Statistics show that there are more than 1.89 billion websites available on the Internet, and you may have decided to be a part of these statistics. Congratulations on making the move! However, don’t make a hasty decision when it comes to selecting a hosting service for your website. There are a number of options available, and they all have their pros and cons. What works for you depends on the ultimate goal you want to achieve through your website, but you should still know the common mistakes that people make and avoid them when making a purchase.
Shooting for the Free Web Hosting
Yes, you’re just starting out and could use some savings, but it is better to hold back a little until you can afford to cough up more money to select a better hosting plan. Free hosting services come with third-party ads, have speed loading issues, and have little impact on search engines.
Selecting a Hosting Plan with No Refund Guarantee
While you should be willing to spend money, ensure you’re not spending it for nothing. If you’re not happy with what you get, you should get every single penny back. A good hosting company always backs its services and will never mind refunding you or giving you the chance to change the package if you need something else.
Ignoring the Importance of Buying SSL
It is important to pay attention to how a web hosting service tackles security issues. Sometimes, it makes great sense to buy SSL, which ensures that your customers’ data stays safe when they decide to place an order. Some web hosting services don’t offer it, others do. Thinking you do not need an SSL layer right from the word go is a big mistake.
Not Considering the Availability of Live Chat Support
In simple words, you should avoid a hosting service with negative feedback and reviews regarding their customer support. Blogging can be tricky, especially for the starters. You’ll be more in control when you can reach out to a support representative through live chat. So, ensure that the service provider offers 24/7 support or look for a better alternative.
Thinking Shared Hosting Works for Everyone
You may be under the impression that if you’re new to the online world of business, you should always start with a shared hosting plan. Not true! Even if you’re starting small but have plans to expand in the near future, investing in a VPS or even dedicated hosting may well be a better option than going for a shared hosting plan. Shared hosting will have restrictions on bandwidth and storage, and even on certain types of streaming or media.
If you’re going to use it, ask your host if you can create multiple POP accounts, install new software, add stats to your account, and maybe, use a shopping cart when you want. If you’re not sure at the moment, at least opt for a host that would let you switch between hosting plans as per your changing needs.
Ignoring the SEO Implications of Web Hosting
Expecting that a free or cheap hosting package will offer a 99% uptime guarantee is a mistake to avoid. Keep in mind that issues with your hosting service can directly affect your SEO efforts. Database connection errors, slow site speed, shared hosting with limited spam management, etc., can affect the user experience and damage your SEO campaign at the same time. In fact, prolonged runtime errors exceeded bandwidth limit, and multiple internal server errors can lead to de-indexing of your site in search engines.
The fact of the matter is that purchasing the right web hosting service is important for the success of your online business. If you make these common mistakes, you will not be able to improve your rankings or sustain a good position in search engines. Of course, it is going to affect the user experience as well. So, take your time and ensure that you’re selecting a right hosting service as per your unique needs.