If you’re looking to put a website on the internet, you need a host to. Hosting services provide the required technology for you to load your website design and then connect it to the rest of the internet. The web host you choose is crucial to the efficiency of your website, so make sure that you do your homework and plan for the future before deciding.
Since hosting is where your website lives on the internet, you need to take almost as much care choosing a host as you would in deciding where the physical location of your store should be. A host should be big enough for your needs, structurally sound, and meet your budget.
Options for hosting plans generally fall into these categories:
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Dedicated server
This is the most expensive hosting service, but its major perk is that it is entirely yours. That means that there aren’t any other companies competing for server space, which affords you faster loading and processing speeds. Expect this to set you back over $100 per month, but if you’re an expanding company, its increased level of control over scripts and apps could be just the thing you’re looking for to take your website to the next level.
Virtual Private Server
VPS hosting is kind of a hybrid between the shared web hosting and the dedicated server. Its pricing is somewhere in the middle, ranging from $25 to $100 per month, but it has more features and opportunities for growth than the standard shared host. The higher price allows for fewer sites to be stored on the same server, but you can still run into the inconvenience of traffic surges affecting your website’s performance.
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Shared space
At less than $12 per month, this option is a good place for start-up companies or small businesses to begin. There are some trade-offs for this price point, however. Shared web hosting, as the name implies, involves a lot of different websites sharing server space. That means that high traffic on their websites could mean slow loading speeds on yours. If you’re a brand new business, however, this is probably the way to go while you get your sea legs under you.
Hosting options
There are plenty of web hosting providers you can choose from, but you have to find the best qualities to fit the needs of your website. A good hosting provider should offer the following:
Adequate storage space
Before you decide on a hosting provider, you need to look at the storage space it will provide you and the ability to upgrade as your business grows.
Bandwidth
Your chosen web hosting provider should allow you unlimited bandwidth.
Dependability
The hosting provider should offer your website the uptime, web experience, and user satisfaction that you need. Downtime can cost you serious money, so you need something that you can count on.
Speed
The server should offer high speed on a daily basis.
Attentive and accessible support
You cannot avoid problems when you have a website. The hosting provider should be available to help you 24/7 with active customer support via phone or chat.
Latest software versions
The web host must have updated software to support your website.
Backup
Your website must have a daily or weekly backup so you don’t lose any of your data in the event of a crash.
While it’s important to be thrifty, price should not be the only factor driving your choice of web hosting services. Take all of the above into consideration to make the best decision.