Important Factors to Consider Before Choosing a Web Host
Choosing a web host can be a difficult decision knowing how they sell their hosting plans and packages. More often than not, you will be required to pay upfront for their services which means you’re going to be stuck with that company until the end of the period you paid for. We should also mention that there are thousands of hosting companies in the world and you should carefully choose amongst them. The most important is to understand the marketing language hosting companies use when they advertise their services so you don’t pay for something you don’t need and overlook something you absolutely need.
Pricing
For most people, price will be the most significant factor when choosing the services of a web hosting company. However, you shouldn’t make your decision based on price. If you see an offer that sounds too good to be true, that probably is the case. Have a good look at which types of services each of the hosts provide and then weigh in pros and cons for them, using price merely as one of the parameters. Even when you do finally choose a host, don’t pay them for the entire year of services. Try them out for a couple of months to check if everything runs smoothly.
Tech support
Scenario goes like this. Your website is up and running and you didn’t encounter any problems yet. And then, at the most inconvenient of times, your website crashes during the holidays, or while you’re on a vacation. You call the hosting company and you realize that their tech support is outsourced and it takes you an hour before you even get to speak to someone. To avoid such scenarios pick a hosting company that offers 99% uptime at the very least, and their tech support should be available through phone, email or instant messaging 24/7. When you first start using services of some hosting company try emailing them with something trivial at midnight on a weekend and see how long does it take them to reply.
Hardware
Every decent hosting company should make available the information about hardware they’re using to keep their servers operational. In case they don’t say what type of servers they’re using, you may want to ask them.
Possibilities for expansion
Always think about the future, even after you’ve chosen your hosting company. Today you may find that your hosting company has everything you need, but in two or three year’s time situation could change drastically. If your website is a business presentation and/or you’re selling goods or services through it, there is a possibility of expansion. Check whether the hosting company is competent to accommodate your growing needs. Sometimes it is not easy for them to upgrade your account, or they simply won’t do it. Switching to another host can take valuable time and it is never advised unless you planned it ahead.
Reviews
Run a check on each of the hosting companies you short-listed by reading what people on the Internet wrote about each company. Be careful though, as there are many fake reviews, usually written by employees of the hosting company or they hired someone to do it for them. Look for unbiased reviews that sound genuine.
