6 Items to Focus on Before Selecting a Web Host

Nowadays, having a website is an indispensable requirement for every small business. A website allows you to reach a wider audience with your products and services. You could even set up an e-commerce site which allows customers to buy items directly from you. When setting up your site, one of the things you will need to decide is where you will host it. With the numerous Web hosting companies out there, choosing the right host for your business can be very difficult.

Here are some guidelines which will help you make the right decision:

1. Area of Focus

There is no one-size-fits-all Web hosting company. The truth is that different hosts target different kinds of clients. For instance, while some hosts primarily target growing businesses, others are focused on more established enterprises. Therefore, before making a decision, take time to find out what the company specializes in. Take time to read recommendations and reviews online to find out if the host is a good fit for your business.

2. Tech Specs

Before you go out looking for a Web host, you should first take time to figure out what your needs are. How much storage space do you need? How much traffic do you expect on your site? If you are setting up an e-commerce site, you will require more features compared to someone setting up an ordinary site. Once you established your needs, look for a host that would be the best fit. For beginners, it would be advisable to begin with an affordable shared hosting account. As your business grows, you can then upgrade to dedicated or VPS hosting. This means that you should choose a Web host that offers scalable plans.

3. User Interface

Once your site has been hosted on a server, you will need to perform tasks such as setting up FTP accounts, setting up email, and installing WordPress. If you are not tech-savvy, you need to choose a Web host provider that offers a simple user interface or control panel. This will allow you to make modifications and updates on your site yourself without having to constantly contact support. It would also be advisable to go for a provider that offers web hosting tutorials which will guide you in setting up your site.

4. Add-ons/Features

The question you need to ask yourself is, “What makes this company stand out from the rest?” Find out what additional incentives the Web host is offering that would make your investment worthwhile. This could be features such as free additional domains, multiple servers, or frequent data backup. It would be advisable to settle for a company that will not charge you anything extra for such add-ons.

5. Technical Support

This is one of the most crucial considerations when selecting a Web host. If your site goes down for one reason or another, you will want to get the problem fixed as soon as possible. Therefore, you need to find a company that offers excellent customer support.

A good Web host should offer you different options for contacting them including live chat, a toll-free phone number, and email. In addition, they should be able to offer support 24/7 and resolve issues in a timely manner. You can learn more about the provider’s reputation for customer support by reading web hosting reviews online.

6. Pricing

While pricing is important when selecting a web host, it should not be the main consideration. You need to remember that what you pay for is what you get. Therefore, don’t be too quick to accept the cheapest offer available. A cheap hosting plan might save you money, but is likely to deny you benefits such as good uptime, free backup, and quality support. Therefore, take time to consider the features provided first before looking at the pricing.

Charles Mburugu is a professional blogger who writes for TechBlogKe. You can follow him on Twitter @techblogke