Your choice of web host can make a great difference to the success of your business. Having a good web host means website reliability, increased traffic and improved SEO rankings. Hosting itself is now big business, with a plethora of companies offering their services for an increasingly low price. Unfortunately, all web hosts are not created equal, and there can be serious pitfalls if you choose a bad service.
Bad hosts cost businesses
If you choose a bad host, you may find that you end up with a website that is often down, slow to load or leaves you exposed to security risks. These problems will cost your business, as they will drive away customers and negatively affect your SEO ranking.
There are considerations when choosing a web host for your business. It’s worth taking the time to compare features and prices. It’s probably wise to avoid a service that looks very inexpensive, but equally, there’s no need to opt for the priciest company either.
How to protect your business
A good move is to register your domain name with a second host. That way, if your primary web host goes out of business, you will still have your vital website name.
Look for hosts with a long trial period. These companies are likely to offer a good, reliable service, as they are confident enough to risk putting their money where their mouth is by letting you experience their web hosting with a guaranteed refund if you aren’t satisfied.
It’s important to protect your business by backing up frequently. This protects you in case the host suffers any unexpected technical difficulty, or if there’s a breach of cyber security. Where there’s a cPanel environment, such as web hosting through names.co.uk, backing up can be completed in a few quick clicks. Change passwords often to help maintain security.
Finally, it’s worth being mindful of your payment method. Three main options are PayPal, credit or debit card. PayPal is an overall good choice, as it offers protection against fraud. Unfortunately, some unethical hosting companies may charge you if you try to leave. Your credit card may offer protection against any potential unauthorised charges, but it’s important to check your terms and conditions.
By adhering to these simple guidelines, finding a reliable web host should be straightforward, allowing your business to thrive online.