A company, no matter how large, is only ever as strong as its weakest link. Now, in most cases, a company’s weakest link is its web server or its website hosting provider. If you know nothing about programming, the terminology and numerous directories can be very confusing. When options get too confusing, purchasing at random can be the result. Make sure your ultimate selection is a company that truly will meet your needs.
Use a separate company for domain registration rather than registering it via your website hosting company. This way, you will retain control of the domain name if you decide to switch hosting companies for any reason. Your host, rather than you, will control your domain name and registration if you use the same service for registration and hosting.
Choosing a web host which is physically located in the same country as your visitors will boost the speed of your website dramatically. For example, if your target market resides within Germany, it is in your best interest to select a provider that operates a data center from within the country’s borders.
Before you commit to a web hosting service, you should first create a detailed list of your wants and needs. Figure out your wants and needs beforehand and see how the potential hosts meet them. Using a priority list will prevent you from choosing a provider based on a single factor, like price, instead of shopping around for a host that meets more of your needs.
Are you considering utilizing a web host that is free for the website you are starting? Such companies often don’t back up your information, so remember to back it up yourself. If they lose your data and you have no backups, you’ve lost everything.
With the information you’ve read here, you are equipped to tackle the search for a web host. If you already have a hosting plan contract, it is still possible to get ready to make the switch when the time comes.