Finding a new web host can be daunting; where do you begin? There are so many factors to consider, such as pricing and what comes with your plan, that becoming confused is easy. This article will guide you through the process to ensure you find the host which fits your needs.
If you have chosen to change to another web host, do not cancel your existing account before you have established an account with the new host. You will need access to both your old and new accounts in order to transfer your web files from one host to another. So, keep your old account active until the transfer is complete.
When transferring your site between hosts, have a copy of your website at both your old and new hosts for a few days. It’s important to do this because it takes 6-48 hours for the DNS to propagate. During this time, some visitors will be sent to your old website, while others whose ISPs have updated their DNS info will be sent to your new site.
Before signing on to a web hosting service and choosing a plan that meets your immediate needs, check to see what the process will be if you need to upgrade at a later date. Different types of plans may, or may not, support the services that you may want to add in the future. Make sure that your current plan can be easily converted to a more complex one without the need to start from scratch.
Beware of hidden costs when choosing a web hosting provider. Though startup costs may look inexpensive at first glance, just a few clicks will give you various options that will seem important. Realize that they often are indeed important. This would include services such as SSL, which is security service where your customers can order products and services securely.
If you own and operate several websites, it can be to your advantage to choose one web hosting service that allows you to have “add-on domains.” Many hosts will give you the ability to have unlimited domains added to your main account at no additional fees. This can save you a lot of money, as well as time going back and forth between multiple accounts.
If your site is a small, personal blog, consider using a free web hosting service like WordPress or a similar company. Sites like these are not adequate for large sites with a lots of traffic but can be ideal for smaller sites. WordPress, for example, offers a range of templates to give your site a unique, professional look and the company is constantly offering new services.
Investigate the legal terms of your host. At a minimum, a web hosting company should provide a Terms of Service, Acceptable Use Policy, and a Privacy Policy. These documents are vital because they let you know what limits you may face, from payment plans to bandwidth and CPU usage. Be wary of any company which makes these documents unavailable or difficult to find.
If you wish to switch hosts, look for another service that supports the same operating system you previous host was using. Switching from a Windows-operated server to a Linux-operated one requires you to change some of your content to make it compatible. Unless this represents significant savings, you will lose your time.
Though you may not want to think about any potential need to shut down your website in the future, don’t neglect to ask about cancellation policies with a web hosting service. Inquire about contracts, refunds, and what happens to your content if you cancel your service. Ideally, there would be some way to retain the pages that you worked so hard to create.
Find out if your web host service supports videos. Videos take a lot of storing space and bandwidth, and you might have to spend a lot for a plan that supports videos. You can save money by uploading your videos to YouTube for free and embedding them on your website.
Do not wait until the last minute to start looking at web hosting solutions. When creating your online business or personal project, you should establish a plan of action that includes finding a web host. Look at reviews and try a few different services if you have to before making your site official.
Save yourself some money by upgrading your account with your web host to an annual plan. Most of the yearly web hosting plans cost less on a monthly basis than a pay as you go arrangement. If you are pleased with your web host, there is no reason not to upgrade to take advantage of these savings.
When selecting a web host, consider how much the host costs. Some hosts charge on a per-year basis while some may be month-to-month. Look for a host that costs an average of about $5 per month as this will most likely give you a great value for your money as opposed to a free hosting site that may not offer as many options.
Those of you looking for a web hosting provider that is free should look to see how much space you can get from each provider. Generally space will range anywhere from 10MB to 300 MB however there are those that offer up to 1GB of free space so make sure you do your homework.
It is important to understand the refund policy of your potential web host prior to making a commitment. A lot of web hosting packages will require you to sign up for a year at a time, or will offer significant discounts for making a long term commitment. You should make certain that you will be able to obtain a refund if the service is less than satisfactory. Certain packages may not allow refunds, or might have cancellation fees.
Many people have to find a web host every day, but you were smart enough to seek out the information which can help you get what you’re looking for before signing up with a web host. Good for you! Continue to seek new information until you find the web host which offers you the items you need for the best price.