You’re probably reading this because you intend to start a blog, a forum, a personal or business website and confused about which web host to use due to several contrasting reviews you’ve read on the internet. The success of your website depends a lot on the web host you choose and starting with the wrong one can be a pretty bad mistake you will regret. To choose a web host that doesn’t suck and make your site unstable in the near future, there are certain things to put in to consideration.
1. Is the web hosting service free?
I don’t expect you to build your blog or business on a free host but if you’re considering it, get it out of your mind right now! Free web hosting can ruin your dreams and and get your site terminated any time. It’s free, right? You know you can’t even complain if that happens.
2. How much does it cost?
Yes, most people would prefer to go for something cheap and there are several web hosts out there whose services are dead cheap but are you sure there are no hidden charges? Are you sure some core services are included in their package? One thing you should know is that good things don’t come cheaply. If you need a quality web hosting service, that cheap one might not be right for you. I almost went for iPage hosting when I wanted to start a web forum last year but I read a lot of reviews that made me change my mind and went for something a lot more expensive.
3. Customer service
A web hosting provider that doesn’t attend to its customer promptly isn’t worth it. Don’t even try it. Even if you’re a geek, there’ll be times when you might be in dire need of a capable technical support. Can you reach your web host easily in times like this? Can you get support through phone? Online chat? You should put these in to consideration.
4. Is your website going to load fast?
I won’t advise you to choose your web host randomly, look for someone using that web host or a site hosted on it. You should try to know if they are not overselling beyond their capacity. It’s been said that Hostgator is another web host that oversells but my site always loads fast. You know you have a problem when your site takes 30 seconds to completely load. This can make you loose potential customers and ruin your business.
5. Is that 99.9% uptime guaranteed?
A friend of mine decided to go for Arvixe but he was complaining bitterly about two months back that his website went down for days. This is one of the most important things to consider before choosing a good web host. Everyone claims 99.9% uptime but is that even guaranteed? If you’re a blogger, an unstable site means losing traffic and pagerank. And if you’re running a business site, you will be losing customers and your investment will be going down the drain right in front of your eyes.
6. Is there any automated backup?
Your website is bound to run into any sort of problem anytime and normally, you should make a regular backup of your stuffs. You should find out if your web hosts offer any such backup in case you run into technical issues and need to restore a very recent backup. I recently had a problem with my forum and lost the whole attachment folder. I only contacted Hostgator support and had the whole forum attachments restored though I had to pay $15 but at least, I got that very important folder back.
What if you messed up your site so bad and even damaged your database? Will your host help in such situations?
7. Are the hosting plans flexible?
You site will definitely grow and you may want to upgrade your hosting account to something that can accommodate your growing traffic. Does your web host support this? Can you later move to a VPS if you want to without necessarily changing your web host?
8. Wait, what are people saying about that web host you want to choose?
I’m not saying all reviews online are genuine. As a matter of fact, quite a number of them are paid but you should take some time to google out about that web host. There are lots of web hosting forums out there you can check. You can consider checking these:
- Web Hosting Talk
- Web Hosting Forum
Also, be sure to google out about them with queries such as “XYZHosting review,” “XYZHosting sucks” and so on. Also don’t be fooled by all the negative reviews you read, not all makes sense and you should be wise to discern the real truth behind those postive and negative reviews.
I’ve been using Hostgator for a year now and I’ve never had a cause to regret choosing them. The service is good, 99.9% uptime guaranteed and the support isn’t bad. Why not check them out? Moreover, if you’re just starting a blog, choosing Hostgator might make me help you install your blog for free. Check the details here.
Twitter: itechcode
says:
Oh it should be publised on 12th May
Because i already bought My own Hosting from Hostgator.
Baby Plan. Hope it will not give any trouble in future. I only know that Hostgator is trustworthy Reputable Company.
Amit Shaw recently posted..Vital SEO Tips after Penguin Algorithm Update
Hostgator is superb! I bought Hatchling plan with three domain domains currently running. You made the right choice, Amit!
Thanks for dropping by.
Don Caprio recently posted..How to Choose a Cheap and Reliable Web Host
Twitter: ghanacrunch
says:
Hi Don. This post came in right on time! I was even thinking up ways to contact you via Facebook or otherwise based on Host gator hosting.
My blog has expanded overnight, and it is obvious that my present web hosting plan can not handle the needs of my present traffic size. I was thinking up a possible host I could move to and I had bluehost and HG in mind.
I just wanted asking these simple questions:
1.) Can hostgator baby plan adequately cater for the needs of say a 5k a day visits blog without any noticeable performance lag?
2.) Can a hatchling plan handle the type of blog I have stated in number one above?
3.) Would you rather I buy a VPS hosting to carter for the site, or is a VPS too big a hosting plan for a 5k a day blog?
4.) Which of the Hostgator hosting plans are you using for doncaprio.com and 9jaclub.com. Are they running on VPS or a shared hosting plan?
I was trying to guess if you are on the VPS plan of host gator because I wanted knowing if that is what I’d need at this point. I hope the number 4 question is not too personal – something you won’t want to reveal.
I am only asking as it will help me build a decision based on what you tell me.
Hoping to hear from you soon. Thanks
ugo dosh recently posted..Ama K Abebrese Goes Hard On Ghana Movie Industry: Ama K – The Name Ghallywood Is A Boring And Disgusting Name!
I tried checking your website just now but couldn’t access it. It kept timing out…clearly need to change your webhost.
1. Sure, Hostgator baby plan can do that, even more
2. Yes, but since you’re hosting just one domain, Baby plan is enough for you.
3. You don’t need a VPS yet. I’m not even using it yet
4. I’m on Hostgator Hatchling plan, with three domains hosted on it. I should be moving to a VPS soon though…it’s not easy running both sites on a shared hosting plan.
By the way, if you’re gonna register for hostgator, kindly use my referral link
Let a brother make a few bucks. haha! 
Twitter: ghanacrunch
says:
Thanks for the answers.
As for the ref link stuff, sure thing Don. That was why I was trying to contact you in the first place!
Will let you know when I’m ready to make payment for the hosting.
ugo dosh recently posted..Yawa! E.L, Edem and Guru Dragged To Court For Refusing To Perform At A Tamale Concert After Collecting Performance Fees From Organizers
very useful, I like your post with detailed information.
Thanks Don
Niyas recently posted..So.cl: Microsoft’s Social Networking Site
You’re welcom, Niyas. Thanks for dropping by
Twitter: donemitex1
says:
Don thanx for this post. I just recovered from the consequences of using a bad domain registrar. I bought a domain name from a nigerian domain registrar http://www.syskay.com. After configuring it with google DNS, i used the name on my new blogger blog. For the first 2 months everything was working fine. but suddenly my site started loosing traffic i noticed it was showing “website unavailable” when i type it in my browser. I complained to my registrar but they ignored me. so i was forced to transfer my domain name to a foreign registrar http://www.namecheap.com. Thesame day the transfer was completed, my website came alive again. but i lost alot of traffic for 3 weeks. you can check out the website here http://www.homebusinessmanuals.com
emmy recently posted..HOW TO MAKE OVER N50,000 DAILY FROM SCAFFOLD RENTING
Website hosting
Thanks. I am very much impressed from your post. I will be waiting for the new updates. It has wonderful information. I learned lot of new things which explores my knowledge in various developments. So I must realize your efforts on posting this information.
Website hosting
I recently shifted my hosting services from some other provider to Hostgator as i was facing many issues regarding the server uptime. It has been just 10 days, i found the service really satisfactory. I don’t want to name my previous hosting provided as i don’t want to demolish someones reputation. Before choosing Hostgator as my service provider i’d read many reviews and then took this decision .
Tauseef recently posted..Top 10 web hosting companies Rating based on independent user reviews
You do what you do with love and passion. I admire you. Thank you.
Twitter: phlexnetworks
says:
We found a company called FlexHost who provides dedicated and VPS servers at a great price. They also offer a 99% up time guarantee.
HostGator is said to be one of the best hosting providers but I’ve seen where real users complaint about them. Some even prefer Arvixe to HostGator.
Pls I would like to know of any reliable webhost that doesn’t require that I upload a photo I.D like drivers license or the sort in the middle of verifying my hosting account. Although I am 18+ I do not have those documents and I would like to host my blog on a reliable webhost.