When setting up a website or possibly looking for a new web host, there are a number of important factors that need to be taken into consideration. It is helpful when making your selection to not only look at the various hosting options available. You also need to look at your business and website so you can make an accurate match between the two. As you start the process, here are some important things to consider when choosing a web hosting service provider.

What Type of Website Do You Want?

Different types of website will have different hosting needs. For example, a corporate or marketing site requires only a basic hosting package and not much disk space. An e-commerce site requires a database and front end where customers can search for and purchase products online. An e-commerce site therefore will require a larger amount of disk space and be more involved in terms of set up and design. Deciding on the type of website you want will help you determine what your hosting needs are. Many hosting providers have special hosting packages for different types of websites. It is important to match the hosting package to your website's capacity and needs. If you choose a hosting package that cannot properly accommodate your website, it will result in a site that doesn’t function properly or is often down.

How Do You See Your Business Growing?

Most business owners and entrepreneurs have a vision for their business. Even when starting out, they have an idea of how big they want to become and how they want to be positioned in the market. With this vision in mind, think of how it will affect your website. Starting out, you may just want a simple corporate or marketing website. But as you grow, you may want to start trading online or interacting more with your customers through blogs ad other plug-ins. Perhaps you see yourself becoming a market leader with a global database of customers.  Think of how you could use your website to help you achieve your goals. Make a note of these different ideas and then consider how each phase can grow into the next. When choosing a hosting option, find one that has the flexibility for upgrades. This will mean that you can keep costs low when starting out but as your business grows, your website can expand to accommodate its needs.

What Are the Basic Essentials to Look for in a Hosting Provider?

No matter what type of package you choose for your business, there are a few basic criteria that differentiate a good hosting provider from a less reputable one. The first and one of the most important is customer support services. A web hosting needs to have a helpdesk that is available to help you with queries you may have. They should be able to troubleshoot your website and check that everything is properly maintained.  No website should ever experience lengthy downtime and a good support desk can help you get back online without further delays. The second essential element is website security. You should have your own basic security measures but ultimately the web hosting provider is the first security barrier for your website. A hosting provider that is vigilant about security will help protect your website against viruses, malware and spyware. In this way, they will help protect your business. The third important aspect of a good web host is their maintenance. A good provider will ensure that the servers are properly maintained and regularly checked so your website doesn’t experience downtime.

Choosing Between Shared and Dedicated Hosting

A big question with web hosting is whether to have a dedicated or shared server. On a dedicated server, you will have greater control and better security on your website because it will be the only website on the server. Generally, you receive priority service from hosting providers if you have a dedicated server. If you plan to have an e-commerce website or a large and complex website, dedicated hosting is the option for you. You need to keep in mind, however, that it is the more expensive option and requires a level of technical knowledge and expertise to manage and maintain the website. If you don’t have that level of expertise in your company, you may want to go for a managed hosting option where the hosting provider takes on the responsibility of managing the site for you.