How do you choose the right web host for you? It will of course depend on the size of your site. Is it a small mini site, a blog or will you require more bandwidth for photo galleries and audio-visual media?
Lets take a look at some of the essential features every good web host should have.
1. A Price That is Reasonable
For a dependable, full-featured web host you shouldn't be required to pay any more than $10 - $15 a mon. Unless, of course, your website has special requirements. You may even be able to pay a year in advance so that you can save some money.
2. A cPanel Interface
A 'cPanel' is a control panel that permits you to completely manage your domain. Including setting up email, file management, installation of scripts, database administration and FTP and more.
3. Reliability 100% of the Time
Guaranteed 100% or at least 99.9% uptime. In other words, you can depend on your site being live all of the time and you will have access to it, your cPanel and your email. The web host will need a back up server in order to be able to guarantee this reliability, so check with them before you commit.
4. Customer Support That is Easily Accessed
You will want to have access to web-based and telephone support, including both live chat and an email-based support ticket system. It is helpful when the support is reliable, intelligent, friendly and available 24-7. The web host should also offer training in help files that you can access online or download.
5. Multiple Domain Hosting
You may not need this feature if you only have one website, but for some this may be important. Some hosts may even offer an unlimited number of domains for a low monthly fee.
6. Large Amounts of Bandwidth and Storage Space Allowed
Your site will likely grow both in size and in the traffic that it attracts. A good web host should allow that growth without penalizing you. It may eventually be necessary to upgrade, but hopefully you will not have to switch your hosts.
7. Number of POP3 Email Accounts Allowed
You will want an unlimited number of emails accounts for your website. This way you will have the flexibility to include addresses for different purposes of your site such as, webmaster@yourdomain.com or support@yourdomain.com, etc.
8. Access to Statistics and Logs
Once your site gets going you will want to start evaluating it's performance. Being able to access your statistics will help in this analysis.
9. Ability to Use Online File Management or FTP
FTP is short for File Transfer Protocol. This tool is used to upload large amounts of files quickly. You may not always have a use for this feature but it will at least be available to you.
10. Backups
All web hosting companies should have some type of backup plan in place for security measure. For example, data bases, files, server settings etc. The cost for this feature is often included in the price; however, it may be extra depending on the web host.
So, there you have it - the top features you should expect to find with any great quality web hosting company. You can find free web hosting online, but keep in mind, " You'll only get what you pay for." If the web host provides quality, reliability and a full set of features, you may be more willing to pay.
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