Finding a good web hosting provider doesn't have to be difficult; you simply need to find one that meets your needs and your budget. In this article, we will list some of the qualities of a good web host, and we will attempt to help you find the one that is right for your site.
Almost every website owner or designer has been convinced to try free or deeply discounted web hosting, but the old adage holds true: You get what you pay for. When choosing a web host, look for one with multiple support choices (email, phone, IM), and adequate documentation. Another nice touch is a customer forum, moderated by hosting staff.
This is the amount of storage you can use for your site. Some hosts offer unlimited storage space, while others sell by the unit. No matter which you choose, make sure your host has a plan that offers at least one-fifth more space than you plan to use. Doing so will allow you room to grow and develop your site.
Simply put, bandwidth is the data limit you can pass to your customers over a set time. Some web hosts provide unlimited bandwidth, while others charge on a sliding scale. Before you choose a host, find out what happens if you exceed your bandwidth, and also ensure that you're buying enough to support your visitor numbers.
This is the amount of time that the host's server has been operational. Most web hosts promote their high uptime percentages, and while you want as high a number as possible, the truth is that ALL hosts experience occasional downtime. Even at 99.999%, that still translates to 8 hours of downtime per year! Before choosing a hosting service, find out what you get if the server does go down.
While it's possible to build a page only with CSS and HTML, most devs and designers want database and programming capability. This usually includes programming languages such as ASP, PHP, and mySQL.
Most web hosting companies set themselves apart through their additional services, such as content management, analytics and domain name registrations. Don't be talked into buying unnecessary services; while it's important to have a domain name, your host doesn't always offer the best deal.
Price shouldn't be the determining factor, but you should offer it some consideration. In many cases, you can find a lower-cost provider that offers what you need. You may be tempted to go with a free hosting service, but most of these are ad-supported and come with strict regulations on what you can place on your website.