Choosing the right web hosting provider is a critical step in ensuring a successful online presence and internet marketing strategy. Many business owners treat hosting as a commodity decision, believing anyone can do it. However, this is not true at all! If you make the right choice in this regard, you’ll enjoy quality service as an asset to your business. The wrong choice, however? This can cost you time and money (eek!).
Per Wikipedia, web hosting is “a type of Internet hosting service that allows individuals and organizations to make their own website accessible via the World Wide Web.” Accordingly, web hosts are companies that provide space on a server they own or lease. Their clients, in turn, use this space as well as Internet connectivity (typically in a data center). Put simply, if you have a website, you must engage a hosting company to share your site with the world! The most common types of hosting services available include:
- Free web hosting: While this of course sounds appealing given the word “free,” these companies accommodate only basic websites. They do not offer virus protection, customer support, and other services most businesses need.
- Shared web hosting: With these services, websites are placed on the same server as many others (ranging from a few to hundreds or thousands), all domains typically share a common pool of server resources such as RAM and the CPU, and features are extensive and suitable for most business websites.
- Dedicated web hosting: These businesses enjoy full control over their own server but typically do not assume ownership. Websites with custom applications are hosted on dedicated servers.
- Hosted exchange servers: These businesses not only utilize Microsoft Exchange for hosting purposes but to also interface with other devices and share files/calendars with other users. The exchange server synchs information in real-time and provides ample space for users.
- Cloud hosting: This new platform type provides customers with powerful, scalable, and reliable hosting based on clustered load-balanced servers and utility billing. This removes single-point failures and allows customers to pay for only what they use versus a set maximum.
As no two websites are the same, a universal hosting service is simply not feasible. With this in mind, refer to this checklist when selecting a website host provider:
- Architecture: This refers to the software used to design the website platform, which will dictate—to some degree—the type of hosting service needed.
- Type of server: Shared servers can host basic websites, but those with custom applications require a dedicated server.
- Disk space and bandwidth: The more complex the website (video, shopping cart, etc.), the more space you’ll need to keep the website fully operational at optimal speed.
- Data back-up: Ask the provider how often they save data (hourly, daily, and weekly are typical options) and its storage location in the unfortunate event your system crashes and you need to retrieve it.
- Equipment: The host provider should have modern equipment to prevent server failure and back-up generators in case of disaster.
- Firewall/virus protection: The hosting agreement should include this to protect against hackers and ensure a secure environment for customers.
- Reporting and statistics: The host company should provide detailed monthly statistics of website activity.
- Physical location: Ask the provider about the server location, building owner, established security measures, etc.
