Choosing A Web Hosting Provider

By Author: Andy Gan
Total Articles: 3764
Comment this article

There are literally thousands of web hosting providers on the Internet and it can be extremely difficult to decide on the right one. It is important to choose the right web host for your business. After all, your business is a reflection on you, so you definitely want a web host that is reliable - this means that cost should not be the only factor you consider when choosing your web hosting provider. To help you search for a good web hosting provider, you can start reading some web hosting reviews and visit some web hosting demo site. You can begin at this web hosting review site at http://www.ixwebhostingreview.org , over 60 web hosting being reviewed and with sample demo sites.

It can be very confusing to know where to start when you are looking for someone to host your website, because there are so many different companies to choose from. It is like being on vacation and trying to choose just the right local restaurant - unless you know a little about the culture of the city, you are lost. However, with web hosting, if you know a little of the basics, then you should not have a problem choosing a reputable web hosting ...
... provider.

One of the first issues you will need to assess about your prospective web hosting providers and the amount of server uptime they guarantee. Most reputable hosting companies strive for at least 99% uptime. If the servers of hosting company you choose are consistently down, then you will lose visitors and traffic and of course income. Most good hosting companies have scores of satisfied customers, so be sure to check customer reviews and feedback. You should find these both on the website and by searching the internet.

Another consideration is how much hosting space the plan you are interested in provides. If you are planning on hosting a lot of images and videos, then you will need to plan accordingly. If you are unsure of the amount of space you might need, make sure your web hosting provider allows for easy upgrades to other hosting plans.

Bandwidth is another concern when you are trying to decide which web hosting plan will suit your needs. This is simply how much data transfer you are allowed each month for your visitors and customers to use and view your website. Again, if you have lots of images and multimedia files, you will need to make allowances. On the other hand, if your site is mostly informational and/or your multimedia hosting is done elsewhere, you will probably be able to get away with less bandwidth. Ease of hosting plan upgrade is also definitely a consideration here.

When considering both storage space and bandwidth, the general rule is to get as much for your money as you possibly can without sacrificing quality. Beware of hosting companies that offer unlimited bandwidth at ‘too good to be true' prices. Be sure to read the ‘fine print' in the ‘Terms of Service' agreement. Normally, the hosting company's definition of ‘unlimited' will be defined.

Be sure that the web hosting provider you are considering offers all the features you will need to manage your website properly. A feature that you thought was included might not be available or may only be available as an ‘add on'; and if you are running an ecommerce site, there will be certain necessary security software and features you will need , such as secure Socket Layer (SSL). If you have any questions before purchasing, make sure that you ask them. This is also a good way to gauge the customer service of your prospective web hosting company.

Doing your research ahead of time will save you much wasted time and money when selecting a reputable hosting company. Hosting providers are literally ‘a dime a dozen', so take your time and be selective. Your business depends on it. Finally, before your enroll to their hosting services, you should find the best web hosting coupon and web hosting deal. A huge collection of over 30 web hosting coupon available at http://www.ixwebhostingreview.org/web-hosting-coupons/ coupon site. Compare and select the best web hosting deal.