The Only Web Hosting Tips You Ever Need
A company, no matter how large, is only ever as strong as its weakest link. Now, in most cases, a company’s weakest link is its web server or its hosting provider. The directories and fancy wording can confuse you at times, if you are not a web programmer. Sometimes, we surrender to the confusion and just opt for the first company we find, and financially commit to them. Make sure your ultimate selection is a company that truly will meet your needs.
Find out which plans are offered by each potential web host you’re considering. Many free hosting services offer only static pages, leaving you with limited options for adding your own scripts. If you need dynamic scripting for your website, you may have to choose a paid host instead.
Web Host
Establish a list of everything you are looking for in a web host. Figure out what it is you need and want and from there shop around to see what web hosts matches these expectations. When you make a list like this, you avoid getting a web host that you don’t feel comfortable with and it ensure that you are satisfied.
There are free web page hosting services available, but tread carefully. Make sure to back up everything that you want to keep, because free hosts don’t usually provide any sort of backup service. Remember, you get what you pay for. You risk losing your files entirely. If that happens, there is not much you can do about it.
If you do not have a large budget, consider finding a web host that is free. Be aware that using these types of hosts will typically mean that advertising appears on your site, and your website’s space will be limited. If you want your site to look professional, though, stay away from free website hosting .
Don’t choose free hosting services simply for the free factor. Most free hosts require your site to carry ads. You won’t be able to choose which ads show on your site, or the types of advertising that will pop up. In addition, ads that are positioned randomly throughout your website will give it an unprofessional feel.
If your website needs email capabilities, ask hosting providers about the email formats they allow. You are going to want a website hosting service that does utilize POP 3. You can access this type of email from anywhere online and it’s linked to your domain name.
If you are still connecting to the Internet with dial-up, then don’t try to host your site yourself. You’ll need a fast and reliable connection for hosting. A slow hosting connection will likewise make your site slow, and in a worst case scenario can also contribute to a crash.
If your website is brand new, a web host that boasts SEO services may be the right fit for you. This feature can help your site get registered with the search engines. That said, submitting your sites manually has some advantages, particularly that you can enter a site description that will entice visitors to click on your link.
View the site of the web host you’re considering. If their own site is not designed well, then you will not want them handling yours. This could indicate a shady company or simply one with little practical experience. A well-designed website shows that the company has good attention to detail and experience in the field of HTML and web design .
Hidden Fees
Be cautious of scammers and hidden fees. Many web hosts advertise low prices, without mentioning extra, hidden fees. Find out every potential fee upfront to avoid shock when you receive your first bill. This way you can discover the best plan for you that solves all of your needs at a fair price.
Evaluate the security features of a hosting company, as well as their safety features. They have to have tools in place to monitor and deal with hackers, denial of service attacks and other malicious events. Good hosts constantly back their servers up.
You should view extremely low-priced web hosting services with caution. While you’ll no doubt be tempted by their low prices, you should also realize that they often translate to low quality services. You cannot afford to host your site on a server that is not properly maintained, or that might not exist anymore in a few months.
It is possible to receive a refund for downtime from some website hosting companies, so check to see if yours offers this. At most, you will likely receive a refund of what only amounts to a few pennies. The loss in sales, however, could be significant. Look for a host with a good uptime rather than refunds.
Hopefully this article has cleared up some of the confusion, and educated you on the industry jargon of hosting. Even if you are already locked into a web hosting agreement, you can inform your IT person and prepare to move your site to a better hosting service once your current contract expires.