So, you want to build a website? You’ll need a dedicated hosting service for that. Web hosting services allow people to access your website on the internet. As of 2021, there were 1.88 billion websites online, and they all have web hosts to thank for that.
You, too, can get your own website out there for the world to see. But with the many hosting offers available, how do you choose which one’s worth your money? Don’t worry; this guide is here to help you. Check out these tips to get a web host with the most bang for your buck.
Before you get sucked into the rabbit hole of web hosting offers, take a step back and consider your budget. Ask yourself these questions:
The answers will let you narrow your choices. Those extra features you want—plus the storage and bandwidth you need—may incur additional costs. Some hosts also offer tempting introductory rates but raise that price for renewals.
Once you’ve found a potential web host that suits your budget, don’t pay for their services just yet. You could still snag deals using discount codes by reputable providers like HostingCoupon.Codes. Many of their codes have no expiry, so you can choose cost-effective web hosting deals while investing more in your website.
To narrow options for web hosting plans further, you must first know your website’s purpose and your traffic expectations. For example, if you own a personal blog, you may only expect a handful of visitors. In this case, basic shared hosting plans will suffice.
In another instance, 16.7% of B2B websites typically see 100,000 unique monthly visitors. With that number, these sites must have a host that offers dedicated resources and better performance for daily transactions. Hosting plans like a VPS (virtual private server) might be the better option.
Unlimited storage and bandwidth sound like fantastic deals. However, those plans usually have limitations hiding in the fine print. If you take the bait, your website may experience performance throttling when it reaches a certain threshold.
Not all websites need significant storage and bandwidth. Tools like Google Analytics can estimate your web traffic, while others can calculate your storage requirements. Once you know this information, search for hosting offers that provide the plans that best fit your needs.
You could put months of effort into building your website, but every other day, it fails to load properly or goes under frequent maintenance. The right web host can prevent that from happening with uptime guarantees.
Uptime is the percentage of time your website is accessible to visitors. Several web hosts offer 99.9% uptime service-level agreement (SLA), which is the usual offer marketed by these services.
Scrutinize your options by checking each provider’s uptime guarantees and SLAs for minimal downtime. Also, ask about backup servers in case of unforeseen circumstances.
A website isn’t all about aesthetics and content. It’s about security, too. Hackers are real issues that can affect your website and all its valuable data. Almost 30,000 websites are hacked daily worldwide, with 95% of data breaches caused by human error. You can prevent that from happening with a reputable web host that provides security features.
Most people trust their sensitive information with a website that has a robust security system, which typically includes:
Another must-have is an SSL certificate. It encrypts the data transfer between your website and visitors, securing payments and improving your website’s search engine ranking (SEO).
If you’re struggling with website design and development, some web hosts have features that can streamline the process. For instance, a one-click installation for popular applications like WordPress reduces your time and effort with technical wrangling.
Look for hosting offers that have beginner-friendly UI/UX to help you manage your website’s files, email addresses, and database easily. It’s better if they also provide staging environments to test your website after making changes.
Your chosen web host should ideally have a responsive team you can contact 24/7. So, no matter where you are in the world, you can send them a message for help.
Reliable web hosting offers various channels—whether through phone, live chat, or email—to communicate your needs or concerns. Technical support staff should also be knowledgeable about the service the web host provides and proactively recommend resources to make troubleshooting a breeze.
One of the best ways to inspect the service quality of a web host is by reading what their previous and current clients have to say. In one survey, 94% of respondents said that customer ratings and reviews impacted their purchase decisions. These testimonials could help you make a better decision for your website, too.
Focus on the reviews on aspects that matter, such as uptime, support, and additional features. If you can’t find feedback on certain topics, feel free to ask the provider directly. Their responsiveness and the level of detail in their answers can speak volumes about their customer service philosophy.
It’s great to partner with a reliable provider for a long time. But proceed with caution when you are offered a long-term contract for their services. You might eventually develop new needs for your website, which may require more comprehensive hosting packages.
For safety, seek a web host that offers flexible or shorter contracts that won’t compromise your future needs. Always read the fine print and understand cancellation policies before finalizing your decision. That way, if you opt to cancel the plan afterward, you won’t be surprised by any potential fees.
Remember that you’re not shackled to any one web host. Even after you’ve chosen one, you can still switch providers should you need to. Some hosting offers have migration tools to easily transfer your website’s vital files to the new platform. But before you do that, make sure the new host also has the features your website needs so the migration process goes without a hitch.
Browsing web hosting offers will now be a cinch with these tips. Remember to consider your website’s needs and your budget when looking for a reputable provider. The right one will help boost your site’s performance and user experience.
So, take the time you need and research well. Your dream website will go live real soon.
