The web hosting industry has grown exponentially in the past few years to accommodate small business owners who want to get their websites online. While there are many options, it’s crucial for new businesses seeking a web host to understand what they should look for before signing on with anyone.
When people think of starting their small business, they often imagine themselves as entrepreneurs who spend their time designing products and marketing services. Though, this is only one part of the process. Many people forget that they’ll need a website to market their products and services online.
With more than half of all internet users now owning smartphones, having a mobile-friendly website has become increasingly significant for small business owners who want to remain competitive in the marketplace.
Web hosting is a service many small business owners fail to consider, but it’s critical for success. Before you sign on the dotted line with any web hosting service provider, here are five things to know about web hosting.
1. What is web hosting, and why should it matter to you as a small business owner?
Without a host, your website will always show an error page when it’s accessed. Your business would be inaccessible to the world, no matter how great your content or services are. If you have a small business, it’s essential to understand what web hosting services are and why they matter to you as a small business owner.
As a small business owner, you may be utilizing some of your office space to run an online store or launch a new web-based product. Your website needs reliable hosting services to perform well and not crash while people are visiting the site.
Web Hosting is a service that provides space for websites to be and run online. Web hosts allow you to store your files and information on business hosting servers so internet users can access them.
Web hosting refers to the service that shares your website with users. It allows people to access your content around the clock, even if you cannot update it personally. It would help if you have a reputable host because they provide security, bandwidth, reliability, and manageability.
2. Why do you need web hosting services for your small business?
Websites have become a necessity for small business owners. You may need to build or customize your site with additional features like e-commerce capabilities. If you want to share files or videos, host your blog or e-commerce storefront, or set up an online presence for any reason, you need hosting services.
Because they provide valuable access tools like email accounts and webmail access, most small businesses find it helpful to have one hosting plan that serves multiple purposes. They also provide access to statistics and analytics tools that show you how your site is performing over time.
3. How much does web hosting cost?
Depending on your needs, hosting services can cost from a few dollars to several hundred per month. The initial cost of your server space and bandwidth, along with features like email accounts or tools for site analysis, will factor into how much you pay each month . A good host will provide security and reliability along with valuable access tools like email accounts and webmail access—and help your site stay up even when traffic spikes come unexpectedly.
Web hosting service’s price varies depending upon your needs. Every website has its own set of demands, and web hosting companies may excel in certain areas. Some providers offer unlimited storage, bandwidth and email accounts, while others may have limits on the amount of storage space or bandwidth you can use each month. You’ll need to consider how much traffic your website is likely to generate, too; if you expect a lot of visitors, you’ll need a plan that can handle high levels of traffic.
4. How to choose a web hosting provider for your small business?
If you have a small business, and you are looking for a way to establish a digital presence, you need a web host to help get your website online. But there are countless options out there! How do you choose the best one?
All businesses are different, which means they may require other services. Thus, not all web hosting providers are the same. Some have limitations, while some have dedicated customer support options. However, there are hosting companies that offer packages that may specifically cater to small businesses.
Therefore, if you are looking for a web hosting provider for your small business, take into consideration the following tips:
- Determine what kind of website you will need. It is imperative to determine your website needs regarding the resources required and the hosting package’s cost.
- Ensure that you know what kind of support your website needs, especially if it is a CMS-based site that requires constant updates and backups. A CMS (Content Management System) based website is a site that uses software to allow you to easily create and manage your website’s content. A CMS typically gives you a web-based interface to add and edit the content on your website, as well as tools to help you track how your visitors are using your site. You might need a web hosting provider with a great client support team to ensure that things run smoothly.
- Read reviews from customers who have used the services of web hosting providers and see what their thoughts are and experiences have been with the company. It is a great way to determine whether or not you will be getting good value for your money.
- Ask people you know who have used different web hosts in the past. Depending on the kind of business you run, they may suggest which one would work best for you.
- Ensure that the hosting package has a good refund policy, low cost, unlimited bandwidth, and disk space. These four factors will determine whether it is worth investing in such a service. If the overall price, management panels, and web host features don’t make your online presence worth your money, then you should take a different route.
5. What should you look for in a web hosting company?
Here are the key factors that you must keep in mind while looking for a web hosting company:
Service and Support
The first thing is to look at the service and support, as it can greatly impact your business. You should choose a web hosting company that offers the best of both worlds – good prices and excellent service. Make sure you check for their customer response time, how much time they normally take to answer their phones, and their email response time. In addition, you should check with the web hosting company about their policy if / when you can get a refund for unsatisfactory service.
Server uptime
Next, you should check whether your web hosting company has a good record of server uptime. About 99% uptime is the standard for most web hosting companies, but they might have had some rare exceptions. Ideally, you’re looking for “Uninterruptible Power Supplies”, which are batteries that prevent power failure from reaching your servers in case of a power outage. The server uptime directly affects your website’s access time, which in turn affects the search engine rankings.
Server security
Server security is very important for any web hosting company because it’s what prevents hackers from breaking into their servers and stealing data or destroying data on the server. Hence, you need to be very careful when it comes to security. You need to look for two things in terms of server security; the first one is “Data backups”, and the second one is “Secure servers”. Make sure your web hosting company has a history of quick recovery in case of data loss or corruption.
Pricing
You should always look at the pricing of your web hosting package. Normally you get what you pay for, so if someone is offering an extremely low price, it most likely means they are cutting corners somewhere. That being said, you should always look for a good average price range that fits your budget.
Features
Last but not the least, you must check the features that are available with your web hosting package. There’s nothing wrong with basic features, so don’t feel like you have to get something that has all kinds of advanced add-ons in it if all you need is a simple web hosting package. Always look for the right balance between price and features, as this will make your website run smoothly as well as increase the chances of selling your product or service.
Ending Note
Web hosting is a vital service for any small business, and it can be hard to know which company will offer the best web hosting services. As you can see, there are many things to consider when choosing the right web hosting service for your small business.
Finding the best host is essential whether you’re just starting or have an established company with many customers and data that needs protection.
Let us help! If you’re looking for reliable web hosting services tailored specifically to meet the needs of your growing enterprise, our experts would love to chat with you about what we offer at BigRock. Let’s get started and build something great together!
