Choosing the right web hosting company can seem like a daunting task, but it’s actually not as complicated as you might think. There are two main things to consider when choosing your web host: how much space and bandwidth you’ll need and whether or not they offer the features you need to run your site or application. Here are ten questions you should ask before signing on with any web hosting company that will help ensure that you get what you need in a web host without breaking the bank or sacrificing too much convenience.
1) What plan do you recommend?
If you’re not sure which web host is best for your needs, ask them questions. Choose one or two things that are most important to you, and ask what they recommend based on those criteria. You may want unlimited storage space, or free domain hosting—or maybe you need a host that accepts adult websites. Be sure and let them know what’s most important to you so they can make an informed recommendation.
2) How much time do I have to decide?
Some companies will only give you 24 hours to decide, so find out whether you can take your time and look around. If you have more than 24 hours, look at as many options as possible; if possible, pay for a few days of testing.
3) Can I back up my data?
One of your biggest concerns should be whether you’ll have access to your data in an emergency. If your hosting provider can’t access or retrieve your data if something goes wrong, it’s not reliable. Choose a web host that offers backup options so you can sleep easy knowing your information is safe and sound.
4) How many other customers are on your servers right now?
You want your website to have as little competition as possible, so look for web hosts that limit server use. More users per server usually means slower connection speeds and less bandwidth available, so make sure you choose wisely.
5) Does it matter what operating system my site runs on?
You don’t need to know what is an operating system and how it works. You just need to make sure that your web host supports whatever software you want your site/blog to run on.
6) Do you offer 24/7 support?
Nothing is worse than choosing a web host, getting your site up and running, and then having issues that need resolving in order for you to actually be able to use your website. As such, when searching for a web hosting company, make sure you ask if they offer 24/7 support services; if not, consider looking elsewhere.
7) Do you allow adult content on your servers?
If you want to provide your clients with an adult-oriented site, make sure that it’s within the realm of what your host allows. If they don’t allow adult content at all, that may be a deal breaker for you (or vice versa). Find out if there are any limitations on what can and cannot be hosted before signing up for web hosting services.
8) What’s your privacy policy on storing my data, etc.?
This is one of those questions that you don’t want to mess up on. Privacy policies are legally binding, so if you leave your data with a company that doesn’t lock it down as much as they should (or they decide to sell it), your personal information can be at risk. This question ensures that you have some privacy protections in place. You might also ask about their use of SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) encryption and protocols like HTTPS.
9) What happens if my website becomes wildly popular and overloads your servers?
Asking your web hosting company what they do when you need more space or resources is an important part of choosing your host. Will they upgrade your plan for free? What happens if they don’t have room for you and other customers at that time? Knowing how your host will react in those situations is important. The last thing you want is to put all of your eggs in one basket only to find out later that one wayward tweet caused massive server failure and downtime for days.
10) Is there anything else I should know about your company before I sign up with you?
I want to know that my hosting company is reputable, and that you will be there for me when I need help. What are your uptime guarantees? Can you explain your support SLA?
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