Getting on the Internet is easier than it has ever been thanks to the technology provided by those that can code 1-click installs and scripts that make creating a website as simple as moving pieces of the website around until they are where you want them. Web hosting service offer more free features with a subscription compared to many years ago. That is also due to the technology advancements made with programming and developers from all over the world. If you are looking for a web host online, there are some things that you should keep in mind before you finally pull out your wallet. Because there are so many options for a web host, use this list to see the differences before you buy.
Whether you think you are the best coder in the world, there is one thing that you WILL need from your hosting company and the good ones will offer it. That one thing is called support. Whether the support be through an online ticket system, online forum or phone support, it is needed as there is always at least one thing that you cannot work out yourself. If the support is limited to weekdays or online only, you might want to skip to the next option. In order for your website to get online to all of your potential customers, it will have to be stored on servers that are reliable. Many companies claim to have a 99.99% uptime with their servers, but you can still read reviews from other customers before going to the next step.
If your website is going to be getting a lot of hits, then you are going to want to make sure the servers that host your site can handle it. Even one minute of downtime can be costly to a company. Even though you typically get what you pay for with free features, a web host that has something else to offer you free for being a subscriber is a nice touch. Many times the free scripts are for email, SEO, website tutorials and guides for making money with your website. Some even go the next step and will offer free templates that make setting up your awesome website a snap.
As soon as you are done narrowing down the features you want at the price that you want to pay, it is time to choose the right plan for you. Most web host companies will offer you many plans, typically from minimal to expanded services or even a custom option where they build a plan for you. When you are just starting out it is wise to get the bare minimum. Once you have an established website presence, you can determine if there are other needs for your company and upgrade at that time. Web hosts that are worth checking out can make that change for you without even a glitch in service. If you have to go into a custom plan from your web host, the downtime might not be avoidable, but a necessary evil. Once the needed upgrade is complete, the website will be running more efficiently making the change worth it.
