How to Choose a Web Host in a Sea of Options

Web Host

The online space is crowded with a number of options for web hosting. Making the right choice can hence be a tedious process. Planning and research should however solve most of your dilemma as far as website hosting is concerned. Scour the internet for options, weigh the pros and cons and finally make a choice based on your requirements.

What do web hosts do?

Web hosts are typically designed to add functionality to your website. Depending on the company and the bundle offered, the features can be varied. While some may come packed with storage space and web connectivity, others may have limited email storage space. Categorically, you must be able to identify the hosting services that best suit your need. Whether your website should include shared hosting, committed web hosting or collocation hosting will purely depend on the extent to which you look at expanding your business online. Hosting services are meant to keep at bay the troubles and complexities involved in managing and maintaining your website. So choose wisely.

Tips to keep in mind when choosing website hosting:

Free Hosting: If you go for a hosting service that is free, more often than not, the company will impose adverts on your web page. This may include pop-ups, banners, an advertising frame etc. While banners and frames are still okay, pop-up windows can be really annoying, especially if you are launching a new website. Thus, it is important that you clearly make-up your mind about going with a particular service of this kind that doesn't require you to pay any money.

FTP: FTP or File Transfer Protocol is the commonest way people transfer web pages and files to the server. In most cases, it is important that you enjoy the services of a web host that throws in seamless FTP access for good measure. You must be able to upload and download content without any hassles. Most online website creation tools give you the option of designing webpages online which though useful for starters can be quite troublesome when you look at expanding your website.

Dependability and Speed: While many people are of the opinion that these two factors can be ignored, bear in mind that these are the determining features to help you choose your provider. In the ever-competitive market, the last thing on your mind should be a website that is more down than up and running. Since the web is crowded with options, most users will jump to other businesses if they can’t access your website. The host must thus be reliable. Another important thing is the speed at which your site can be accessed. And this should be the speed, irrelevant of peak and non-peak hours.

Technical Support: You may consider yourself to be a tech whiz, but 24*7 technical support never hurt anyone. Your host must include a staff that is working on all days and at any given time, since inconveniences never announce their arrival. In this respect, it would be foolish to believe someone purely by word of mouth. Ensure that you test their services and competence before taking the plunge.

Shared Web Hosting: Well, the term pretty much speaks for itself. A shared web hosting service is cost-effective for more reasons than one. The price you pay for server maintenance will be shared by other people who may be using its services along with you. Thus, it’s a great option for those who are just starting with their website. What’s more, you can rest assured about security updates and software installations since that too should be taken care of by the providers.

There are many hosting providers in India, who meet the above criteria. With the aforementioned tips at hand, you should be able to make a good choice.