Digital Sabrina

With all the competing web hosting service providers out there, you may find it hard to get the right web hosting choice.

So here my supposedly:

“7 steps to choosing the right web host“

First things first, I would state that cost is not everything!

It’s good if it’s cheap no doubt, but if you’re paying, let’s say, a dollar for your hosting and your site is goes up and down like a roller coaster, is there a point to begin with?

At the end of the day, you’ll end up losing precious time, and even money over these avoidable problems.

So now, let’s go through the considerations that you need to ponder in order to ensure that you get what you need.

You want to choose the web host that is going to provide your needs as they stand now as well as where they lead to in the future (esp. if you’re considering to make this a somewhat long term investment). Migrations can be a pest.

Anyway, here we go:

1. Understand the differing types of hosts, such as: Shared, co-located, un-managed dedicated, and managed dedicated.

In the event your site is a newer domain, you won’t need the raw power of a dedicated server, unless of course, your site is resource intensive which can include: streaming, video’s, proxies and even linking to videos as well can cause a high load on Apache and the CPU(s).

2. Go for stability and not just size.

Just because the host offers you un-metered and unlimited space, doesn’t mean you should solely base your decision on that. What good is it to you when your site is down or the server is overloaded? Research how long the hosting business has been in operation. See if they have recently changed ownership, and if they show positive cash flow.

3. The possession of fully redundant data centers.

If you are considering doing business with a smaller hosting vendor, ensure that they have adequate power and connectivity capabilities. Inquire as to the number of lines the facility has. Do they possess an on-site generator? Does the generator receive regular checks and maintenance? What is the average utilization of the connections available?

4. How skilled is their staff?

When you need customer service of a technical nature, you need it immediately, right? Find out the availability of their systems administrators. Send them a support ticket and see how fast they respond.

5. Other customers’ review of the hosting services.

Same as any business, the hosting vendor should be able to provide good references.

6. Is the potential host flexible?

There are possibilities that in the future, your needs may change. Inquire if you’re able to upgrade services should the need arise.

7. Begin with and maintain a clear and written understanding of all services and all charges for them.

If questions still remain or some terms are unclear it is strongly advised that you ask for clarification before signing up for anything.

If you do your research right, you’ll find a better avenue to the successful hosting, and thereby promotion, of your website/blog. Take your time in making the important decisions.

More reading material? Check out this entry.