If you are a business owner, you may understand how important it is to create a quality web content and develop a responsive website. But among the most important things, choosing a reliable web hosting company is often ignored. Like the design, content, and type of website, you should also be careful while selecting a website hosting company. Choosing the company, randomly based on cost alone can bring disastrous results.
1. Kind of web host
Understand the needs of your business and the kind of web host you need. If you want a website with 24-hour live streaming, video blogging and the ability for visitors to register and upload their videos, your website should have more features than the site which is used as a virtual resume. Websites with many features don’t function well on a shared server.
2. Hosting Package
Some small businesses choose shared hosting to save money. But, with the smaller price tag, you may bring the critical risk of the slower website. If your website runs slow, customers will switch away to other websites. Virtual Private Server (VPS) provides higher quality and faster web performance. But, choosing it can be slightly expensive.
3. Amount of Bandwidth
Probably a new website does not use a good amount of bandwidth. It is advisable to leave room for growth. Before hiring a web hosting company, make sure it will not limit a certain amount of bandwidth and ask for additional fees if you need to revise your hosting plan shortly.
4. Read Reviews
Read reviews of the third party. It will help you find any consistent issues or persistent complaints from current or past users. Pay attention and make sure the company is responding to complaints. This helps you get an idea how the service provider deals with unsatisfied customers.
5. Backup Plan
Make sure the web hosting company you are going to choose offers you any backup plan to help you recover your data. If they don’t and you are not comfortable with its answer, don’t buy the service.
6. Security Features
The security feature is another thing to take into account. Security breaches happen irrespective of how small or large your business. It is good to know whether the company provides Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) to guard your customer’s confidential information.
7. Terms of Service
People usually ignore terms and conditions of any service provider. Don’t follow them. Read the terms of service thoroughly. Avoid just skimming through them. The Terms of Service is the information that includes the privacy policy, refund policy, refund policy, and other information which is good to know.
8. Customer Support
When researching for a web hosting company, make sure how you can contact it. Don’t they have the option to contact via email, online chat or 24×7 phone calls? If yes, it’s great. Give them a try and find if they are responding quickly.
Bottom Line
Web hosting companies provide you a storefront of your business. Before going to choose any service provider, do consider the points above.
Divya is the Brand Manager for Bluehost India. Analytical and data-driven in her approach, Divya feels that the devil is in the detail. With years of experience in retail eCommerce, Divya comes with expertise in the areas of brand management, product management and business development. Divya is enthusiastic about technology, retail and music.
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