How to Find a Great Web Host
In Part 2 of our Going Domain series, here’s some tips on finding great web hosting.
1. Fits Budget
First, decide how much you want to spend on hosting every month. It can be $5 or $50. However much you can spare, and however much you value your website or blog. With all wise decisions, setting a budget is a first.
2. Reliability
The some 4 hours I spent Googling message boards about Bluehost was worth it. Consensus was it was reliable and gave value for money. That’s the words you want to hear. Worse thing is a webhost that goes down half the time and is uncommunicative. Best place to start is the webhost’s message board. Then Google.
3. Fits your needs
What do you want your domain for? Personal blog? Business site? What CMS are you running on? WordPress? MovableType? Your own code? If you’re not savvy with CMS, check that there is a one-click solution. Check to ensure the host supports whatever you want to do and more. Expanding is a likelihood in all cases, as technology charges ahead. So be prepare to be scalable.
4. Back up option
I run on WordPress so WordPress has a feature that allows me to back up my work. That is, if I rouse myself to do so. Face it, we get complacent as time goes by, so unless there’s a one-click back up, it is easy to forget to back up. Well, even if there is…
Every one has different hosting needs so do check out many web hosting reviews before you commit. Your search engine is your best friend. Happy e-trails!
Christina Sng worked as a web developer, information architect, account executive, producer, technical writer, and usability consultant in the 10 years (that's 30 years in Internet time!) she brought bread home. She has since retired to raise her children but still spends most of her waking hours on the net, no thanks to Apple. Here are some of her adventures.
Posted on December 31, 2009 at 12:23 am
Bluehost is a great web hosting provider that offers reliable shared web hosting plans.