At the moment, there are over 1.8 billion websites in the world, and the number grows by the second. Every one of these websites operates with the help of a hosting provider that keeps it active, secure, and functional.

If you’re planning on launching a new website for your business or online store, you’ll need a reliable, affordable, and safe hosting provider. There are many packages, options, and price points to choose from, but it all depends on your needs as a website owner.

Keep reading to learn 5 important tips for finding the best website hosting for you and your business.

What is Web Hosting?

Every website is hosted on a server, the online space a hosting provider provides to a website. It’s sort of like renting space online so your website can exist. The type of server you choose depends on the kind of website or business you have and the traffic you expect.

What is the Difference Between a CMS and a Web Host?

A CMS (Content Management System) is a tool or software that you can use to manage everything about your website, namely web content and appearance. Some CMS platforms come with built-in hosting, while others require an external web host.
For example, WordPress.org is an open-source CMS, but you need to buy hosting before you can use it. On the other hand, Wix and Squarespace are web builders and CMS platforms that come with their own hosting.

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1. Define Your Needs

Before you buy a hosting package, focus on defining your needs related to your business and website. Your website is a catalog to your company and brand, so it needs to be fast, secure, easy to manage, and easy to customize.

Next, assess the amount of traffic you expect to have on a monthly basis. Think about the type of content you’ll post. Will you be adding high-quality images and videos to the website? If so, you’ll need a more advanced plan. Do you plan to run a blog that’ll mostly be text? A basic plan might work for you well.

For example, if you want to create a website that you’ll later turn into an online store, you should compare the advantages of a custom website vs. Shopify. Do you plan to publish other types

of content on the website other than product listings? Then you should start with WordPress and add WooCommerce later on.

If your goal is to launch an online store, Shopify is the best choice for you as they specialize in ready-made online store solutions.

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2. Do In-Depth Research

Choosing a hosting provider can be overwhelming, especially if you’re new to website hosting services. With so many plans and options to choose from, it’s easy to just go for the cheapest one and call it a day. But before you make a rash decision, give yourself some time to do in-depth research on the hosting companies.

Each provider has their hosting plans and packages listed on their website, so you can decide which one works best for you. Make a spreadsheet of your top 5 providers and their packages so you can compare them and see which provider will meet your needs best.
You can also chat with the providers’ live customer support if you have any questions or want to learn more about the plans.

Each provider has their hosting plans and packages listed on their website, so you can decide which one works best for you.

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3. Know Your Budget

There are plenty of cheap hosting providers, but before you buy one, research the website hosting cost from different providers. Double-check what each provider offers for the price and compare the different plans.

For example, a basic shared hosting plan typically includes one website, free SSL certificate, one domain name, free WordPress installation, and basic website backup.

On the other hand, a more advanced plan would include unlimited websites, unlimited email addresses on your domain, unlimited traffic, free professional plugins, stellar customer support, and extra-fast and extra-secure websites.
Sometimes, hosting providers will offer extra incentives to get you to upgrade. Also, always check what the price will be after your plan expires and it’s time to renew. The renewal will happen automatically after the first year or two, and the price usually goes up.

This means you’ll be charged a regular price instead of first-time user rates. In any case, you need to set a budget based on your website needs and stick to it.

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4. Think About the Future

Before you buy the cheapest hosting plan, take some time to assess your goals and your website’s purpose. Think about the amount of traffic you’d expect in the first year, as well as any plans for expansion or adding more features.

This is why it’s good to have a plan for your website and be honest about your goals. If you don’t plan to post much the first few months and want to focus on other business-related things, a more basic plan will keep your website running.

On the other hand, if you plan to use your website as the main source of traffic and brand awareness for your business, you should go for a more advanced plan. It’s important to avoid buying a hosting plan based on your current situation.

For example, when you launch the website, you won’t have any traffic in the beginning. However, if you want to grow your traffic to 100,000 visitors a month, a basic plan that can only host 2000 visitors won’t be able to handle it. Besides, leveling up from a basic to an advanced plan can cost you a lot of extra money.

Take some time to assess your goals and your website's purpose. Think about the amount of traffic you'd expect in the first year, as well as any plans for expansion.

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5. Secure a Domain Name

Most hosting providers offer a free domain name with the purchase of hosting. This is typically for a one-year period, after which you’ll have to pay to extend the domain name for another year or two.

Make sure to secure the domain name as soon as you buy a hosting plan and create a website to avoid someone else using the same domain you had in mind. Some hosting providers may not offer a free domain name if they want to keep their prices lower. In this case, you’ll need to buy your domain name from a domain registry and connect it to your website manually.

These Tips Will Help You Find the Best Website Hosting for Your Business Needs

Whether you’re a first-time website owner or already own a website, finding the best website hosting provider doesn’t have to be overwhelming. If you know what you need for your website and how much you’re willing to spend, these tips can help you narrow down your choices.

Already have a website and need a reliable maintenance service? Contact us to let us know what your needs are and we’ll take it from there. We at WhatArmy specialize in keeping your website safe, secure, fast, and user-friendly.

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