Websites couldn’t exist without web hosting, or at least they couldn’t be accessible to users online. The choice of a provider is crucial to the well-being of your site. Since there are various types and options for this service, what to look for in a hosting company? Knowing what you need makes it easier for you to determine the plan most suitable for your new site.
In this article, we will outline the basics of choosing the best provider for your specific needs. However, if you need more detailed info, we advise you to refer to an expert platform such as HowtoHosting Guide.
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Which are the most important features for your new web hosting?
Generally speaking, there are six main features to consider when making that choice: speed, scalability, support, security, hosting environment, and price.
Excellent speed is central to a good website experience that will make your visitors happy. Without it, visitors will leave your site within 2 seconds. Speed is also a critical ranking factor, and slow site performance will harm your search rankings. Even though your website’s speed depends on various factors, a hosting provider with a fast server and adequate processing power should be one of your top priorities.
Another crucial aspect you should look for is scalability. Is your current website receiving an increasing amount of traffic? If so, you should find a web host company that can shelter growing traffic without experiencing any issues.
The security of your web host provider means that your website is also secure. Its servers should have robust firewalls that should be monitored all the time for any irregularities or intrusions. Supporting SSL certificates should also be taken into consideration. As for the excellent support team, you will learn the importance of professional support, especially if you lack technical knowledge. Look for a service that offers 24/7 support via various channels.
A competitive price should support all these factors. You will most likely come across providers offering free plans. Note that web hosting is a complex service, and it should not be free. If you find a company that advertises its services as free, there must be a catch. An efficient and secure service needs money to exist, so be ready to pay a small monthly fee instead of going for a “free” plan now, which will bring your trouble later.
We should also mention the various types of web hosting environments, such as dedicated, shared, cloud, etc. The choice is associated with your budget and the kind of website you plan to run. For example, a small budget would suggest choosing a shared plan, where you share the host’s resources with other sites that are hosted on the same server. A shared plan is cheaper, but it also could mean security implications, so keep that in mind.
Choosing web hosting by country
Depending on whether you want to start a local or international website, you will have different approaches and advantages in front of you. Are you planning to target a specific audience, such as UK, USA, Australia, Denmark, or India? If your website will target a particular country, you should search for a server or a data center located in that specific country. When it comes to a local audience, location is crucial because it ensures good speed and reliability.
More essential tips before you start your web journey
When choosing a local provider, consider reading local clients’ reviews and thinking of the local currency and legal regulations. Examine the provider in detail, and see if there is additional info you should consider. Does the plan you are about to choose to include a free domain name? Is the host company scalable and ready to handle sudden spikes of website traffic? Answer these questions before you start your web journey.
