When it comes to launching a website, one of the last things people think about is the web host. Clearly it is not the glamorous part of the website, however, it is most definitely a key element. No matter what your website looks like, you are going to need a web host provider. Basically, web hosting relates to the server your website is stored on. It can be owned and maintained by a business, an individual, or even self-hosted. For many business owners, deciding which option to choose can be difficult. Ideally, two considerations are your level of comfort and experience in web hosting.
Types of Hosting
There are a number of different hosting options available to you. This includes free hosting websites, self-hosting services, and hosting a dedicated server yourself. Free hosting websites includes the likes of WordPress, Blogger, Weebly, and Tumbler. These websites can be very tempting because they are free. However, they are not recommended because you have no control over your website. For example, if one of the websites were to close down, you would lose everything. Also, your email address and web address won’t match, which can have a negative impact on your brand image.
Self-hosted services are usually the most obvious option and the best place to start. For a small fee, you have control over your website. In addition, you are able to monetize your website in any way you please. Unfortunately, this is not the option when it comes to free hosting websites.
Hosting your own dedicated server is worth considering when your traffic increases. Also, hosting is possible with all operating systems, and there are instructional guides available to set this up (for example CentOS or Ubuntu Linux server operating system). Hosting allows for more flexibility, enhanced security and performance, and a unique IP address. As server resources are not shared, this is the best option in terms of performance. This is better for established businesses, while a self-hosting service is preferred by new businesses.
Why Hosting Matters
The importance of hosting can often be undervalued. However, your web host has a monumental impact on the performance of your website. And, the performance of your website has a massive effect when it comes to your business. If the hosting provider you use does not offer a high level of guaranteed uptime, for example, there is a real chance that your website is going to spend quite a bit of time offline. Every moment you spend offline is a moment you are not only frustrating existing customers but missing out on opportunities. This is the sort of thing that will hurt your search engine ranking.
Another element that could hurt your search engine ranking is a slow page load speed. Page load speed plays a huge role in terms of user experience and SEO. If your website is slow to load, users are only going to look elsewhere. It is important to recognize the huge impact that your web host is going to have on the overall performance of your website, your online visibility and the reputation of your company. This is why it is critical to take the time to assess all of your options carefully. This is also why a lot of people decide to move to their own dedicated server after a short while.
Read plenty of reviews that have been left by other business owners. This will give you a good indication regarding the amount of downtime, the performance, customer service, and all of the other critical factors that come together to make a good web host. You can also find lots of comparison websites and expert review websites whereby those involved in the industry have tried all the services and provided comprehensive feedback and assessments. Just be mindful that these websites do not have any affiliations with the companies before making your decision.
Web Hosting Myths
Hopefully, you now have a good idea regarding why web hosting matters and what solutions your company can choose from. Just be mindful that there a lot of myths surrounding this topic as well. Here are some of the most common myths:
- Most Web Hosts Have Their Own Data Centers: Not all web hosts have their own data centers. Unless they say explicitly that they do, you should not assume that this is the case. If you are unsure, do not be afraid to ask for clarification.
- Just Host With Your Domain Register: A lot of people think that this is how simple web hosting is. However, purchasing web hosting and registering a domain are two different things entirely. Yes, it may seem a lot easier to simply host your site where you purchase your domain, but the easy route is not always the best one. You need to make sure the host provider offers high levels of quality and ticks all of the boxes with regards to performance and uptime.
- Free is the Best: This is something that we discussed earlier when we mentioned about free hosting websites. Free hosting is tempting because it does not cost anything on the surface. However, it can cost your business money if you end up losing all of your online presence because of a mistake the company has made, a data breach, or a closure. Not only this, but free hosting also comes with a lack of professionalism because your emails and URLs will not match.
There is a lot to consider when chosing a web host provider. Hopefully, you now have a better understanding regarding what your business can do in terms of website hosting, as well as the different factors you need to keep a look out for when you are choosing a web hosting provider. Luckily, thanks to the Internet, there is so much information out there about the services web hosting providers offer. This will help you to make an educated decision for your business.
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