It’s quite possible that you’ve heard people use the phrase “web hosting” in the past, but maybe you have no idea what that actually means. Here’s a simple explanation: when a company offers use of their servers so that others can make a website and “host” it there, that company is a web host and that service is “web hosting”. If you are wondering how web hosting can benefit you, then read the following article for more information.
Make sure you know exactly what is included in your contract with the hosting company, and what isn’t. All web host companies have different prices and packages. Before signing up for any web hosting package, know exactly what you are getting. This is the only way you can be sure you are getting what you need.
Register your domain with a different company than the one which hosts your site. While convenient, registering it with the company you host can prevent you from owning it if something happens in the future. Try a site that is independent to ‘own’ your website’s name.
Check the site of your possible web host. A site that is badly designed usually spells trouble for the company. Will yours likely be any better? A website that is designed well indicates that the host is meticulous with details and experienced in web development.
When looking for a good host, make sure they accept popular types of payment. Payment services such as PayPal make sure that the provider can’t charge you for something, unless you are aware of it.
Look into the type of server access provided by your web host. Some companies give you FTP-based access that can be confusing and complex if you are not used to using it, while others use a simplified control panel that you can access through a web interface. A simple site can be hosted with nothing more than cPanel, but a complex site requires at least FTP access and sometimes SSH.
When you are deciding upon a web host service to retain, make sure you have more than only two options on your shortlist. Seeking out the advice of only a select few may leave you with an incomplete picture of a web host’s abilities. Furthermore, you risk being given information that is bought and paid for!
You need to decide whether you should select shared or dedicated hosting. Shared servers are not ideal for websites that enjoy high traffic levels, design-driven layouts and sensitive customer and payment information. If this is the case, you are better off with dedicated hosting.
Thoroughly research hosting companies you are considering. Make sure you read reviews from independent websites for impartial evaluations. You can get a good grasp of the company’s true quality by checking out as many customer reviews as possible.
Free web hosting providers are not appropriate for all but the smallest of personal sites. The price might look good, but the service may be inadequate for your future needs. Make sure your hosting provider allows your website to grow as needed. Switching web hosting providers is not always an easy process, so choosing a free web host could become a pain in the future.
Check to ensure the hosts that you’re considering provides you money back guarantees. If you don’t like the service within about 30 days, you should be able to cancel it and get your money back. Many web hosts seem good but don’t live up to the hype.
Think about moving toward a dedicated server to host your website. Dedicated servers give more bandwidth, additional security and extra storage space for your growing site. This can let customers have the best experience on your site. Try to remember that people that are happy will keep coming back.
Make sure you understand your web host’s fee structure, including any hidden fees. After a few weeks, a particular web hosting service might present itself as unacceptable to you. When you cancel, you may face cancellation fees that are expensive. Such fees can be common for low-priced hosting companies. Make sure you know what the consequences will be of ending a contract early.
When you’re looking for a place to host a website, pick out a company that is located where your target audience is. If you are targeting people in the United Kingdom, be sure your web hosting plan is with a provider that has their data center located in the United Kingdom, too.
Don’t choose a web hosting service just because the company doesn’t charge you for hosting. These services often display a large amount of advertising on your site, meaning that they might distract and annoy your customers. You don’t have any type of control on the kind of ads shown. Having ads appear randomly on your site also makes it seem less professional.
If you wish to experiment with new software, look for a plan with a VPS or virtual private server. Unlike the more common shared hosting plan, a VPS allows you to control virtually every aspect of your web server, including installing and deleting software and creating accounts, as if you are running your own server. Understand that you need to know the ins and outs of administering your own web server if you choose this type of plan.
You should look for reviews on the different services you are considering. Take a look at the opinions of current customers to gauge their experiences.
Pick a hosting company that tends to not have very much downtime. Web hosting companies that suffer from significant downtime, yet always seem to have a reason for the downtime should not be considered dependable. It is obvious that there are no plans in place to avoid or reduce the amount of downtime. Regardless of how little they charge, you should never sign on with a host that experiences frequent outages.
Shortly put, web hosting gives people use of a company’s servers so that they can create a website and have a place to store all the files. Hopefully this article has given you a clearer understanding of how web hosting works and what features can improve your use of it.
