Common Mistakes when Choosing a Web Host
Creating a website and choosing a web host is often a process of trial and error, particularly for those that are new to it. Because of this, there are sometimes common mistakes that are made when new website owners look for, and sign up with, a web host for the first time. If you’re about to start a website, you should know what those mistakes are, in order to avoid them.
Not knowing what you need
It’s important for website owners to know what they need before signing on with any web host; and not knowing is one of the most common mistakes people make. Many people know that they need a web host; but they don’t take into consideration how big their website is, how big it will be in the future, or even if they want a blog attached to their website. And while they may hope that their website receives a large influx of traffic, they may not know how much they can actually expect.
All of these are great unknowns when signing up with a web host, and not having a clear answer to those questions may mean they end up with the wrong host, or a hosting package they don’t really need.
Not reading reviews
There is not one web host on the Internet today that will create their own site and talk about all the things they fail at, or the resources they lack. Like any other business, web hosts promote the things they do really well. And in the cases of less than honest web hosts, they may even talk about how they do particular things very well or offer superior features – such as great customer service – when in fact they don’t.
The only way for a business or website owner to cut through all of this is to do their research and read reviews of what other people are saying about the web host. There’s no better way to know what a company is really like than to hear from real people that have actually used them. While no web host can make everyone happy, and there is certainly going to be a bit of criticism, too much of it speaks to a web host that either can’t, or isn’t interested in, providing their customers with what they need.
Automatically choosing free web hosting
Some soon-to-be website owners hear about free web hosting and jump on it simply because it’s free and they’re looking to save the most amount of money possible. But free web hosting isn’t for everyone. While it’s not inherently bad, free web hosting is only right for a handful of websites. Personal websites, very small websites, and those that don’t mind excessive advertising on their site might find all they need with free web hosting.
But websites that are meant to represent a business and need a professional look, or websites that are very large, simply won’t find what they need with free web hosting. Websites that are run on free web hosting actually aren’t owned by the creator of the website or the business the website is for, but by the web host offering it. Also, there are those ads that appear on it and this can be unattractive to visitors, and make it seem less professional.
Not testing customer support
Customer support is of huge importance when it comes to web hosting. If a website suddenly shuts down or there is some kind of malfunction or other problem, you’re going to want to be able to contact your web host and talk to them about it. In many cases, this is the only way to really correct the problem and make sure it doesn’t happen again.
Luckily, customer support can be tested before signing up with a web host. Most web hosts will offer a variety of contact options including phone numbers, emails, live chats, and more. Each of these contact options should be tested by contacting the web host and asking them about a certain issue. This will allow you to test how responsive they are to your questions, how knowledgeable they are, and how quickly they respond. If it’s not fast enough, or they don’t know how to answer your questions, there’s a real possibility that they are not the web host for you.
There are many things to consider when choosing a web host, and many mistakes that can be made. Know what those most common mistakes are, as well as how they can be avoided is a great start to finding the web host that’s right for you, your website, and your business.
Not knowing what you need
It’s important for website owners to know what they need before signing on with any web host; and not knowing is one of the most common mistakes people make. Many people know that they need a web host; but they don’t take into consideration how big their website is, how big it will be in the future, or even if they want a blog attached to their website. And while they may hope that their website receives a large influx of traffic, they may not know how much they can actually expect.
All of these are great unknowns when signing up with a web host, and not having a clear answer to those questions may mean they end up with the wrong host, or a hosting package they don’t really need.
Not reading reviews
There is not one web host on the Internet today that will create their own site and talk about all the things they fail at, or the resources they lack. Like any other business, web hosts promote the things they do really well. And in the cases of less than honest web hosts, they may even talk about how they do particular things very well or offer superior features – such as great customer service – when in fact they don’t.
The only way for a business or website owner to cut through all of this is to do their research and read reviews of what other people are saying about the web host. There’s no better way to know what a company is really like than to hear from real people that have actually used them. While no web host can make everyone happy, and there is certainly going to be a bit of criticism, too much of it speaks to a web host that either can’t, or isn’t interested in, providing their customers with what they need.
Automatically choosing free web hosting
Some soon-to-be website owners hear about free web hosting and jump on it simply because it’s free and they’re looking to save the most amount of money possible. But free web hosting isn’t for everyone. While it’s not inherently bad, free web hosting is only right for a handful of websites. Personal websites, very small websites, and those that don’t mind excessive advertising on their site might find all they need with free web hosting.
But websites that are meant to represent a business and need a professional look, or websites that are very large, simply won’t find what they need with free web hosting. Websites that are run on free web hosting actually aren’t owned by the creator of the website or the business the website is for, but by the web host offering it. Also, there are those ads that appear on it and this can be unattractive to visitors, and make it seem less professional.
Not testing customer support
Customer support is of huge importance when it comes to web hosting. If a website suddenly shuts down or there is some kind of malfunction or other problem, you’re going to want to be able to contact your web host and talk to them about it. In many cases, this is the only way to really correct the problem and make sure it doesn’t happen again.
Luckily, customer support can be tested before signing up with a web host. Most web hosts will offer a variety of contact options including phone numbers, emails, live chats, and more. Each of these contact options should be tested by contacting the web host and asking them about a certain issue. This will allow you to test how responsive they are to your questions, how knowledgeable they are, and how quickly they respond. If it’s not fast enough, or they don’t know how to answer your questions, there’s a real possibility that they are not the web host for you.
There are many things to consider when choosing a web host, and many mistakes that can be made. Know what those most common mistakes are, as well as how they can be avoided is a great start to finding the web host that’s right for you, your website, and your business.