What Should I Look for in a Web Host?
When first getting started with web hosting, it's easy to get caught up in things like its appearance and style. Getting people to notice a site is something else that's sure to take up a lot of time, and you probably want the best web hosting the UK has to offer. Before getting too wrapped up in these matters, dedicate time and effort to finding the best provider possible. Without reliable hosting, a site could experience frequent crashes, slow load times and other issues. The easiest way to find the best option is by asking the following questions during the search.
Is There a Plan that Suits My Needs?
Different companies offer different plans. To choose the right web host, start by knowing what's needed. Is a lot of traffic expected? If so, make sure to have plenty of bandwidth. Will the site be simple and clean, or will it include a lot of videos, graphics and other elements? The answer to that question will clue you in to how much disk space it will need. With this information in mind, it will be easier to see whether a company has a plan that will work for the site or not.
Are the Plans Fairly Priced and Flexible?
In the beginning of the search, be mindful of the kinds of rates that are being charged. Mark those numbers down on a sheet of paper. Soon enough, a sense for what's fair and what isn't will start to develop. Pricing isn't everything, though. The best price in the world isn't going to matter if the plan doesn't include the features required. Furthermore, it's smart to sign up with a platform that offers flexible plans. If the hosting needs change, will they be able to accommodate anything? Or will switching to a different company be the only valid option? It's better to avoid that, so choose a host that has flexible, scalable plans.
Is There Such Thing as Free Hosting?
Free hosting is possible, but you will always have to pay something in order to get the site online. So for example, if the basic plan is free you will need to pay for a website builder and domain registration. It’s just a different way of selling it – either buy a hosting package and you get a free domain and site builder, or you go for free hosting and end up paying the same for the rest of the package. It’s best to go for hosting first as companies provide hundreds of free apps & usually a free domain for 1 year, so it will save more money in the long run.
Will the Web Host Make My Life Easier?
There are plenty of bare-bones plans out there. For many people, such plans are more than enough. What if you have more specialised needs? For example, perhaps the idea is to sell things online. In that case, restrict yourself to web hosts that offer ecommerce solutions. It's important to update a website regularly. Some companies make that easier to do than others. To cut to the chase, stick with hosts that offer content management systems as well. With a decent CMS, the site can be updated with ease.
What About Security?
When looking for the right platform, security shouldn't be an afterthought. The last thing anyone needs is online menaces hacking into their site or for a crash to delete all of their data. Make sure that the web host you choose offers daily backups and user authentication. To eliminate the risk of having a domain snatched out from under you, look for a company that offers lock protection. The best ones clearly explain the security features that they have to offer, so don't settle for anything less.
Will I Be Able to Get the Support I Need?
This is a biggie. There are companies out there that have several excellent-looking plans. However, they are sorely lacking in the customer service department. Don't get left hanging if something goes wrong. When help is needed, you should be able to get it quickly and easily. As far as customer service and support go, insist on 24/7 support and support by chat, email and phone.
What Do Others Have to Say?
Always check reviews a before signing up. Pay no attention to the customer testimonials that are posted on a company's site. Instead, search around online for reviews from real people. Read a decent number of reviews to get a clear idea about the quality of the services.
Take the time to learn about the industry and get it right the first time.
Last Updated October 2019
