If you plan to develop a website of your own, you will need to select a web host eventually. Research your options, and learn what you can about this service. Read the following article to learn what you should be concentrating on in your hunt.

Register domains separately from your hosting provider. That way, if there’s trouble between you and your hosting provider, your host won’t try to hold your domain name hostage. If you register your domain with your host, your host will control the registration instead of you.

Just like shopping for anything else, making a list of your web host needs before you look is a wise idea. Figure out what it is you need and want and from there shop around to see what web hosts matches these expectations. This way, your decision won’t mistakenly be made based only on price; you will know that all your needs are being met.

Find out if your host backs up your data for you or if you’re required to do it yourself. Having your own backup is a good idea for a number of reasons, but the most central reason is that you want to safeguard your data. In the worst-case scenario, since you have a copy of your data, you’ll know that you won’t be starting from scratch.

To maximize your profits for your website, look closely at the web hosting companies that are vying for your business. Rates can range from $2 to $60 per month — and it’s often the cheaper models that are the most reliable. Look at the plans on offer and choose the one which offers you only as much as you need, or what you will need in the near future.

Look for a hosting service that lets you have access to statistics and detailed information about your traffic. Add your own site counter to track the number of visitors your site gets, then compare that to your web host’s stats to check for accuracy. Being able to use this information to improve and grow your online business is crucial.

Linux Hosting

Find out if your web host offers Windows or Linux hosting platforms. If you are using features that differ from what you have been accustomed to, it may be an adjustment for you. Linux hosting is typically much cheaper than Windows-based services, and might result in a cheaper monthly hosting bill for your web site.

Always check the safety and security features before committing to a hosting site. You want to be sure that your site will be secured from hackers, and other dangerous security breeches too. A good web hosting service will regularly back up the servers.

Choose a host which has redundant Internet connections. A host with only one connection can easily go offline, which means your site goes down also. Verify that there are redundant connections, and make sure that each of the connections are capable of providing a sufficient amount of bandwidth for your website.

Ensure you are able to contact your host in the case of a problem. If they offer things like live chat, phone or email support 24 hours each day, then it’s reasonable to assume they have a good customer service set up. That way if you do experience a problem, you’ll have a better chance of resolving it quickly.

If you plan to upload a significant amount of information, investigate the uploading methods available from each web host you are considering. In some cases, it may be necessary to enlist the help of an FTP server. It is also important that there is an online manager available for technical help.

Web Host

Figure out how many years your web host company has operated for. A web host that has been in business longer will usually, but not always, provide superior service, especially technical support. This is because the company has been around long enough to know what to do when common issues come up. The more common the problem is, the better the chance is that a standard procedure is available to resolve it. This can save you having to put up with customer service that’s inexperienced, generally found in newer companies.

What kind of server access does your web host provide? Some companies give you FTP-based access that can be confusing and complex if you are not used to using it, while others use a simplified control panel that you can access through a web interface. If your site is large or complicated, the better controls will be essential. For a relatively small, simple site, web-based controls should provide adequate access that doesn’t require a wealth of technical knowledge.

When you shop for web hosting services, treat it as you would when you are shopping for other things. You need to know what you are looking for and what you can afford then find a service that matches. The information contained in this article should have you well on your way to choosing a web host.