In the digital age we are living in, the website of your company often serves as the primary storefront for your business.
This basic necessity doesn’t always require an army of IT professionals to maintain it, but it can be realized through a web hosting service for a small fee. However, choosing the right web hosting can sometimes be tricky.
Business owners, who underestimate the importance of the web host and haphazardly choose the provider, often produce destructive results. Choosing a reliable web host and an appropriate web hosting plan is crucial for having an accessible and safe website at all times. In continuance, you can find several features you should consider for making the proper choice.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Web Hosting Service
Numerous factors determine the effectiveness of the web hosting service. Some of which are pretty obvious and can be measured, such as the price, the guarantee, or any other feature the company is providing. However, you must also consider the more subtle or subjective criteria, such as customer support, the quality of the service, or their overall reputation.
The Needs of Your Business
First of all, you need to establish what exactly you are aiming for. More specifically, to determine what you are going to feature on your website and find a web hosting service that can support these activities. Additionally, there are web hosts, such as Verpex web hosting, that offer more than one web hosting plan.
So, if your website receives a lot of daily traffic, you should not consider a shared server. However, if you own a small shop or you are just getting started, this may be the appropriate choice for your website. Not only you will save money, but also receive numerous benefits from this tailored plan.
Cost vs. Performance
A lot of business owners focus on the price of the hosting plan. Yet, it is obvious that there is always a trade-off between the benefits you will receive and the lower price you propose. If for instance you choose a shared server because you expect lower traffic, but end up with more visitors, the response times will slow.
Thus, lower-priced web hosting plans always come with a higher risk of disrupted performance. As a business owner, you should always sort your priorities. Additionally, you should develop an understanding of different web hosting plans.
Different Types of Hosting Plans
As mentioned before, different plans come with particular advantages and disadvantages. On one hand, shared hosting is cheaper. However, it depends on other websites on the same host and limits your access to the server’s capabilities. On the other hand, private dedicated servers provide fully managed, customized service for your website. Yet, they require a longer set-up and are priced higher.
The important issue is, to be honest with yourself and estimate the traffic you expect. Once you determine the storage and bandwidth usage you will need, you can choose the appropriate hosting plan. Yet, you should always ensure you have extra bandwidth space and leave room for growth.
Key Factors and Hidden Costs
Even though some web hosting services may seem attractive at first, they may come with additional or hidden costs. There is no such thing as unlimited storage and bandwidth for just a few dollars per month. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. So, you should always inspect what the provider offers. Apart from the Terms of Service, you should also compare key factors such as domain names or backup.
For instance, Verpex is a web host that comes with no hidden fees. All of their web hosting orders come with a free domain name and unlimited SSL Certificates. Furthermore, their platform is completely WordPress optimized and offers global hosting. The daily offsite backups ensure that your website files, emails, and databases are backed up twice a day.
All of these features are essential for the smooth and proper functioning of your website in the global environment. Yet, not all web hosting providers will include these features in the package. So, you must always check whether there are hidden or future costs for your service, before your purchase.
Customer Support
The last and sometimes the most important issue to consider is the customer support. Setting your web hosting service can sometimes be quite complex, especially if you are a first-time user. So, it is crucial to choose a web hosting provider that can guide or assist you in the process. Additionally, you may have some questions before you even purchase a package.
Hence, you should eliminate providers with no customer support from the beginning. Additionally, you should check what kind of support the company offers. Verpex, the provider mentioned before, offers instant 24/7 support via live chat, phone, and ticket. As a business owner, you should always focus on what is a quick or convenient way to contact your web host.
Summary
All in all, the possibilities for web hosting services on the market are endless. As a customer, you should always seek to match your requirements with the offerings of the web host. Additionally, you should compare the advantages and disadvantages of certain web hosting plans and choose the most appropriate option for your website. There is always a trade-off between the benefits you will receive and the price you will pay for the service. Hence, you should always take your time to choose the web hosting service, as it is the public image of your business and reputation.