Your Website Host Matters.
Website hosts are a dime a dozen, right? Surely, it’s website design and content that matters most—anyone can host a website, right? Having a flashy user interface with engaging, relevant content is extremely important, but so are all the “boring” technical things under the hood.
The website host you choose can have a critical impact on your business’s online presence—think security, speed, and reliability. Remember, if your website host goes down or gets hacked, most likely, your company’s website is another domino in the chain.
Here, we’ll outline the importance of choosing a website host you trust, the questions you should ask when evaluating a new website host, and how much website hosting services should cost.
Why Does Your Website Host Matter?
Plain and simple, your website host can make or break your business’s online strategy. When you’re researching a business, what kind of impression do you get from a website that’s slow, glitchy, or worst of all, broken—are you more likely to make a purchase from a business with a lousy website or move on to the next?
In addition to the on-page experience, your website host can significantly affect your Google search rankings. Website attributes like speed, security, and usability directly impact your SEO. Choosing the first website host or the cheapest one that shows up on Google may not be the best option for your business.
Different hosts also offer varying levels of support, services, and features. You’re probably not planning to transfer your website hosts regularly—ensure you’re working with a hosting company that has your business’s best interests in mind.
How to Choose a Web Host
1. Scope Out Your Website Needs.
Your website hosting needs depend on your business type. Before you even start doing your research, jot down your needs and expectations.
Don’t assume that all website hosts know how to serve all types of companies. For example, an e-commerce company with an online store will have very different requirements from a photography company looking to showcase art or a nonprofit looking to secure donations.
In your initial conversations, ask what types of websites the host has supported in the past to ensure your business’s needs will be met.
2. Determine How Much Support You’ll Need.
Are you good with technology, or do you usually need a little extra help?
Support and service agreements will vary by website host—as do the types of support they offer. Consider where the website host is located and their hours of operation. Will you only be asking for support during business hours, or do you need someone on-call 24/7? Are you OK with an occasional support call, or would you rather work with a local website host that knows your website from front to back?
Most website hosts offer additional services, too, like website development or domain management, as part of their hosting services. Consider the total level of website support your business may need across the board.
3. Research All Prospective Web Hosts.
The company you choose to host your website will probably be a long-term partner—most companies don’t regularly change their website host unless they have a reason to.
When you choose a web host, you’re trusting them to keep your website up and running. Do your research and choose a website host with a good reputation for reliability and security.
4. Ask Questions About the Hosting Environment
Speed and security are essential for your website’s SEO. The hosting environment can make or break your company’s website. Where is the hosting environment located? Is it on a shared, dedicated, or cloud environment? How many customers are supported on a single server?
5. Review Website Security Requirements
The host’s security is also critical for your website’s success—be sure to ask how the environment is secure. Likewise, is the environment actively monitored for security threats? Do they include a SSL certificate? How often do they test the environment for security? Make sure you choose a host with a good reputation.
If your business has additional specific security requirements, be sure to ask—don’t assume that all website hosts can meet your needs automatically.
6. Calculate Your Data Backup Needs
Having an executable backup plan is essential in the event of a data disaster. How often and for how long does the website host backup and store your website’s data? Make sure your website host can provide data backup services that align with your business’s guidelines.
7. Ask About Limitations and Restrictions.
Your website host probably has terms and conditions regarding the types of websites they host. Are there limits to storage size or bandwidth? Can your website scale with you as your company grows? Can you call support whenever you have a question or need help?
These questions are especially relevant if you’re considering a “free” website hosting provider.
How Much Does Website Hosting Typically Cost?
The price tag on website hosting can vary significantly from provider to provider. Here are a few things to consider:
- Website age. How up-to-date is your website’s framework? Does it require significant updates to the CMS?
- Plug-ins/Extensions/Add-ons. Does the website have many plug-ins, extensions, or add-ons that need to be monitored and maintained? Are there enough server resources to run the required plug-ins, extensions, or add-ons?
- Size. How many web pages does the website have? What types of files are stored on, archived, and used by the website? For example, video files, PDFs, and images.
- Complexity. Is it a single-page website or a full-scale customer portal?
- Additional services. What’s included in the cost of website hosting? What’s not included? Does your business need website help in addition to hosting?
Are You Looking for a New Web Host?
If you’re in the market for a new website host, we can help. Our Website Hosting and Security services include unlimited storage, unlimited bandwidth, SSL certificates, web application firewall, daily backups (stored separately), 30-day backup retention, and speed optimization.