Choosing a reliable hosting provider can be tricky for some. After all, every last one of them tells you what you want to hear in order to get you to buy their services.
Standard promises include:
- 99% uptime
- Unlimited resources
- Free online support
- and more…
But how do you cut through the promises to get the facts, and what do you look for when comparing reliable hosting packages?
Here’s what you need in a reliable hosting provider:
- Superior service, including 99% uptime and support
- Flexibility and room to grow
- Useful tools
- Affordability
Of course, all of the hosting companies claim to offer all of this, too. But here’s how to translate hosting jargon and ambiguity in order to find the one reliable hosting company that will bring you unbound joy.
Price
Most people look at cost first when they consider a new hosting provider, and it’s not altogether wrong. However, price alone should not be the only deciding factor. You’ve heard the saying “You get what you pay for” so look at all the other factors before you jump at the 99 cent hosting packages.
Buying a hosting package is all about the features… Continue reading to see what I mean.
Specifications
When it comes to deciding on a reliable hosting provider, we refer back to that old web strategy again. The hosting services you need will determine the specifications you should look for in the package you select.
Will you be hosting an e-commerce site, a blog, videos, and/or rich content? The cheapest hosting package will not cut it!
As your site increases in complexity, so should the hosting package in functionality. Your package should be able to handle the demand for fast load times and provide as close to 100% uptime as possible. Let’s face it, not even the very best, most reliable hosting service can guarantee 100% uptime, but 99% will do!
Look for the type of hosting, RAM, disk space, and processing power before signing on the dotted line, as these factors directly influence your website’s functionality and ability to grow.
Tech Support
One of the most important issues when choosing a reliable hosting provider, tech support is critical to your site’s good health. Online tech support is good, but wouldn’t you prefer non-outsourced, 24/7 support that is available via phone, email, and chat.
However, just because they do offer all that, does not mean they are the best at offering reliable hosting. Choose a company with in-house support that is available 24/7 through all the main channels and that suits your preferred method of contact.
User Interface / cPanel
Certain tools allow even the least tech-savvy person to do certain things on their websites without having to call the hosting provider. Make sure the company provides a cPanel to make modifications and updates to your emails or WordPress easier.
Room to Grow
As an entrepreneur, you probably have big plans for growth and expansion. Your hosting provider should fit in with those plans. Today’s adequate hosting may not be sufficient in a year or two.
Be sure that you find a reliable hosting provider that has Dedicated Server Solutions or VPS, should you need it in the future.
Reliable Hosting Take-Away
Once you have considered all the different factors that combine into reliable hosting services, you will probably still have a few options to choose from. Web hosting is a competitive field and as a savvy consumer, it is a good idea to check out online consumer reviews to see how companies rate among their peers. It is particularly helpful when it comes to customer and technical support, two topics about which many companies are sometimes unreasonably biased.
Unbound Website Creations has years of experience with both unreliable and reliable hosting providers, and we will gladly advise you on your options. Two hosting companies we would recommend looking into include BlueHost and Hostgator.