If you have a website, you need to have a web host. You may not know too much about web hosting, but you would do well to learn as much as you can about it, since it can be a big part of whether people can use your site.
This article has some great tips for choosing a good web host.
When transferring your site between hosts, have a copy of your website at both your old and new hosts for a few days. It’s important to do this because it takes 6-48 hours for the DNS to propagate. During this time, some visitors will be sent to your old website, while others whose ISPs have updated their DNS info will be sent to your new site.
One of the most important things to look for when choosing a web hosting provider is high server uptime records. You’ll want to look for providers offering uptime in the high 99% range. One caveat though, is providers claiming 100% uptime. Although a perfect uptime rating might indeed be accurate, it can sometimes indicate required maintenance and upgrades are being neglected.
It used to be more expensive, but in today’s world, it is entirely possible to manage several domains without spending too much money. This helps your business grow, and it helps you reach targeted customers. Know what your options are as far as multiple domain hosting is concerned. This will give you a huge extra boost!
You should keep a backup of your site on your computer or on a flashdrive. In case your web host is encountering major issues and you cannot have access to your data, you will be able to switch to another host by simply uploading your site to a different server.
Choose a web host that charges a low monthly fee. You can usually find a quality web host for between $5 and $10 per month. You may also be able to save money by paying for 12, 18 or 24 months of service at one time, instead of paying for web hosting services on a monthly basis.
Look into how long a web hosting company has been in business. The online business is tough, and while a new company is not necessarily a bad choice, it can be a risky one. There is nothing worse than going to log into your site, only to find it no longer exists. A company that is experienced and has been around for a few years is a much more reliable choice.
To work with a web host that values your privacy search for a host that has an address bar starting with “https://”. This is shown when the site is protected and not able to have information stolen from it. If the site does not have that in the address bar, you should avoid it.
Determine how many databases you currently require, and expect to require in the future. Keep in mind that you will need additional databases for each new domain that you add to your web hosting package. You might need to invest in another hosting package if you run out of databases, even if you have room to add more domains. Find out if it is possible to expand the package you are considering, and add additional databases if the need arises.
Avoid choosing the cheapest web-hosting service out there, and certainly think long and hard before you go with a free one. If you are running a business online, your reputation can be severely damaged if you choose an unreliable hosting service. In addition, the free ones will often have advertisements that make it obvious you are not willing to pay for a basic service that is important to your livelihood.
Be wary of web hosting companies that claim 100 percent uptime. While more uptime is better, there is a limit. It is possible to achieve 99.9 percent uptime. However, even the fastest, most reliable servers must be rebooted occasionally in order to apply important security patches. Any company claiming 100 percent uptime is either lying, or has servers that are not up to the latest security standards.
When deciding between a Linux and Windows hosting package, you should consider the technologies that your website will be utilizing. If you plan on using PHP, Perl, MySQL databases, or other technologies that are generally associated with the Linux operating system, then you should obtain a Linux hosting solution. On the other hand, if you plan to use ASP, Cold Fusion or Microsoft Access databases, then Windows will be the ideal solution for you.
If you are hosting your site with a Linux based site, be sure the company you choose updates their information regularly, and at all levels. You don’t want your page to crash or be insecure because your host is not properly maintaining their servers and networks, so look for those that do.
If you are just experimenting with web design, look for free web hosting services to get your feet wet. Although free services come with a number of limitations, if your website is purely experimental and recreational, this might not matter much to you. Go for a paid service when you decide that web design is something to which you want to commit.
You should avoid any downtime when switching to a new host. You can do this by keeping your old account and uploading your site to a new one. Change your DNS settings once your site is successfully uploaded to the new server so your domain name redirects to the new server once everything is ready.
No matter how reliable your host is, you should always have a back up of your files on your computer or on another server. In case your host goes down for too long, you will be able to open a new account and upload your website again instead of waiting for your host to come back online.
Choosing the right web host can be a challenge, but if you follow the tips in this article and do your research, the process can be much easier.
Make sure you understand the tips and keep them in mind as you search for web hosting; it can make a difference to the success of your site, so pay attention and choose well.