Every website needs a host. This is where your website lives. It doesn’t need to be where the domain is registered; it just needs the domain name to point to the hosting company and then you are in business.
What makes a good hosting company?
Here are a few questions to ask:
- What version of PHP is available?
Every update to PHP speeds up your website. It is good practice to have a newer version of PHP running on the hosting server. The latest version of PHP offers significant performance improvements. - Can I use a free Let’s Encrypt SSL certificate?
Let’s Encrypt SSL certificates are free and many hosting companies provide a one-click solution to make your website HTTPS secure. - Is there SSD storage?
SSD (Solid State Drive) is generally considered the best for website hosting. It is very fast, reliable, has low energy consumption, and enhanced performance, which is why it is the preferred choice for websites. - What type of web server is available?
NGINX web server technology performs better under scale so your website will continue to work well with many visitors. Apache is another common server technology but your website will decrease in speed with many website visitors. - Is HTTP/2 enabled?
HTTP/2 is a major update to the HTTP protocol that improves web performance by allowing multiple requests to be sent over a single connection. Additionally, servers send images and files before they are needed to further reduce load time. A direct correlation exists between a website’s page rank and its support for HTTP/2. - Is there good security?
A good website host will have a multi-layer approach that includes physical security of data centers, network security with firewalls and DDoS protection, software security through SSL/TLS encryption, regular updates, malware scanning, and data security through regular, secure website backups. - Is a free CDN available?
A good website host will offer a free CDN to improve site speed. A CDN distributes website content across a network of servers, which increases site speed and performance. - Is the tech support knowledgeable?
When something goes wrong, can you pick up the phone and talk with knowledgeable tech support? Qualified tech support is worth your time and money.
What makes a bad hosting company?
- Is there constant upselling?
- Do you feel scared that your website may get hacked if you don’t purchase extra security?
- Do you have to purchase an SSL certificate from the hosting company because they have not made Let’s Encrypt available?
Why does it matter?
- A fast hosting service will improve search engine rankings. (As well as website optimization.)
- Qualified tech support will fix issues quickly.
Choosing a website hosting company is an important decision and there are many great hosting companies to choose from.
