Web Hosting: What Should You Expect For Your Money?
Make sure you’re getting the most out of your web hosting package.
You’ve made the online plunge: your website is thought through, you have a designer or professional template ready to go and now you want to make your website live. Now comes a difficult choice: which web hosting provider do you choose? There is an ocean of companies offering this service, and their prices range from very cheap and cheerful to more substantial monthly numbers. So the question really is, what can you expect for your money? Well, it really depends on what your needs are. Here’s a checklist on how to choose the hosting provider that’s right for you:
01. The Number One: Server Uptime
The most important factor in any hosting provider is the uptime they guarantee. What’s the use in having a website which experiences server downtime, hence making your website inaccessible? Server reliability is essential. The percentage uptime a company guarantees will tell you a lot about the quality of the servers they use, and their confidence. How do you check this? It is always advisable to read reviews, comments in forums and generally doing some searches online. The other way to check is to use server monitor tools to get the provider’s uptime statistics. As a guidance, only consider providers which guarantee a 99.9% uptime.
- Leave Room For Expansion
Most affordable, and often very cheap and cheerful, hosting providers offer shared hosting (we offer this too!). This means many websites are hosted by the same server with a shared IP address. This means that the server’s power and safety is shared amongst all of those sites. If, for example, such a server is faced with a DDoS attack, all of the websites hosted by this server will simultaneously be brought down.
Shared hosting, by definition, will only grant you so much power. If you have a well optimized website and your monthly traffic doesn’t exceed around 30,000 visitors, you will be fine. However, if your site suddenly grows and you are receiving over 100,000 visitors a month, your hosting might not be able to handle the strain. This is the time to upgrade: either to a virtual private server or dedicated server. At this point you will have all of the power and control that you require. This of course, comes at a price.
- Compare Prices at Signup vs Renewal
Sometimes web hosting companies create great offers to rope us into signing up for their service. They offer great discounts, especially when you are prepared to pay years in advance. But once that time period is over, what will you be charged for the next year? Always be sure to check this out, perhaps even chat with a customer service representative. You can chat live with our sales team around the clock or give us a call, click here to visit our contact page.
- Refund Policy and Taxes
Most of us who started out with hosting companies have come across one whose service was unacceptable and we wanted to cancel. But as we usually have to pay at least one year in advance, some companies will not refund any of the money. They have a 30-day cooling off period, after which you have no claim on your payment. Get to know your chosen web hosting company’s refund policy, and speak to an advisor about any taxes or hidden charges.
- Technology
Before choosing a hosting provider make sure their servers support the type of website you are planning to create. For example, not all servers support WordPress, or they don’t support it well. Some companies offer a one-click install of WordPress and have tailored packages for these customers.
Before choosing your hosting provider, do your research. Make a list of prices and what you are promised for your money. Also, have a list of your requirements and budget. Once all three lists tally up, you have probably found the one for you.