A good web hosting provider is like having a reliable car. It starts every day and is always there when you need it. Choosing well when it comes to a hosting partner can sometimes feel like a roll of the dice. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
I’ve been in the web business for many years and it’s safe to say, I’ve worked with quite a few web hosting companies. And if there is one thing I’ve learned over the years it’s this: THEY ARE NOT ALL THE SAME! I cannot emphasize that enough! Some people say, “you get what you pay for” and while that’s sometimes true, I can think of more than one example where I overpaid for services thinking I’m getting something special only to be disappointed shortly thereafter. So while price is definitely a factor, it shouldn’t be the primary factor in selecting a good hosting provider. Here are a few tips for finding a good hosting partner:
Features
Look for important features that each hosting company provides. We’ve discussed a few features in other articles such as backups and staging sites. Do they specifically support WordPress sites? How about 24/7 support? Do they have a good control panel? Do they provide email services? Can they help migrate your site from your current host? Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Performance
It’s difficult to compare the performance of one hosting provider versus another. They all throw around technical terms around like megahertz and gigabytes, blah, blah, blah. It’s just dizzying to try and compare them by these numbers. One way to find out is to migrate your site and see the difference for yourself. Or even better, speak with someone that has already migrated to that host and ask what kind of performance they’re experiencing.
Support
24/7 hosting support is not optional. Any hosting provider that is worth partnering with will provide around the clock support, seven days a week. If your site has an issue at three o’clock in the morning, you need a hosting provider that is going to have your back. A really good hosting provider will many times have it fixed before you wake up!
Price
Yes, I know I said price is not the primary factor but of course it is “a” factor. Your certainly need to find something that fits your budget but I will say, do not skimp on a hosting provider. Take price into consideration but be sure you don’t make it the only factor. A good hosting provider is worth their weight in gold so do your best to balance price and quality!
Ask Around
I prefer not to rely on public reviews very much. It seems most people only leave reviews when they have a problem leading to a lot of negativity. To offset this, some companies will actually pay people to leave positive reviews. All of this can be very misleading. I believe the best way to find a good hosting provider is to ask around. Ask your peers. Ask developers (like us). Heck…ask your competitors! You’ll hear horror stories as well as raves. Gather up all of the information available to help narrow down your choices.
Need Help Choosing a Web Hosting Provider?
Trying to select a web hosting provider can be confusing and frustrating. Contact us today and let’s discuss how we can get your site on a solid foundation for success!