To set up a website, you need to have a host. And there are so many of them out there. It can be hard to know which one is best for you. When you are browsing the options, here are some key points to keep in mind.
Reliability
The number one thing to think about when making your decision is reliability. The server you use will determine how much time your website stays up and active. An unreliable server will cause your website to be inactive for a lot longer, and that is not good for you or your business. You should make sure you check the host’s uptime info to find out how reliable they will be when you are using their services.
Cost
Cost is one of those things that you should pay attention to, but not too much attention. It probably shouldn’t be your first priority because the cheap options are often the worst ones. But, at the same time, you don’t want to be paying a lot more money than you really need to. So, compare the prices of the various different hosting providers, but remember to find out what you’re getting for your money. Paying less might seem like a good idea, but the service you get might be terrible! Read hosting reviews to find out which offers the best value for money.
Ecommerce Features
If your website is going to be used for selling directly to customers, you will need to think about ecommerce features. The most important thing to think about is security. People will not enter their sensitive payment details into your website if they don’t think that it’s secure. So, make sure that they offer SSL certification. This will allow people visiting your website to buy with confidence. One-click shopping cart software can be very useful too, so consider whether they provide this.
Control
How much control do you want to have over the hosting system you use? This is something you need to answer when you are choosing which one is best for you. You will have to use the control panel that comes with the system, so make sure that it’s easy to use. Some will offer you greater control than other. But having a simple interface that allows you to make changes and tweaks is even more important for many people who are looking for a web host.
Live Support
When you run a website, things go wrong. This is always the case. The only way to overcome this is to get the website back on its feet as quickly as possible. Having support from your host is essential if you want this to happen. Make sure that they have a live support system that allows you to report incidents quickly and efficiently. They can then help to fix your problem straight away. Round the clock support is much better than having to wait until the end of the weekend. Many hosts don’t operate on weekends, and this can cause problems.
