The process of selecting a hosting company often gets very complicated and frustrating, especially if you are not familiar with the technologies associated. But if you spend some time to get an understanding of the basics about web hosting, you can easily select the one that suits you best. Your web hosting provider needs to be the one who puts your interests first. Here's a quick rundown of 7 ways to find out if you are using the right company.
1. How long does it take to get a response from their support team?
This one’s the most important thing to consider above all. Because what we use is technology, it might run into issues sooner or later. We can’t say for sure that a problem will never occur. That situation will definitely be coming, but what you’d want to be sure of is that you have the company’s back. If they respond quickly and help you fix it, it’s all good. So, make sure the hosting provider has a live chat or telephone support or even a quick support system via email. If they are not responsive, it’s a big no-no.
If you're just starting out with your digital business and launching your first website, you would want a company you could call with questions. If the company representative doesn’t have the patience to help you with all the details, then that’s definitely not the service you need. You want someone to explain how to install a blog or to walk you through installing a secure checkout - one step at a time, even if it takes time.
2. Does your web host provide you 100% uptime?
100% server uptime is critical for your website because when your server is down, your business is down. For example, companies like OnlineSuccess Site delivers quality and reliability guaranteeing 100% uptime; and they provide their customers with a toll-free number and an actual human to support you with questions. That’s the kind of service you will need to kick-start your digital business. So make sure you read reviews from their existing customers before making a decision.
3. How long has the hosting company been around?
Look for a long history of web-based success. Look for a company that's been delivering hosting services for a couple of years and has management in place to handle an expanding client base efficiently. A company that looks after its clients sticks around and company management with years of experience knows how to treat clients. They even know how to help clients achieve web success.
4. Does the host offer SSL certificates?
If you're selling products or services, or if you're collecting sensitive customer data (like credit card numbers) you need a secure web site - one that sends and receives data that's encrypted so hackers can't steal it and use it to buy and sell stolen stuff bought on the web. A web hosting service that doesn’t care about SSL is not the right one. They should be helping you to install SSL and secure your website, to help you achieve better search engine presence as well. Your server is secure so your site is secure.
5. Does the web hosting service ask you to sign long term contracts?
That tells you something right there. You should never choose a company that wants to lock you in for a minimum of one year knowing that you might not hit that home run. Even so, you'll be paying those hosting fees for the full term of the contract. There's no need for a long-term contract while signing up for a hosting package. No need for any contract at all. Buy your server space and your features a month at a time. As you grow, you can add more.
6. Does the web hosting service provide a user-friendly control panel?
A good hosting company should provide you with all the necessary applications and services to help you set up your website. Your admin dashboard should have popular site-building apps, email service, shopping cart, payment gateways, SSL certificates, and security services; so you can create a website that suits the needs of your visitors and your requirements.
7. Is the hosting provider a reseller of another company?
As you might have seen, there are tons of web hosting companies available now. But the important thing to understand is; not all these companies own their servers. So many companies just pretend to own their servers but in fact, they might be resellers of another hosting provider. Some companies that we find online are resellers who buy disk space at wholesale from bigger firms and sell. You don’t really need a reseller hosting company. The problem with such services is, when there is a technical issue, there will not be quick support. Because you will contact them, they will have to contact their seller; only then the problem can be fixed. It’s best to use companies that own and operate their servers to have a hassle-free experience.
So in conclusion, a quality hosting company must be with you today, tomorrow and for years to come. A service provider that stands with its customers should be the type of service you must look for, the one who’d serve you efficiently as long as you want their service. So, before you make the payment, do some research to find a web host that's going to be on your side months and years ahead.
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