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If you want to build a website and have it be accessible to others, you need a web host. These web hosts provide space on a server that allows your site to be up and running on the internet. This is also where your site will store all of its files and information.
It is important to know there are different types, kinds, and levels of web hosting. Some are fairly introductory, such as shared hosting for a simple blog. On the other hand, others may be a VPS with full root access for uninterrupted forex trading.
The more storage, features, and bandwidth a host provides, the more expensive it will generally be. Shared hosting is generally the most affordable, but also provides you with less storage and bandwidth. While it may be okay for an online portfolio or small site if you expect heavy traffic you will either want a VPS (virtual private server) or a dedicated server.
If you don’t upgrade when you should, your site could get overwhelmed and crash or lag, which will surely lead to some unhappy visitors.
Now that you know and understand a little more about web hosting, how can you choose the best hosting for your needs? Well, there are a few things to consider when selecting the right web host, and this article is going to take a closer look at a few of them.
Know Your Needs
First and foremost, knowing your needs is more than half the battle when it comes to choosing the right web hosting. You should know what kind of traffic you expect, and choose a host accordingly.
If you choose the wrong host with less storage and/or bandwidth than you need, it can lead to a laggy site and one that is slow to load. While a slow loading site might not seem like a big deal to you, it should be. There are many reasons why website loading speed matters, and you should do all you can to ensure yours is as fast as possible.
Sure, better hosts with higher bandwidth and storage are more expensive, but in many cases, the major boost in performance and user experience can be worth it. Of course, in many cases, if your needs change, you can upgrade. However, you want to make sure early on whether or not the web host has the capacity to support you if your site gets large.
Consider Security
Once you have found a few hosts that meet your needs in terms of the services they provide, you should begin to think about security. The host should offer DDOS protection, firewalls, and monitoring for vulnerabilities. You also want to look for a host who enforces the use of strong passwords, too.
The more security protocols and measures in place, the more peace of mind you will have that your site is safe. You should also find out if they offer backups at all, to protect you in case something goes wrong. If a host doesn’t do a lot to protect your site and data, it is best to avoid working with them.
Ensure They Offer Strong Customer Support
An underrated, yet incredibly important, thing to consider is the strength of the customer support offered by the host. At one point or another, you are likely to run into a technical issue that you require assistance with.
A good customer service team will work with you quickly to get the issue dealt with effectively. Unfortunately, not all teams are good. Some may take days to simply get back to you and then be no help when it comes to assisting you.
The host you go with should have a reputation for being quick and helpful with issues, big or small. They should also offer different methods to reach out, as well. Also, if they offer a large FAQ section, that can be a major help, too.
In conclusion, we hope this article not only helped you better understand web hosting but also how to choose the right option for your needs. If you choose a host that meets your needs, is secure, and has strong customer support, you can generally expect to have a good experience.
About the Author:
Ashley Lipman is an award-winning writer who discovered her passion for providing knowledge to readers worldwide on topics closest to her heart – all things digital. Since her first high school award in Creative Writing, she continues to deliver awesome content through various niches touching the digital sphere.
