There are many points to consider when choosing a web hosting firm, as not all hosting firms are created equal. While some webmasters or business owners may have specific requirements that outweigh all other considerations, web professionals agree that the following 10 criteria are the most important when deciding on a web host.
1. Reliability
With technology as it now is, any reliable host should be able to guarantee at least 98% uptime. At the very least… Backup servers should always be available in the event of a power outage or other system failure. The hosting firm should back up all files daily in the event they need to be restored after a system outage.
2. Performance
Speed and ease of access are paramount to the success of your website. Be sure your web hosting allows your site to load quickly and that allows users to navigate it quickly. Often this depends on the amount of memory installed in a server; make sure that your allotment of memory resources is sufficient for the applications you plan to run on your server. If your site is more complex, you may need a dedicated server web hosting package or at least a VPS to guarantee speed and smooth access at all times.
3. Security
A web host should ensure that all security safeguards have been put into place in order to prevent attacks on websites which are hosted on its servers. In the case of shared hosting, servers should be monitored to make sure that no malware or hacking sites can be uploaded, and access to certain UNIX commands should be blocked. If you choose a dedicated server web hosting plan, you should be able to install a server security package, but a firewall on the host side still should protect your server against unauthorized access.
4. Support
Web hosting companies should offer 24/7 support; any combination of E-mail, support tickets, live chat and phone support should be available at all times. Response times should be reasonable depending on the issue, with immediate response a must if your site is down.
5. Bandwidth
The amount of bandwidth allowed for your site should be sufficient to handle any surge in traffic that may occur; in the event there is a surcharge for excess bandwidth, it should be billed in a way that does not cause your site to shut down during peak times. Unlimited bandwidth is offered by some shared hosting firms, but make sure that any restrictions on use of unlimited bandwidth packages still allow your site to operate as it must at all times.
6. Storage Space
Storage space should be sufficient to allow your site to grow, and it should be easy for you to purchase additional storage space. Just as in the case of bandwidth, your site should not be shut down in the event that you have exceeded your allotment of storage space. Instead, your plan should enable the addition of extra storage upon demand.
7. Technical Considerations
Make sure the hosting package you are considering runs on the correct platform for your needs. If a site is written in ASP.NET, it should be hosted on Windows hosting, whereas a PHP site can be run on a Linux server. Linux servers should allow access to PHP and Perl, as well as .htaccess, with the only limits being those which are related to security issues as mentioned above.
8. Ease of Use
When signing up for a hosting package, whether it is a dedicated server web hosting package, a VPS or a shared host, check to make sure that tools such as a user-friendly control panel are provided so that you can easily access and use all hosting functions. For instance, it should be easy for you to set up E-mail accounts for your site, and your control panel should allow you to upload typical applications as well as to access your files without an FTP client.
9. Flexibility
Your hosting plan needs to grow with your site. An integrated web hosting firm should make it simple for you to switch to a more powerful package, as well as to upgrade from shared hosting to a VPS or dedicated server web hosting account.
10. Price
While price is an important consideration, it should not be the sole reason for choosing a hosting company. Make sure that you are comparing prices for the same or similar hosting packages, and take price into account only after you have made sure that the packages you are considering really meet your needs. Note that sometimes a particularly low price per month is only available when an account is prepaid for as much as 24 months; if you do select such a plan make sure that you are able to upgrade it as necessary during the prepaid period.
3 Responses
Kevin, I agree with all the suggested considerations. Unfortunately it is only AFTER you have signed up with a hosting company that you get to find out how good (or bad) they really are.
You’re right, that’s why word of mouth is so important.
Good web hosting is necessary for successful business website, These 10 points are essential to consider while web hosting