Finding a new web host can be daunting; where do you begin? There are so many factors to consider, such as pricing and what comes with your plan, that becoming confused is easy. This article will guide you through the process to ensure you find the host which fits your needs.
You can almost always save money on your web hosting by paying in advance. Discounts for multi-month and yearly packages are common. However, you don’t want to lock in with an unreliable host. Try out a new host for a month or two before you lock in a long-term commitment, and check out the cancellation and refund policy beforehand.
If you are looking for a hosting company for your business, avoid going with free web hosts. A free web host will likely place ads on your site, which causes you to lose valuable traffic. A staple of any good online business is the amount of visitors you get to your site. The last thing you want is your free web host to steal away all your traffic.
Go for Linux hosting unless you need to use certain applications or server-side languages. Linux hosting has a better reputation for uptime, stability, and resource use. Shared hosting that runs on Linux tends to be somewhat cheaper, as well. There are, however, certain applications that need Windows hosting, including Plesk, Microsoft Access, Silverlight, MSSQL, and ASP.net.
Resist the temptation to accept free domain registration from the same company you will be using for web hosting. There are many start-ups out there who may – or may not – be around for very long, and they probably will not give clients advance notice if they are going out of business. You will need to have immediate access to your domain registration if this happens, but may not be able to get it if they are out of business.
It used to be more expensive, but in today’s world, it is entirely possible to manage several domains without spending too much money. This helps your business grow, and it helps you reach targeted customers. Know what your options are as far as multiple domain hosting is concerned. This will give you a huge extra boost!
Read the terms of service when dealing with a web host who offers “unlimited” services. Many times web hosts will offer unlimited bandwidth or sometimes hard disk space. Read the terms carefully, as they may reserve the right to ask you to upgrade your plan, if you are a higher profile customer, that has increased usage.
When you decide on your web host, stick to monthly payments as opposed to lump-time payments. You never know if your host might go bankrupt, or your website could close. If the host declines, your business expands past them or your account gets closed, you could lose any money already paid.
Many people have to find a web host every day, but you were smart enough to seek out the information which can help you get what you’re looking for before signing up with a web host. Good for you! Continue to seek new information until you find the web host which offers you the items you need for the best price.