Want to develop an online presence that will rock your target markets socks off? Before you plan out your digital marketing strategy and take your brand to social media, one of the first things that you need to do is pick a good hosting provider for your website. Choosing a hosting company may not seem that big of a deal, but its one of the most critical things you need to think of when building your website. Well, thats if you dont want your website to crash.
A hosting company is basically a service that provides hosting for your website. Failing to choose the right web host is pretty much going to set you up for disaster. So, if you want to avoid costly mistakes along the way, here are 5 things you need to look for in a hosting company.
1. Easy access tech support 24/7
Since you want your website to be accessible 24/7, you need a hosting company that can provide you with professional tech support whenever you need it. This means that if something ever happens to your website, you can get it back up quickly. The best hosting companies have tech support that you can easily access, whether over the phone, through chat, email, and even social media.
2. An impressive track record
Even though there are plenty of web hosting companies out there, you cant rely on just any provider to host your site. When it comes to making money online, just one second of downtime can cost you thousands of dollars over the course of a year. If youre developing an e-commerce website, you should choose a company that’s best known for its reliability.
3. The right server for your website
Dont forget to check the specs of the server that a hosting company is offering. Some hosting services are solely dedicated to WordPress websites, while there are others that are set up on Linux or Windows servers. Go with a hosting company that will ensure your website performs well, with an interface that you can easily navigate.
4. Your own domain name
Having your own domain name online is crucial, as its what basically will set your brand apart from the competition. If youre getting your domain for free when you get the services of a specific web hosting company, make sure that you own the rights to it, even if you change providers in the future.
5. Value for the money
Just because its the cheapest plan doesnt always mean it will give you the best value for your money. Look for a hosting company that will give you everything you need to build a stable website. Some hosting providers that offer unlimited bandwidth and storage at a low price, are known to throttle your websites performance. So make sure to check out the terms of service before signing up.