able to cancel and get your money refunded. You can usually expect a 30-day window. Some web hosts may not really provide service that is as good as their advertisements might lead you to believe.
Many web hosting companies are resellers for major hosting companies. These companies are in the business of buying bulk server space from a large host, and making money by leasing it to end-users. Know where your site will be hosted, and be confident you are obtaining the best price between two companies using the same servers.
Look at the hosting awards a service has received. Knowing that others have used the company and have been satisfied with the service, is a strong indicator of a good company. It is true that a company could fraudulently claim to hold such an award, but this is a rare occurrence. Most companies that claim such accolades do indeed have high numbers of satisfied customers. It’s always a good sign if a host has won a number of voter’s choice awards.
A good web host should have a good reputation. Look to reviews of different hosting services to help you determine which hosts have a good reputation. You will quickly spot unreliable companies which do not perform as advertised.
Visit the website of the hosting company you are thinking of going with. A poorly designed website is a definite red flag for a website hosting company. This could be an indicator of several problems, including inexperience or being a “fly-by-night” operation. A well-thought out and nice looking site gives an appearance that the hosting company has at least some experience in HTML and designing web pages.
Be sure that you have multiple ways to contact your web host, just in case any problems arise. Look for companies that offer a variety of mediums for customer support needs around the clock. This will cause you less headaches, if something unexpected happens.
The introductory paragraph mentioned that many website designers and owners don’t know much about web hosting the first time they do a website. This article, however, should have drastically increased your knowledge of the hosting business. Keep these tips in mind as you search for your own web page hosting service and make sure to get the most for your time and money.