Typically, the Internet is constantly buzzing with traffic coming and going across high-powered tubes of bandwidth; all trailing in a blaze of 1’s and 0’s without stopping to realize what they’re doing. Should someone choose poor web hosting for their domain; a consumer might be pulled to a complete stop on a “404 Error”.
The tips below will make sure you never produce that error, or at least try.
Stick with a provider that’s in the same country as your target audience. If your target is the UK, make sure the host provider has its data center established in the UK too.
You should look for a web host that offers a good FTP application. An FTP software allows you to upload new content to your site quickly and safely. If you have to go to your host’s site and log in to upload new content, you are losing a lot of time.
Before choosing a web host provider, check to see how fast files can be uploaded or downloaded from their server. If this information is not readily available from them directly, use a “website speed test” service who can run a test for you. Realize, however, that accuracy varies and can be different depending on the time of day.
Look for different reviews on a web hosting service. If you know any webmasters personally, ask them which service they use and how much they pay. Compare different sources and look for reviews written by people who have a site similar to the kind of project you are working on.
Look for a web host that lets you create your own customized error pages. In case your site is not accessible, you will be able to apologize to your visitors and perhaps redirect them to your Facebook page. Instead of getting frustrated at the usual error message, your visitors will appreciate you apologizing to them.
When subscribing to a web hosting service, find out how long it will take for your site to be online or for your domain name to be registered. If the host you chose is enable to guarantee you that your site will be online within a few days, you should look for another solution.
Before choosing a web host, go directly to its website and take a look around. If their website lacks professionalism, it does not bode well. These things could indicate sloppiness, a lack of experience or a company who is not planning to stay around for very long. Look for those companies that clearly pay attention to detail, as reflected through their site.
Investigate the legal terms of your host. At a minimum, a web hosting company should provide a Terms of Service, Acceptable Use Policy, and a Privacy Policy. These documents are vital because they let you know what limits you may face, from payment plans to bandwidth and CPU usage. Be wary of any company which makes these documents unavailable or difficult to find.
Hopefully, the above information shed some light for you on how web hosting works, and contributes to the proper running of your website. You should never underestimate the value of a web host when it comes to ensuring that visitors to your site enjoy the best possible experience. Poor hosting can quickly make the experience slow and interfere with the value of the Internet speed.
