Many small businesses look for cheap web hosts, first, to keep costs down. Going with the cheapest option may create problems that actually cost more money in the long run. Read on for some time-tested advice on how to identify a good web host.
Check the hosting site to find out what kind of sites they can offer. Some free hosts only allow you to upload HTML, and not other scripting languages. If you have the need for dynamic scripting pages, your only option may be to find a pay host that is affordable instead.
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Just like shopping for anything else, making a list of your web host needs before you look is a wise idea. Determine what you want and need well in advance, and determine how well every possible web host can meet those needs and wants. Making this type of list will help you avoid making a decision based solely on one factor, such as price, rather than finding the best deal for your needs.
Figure out how large your website will be within the next year and choose a hosting plan that gives you enough hard drive space. If you want to add data intensive things, like video or photos, you will need more space. Make sure that you have access to at least 100 MB of storage, which should allow you plenty of room to grow and develop your website.
Hosting services charge you based on the kind of traffic your site is getting. Will it be a flat rate? A rate dependent on the amount of traffic you get?
Most web hosting companies already require that you backup your own data. You want your data safe. Can you imagine re-creating all of your site’s content? In the worst-case scenario, since you have a copy of your data, you’ll know that you won’t be starting from scratch.
Find out if a potential web host offers a money-back guarantee. Most hosts provide a guarantee that will allow you to have your money refunded within thirty days or less of signing up if you’re not happy. Many web hosts seem good but don’t live up to the hype.
Many hosts are actually based off of other hosts. These companies purchase a block of space on the server at a discount, and turn a profit by leasing space to smaller sites. Find out the company that will ultimately host your site so you can get the best price.
Find a web hosting service that has a cPanel. This is a graphical interface that makes it easy and quick to add applications to your site. The majority of these applications offer high functionality and user-friendly navigation. It also makes managing your website much quicker and easier.
If you need more than one email address, talk to the host service about their email formats. Pick one that uses POP 3. This will ensure that emails are linked to your domain and will be accessible from anyplace on the web.
Don’t get sucked into a hosting agreement that contains huge hidden fees. Many hosts talk about low prices, but then they add a lot of extra fees. That is why it is imperative that you learn is included in any hosting plan you are considering. You should also consider the features you are likely to use. Select the plan that includes everything you need at the best price.
If your website experiences growth, you will most likely need to upgrade services from your host provider. Find out in advance how easy it will be to handle any needed upgrades. Items added to your account like hard drive space and bandwidth should happen almost instantaneously. You should also be able to quickly and easily upgrade your server from shared to dedicated.
If you will be uploading large amounts of information, you will need to check out the uploading method for any website hosting service you may choose. There is a chance that you will need to use an FTP server. Especially if technological wizardry is not your strongest point, at least be sure that there is a usable html control panel.
Review available web hosts by taking a look at online directories. With the information you find there, you can view the entire list of available options and then determine which ones are best suited to your site’s particular needs and your budget. After it is narrowed down, you can then focus on specific prices and options for the ones that you have chosen to compare.
If you wish to test new software or you desire more control of your server environment, try a web hosting company that offers virtual private server or VPS. A VPS plan allows you to test everything first and set up personalized settings for your server. You can manage different accounts and install any software you want. Keep in mind that you should know how to administer a server before you consider this plan.
The less you spend on your web host, the worse the service you’ll receive. Reliability, service and ease of use are some of the other things to keep in mind. If you have a website that is constantly down, this can cost you money in the long run. Put the advice of this article to work for your online needs and come away with the best possible web hosting options!
