Tag Archives: hosting
5 Top Questions to Ask When Choosing a Web Host
Choosing a web host is probably one of the most important decisions you will make a business owner. Today, a website reflects so much on an individual business and hosting is an important part of that. You want to have a website that is accessible all the time and one that mirrors the values you promote as a business. You therefore need to have a web host that is reliable and takes their role and responsibility seriously. If you are new to the process of choosing a web host and setting up a website then the task can seem quite daunting. There are many technical terms and figuring out what is important can be confusing. Here are a few questions to ask your web host so you can make sure they are a reliable and efficient company for you to work with.
What Hosting Options Do They Offer?
Some hosting companies specialize only in one type of hosting. This could be either shared or dedicated hosting. Ask the web host if this is the case or if they offer both options. It is preferable to work with a company that has a wider range of services. The reason for this is that over time your business may grow and your hosting needs may change. A company that can offer you more than one type of hosting solution will be the better company to work with in the long run.
Can You Migrate Between Hosting Packages?
It is unlikely that your web hosting needs will stay the same over time. Having to change your web host simply because you need a larger hosting package can be time consuming and frustrating. It will also affect the design and operation of your website. Most reputable web hosts will give you the option to upgrade your web hosting package. The process should be relatively affordable and free of hassles. The web host should be able to assist you with an easy migration to your new package. They should also be able to make recommendations as to what type of package you should upgrade to.
What Servers Do They Use and When Were They Last Upgraded?
A reputable web host will be diligent about keeping up with technology. At the pace at which technology advances, web hosts should be upgrading their servers every year or two. If they leave it longer than that then it is possible that the technology they are using will become outdated. This can in turn affect the functionality of your website. They should also be able to give you specifics on the capacity of the servers. If they give you the names of the particular servers, you can quickly and easily read online reviews of the servers. This will allow you to establish if they are reliable machines.
Is There a Support Desk and When Are They Available?
A support desk is probably one of the most important aspects of web hosting. Even a business owner that has some technical knowledge will not have the same level of expertise as people who work in the industry on a daily basis. In addition, the help desk will have access to the server and is able to do diagnostics should any problems arise. Having access to an efficient helpdesk will help you maintain a professional website. Their hours of operation are important because your website will be online 24/7. If the support desk only operates during office hours, it may mean that problems with your website lie unattended for a period of time. Any time that your website is not operational reflects badly on your business. You therefore want to ensure that if there are any problems, you can get them quickly and easily resolved.
What Anti-Virus and Security Measures Do They Have in Place?
It is vital to have good security on your website, especially if you are being hosted on a shared server. Remember that your website is the face of your business. You want it therefore to be as professional as you are. You don’t want your clients logging into your website and then being concerned about the security of their personal details. You also do not want your website unknowingly spreading a virus. The web host should perform regular virus scans and take analytics of the server to make sure that it is clean and the risk of infection is minimized.
5 Top Questions to Ask When Choosing a Web Host
Choosing a web host is probably one of the most important decisions you will make a business owner. Today, a website reflects so much on an individual business and hosting is an important part of that. You want to have a website that is accessible all the time and one that mirrors the values you promote as a business. You therefore need to have a web host that is reliable and takes their role and responsibility seriously. If you are new to the process of choosing a web host and setting up a website then the task can seem quite daunting. There are many technical terms and figuring out what is important can be confusing. Here are a few questions to ask your web host so you can make sure they are a reliable and efficient company for you to work with.
What Hosting Options Do They Offer?
Some hosting companies specialize only in one type of hosting. This could be either shared or dedicated hosting. Ask the web host if this is the case or if they offer both options. It is preferable to work with a company that has a wider range of services. The reason for this is that over time your business may grow and your hosting needs may change. A company that can offer you more than one type of hosting solution will be the better company to work with in the long run.
Can You Migrate Between Hosting Packages?
It is unlikely that your web hosting needs will stay the same over time. Having to change your web host simply because you need a larger hosting package can be time consuming and frustrating. It will also affect the design and operation of your website. Most reputable web hosts will give you the option to upgrade your web hosting package. The process should be relatively affordable and free of hassles. The web host should be able to assist you with an easy migration to your new package. They should also be able to make recommendations as to what type of package you should upgrade to.
What Servers Do They Use and When Were They Last Upgraded?
A reputable web host will be diligent about keeping up with technology. At the pace at which technology advances, web hosts should be upgrading their servers every year or two. If they leave it longer than that then it is possible that the technology they are using will become outdated. This can in turn affect the functionality of your website. They should also be able to give you specifics on the capacity of the servers. If they give you the names of the particular servers, you can quickly and easily read online reviews of the servers. This will allow you to establish if they are reliable machines.
Is There a Support Desk and When Are They Available?
A support desk is probably one of the most important aspects of web hosting. Even a business owner that has some technical knowledge will not have the same level of expertise as people who work in the industry on a daily basis. In addition, the help desk will have access to the server and is able to do diagnostics should any problems arise. Having access to an efficient helpdesk will help you maintain a professional website. Their hours of operation are important because your website will be online 24/7. If the support desk only operates during office hours, it may mean that problems with your website lie unattended for a period of time. Any time that your website is not operational reflects badly on your business. You therefore want to ensure that if there are any problems, you can get them quickly and easily resolved.
What Anti-Virus and Security Measures Do They Have in Place?
It is vital to have good security on your website, especially if you are being hosted on a shared server. Remember that your website is the face of your business. You want it therefore to be as professional as you are. You don’t want your clients logging into your website and then being concerned about the security of their personal details. You also do not want your website unknowingly spreading a virus. The web host should perform regular virus scans and take analytics of the server to make sure that it is clean and the risk of infection is minimized.
Tips on How to Choose a Web Hosting Company – Helpful Things You Need to Know
If you want to build your home in the Internet, you’ll want to engage the services of a Web host. They will give you the space and the connectivity you need to get your site up and running in the World Wide Web. While there are free web hosting services available, paid hosting services are infinitely better and are the preferred choice for those who need more “power” and stability for their online presence.
Before finding a Web host, make sure you know what your requirements are. This is because the fee you pay generally depends on the amount of disk space and bandwith you need. Knowing what you need first gives you the chance to be specific with your Web host so you don’t have to pay for extraneous services you don’t need.
Web hosts offering different sorts of Web hosting services and plans flood the Internet. Weeding out the bad from the good and choosing the best over who’s simply better takes a little bit of patience and lots of research. Here are some traits that you should look for in a Web host:
1. Integrity. This is the first trait of any good Web host. Whether this provider is an individual or a company, your background check should reveal a reputation of professionalism, honesty and stellar service. Moreover, they should tell you all the costs up front. Some Web hosts offer attractively low package rates that have a lot of hidden charges should you decide on an upgrade later on.
2. Redundancy. No, this does not mean that they have to keep repeating themselves over and over. In Web-speak, redundancy refers to the number of connections they have on the Net. Ideally, a T3 connection is best, although T1 suits most small businesses.
3. Supportive. This is exactly what it says. Good Web hosts give you the necessary technical support when you need it. Do they offer 24/7 support? As some web hosts work from a different time zone, you’d want to have this kind of service so you’re assured that no matter what time in the day or night, you’ll have all the support you need in case of any glitch. How do they provide support? Will they be able to communicate through all means possible- email, chat, video conferencing or the phone? You have to be assured that they can be reached during critical situations.
4. Security. The Web host you choose should be able to guard your site against malware or hackers. With the rise of cyber crimes, you should have a web host that guarantees full security and protection for your website, especially if it’s a commercial site where customers share credit card information with you when they make a purchase.
5. Flexibility. You might start out with a simple web site, but over time, you might see the need to expand it. The Web host you choose should be able to accommodate your needs and upgrade your service plan without penalty. Moreover, they should also be flexible in terms of their platform features, templates and other areas that meet the needs of the people who patronize your website.