If you’re like most people, you know very little about web hosting. If you have a website, you know a bit more than most people, but the truth is that choosing a web host can seem a bit strange. Luckily, this article has a number of smart tips about web hosting to make your hosting decisions easier.
Go for Linux hosting unless you need to use certain applications or server-side languages. Linux hosting has a better reputation for uptime, stability, and resource use. Shared hosting that runs on Linux tends to be somewhat cheaper, as well. There are, however, certain applications that need Windows hosting, including Plesk, Microsoft Access, Silverlight, MSSQL, and ASP.net.
Research each potential web host’s customer support before deciding on a host. The easier it is to get in touch with the hosting service, the more likely you are to be satisfied. If you’re having problems with your web hosting account, you’ll need to be able to easily reach customer service by email or phone.
There are free web hosting services available, but tread carefully. If so, then check into the service that the free web host provides and be sure that you back up all of your data. This is important because free web hosts typically don’t back up your data. If your site goes down, loses a page, etc., you’re not going to get any help from your host.
Don’t purchase a web hosting plan just because it offers unlimited disk space or bandwidth. Compare these plans with plans that offer a reasonable amount of space and bandwidth to determine which is the best plan for your needs. Sometimes plans that offer a finite amount of space or bandwidth are better for your particular needs than plans that offer unlimited quantities of space or bandwidth.
Take longevity into account with any web host. Typically, any host that has been in service for multiple years is doing something right, or else they offer such unbelievably low prices, that reliability does not matter to their customers. The latter would never happen. Take a look at the host’s time in business; this will help you narrow the field.
When deciding upon a web hosting service, take a close look at the specific plans they offer. Price is not the only factor in deciding a monthly plan; check to see that you understand exactly what you are getting for that fee. Examples of what to look for include the number of sub-domains you are allowed, as well as how many email accounts are allotted to you.
Never register your domain with your web hosting service. Many people mistakenly do this, and then realize later they can’t transfer their site over to another web hosting service. This can happen when a company goes offline and bust or for other various reasons. Make sure you register your domain with a different company than your web hosting provider.
Ensure that the web host you sign up with has a strong anti-spam policy. If any of the web host’s customers are involved in spam activities, it could result in the web host becoming blocked which will affect your website as well. Make certain that the web host you are considering is not already blocked, and has stringent policies in place that will help it avoid getting blocked in the future.
Make sure that you factor in the price of a host when selecting one. If you’ve ever heard that something is just too good to be true, then it likely is. This definitely applies to web hosting. You shouldn’t purchase a web-hosting plan that is really cheap. When a plan is extremely low in cost, then it likely won’t provide high-quality hosting. Therefore, purchase a service that provides a reasonable price for the quality that you expect.
Choosing a web host can be a bit of a hassle if you don’t know what you are doing. Let the tips in this article guide you and spur your own research so you can make a good decision about your web host. Learn as much as you can about web hosting so you can always be sure your site is being hosted by the best.