The Most Important Steps In Choosing A Web Host

If youre like most people, web hosting is not something you grew up knowing about. You may have heard the term, but you arent sure exactly what it entails and what you may need. This article can help you navigate web hosting waters so you know what youre doing and what kind of host you need.

If you are hosting your site with a Linux based site, be sure the company you choose updates their information regularly, and at all levels. You dont want your page to crash or be insecure because your host is not properly maintaining their servers and networks, so look for those that do.

You can almost always save money on your web hosting by paying in advance. Discounts for multi-month and yearly packages are common. However, you dont want to lock in with an unreliable host. Try out a new host for a month or two before you lock in a long-term commitment, and check out the cancellation and refund policy beforehand.

When selecting a hosting service, aim to find many recommendations that are appealing to you. Depending on the recommendations of one or two people can backfire, especially if those providing their opinions lack experience or have some kind of affiliation with the host they recommend.

Be sure to back up your website and information to your computer as often as you can. Your host may not back up your site so if they experience extensive technical difficulties or are even shut down for good, your site will practically be gone forever and you will have to start anew.

Make sure you, and not your web host, controls your domain name. If you let your host control your domain name, you may be stuck with that host if you dont want to change domains. Some unscrupulous hosts wont release the domain info if you leave on bad terms. If you control the domain, you can point it at another hosts nameservers and start fresh.

Think about security considerations when picking a web host. There are a variety of potential threats today targeting websites. Make sure the web host you choose has procedures to deal with common threats like DDoS attacks. You should inquire about the potential hazards to your site if the host is under attack.

Call the customer service number and ask about SSL certification and shopping carts. If the technicians are helpful, you have found a web host that understands e-commerce and will be able to meet your needs. On the other hand, if no one is able to answer your technical questions, look for a different host.

When selecting a web host, its vital that you choose one that has excellent support. Although its important for a host to have lots of experience, they cant avoid all problems. Something is bound to go wrong at some point. When this occurs, having a solid support system set up is crucial. You can test out a hosts support system by sending in an email or a support ticket. If you dont receive a response within the next couple of days, then you should probably search for another host.

A good web hosting provider should have good, responsive customer service, so be sure to consider this when choosing a host. Find out how quickly they respond to problems or complaints that their customers have. You want to choose a host that will work to quickly and professionally resolve any problems you encounter.

Web hosting may be a new concept to you, but it is something you need to know when you have a website. Use the tips in this article to help you better understand this topic, and to find the kind of web hosts that work best for you and your site.