Searching for a web hosting company can be enough to make you pull your hair out, especially if this is your very first time doing it. Plus, you can read a multitude of dissertations on what you must have and things you should consider as option, and what to do when the system crashes and what if, what to do, how you should…it’s all enough to make you pull every last strand of hair from you head. Fear not, friends. Choosing the right web host only takes some research on your part of the web hosting companies that pop up when you Google the term ‘web hosting’.Here are ten things that you should consider with each web hosting company you look at that can make your life a lot easier when you come done to making that final choice.
Connection
The first thing you need to know is how the web hosting company’s server that will house your website connects to the Internet. Obviously you may want to consider avoiding dial-up and DSL links. Dial-up is archaic at best and DSL can be fussy with the change of the weather and position of the satellites. Something like a digital cable or T1 connection is the best. They will provide you with reliable service, the speed your site needs to function properly and security measure to protect your personal information.
Reliability
Research the web hosting company’s track record and see what they are averaging in downtime every month. Downtime may not be an issue for you if your website is more personal than commercial. Read customer reviews and testimonials about the company and find up what time of guarantee they offer you when the system goes down.
Commitment
What type of commitment does the web hosting company require from you? You need to know if the web hosting company offers a trial period so that you see if the service fits your needs or what their stipulations are if you decide to cancel any form of contract you have with them. More than likely you’ll be able to test out the site first before upgrading to a full pay service but it’s better to research the information and play it safe.
Price
The cheapest web hosting company is not going to be the best just like the most expensive company isn’t going to be the best. Free or cheap companies may have restrictions on what you can do with your site while expensive companies usually use dedicated servers that you may not necessarily need. You want something in between that fits your price range and offers the services that you need or want. It’s worth paying more a month to get what you want and make your website functional and useful than skimping on things that could drive you crazy later when you need them.
Domain Name
If you have already purchased your domain name then you will not need to look for a web hosting company that offers it in their package. If you haven’t, then look for one that also offer domain names for free or at a discounted price as part of the web hosting service. Not all web hosting services offer this feature but purchasing your domain name outside your web hosting company is not a problem and is not difficult to do. When you sign up for the hosting package, you just give them the domain name you have paid for and they will do the rest.
Customer Service and Technical Support
Since you are new to the website game, you want a web hosting company that has 24/7 customer service and technical support. Make sure they have contact information readily available for the customer service and technical support departments. Find out if the technical support aspect is free or if there is a small charge when you need to get their help. Additionally, see if they have a user’s forum that you can join and contribute to. Sometimes the answers you need are in the forum already.
Bandwidth
How much bandwidth does the hosting company allot you every month and can you add more at a later time? Most new websites do not need a lot of bandwidth, but as the customer and visitor base grow, you will probably have to have more. Ask what happens when you exceed your monthly bandwidth and if the web hosting company will notify you when you get close to exceeding it so that you can add more. Make sure there are no hidden penalties for increasing the bandwidth at a later date.
E-mail Addresses
Most web hosting companies offer you POP3 e-mail addresses, sometimes up to hundred at a time. Research how many e-mail addresses each hosting package offers and what type of storage options and features – mail forwarding, webmail access, auto responder, etc. – the e-mail has with it.
Other Stuff
What additional items does the web hosting company offer you? These items could include blog software, shopping cart software, photo pages, and more. Make sure you understand how much space the web hosting company will a lot for site and always read up on the extra items you get so you know they are available even if you never use them.
Read User Reviews
Reviews by other users of the web hosting company will give you some good insight as to how the company operates and treats their customers. Keep in mind that not everyone will be happy with every company and that one or two complaints out of a bunch do not imply that the web hosting company should be avoided. It simply implies that these complainers were picky.
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