How to Find the Best Web Hosting Company

By Andrew James

If you have decided to set up a website, the next logical step is to find the best web hosting company that suits your needs. When searching for a web hosting company, it's best to carefully review all aspects of their service. You'll find some of the most important criteria for selecting a web hosting company below.

Hosting Plan Features

When selecting a host, always review the features they offer. You should never assume that the host provides all the features you are looking for. Go through their features section in great detail. If there is a particular feature you require, and it's not listed, then send a support query inquiring if the feature is available.

Reliability

I've listed reliability since this will play a key role with regards to the availability of your website. I consider reliability to be of utmost importance. The term "reliability" is a bit general but it encompasses many options. In this case, my focus is on down-time. If the host you select is always "down" or "slow" then it can affect your business. Review carefully the up-time percentage the host has listed on their website. You'll also find that many hosts offer an "up-time tracker" where you can actually monitor the up-time of their servers.

Customer Support

It goes without saying that legitimate around the clock support is preferred. You should ensure that the web host you select is easily accessible via email, telephone or live chat, 24 hours a day. Many hosts advertise this, but do not honor it. Before registering with any host, always send a test email first to their support department to see how quickly they respond to your query. Another good test is to call them during the night to see if someone actually answers the support line. This will give you a good indication of what to expect if you should decide to host with the company.

Pricing

Even though we all would like to get hosting as cheaply as possible, it's not always the best option. Sacrificing a few dollars for better quality service is usually worth it in the long run. Carefully go over all the pricing options available with the hosts you've reviewed. Compare their pricing and plans, and based on that you can make an informed decision.

Overall, the key to selecting a web hosting company is to always do the necessary research, to ensure the company offers all that you need. Review feedback, and weigh the pros and cons, and you'll then be making an informed decision rather than a blind one.

Visit our site to see a list of cheap web hosting plans which is updated on a regular basis. We've ranked these hosting plans by price to help you choose the best web hosting company for your next project.