Top 10 Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing a Web Hosting Provider | Expert Guide
Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing a Web Hosting Provider
Introduction
The most important choice you will have to make is often the first one you do, which is the selection of a web hosting provider. The performance, security, and scalability of your website will hinge on your hosting provider’s services, regardless if it’s an ecommerce store, a blog, or a corporate site. A lot of users often forget to consider a lot of factors before selecting a hosting service, and more often than not, poor performance, damaging downtime, and even loss of income follow.
In this article, we will show you the ten most common mistakes users make when choosing a hosting provider. By the end, you will have a better understanding of the dos and don’ts involved in efficient web hosting.
1. Not Understanding Your Hosting Needs
Most individuals fail to comprehend their website hosting specifications as one of the primary errors they make. If you are operating a small blog, purchasing a shared hosting plan could be more than enough. However, if you are overseeing an e-commerce website that receives a lot of visitors, then a VPS or a dedicated server is likely to be your liking.
Shared Hosting vs VPS Hosting
This can be cheaper and serve smaller, less complex websites well because it is both affordable and reliable. For bigger websites, shared hosting tends to be slower and unreliable. VPS hosting can be costly, but it provides a website with more flexibility and efficiency.
Scalability in Web Hosting
Verify that the hosting plan you are acquiring can expand with your website. Seek providers who can guarantee stress-free upgrades.
Pro Tip
Monitor the web traffic generated by your website, the storage needed, and the expansion expected to be seen before bestowing any singular plan.
2. Ignoring Uptime Guarantees
Uptime is an important thing to consider when it comes to web hosting. Frequent downtimes will mean fewer visitors and revenue from your website, and the website will not rank well on the search engines. Most hosting providers have an uptime guarantee, which is usually above room temperature, 99.9% or above.
Why Uptime Matters
Even 1% downtime can result in hours of traffic lost.
How to Verify Uptime
Verify third-party reviews and tools to confirm a host’s uptime claims.
3. Overlooking Customer Support Quality
When problems arise on your website, efficient assistance is imperative. Regrettably, most hosting companies leave you high and dry at the worst of times with inadequate customer service.
Always Available Assistance
Choose companies that offer live chat, phone, or email assistance at any time of the day.
Evaluation of Customer Service
Go through client feedback to evaluate the effectiveness of the support desk.
Advanced Tip
Before registering, check the host support team’s response by asking them some technical queries.
4. Falling for Cheap Pricing Traps
Having a hosting plan at a fractional cost might seem like a good idea, but most times, it is coupled with poor execution, additional expenses, and bad performance in general.
Additional fees
Always check for renewal costs, migration expenses, and add-on fees.
Mistaken Pricing HostGator
A considerable number of people complain of being hit with higher prices after the set period.
Tip from the expert
Make sure to look through all documents and check the prices from several companies.
5. Neglecting Security Features
The security of your website should never be placed under scrutiny. One security breach is enough to ruin your data, reputation, and finances.
SSL Certificates
Make sure your hosting company’s SSL certificate is free.
Backups and Malware Protection
Consider looking for providers with self-backing services and provide frequent malware scanning.
Example
DreamHost provides free SSL and automatic daily backups in their plans.
6. Not Considering Website Speed
The speed of a website is important for user experience and its SEO ranking. Visitors hate slow-loading sites and will ultimately leave while your website ranks lower.
Shared Resource Hosting
Shared hosting might be slower because resources are being shared among multiple account holders.
A2 Hosting Transfers
A2 Hosting seems to be another problematic service. They tend to have many users who claim that their load speeds are inconsistent, which is quite frustrating.
Did You Know
Picking a hosting platform that has SSD storage along with an optimized server will ensure faster load times for your website.
7. Ignoring Scalability Options
As time progresses, your website will evolve, and your hosting plan should evolve with it.
Considerations for Scalability in Web Hosting
Always go for suppliers that have simple procedures for migrating to VPS or dedicated servers.
For example,
InMotion Hosting does not have limitations when it comes to scaling. This is especially useful for developing companies.
8. Overlooking Reviews and Reputation
Insights from a customer’s review can tell a lot about a hosting provider’s performance and reliability.
How to Evaluate Reviews
Try to identify common themes in the feedback, like continual issues with technical support or site downtime.
InMotion Hosting Support Reviews
A considerable number of users find their responsive support team praiseworthy.
Tip for Professionals
Check out neutral evaluation opinion pages such as Trustpilot or G2.
9. Not Checking for Hidden Costs
Many hosting providers entice consumers with low initial pricing but mask high renewal pricing and other additional costs.
Typical Masked Costs
Migration, domain name registration, and SSL certificate costs.
DreamHost Masked Costs
Several reports indicate mysterious, unexpected charges for various add-ons.
Expert Suggestion
Ensure that you thoroughly read the terms and conditions prior to committing to any contracts.
10. Failing to Test Customer Support Before Signing Up
It is wise to avoid waiting until a situation becomes negatively impacted to check on the reliability of the host’s support team.
Testing
Get in touch with the support team and pose a few technical queries to measure their level of service and knowledge.
Additional Tip
Check that the support provider has multiple help options like chat, call, and email.
Conclusion
The success of your website heavily relies on the hosting provider you stick with. By steering clear of these simple errors, you maximize the chance of your website being efficient, secure, and reliable. Make sure you take your time when exploring available options by reading reviews and testing customer service before concluding.
Questions & Answers
What’s the difference between shared hosting and VPS hosting?
Shared hosting is likened to renting an apartment – you share CPU, RAM, and other resources with a number of other websites on the same server. It is cost-effective but not suitable for high-traffic sites as the speed and reliability are poor. VPS hosting, on the other hand, is like owning an apartment. You have access to a dedicated server, which further provides better performance, making it great for improving websites.
How important is uptime when choosing a hosting provider?
Everything needs to be functional all the time! It is estimated that even 1% of downtime results in traffic and revenue losses amounting to hours. Find a provider that has a minimum of 99.9% guarantee of uptime and check their reviews on third-party sites for authenticity.
Can I upgrade my hosting plan later if my website grows?
That is correct; the majority of service providers have them. For instance, you might begin with shared hosting and, as your website grows, shift to VPS or even dedicated hosting. It is also important to evaluate if the provider facilitates effortless upgrades.
Are cheap hosting plans worth it?
While appealing, low-cost hosting options may perform poorly, come with hidden expenses, and be rife with limitations. Be sure to always compare costs among different providers and read the fine print to avoid any surprises.
What security features should I look for in a hosting provider?
Look for providers that offer free SSL certificates, automatic backups, and malware protection. These features are essential for keeping your website and data secure.
How does hosting affect my website’s speed?
Hosting plays a huge role in website speed. Shared hosting can be slow due to resource sharing, while VPS or dedicated hosting offers faster load times. Look for providers with SSD storage and optimized servers for better performance.
What are some red flags to watch out for when choosing a hosting provider?
Be cautious of providers with
- No uptime guarantee
- Poor customer reviews
- Hidden fees or unclear pricing
- Lack of 24/7 customer support
How do I test a hosting provider’s customer support before signing up?
Contact their support team with a few technical questions via live chat, phone, or email. Please pay attention to their response time, knowledge, and willingness to help.
What are the hidden costs I should watch out for?
Common hidden costs include
- High renewal rates after the initial term
- Fees for add-ons like SSL certificates or backups
- Charges for domain registration or migration
Can I switch hosting providers if I’m not satisfied?
Yes, most hosting providers offer migration services, though some may charge a fee. Always check their migration policy before signing up.
