Choosing The Right Web Hosting

You’ve unraveled some of the mysteries of HTML, successfully built your own site, and now it’s time to get it onto a server and out there for your users to see.  When it comes down to choosing a web hosting provider, though, it’s easy to get lost in all the jargon and claims.  How is it possible that there are so many hosting companies out there who seem to offer essentially the same thing?  How do you know who offers the best hosting?  How much bandwidth will your site need?  What about storage space?  What’s the difference between Linux and Windows servers?  And all those acronyms!

Okay, take some deep breaths.  Although trying to find a hosting provider looks intimidating, there’s some simple decisions you can make right now that will make your life easier in the long run and ensure you make a smart choice in choosing a web hosting provider.

Bandwidth – can you ever have enough?

It’s easy to start thinking that you need to order the biggest hosting plan that will allow you the most possible bandwidth. After all, your site could grow to become a huge success. You may have the next Amazon or TMZ on your hands, right? I’m not out to crush anyone’s dreams here, but you should think realistically. If there’s a lot of data (as in large images and downloadable files) on your site and you think lots of people will be viewing your site and downloading these files, then yes, you’ll need a lot of bandwidth. Otherwise, why spend more money on your hosting plan than necessary? Go with a lower-bandwidth plan until you need to upgrade.

There’s a few simple things you can do to lower your bandwidth usage. If you have video files, host them on Youtube and link to them from your site. Large image galleries can go on sites like Photobucket or Picasa. Use free file storage services like Sendspace or Rapidshare to host and distribute huge files.

How big is it going to get?

How much storage space will you really need for your site? You’re the only one who knows the answer to that question. If you’re going to keep a lot of large files on your server like video, audio, or high resolution pictures, then you’re going to need a lot of room. If you don’t have that much stuff to put on your site, why pay the extra money? Most hosting providers will let you upgrade if you need more space.

You’re better off starting small and then buying more storage space as you need it, rather than paying extra every month for storage you’ll never use.

Location, location, location

Yes, it matters where your server is located a little but not much. Really you just need to focus on the region, so if you are going after North America buy hosting service in the USA, if your visitors are in Europe buy hosting with someone who has servers there.

Why SSL matters

SSL. Secure Sockets Layer. I’m not going to bore you with all the details of what a socket or a layer is. There’s one important word in that phrase, and that’s “secure.” SSL keeps data safe as it goes back and forth between your web site and your users. That may not be so important if you’re swapping recipes with your friends from the Ladies’ Rotary or sending funny pictures of your cat, but you’d better believe that if you’re selling anything via your site and financial information is being exchanged between you and your customers, it has to be secure. That’s of dire importance to you and your users. The absolute last thing you want is someone out there getting hold of your customers’ credit card or other personal information.

If you’re handling any kind of e-commerce with your website, make sure your host can offer SSL. Check to make sure there aren’t any surprise fees associate with using SSL, either.

So how do I know if a host is any good?

The fact of the matter is that most web hosting companies offer fairly similar services within a fairly similar price range. What sets one hosting company apart from the rest? For me, it comes down to two things: service and reliability.

Dealing with all the details of keeping a site up and running can make your head spin, and you’re bound to come across a problem you need help with. Make sure your hosting provider will be there 24/7 to assist you via phone, live chat, or email. If you prefer talking with someone via phone or instant messaging, make sure your hosting provider offers that kind of customer support. On a practical level, can you get help from customer service reps you understand? Good English skills and friendly service count for a lot.

Your provider should also offer an up-time guarantee and not surprise you with random and extended outages. Don’t put up with a provider who can’t keep their servers online. Expect to be notified ahead of time if your site will be unavailable.

Take my word for it – there are hosting providers out there who are ready to take your money and give you terrible service for as long as they can before you get fed up with it and leave, or else they finally get around to taking care of you. There’s no point in wasting your time with them.

Things to consider as a reseller

If you’re looking for a reseller hosting plan, your needs are a little different. Obviously, you still want great service and low prices. You should also think about what kind of control panel your customers will see. Cpanel and Plesk are well-known control panels that have great track records. Is there a limit on the number of domains you can have? Bandwidth? Disk space? Email accounts? Keep your eyes open for hidden fees, too, for things like service upgrades, dedicated IPs, SSL costs, and early cancellation. It’s a huge pain to have to switch hosting companies when you’re a reseller, so the more you know before you choose a provider, the better off you’ll be.

Linux vs Windows Servers

The only reason you would go with Windows is if you have to host a ASP.Net site. If you have a choice go with Linux as it is a lot more dependable and easier to manage.

Really, what should I be looking for?

At the end of the day, I’m convinced that the best way to pick a host is to look at a combination of reliability, service, and price. Most hosting companies offer somewhat similar hosting plans. The question is, who’s going to give you the best service when you need to talk to someone about a problem with your site?

There are lots of online reviews of hosting companies out there, so take some time to do the research. Be aware that people are more likely to complain about bad service instead of rave about great service, so if there isn’t a lot of information available about a particular host, that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re terrible.

Pick someone you’re comfortable with. If they seem sleazy, look elsewhere. Don’t be afraid to ask questions before you sign up – it will help you get a sense of what their service will be like.

Ben Welch-bolen
CEO and Co-Owner of Site5 web hosting