I wrote this article on Things to consider when choosing a web host many years ago, and these are valid considerations. However, I felt it was time to provide a more relevant and current post on the subject so below I note the 5 things to consider when choosing a web host in 2017 and beyond.
If you’ve just purchased a domain name for your new website, the next step to getting your website online is choosing a web host. I know you may be tempted to get a free website (i.e. freebie web-hosting with WYSIWYG page builder) but if you want to grow your business in the future and ultimately your website, I don’t recommend getting free web-hosting.
While they have their advantages for start-ups on limited budgets or novices who have no web-building experience, such as easy-to-use, drag-and-drop page builders and a range of pre-built templates, you are not in control of your website and you are limited to the functionality provided by the web-host’s page builder. Ultimately, you will wind up getting frustrated with not being able to do what you want or need to with your website, and will need to move it to a new web-host.
Since the web-host’s page builder and templates are proprietary to them, you do not own your website and it will not be easy to move its home. All the files that make up your website will be stored on the web-hosts server and you won’t have access. At the very least, you may be able to export the data, but rebuilding your website through a different CMS system will be difficult.
Instead I recommend purchasing web-hosting through a reliable and reputable web host (such as HostPapa, BlueHost, 1and1, HostGator, Godaddy). So before you start, I recommend that you do a Google search for the top 10 best web-hosts in your country as well as the top 10 web hosts for security, which is probably the most important thing to consider when purchasing web-hosting.
You’ll find several articles providing a list of the top web hosts with features that they consider important so you can easily compare. Select the most recent articles – preferably in the last year.
Here are 5 things to consider when choosing a web host:
Read moreChoosing a web host for your new website – 5 things to consider