To many users, all hosting companies look the same because their prices, plans and features are all very similar but, there are many differences that many users fail to spot or just simply do not know about.
Commonly, people forget how important web hosting really is when it comes to the success of a website because many put all of their efforts into designing a website which means that hosting becomes an afterthought. Thinking is this way is completely wrong because the success of your site all rides on the quality and the performance that comes with your hosting plan. There are thousands of web hosts and they all offer different plans but they may all look the same so we recommend using a comparison site such as this one . So what is the difference between a low quality host and a high quality host?
Promises, Policies and limitations
All hosting companies do their best to ensure that their terms and policies give them the protection they need. As part of their campaigns, hosting companies promise the earth and this is ultimately what attracts customers, however, they always fail to mention the limitations that are attached to these offers. An example of this would be unlimited hosting packages that come with unlimited web space and bandwidth but they then put a limit on the size of the files that you can upload as well as the quantity. Uptime is crucial and although 99% may sound excellent, remember that 99.9% is a lot better, in fact that difference equates to four days.
Therefore, you must read the terms that the hosting company has in place before you decide to use them and if you have any queries make sure that you contact them to find answers.
Hardware Quality and Location of Servers
The location of servers is important and you need to know where they are. A hosting company may be located in your country but this does not mean that the servers are also there, they could actually be on the other side of the world. If your website will be aimed at a local audience then it is beneficial to have the server in the same place. A server that is thousands of miles away can result in long delays which can ultimately lose you customers. Hardware is crucial, having the most up-to-date hardware will ensure that everything runs as fast as it can but old hardware can result in downtime as well as the loss of data.
Cost, Upgrading and Renewals
The price can vary a lot between different hosts but carrying out research to understand what the average cost is and to see how much others pay will set you up well. Reviews will enable you to make a more informed decision and you will be able to decide on which plan and type of hosting suits you.
Checking the renewal policy of the web hosting company that you plan to use will make you aware of any pitfalls especially when it comes to set up fees. Even though many companies offer web hosting at a low cost, their set up fees can be quite significant in comparison. Domain renewals can also come in at a higher cost when done through a hosting company as opposed to doing it through the domain registrar, so separating the two can be beneficial.
Once you website grows and traffic increases, you will require a hosting plan that meets the performance requirements of your site. Therefore, you do need to think ahead which means choosing a hosting firm that offers a simple upgrade at any time.
Conclusion
The real thing to remember is that, even though the offers may seem the same from different hosting companies, there are always difference and they could be subtle differences or major differences. Do your research before purchasing and you won’t go far wrong.