Which Web Hosting Is the Fastest, Most Reliable, and Cheapest?
Have you ever considered how much faster your website will load if you use the right hosting service? As a business owner, marketing executive, blogger, or content creator, you may be wondering if there is a best web hosting for your needs.
While there is no fast-track to learning web hosting, there are a few key things you need to keep in mind if you want to choose the right service for your needs.
Features
This is the bread and butter of web hosting, and it’s all about the tools and features you get. The more tools and features you get, the more you can do with your website, blog, or online store. Some web hosts offer an extremely limited feature set and don’t give you much in the way of options.
The best web hosts will give you everything you need to create the perfect website. You don’t necessarily need a lot of features to get by, but having all the necessary tools in your arsenal is how you should feel.
Another important factor to consider is the quality of the server your host provides. The better the server, the faster your site will load. The last thing you want is a sluggish or congested website.
Support
Just like with most other products you purchase, in the event you ever need help, you will want to turn to someone for support. When you sign up for web hosting, you are given a contact email address that you can use to get in touch with the customer support team.
Unfortunately, not all customer support is created equal. Some companies are just better at providing support than others. Look for signs of whether or not the support is going to be useful to you or not. If they can’t answer your questions or seem unresponsive, then it might be best to seek out a different provider.
The quality of the support you get will depend on the plan you choose. If you go with the cheapest option, you will most likely get some support that is either very limited or nonexistent. If you want the best possible service, then you need to spend a bit more money.
Security
No one likes to think about security, but it’s an unavoidable factor in online life. When you use public WiFi or log in to a public computer at the office, you risk having your computer be used for malicious purposes. It might be best to avoid these risks by ensuring your personal data and financial information are kept private while building your business online.
Security on the network level is also something you need to be aware of. Make sure the network your server is connected to is protected against hackers and password thieves. If you use a strong password and take basic security measures, there is no need to worry about the security of your data. However, if you use a weak password or are careless with security, then you do open yourself up to risk.
Choosing a web hosting service that is secure and has all the right features is essential if you are serious about growing your business online. Otherwise, you may end up losing a lot of money and having to start from scratch.
Space
This one may seem obvious, but make sure you are looking at the right hosting plan. The term used for the amount of space you get for free when you sign up for web hosting is “unlimited”. While this may be the case, be mindful of how much space you are actually using.
If you are using the free option, you will only be provided with a certain amount of space. Once you reach that limit, you will need to make a purchase to get more. If you are constantly incurring charges because you are using too much space, then it’s time to look for a new web host.
In terms of the amount of space you need for a viable business, it varies. If you are simply blogging or creating a personal website, you may not need that much space. If you are running a business website or an eCommerce store, then you will want to look into getting a VPS (virtual private server) or dedicated server.
To make sure you get the most out of your web host, ensure you always stay above the 90% usage rate. If you are at 100%, then you are incurring extra charges. These extra charges are typically $5 to $20 per month. The last thing you want to do is pay extra just to keep your website up and running.
Bandwidth
This refers to the amount of data (inbound or outbound) your server can handle in a month. The faster your bandwidth, the faster your site will load. The last thing you want is to purchase a fast connection only to discover it does not provide adequate speed.
A good rule of thumb is to always go for the highest bandwidth package available. If you are just getting started, then focus on getting a fast, free connection through a VPN (virtual private network). This way, you will always be able to keep your website up and running even if your bandwidth does fluctuate (which it inevitably will).
If you already have a data plan through your mobile carrier or WiFi hotspot, then you can use that for your business website. Most mobile data plans range from $10 to $25 per month. This can definitely be a costly item to keep on hand. The alternative is to get a WiFi hotspot through your mobile carrier. This will usually set you back $50 to $60 per month, plus you will need to purchase an annual plan ($250 to $500).
Usability
This relates to how easily you can use the website or platform to manage content. Are you able to upload new content without getting stuck because there are too many step-by-step instructions? Can you find the information you need with ease?
From a marketing standpoint, the usability of your site is extremely important. If your site is not user-friendly, then people will not want to spend time on it. Ensure you are doing everything possible to increase the usability of your site. One way of doing this is through mobile usability testing. User testing is also a good idea, but this is time-consuming and costly.
As a business owner, marketing executive, or content creator, you may want to look into the following platforms:
- WordPress
- Squarespace
- Shopify
- Woocommerce
- E-commerce
- Bigcommerce
- StrapCommerce
- Shopify Plus
- Wix
- Square Market
- Etsy
When choosing a web host, look for signs of whether or not they are going to be able to provide professional level support should you need it. If they can’t provide instant support, then it might be best to seek out a different provider.
Choosing a web hosting service that is reliable, easy to use, and has all the necessary features is essential if you are serious about growing your business online. Otherwise, you may end up losing a lot of money and having to start from scratch.