Any online business is only as good as its weakest service provider, which is many times a third-party web page hosting provider. If you don’t have training in programming, having to deal with technical jargon can become overwhelming. When something becomes too complicated, many people abandon common sense and grab the first option that looks viable. Though this may seem like an easier option, allow this article to shed some light on the subject.
Determine if your hosting provider offers the ability to run server-side scripts. You need to be concerned with the ability to create dynamic pages. Some free sites don’t allow you to do this. If you can only create static pages, you won’t be able to add scripts you coded yourself, and you will therefore be severely limited in what you can do. If you find yourself in need of a dynamic scripting page, you may need to find an affordable pay host instead.
One decision you need to make is whether you want shared or dedicated hosting. If you run a large website with a lot of traffic, a shared server might limit you and lead to a lot of downtime. It is a great idea to find a web host that is dedicated.
Ask about a potential web host’s security precautions before signing up for service. Your website will be under constant attack from hackers, code injection bots, and other nefarious crooks. Choose a host with procedures efficient enough against DDoS attacks. You want to make sure to find out exactly what problems or issues your webpage may have to deal with, should your hosting company be attacked.
Will monthly payments or a one-time payment best suit your budget? You can’t predict what your business will be or what your host will do in the upcoming months. Furthermore, there are practical reasons why a host may no longer suit your needs. Suppose your business outpaces the offerings of your current host. Do not lose the sum of your lump payment; opt instead for monthly payments.
Although it may cost a bit more, it may be worthwhile to invest in a secure server certification. You can add that button to your website and your visitors can click it and see that it’s a secure site. This should ease their fears of making a transactions with you.
Free web hosting can be one way to save you a significant amount of money. While the cost is obviously less, you will have other people’s ads on your site, and you’ll only have limited storage space. If you don’t want any ads to appear on your site, you should consider paying another site to host your site.
You should now have sufficient knowledge to at least understand the terminology, and be able to recognize both the good and bad features of a hosting company. Even if you are locked into a contract with your host, there are still plenty of things you can do to prepare for the move. Don’t let a contract prevent you from planning your steps for a change.