5 Things to Look for When Choosing a Reliable Web Host

With billions of websites and blogs now on the internet, the only question left to ask is, why don’t you have a site of your own yet?

More often than not, this is simply due to that fact that people aren’t sure how to get started. And once someone starts to hear about web hosting, site builders and the idea of installing software… they really seem to get lost.

The good news is, starting a site of your own is now easier and more affordable than ever before.

So, what’s the best option to get started?

Is it better to sign up for premium hosting and just figure it out as you go, or should you get started with a free website hosting plan that also provides you with a drag and drop site builder?

The truth is, both of these options are perfectly fine, and it all really comes down to your own expertise and needs.

No matter where you are in your site launching process, the important thing is that you know what to look for in a quality web hosting company. To help in this process, we’ve highlighted the most important things to look for when trying to find a reliable site host for your personal site, brand or online business.

Let’s get started!

1 – Price, Price, Price…

Obviously, one of the most important and immediate things that someone is going to look at when signing up for any type of service, is the price. However, when it comes to web hosting and site builders, most prices are going to fall slightly in and out of the $10 a month range.

The problem with paying too much attention to the pricing of web hosting, is that if you are just trying to save money and are going to penny pinch in the process, it could ultimately come back and hurt you.

Instead, as continually referenced by sites like Entrepreneur, go with a trusted hosting solution that has a great track record online and is proven to provide their customers with the best experience.

2 – Testimonials and Customer Reviews

Speaking of track records and great reputations… one of the best ways to find a hosting company that’s worth your time, money and business, is to look for real user reviews and customer testimonials online.

It’s also a good idea to visit some of your favorite sites and see if they have a “Hosted By” link or section of their site. Since many web hosting sites have affiliate programs, you will likely see them being promoted all over the place.

When looking for reviews and customer feedback online, be sure to read through multiple sites and not just rely on the first one you come across.

3 – Company Name and History

In the world of web hosting and site builders, there are plenty of names to choose from. At the same time, new and older names are coming and going all the time.

This is mainly due to acquisitions, new hosting companies being launched, and some of them ultimately going out of business.

No matter what the reason is, it’s important to consider all of these elements when looking for a new hosting solution. Be sure to go with a company that has a proven track record and several years of history behind them.

The last thing you want to do is launch a new website or blog, and then have your hosting company go belly up and no longer be in business!

4 – Hosting to Fit Your Site Needs

Along with all of the key factors and tips mentioned so far, it’s also important to make sure you are choosing a hosting solution that fits the needs of your site and business.

For example, if you wanted to start a blog, you should be looking for a host that specializes in WordPress. If you don’t want to deal with any coding or design work, you should be looking for a hosting solution that provides a simple drag and drop editor to their users.

In either case, not all web hosting solutions are the same. Take a moment to review the many different features on their sites, to make sure you are going with the best one for your site, brand and business needs.

5 – Promotional Coupons and Discounts

As referenced earlier in the article, pricing is going to play a big part in your decision process.  And just like everything else in the world, sometimes web hosting services go on sale or have promotions of their own as well.

The good news is, it’s very simple to search for new and active hosting coupons and promotions online. All you need to do is visit Google and search the hosting company name you are interested in, and then add the word “coupons”. 

It’s also a good idea to try and pay for your web hosting in advance as much as possible. Some web hosting solutions will offer upwards of 50% off when pre-paying for hosting plans for 12, 24, or even 36 months.

No matter where you decide to host your site, you should definitely be able to find some nice coupons and promotions at any given time.

How to Find the Best Web Hosting for Your Site

At the end of the day, thousands of new websites, blogs and online stores are going live daily. The crazy thing is that each of them are being hosted by a web hosting solution somewhere, and new sites are going live every second.

With so many different hosting solutions out there, how are you supposed to know which is best for you

Well… we pretty much covered all of that in the details above. So, now it’s time for you to start running through a list of the different web hosts available, and comparing each of the key elements and factors we’ve listed.

Take a moment to choose a handful of potential hosts for your site, then compare their reviews, costs, features and support plans.

After just a little bit of research and work, you should be in a much better place and quite confident on what hosting solution is best for you.