Top 10 Things You Must Know Before Choosing A Web Host
In this highly competitive era, there are numerous hosting providers out in the market which are working hard to entice you and offer their services. This makes it challenging for novice users to choose the most profitable host.
Also, choosing a proficient web host is critical for a website's online presence. Therefore, before selecting the hosting provider, newcomers must familiarize themselves with a few hosting-related things to make the right choice.
If you want a basic understanding of web hosting, you have landed right. Here, we'll discuss fundamental things about web hosting that every beginner must know before they start their online journey.
What is the importance of selecting the right host?
Selecting a web host is the most critical aspect of shifting online.
Unreliable hosting services do not assure quality services and can greatly impact your online presence and website performance, which can significantly hamper your website growth.
A reliable host will keep you up and running all the time and will make sure to provide you with uninterrupted services. It can greatly enhance your website performance and ensure a trouble-free admin and user experience.
What should I know before choosing a web host?
When creating your online presence, you must have a basic understanding of web hosting and its related terms. There are plenty of hosting-related things you must know before choosing a hosting provider. Let's cover them one by one and understand how they can influence your website.
1. Understanding your website needs
The essential thing to consider before choosing a web host is to understand the needs of your website. You must ask yourself which type of website you want to create, how much traffic your website expects, and what CMS you want to use. Ask if you wish to create a WordPress site or an eCommerce store.
Evaluate entirely and ensure to choose the hosting plan based on your website needs.
2. Understanding server types
There are various types of hosting servers that enable you to host your website. You probably have come across different types of web hosting and web servers whenever you browsed or discussed web hosting.
If not, let us help you understand the different types of hosting servers or web hosting plans available.
Note: If you are a beginner and just starting, we suggest you choose managed-to-host services and the basic shared hosting plan from a reliable host to ease your web hosting journey.
- Shared server
The most basic and affordable type of hosting is shared web hosting. In this type, a website is hosted on a server that is shared between multiple users. Along with the server, other web hosting resources are also shared between them, and you have less control over your servers. Shared web hosting is only suitable for new websites or websites with less traffic.
- VPS server
In VPS hosting, the Website is hosted on a virtual private server. The server is virtually separated into multiple isolated web servers to provide a more secure and uninterrupted environment than shared hosting. VPS web hosting is more expensive than shared hosting and gives you more control over your services. It is suitable for medium-level businesses or websites with moderate traffic.
- Dedicated server
Dedicated web hosting is the most expensive hosting service, which provides you with a dedicated server and resources that solely belongs to you. Dedicated hosting is a more secure and customizable service that gives you total control over your servers. This type of dedicated server is suitable for large websites with significant traffic.
3. Server location and uptime guarantee
The reliability of the web host is another crucial aspect that you must consider before choosing a web host. Reliability is how trustworthy and dependable a web host is.
A dedicated web host will provide you with high server speeds and a stable hosting environment that is necessary to keep you online without interruption. Also, ensure to check the server location of the web host. Farther server location can also impact your loading speeds.
Therefore, make sure to check the server uptime guarantee and server location of the web host to ensure your website loads faster and keep you up and running all the time.
4. Hosting Features
Before purchasing web hosting, make sure to check the features, such as bandwidth, storage, RAM, CPU, cPanel, SSL, and migration options offered by the host. All these will help you ensure that the host is capable of providing all the essential services and handling your website needs. Also, while assessing the features, keep affordability in mind and choose the most profitable host.
5. Scalability
Many web hosting providers offer scalable web hosting solutions that enable you to upgrade your services. You don't have to put a load on your pocket by choosing expensive plans; instead, you can select a scalable hosting solution that gives you the flexibility to upgrade your plans as and when needed.
For instance, you can initially start with a basic shared hosting plan and upgrade to a higher one when your website grows and requires more space and resources.
6. Backups and Security
For a website, the most valuable asset is its data. Ensure to check the data backup facility and security measures taken by your web host to protect your website. This is crucial to prevent data loss and make sure your website data is in safe hands.
7. Customer support
There might be times when you need a supporting hand to help whenever you are in need. At times, you might come across a server or website-related issue that can hamper your website presence. Quick customer support can help you resolve your concern at the earliest and save your website from getting down. Therefore, before choosing a web host, make sure you check the availability of 24/7 customer support.
8. Pricing and Renewals
In addition to comparing different web hosting features, you must consider the pricing and renewal charges of the web hosting plans. You must not opt for the plan just noticing the low or high charges. Low pricing does not confirm poor services, and high pricing does not guarantee reliable services. Make sure to compare the prices, features, and resources provided by different hosts and make a sound choice.
Also, check the renewal policy and charges of the host, which are usually higher than your initial charges. To ensure the continuity of your services and prevent putting a load on your pocket, check the host's pricing and renewal policy before making a purchase.
9. Refund and Trial policy
Ensure to check the web host's refund policy before making a purchase. Most web providers offer a money-back guarantee within a certain time frame; however, many lack functionality and may cause you to continue with their inefficient plan.
The effective refund policy will help you get your money back and switch your host if unsatisfied with the services.
Also, you can check whether or not the host offers free trials to test their services. This will help you try the effectiveness of their services and make a practical choice.
10. Add-On Features
In addition to the basic functionalities, many hosts offer valuable add-on features that allow running a website more efficiently. For example, many web hosts provide unlimited or free email accounts, CDN availability, one-click app installation, site builder access, specific data center location, and more to ease your website building and help you perform more efficiently.
Final Thoughts
As a beginner user, you might get puzzled while choosing the most profitable web host due to the abundance of hosting possibilities in the market. Also, you might be tricked by the hosting terms you are unaware of. Therefore, it's crucial to introduce yourself to the hosting-related terms and the things you must consider before choosing a web host. Here, we have outlined all the essential things that you must be aware of as a novice user to enhance your understanding and enable you to select the most advantageous web host.
