When it comes to website hosting, there are a lot of options to choose from. And with so many companies vying for your business, it can be hard to know who to trust. That’s why it’s important to shop around and compare deals before you commit to a hosting plan.
There are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind when shopping for website hosting services. First, consider the type of website you’re looking to host. If you’re just setting up a personal blog, you won’t need as much storage space or bandwidth as someone who’s running an ecommerce site. Second, think about what kind of support you’ll need. Some hosts offer 24/7 customer support, while others only offer limited assistance. Finally, take price into consideration. Hosting plans can range from a few dollars per month to hundreds of dollars per month, so be sure to find a plan that fits within your budget.
By taking the time to compare your options, you can be sure you’re getting the best deal on website hosting services. And that can save you both time and money in the long run.
Compare features and prices of different hosting providers
It can be tough to know how to pick the right hosting provider. With so many options out there, it’s important to compare features and prices to find the best fit for your needs.
Some hosting providers include a website builder, some are geared for WordPress, and some just provide file hosting. Knowing what your site will need is half the battle.
If you are inexperienced in website design and don’t want to pay for a professional designer, choosing a system with visual layouts and templates is a good idea – something like Wix, Weebly, or SquareSpace will be ideal. If you have some coding skills or are willing to learn, WordPress will give you the most control over your site. And finally, if you just need to store files and aren’t too concerned with design or functionality, almost any provider will suffice.
Thinking ahead, the speed of your hosting is important. If you want to come as high as possible in the search results, you need fast hosting. Shared hosting is usually fast enough for smaller sites, but as your traffic grows, you might need to upgrade to VPS or cloud hosting. You can find out more about SEO and website speed in our SEO checklist.
Security is another big consideration – especially if you’re planning on running an ecommerce site. Make sure the provider offers SSL certificates and secure payment processing.
Choose a hosting service that offers 24/7 customer support
When you’re running a website, there’s always the potential for something to go wrong. Whether it’s a technical issue with your site itself, or a problem with your hosting service, you’ll want to know that help is available when you need it. That’s why it’s important to choose a hosting service that offers 24/7 customer support.
Look for a provider that offers live chat or a ticket system so you can get in touch with someone any time of day or night. And be sure to check out their average response time to see how quickly they typically handle customer queries. By choosing a hosting service with great customer support, you can rest assured that help will always be available when you need it.
Sign up for a hosting plan that fits your budget and needs
How much are you willing to spend each month?
Pricing is always a consideration – but it shouldn’t be the only one. Avoid the temptation to choose the cheapest option, as this could mean sacrificing features or customer service.
Instead, look for a balance of price and features. Choose a plan that offers the storage space, bandwidth, and support you need, but isn’t too expensive.
Remember, you can always upgrade your plan later if you find that you need more resources than you originally thought.
Pricing for hosting services can range from a few dollars per month to hundreds of dollars per month. It all depends on the size and scope of your website, as well as the features and level of support you need.
Some hosts offer discounts if you pay for multiple months or years upfront. Others have tiered pricing, with different levels of service (and price) for each.
Finally, make sure to read the fine print before signing up for any service. You don’t want to get stuck with a plan that doesn’t meet your needs or that has hidden fees. By taking the time to compare providers, you can be sure to find the perfect fit for your needs.
Our recommendations
For WordPress and other web apps, we recommend Cloudways – you can choose your own server spec and balance the power with the price.
If you’re based in the UK, FastHosts is a good option for general hosting.
If you want a visual design option, choose Squarespace, Wix or Weebly.