{"id":158,"date":"2019-07-30T13:42:26","date_gmt":"2019-07-30T08:12:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hostnamaste.com\/blog\/?p=158"},"modified":"2023-12-09T18:25:01","modified_gmt":"2023-12-09T12:55:01","slug":"qualities-of-a-good-web-host","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hostnamaste.com\/blog\/qualities-of-a-good-web-host\/","title":{"rendered":"Qualities of a Good Web Host"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Qualities<\/a>
Qualities of a Good WebHost – HostNamaste<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The \u201cbest\u201d web host isn\u2019t necessarily the one with the most features, but the one that best suits your needs. With that said, however, choosing the best web host is far from an easy task. A web host that may be perfect for one website may be terrible for another. Thus, there are several factors that you need to take into serious consideration. Some of these factors may be dispensable for your website, while others may be absolutely necessary. In the end, you will need to decide for yourself what qualities you need to prioritise in order to get the best web host for your particular needs.<\/span><\/p>\n

For the most part though, the following factors will likely have some importance for a typical website.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

Essential Qualities of a Good Web Host<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
\"Essential<\/a>
Essential Qualities of a Good Web Host – HostNamaste – Reliable, Fast, Excellent Technical Support, and Large Storage Capacity.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

1) A Good Web Host is Reliable<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Perhaps the most obvious factor that you need to take into consideration is the overall reliability of your web host. Clearly, when a web host is not reliable, it\u2019s going to be bad for your business. Imagine your website as a brick-and-mortar business. Your business needs to be there whenever your customers want to visit. If your business is going to suddenly close every few hours, then it\u2019s unlikely that you will inspire any form of loyalty from your customers. They may put up with some inconsistency every now and then, but they\u2019re sure to stop coming if you don\u2019t get your act together quickly. Every lost visitor represents in lost profit, lost subscribers, and lost reputation. Though one or two might not amount to much, all these losses will eventually add up and cause significant harm to your web site.<\/span><\/p>\n

The best way to ensure that your web host is reliable is to do your research. There are plenty of ways to do this. You start by checking \u201cTop 10\u201d lists or other similar articles to get a general feel for which web hosts are popular. However, make sure to check several of these lists, so that you can compare their contents. Put together your own list based on your research. The more lists a particular web host appears in, the more likely it is to be of good quality.<\/span><\/p>\n

Once you have your own list, you can then research each potential web host in more detail. In particular, you\u2019re looking for a web host with over 99% guaranteed uptime. Additionally, you should do a thorough search for customer complaints and reviews. There are plenty of websites and web hosting forums<\/span><\/a><\/strong> where you can ask other members of the community for their opinions on a particular service.<\/span><\/p>\n

2) A Good Web Host is Fast<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

No one likes waiting in lines. Going back to our brick-and-mortar business analogy, if you make your customers wait half an hour for a simple cup of coffee, you\u2019ll likely end up with a very dissatisfied customer. The same concept applies to websites. If visitors have to wait several minutes for a single page to load, chances are that visitor is either going to give up and leave or never come back to your website once he gets what he wants. In fact, some studies even claim that a loading time of more than three seconds will result in significantly lower conversion rates. In other words, if your visitor needs to wait for more than three seconds for a particular page to load, then there\u2019s a much lower chance that he will purchase the product sold on your website or subscribe to your service.<\/span><\/p>\n

When a website is sluggish, it\u2019s often due to one or more of the following: slow network speed, database problems, and overburdened servers. You can fix the first two issues yourself. However, you will need to rely solely on your web host to solve the third issue.<\/span><\/p>\n

There are several reasons why a server can become overburdened, such as limited disk space and memory, outdated processors, and network connectivity problems. But, as we already mentioned, all these problems can only be addressed by your web host. This brings us to the next section.<\/span><\/p>\n

3) A Good Web Host has Excellent Technical Support<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Web hosting can be very complicated. Although downtime, slow server speeds, and other technical issues should be very rare, they are eventualities that you need to prepare for. Moreover, regardless of your technical expertise, it\u2019s likely that there will be some issues that require physical access the server. Now, unless you want to fly all the way to your web host\u2019s office, you\u2019ll probably be better off investing additional time and effort searching for a web host that already has good technical support.<\/span><\/p>\n

But what is considered \u201cgood\u201d technical support? You basically need to look at the following three factors.<\/span><\/p>\n

First, you need to consider how you can reach out to the support team. A quality web host will likely give you several options, such as live chats<\/a><\/strong><\/span>, a toll-free phone number, email, support tickets, social media, and web hosing forum<\/span><\/a><\/strong>. The more options you have for contacting them, the better off you\u2019ll be.<\/span><\/p>\n

Second, you need to consider their support hours. Many web hosts currently offer 24\/7 support, but this can be very misleading since it actually takes them several hours to get back to you. Sure, you\u2019re able to leave them a message saying your website is down. But leaving a message does little good if it takes them 12 hours to respond and another 12 hours to act on your complaint.<\/span><\/p>\n

Third, you need to consider how their support team responds to your complaint. As mentioned earlier, some web hosts take forever to address their customer\u2019s concerns. What further aggravates the situation are the rare instances where their \u201csolution\u201d fails to resolve the issue.<\/span><\/p>\n

In summary, a good web host has a support team that\u2019s easy to reach; responds quickly; and provides solutions which completely eradicate the problem.<\/span><\/p>\n

4) A Good Web Host has Large Storage Capacity<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

The amount of storage space required for your website will largely depend on the amount and type of data that you\u2019ll be using. Small and medium-sized businesses will typically need only a few gigabytes of storage. However, if you intend to use several high-resolution photos and videos on your website, then you\u2019ll need significantly more space.<\/span><\/p>\n

Make sure that you plan ahead when it comes to this factor. Though it is possible to move your website to another web host, it is by no means an easy task. There are also some services that will do this for you, but this will most likely come with a fee. In other words, moving your website will require significant expense, whether that expense comes in the form of time, effort or money.<\/span><\/p>\n

There are also web hosts that offer \u201cunlimited\u201d storage capacity. While this is technically true, the common practice is to attach certain terms and conditions to the offer which restrict your use of their service after reaching a certain threshold. So, to avoid possible issues down the road, you should read the details of the offer very carefully and get in touch with a customer service representative if you have any further questions.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"<\/a>
Essential Qualities of a Good Web Host – HostNamaste – Substantial Bandwidth, Multiple Domains and Subdomains, Database Management System, and Web Framework.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

5) A Good Web Host has Substantial Bandwidth<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Many people confuse storage capacity with bandwidth. While storage capacity and bandwidth are closely related, they are technically different. Storage capacity refers to the amount of data your web host will allow you to store. On the other hand, bandwidth refers to the amount of data that your visitors can download or upload per month. Once you reach the predetermined limit, your web host will either charge you extra or completely cut you off from the server. Though this may seem harsh, the limit is there for a reason. It protects your web host from unscrupulous subscribers who overload the server and use up all its resources.<\/span><\/p>\n

To further simplify this concept, let\u2019s go back to our brick-and-mortar business analogy. Imagine a business with unlimited inventory but, for one reason or another, your landlord only allows you to serve 100 customers in a month. Those 100 customers represent your bandwidth. If you want to serve more customers, you need to pay your landlord more rent.<\/span><\/p>\n

At this point, it should be abundantly clear why you need a web host that offers substantial bandwidth for a reasonable cost. Ideally, that web host should also give you the option of buying additional bandwidth, just in case you need it.<\/span><\/p>\n

6) A Good Web Host allows you to Manage Multiple Domains and Subdomains<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

When you\u2019re just starting off, you will probably need only one domain. However, as your website grows, you\u2019re going to want to add more content and, consequently, organize that content as neatly as possible. One great way of organizing content is the use of subdomains.<\/span><\/p>\n

Say for example that you already have a good amount of content on your website. However, for one reason or another, it\u2019s not generating as much traffic as you want it to. One good solution to this is to start a blog<\/a><\/strong><\/span>. Unfortunately, the downside to this solution is that it can clutter your website very easily, especially if you\u2019re uploading numerous blog posts per month. So, how do you start a blog without cluttering your website? Easy. Keep your blog on a subdomain.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here\u2019s another situation. Let\u2019s say you get everything you want out of your website. In fact, it\u2019s so successful that you now want to branch out with another website into a closely related industry. Naturally, your new website will need to have its own domain, web pages, content, etc. Conversely, if traffic on your website starts to slow and you want to start a new one without completely abandoning the other just yet, then you\u2019ll also need a new domain.<\/span><\/p>\n

Having multiple domains and subdomains is completely natural and can even be a necessity for some types of business. Therefore, you need to prepare for that possibility. Choose a web host that allows you to manage multiple domains and subdomains from a single account. It will make maintenance and management much easier down the road.<\/span><\/p>\n

7) A Good Web Host has a Compatible and Intuitive Database Management System<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Database management systems refer to the software or interface that allows you to create, manage, update, and retrieve data. It essentially manages three important features of your website: the data itself which is basically all the content on your website; the database engine which is the software that allow you access, modify, update, and lock the data; and the database schema which is the structure in which data is arranged in the database.<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to the above mentioned tasks, a typical database management system also allows you to tune and monitor performance, change management settings, backup and recover data, automate rollbacks, and log website activity.<\/span><\/p>\n

With all that said, the advantages of having a database management system for your website should be obvious. However, before you can enjoy these advantages, you first need to make sure that the database management system offered by your web host is compatible with your website. There are several types of database management systems on the market and discussing each type would be too laborious for this article. If you want to avoid all the extensive research, however, the easiest way to ensure compatibility is to simply talk to your potential web host\u2019s customer service representative. They\u2019re probably going to ask you a few questions about your website, but once you provide them with all the necessary information, they should be able to give you a very clear yes-or-no answer. If they give you an ambiguous response, then you should probably consider a different web host.<\/span><\/p>\n

8) A Good Web Host is Compatible with your Web Framework<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

A web framework refers to the set practices, concepts, and criteria designed to standardize the way your website is built. Without a web framework, developers would need to write the code for your website from scratch, which can be very time-consuming to say the least. A web framework helps developers and designers cut down on much of the work that goes into building a particular website. It not only makes the process faster and more efficient, it also reduces the chances of bugs and other technical issues.<\/span><\/p>\n

Not all websites, however, employ the same web framework. Moreover, not all web hosts and web frameworks are compatible with each other. So, it\u2019s very important to do your research beforehand. Make sure you choose a web host which supports your preferred web framework.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Essential<\/a>
Essential Qualities of a Good Web Host – HostNamaste – Content Management System, Backup Procedures, Secure, and Custom Email Accounts.<\/span> <\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

9) A Good Web Host supports your Content Management System<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

A content management system essentially refers to the interface you use to manage all the content of your website, including text, photos, videos, audio, maps, graphics, and applications. Popular examples include WordPress<\/a><\/strong><\/span>, Joomla, and Drupal.<\/span><\/p>\n

Although most web hosts now support the above mentioned examples and other popular content management systems, there are exceptions. So, when choosing a web host, make sure it supports whichever content management system you prefer using, so you can make website management easier and more convenient down the road. This is especially true if you\u2019re using a less popular solutions like MODX or Mura.<\/span><\/p>\n

10) A Good Web Host has Reliable Backup Procedures<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Many web hosts regularly backup the data on their servers. These backup intervals can be daily, weekly or monthly, but can sometimes even occur in extraordinary situations, such as when the web host decides to introduce a major update. Aside from the automatic backup option, some web hosts even offer a manual backup feature, which allows their users to initiate the backup procedure themselves.<\/span><\/p>\n

Whatever the case, it\u2019s important to choose a web host that has reliable backup procedures. Preferably these procedures should be automatic and set to occur weekly. Monthly backups may also be acceptable, but you risk a significant portion of your data if you choose this option, especially if you\u2019re operating a video sharing site, forum, or other website that is updated very frequently. In these instances, losing a month-worth of data is simply too much to risk.<\/span><\/p>\n

Often times, there\u2019s little difference price-wise when it comes to plans offering different backup frequencies. If there is an added cost to more regular backups, then that option might be preferable if you have a fast-moving website like the examples above.<\/span><\/p>\n

11) A Good Web Host is Secure<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Cybersecurity is a very important feature, especially if your website deals with a user\u2019s personal data, such as names, addresses, and credit information. A security breach can be anything from dangerous to disastrous, depending on its severity and the type of information that was leaked. Keep in mind that any lapse or negligence on your part could result in costly and very public lawsuits.<\/span><\/p>\n

Considering how important cybersecurity can be, you should spare no expense when it comes to protecting your website from hackers, bugs, and malware.<\/span><\/p>\n

In connection with this, the backup procedures discussed in the previous section can also be incredibly helpful, especially in the unfortunate event of an actual security leak. Once you confirm the existence problem, your first instinct will probably be to try and fix it. However, just in case the problem persists, you should always have the option of rolling back your website to a previous clean version.<\/span><\/p>\n

12) A Good Web Host provides you with Custom Email Accounts<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Although this may not be an essential feature for some websites, it certainly wouldn\u2019t hurt to have a customised email account either. After all, customised email addresses, such as info@realestateseller.com, undoubtedly look more professional than generic ones, such as realestateseller@gmail.com.<\/span><\/p>\n

In connection with this factor, you may also want to look into the number of email accounts that you can create, so that you can provide customized email accounts for your future staff as well, such as johndoe@realestateseller.com. Obviously, the more accounts they can give you, the more advantageous it will be for you down the road.<\/span><\/p>\n

Aside from the above, you should also check if they allow you to integrate or connect their email system with other related programs such as Gmail or Outlook. You should probably setup one forwarding address, so you\u2019ll only need to check one email address for all your new mail. Otherwise, you\u2019ll need to check each address separately, which will obviously be a very time-consuming process.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Essential<\/a>
Essential Qualities of a Good Web Host – HostNamaste – E-commerce Features, and Fair Pricing.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

13) A Good Web Host offers useful E-commerce Features<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re operating an online store, subscription-based service, or some other website that sells something online, then you\u2019ll probably want a web host that has e-commerce features. Some of these features will be essential for your website, while others will only be useful extras.<\/span><\/p>\n

Essential features include mobile compatibility, customer support, payment gateways<\/a><\/strong><\/span>\u00a0integration, shopping cart, scalable infrastructure, and backend reports. Useful extras, on the other hand, include SSL certification, one-click checkout, newsletter, product zooming, wish list saving, and search bar. Having these extras will undoubtedly boost your sales conversion rate, but they aren\u2019t exactly necessary to operate an online store. Chances are that your web host will charge you more for the extras but will make the essentials either a standard plan inclusion or will charge a minimal amount for them.<\/span><\/p>\n

With that said, it\u2019s fairly easy to see why you should go for a web host that offers essential and extra e-commerce features if you\u2019re operating an online store or similar website.<\/span><\/p>\n

14) A Good Web Host has Fair Pricing<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

You get what you pay for. If a web host is offering you a very cheap hosting plan, then chances are that you\u2019ll only get the most basic service. Extra features will cost extra money and, oftentimes, the most desirable features will cost more than the others. There are, however, exceptions to this general rule. Some web hosts will offer great features for a minimal cost, while some others will also overcharge for even the most basic features. Pricing varies wildly between web hosts, so it\u2019s very important that the web host you choose offers fair pricing or payment plans.<\/span><\/p>\n

Useful Extras of a Good Web Host<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
\"Essential<\/a>
Essential Qualities of a Good Web Host – HostNamaste – Domestic Servers, Positive Reputation, Room to Grow, and Money Back Guarantee.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Now that we\u2019ve covered the essential factors or characteristics that make a good web host, let\u2019s move on to the extras. The following factors may not be indispensable for a good web host, but they are definitely worth having even if you have to spend a little extra cash to do so.<\/span><\/p>\n

1) A Good Web Host has Domestic Servers<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

A web host whose servers are located locally will likely be faster and more reliable than one whose servers are located abroad. Why? Because it takes time for information to ping back and forth from the computer accessing the information to the server hosting it. The farther away these signals have to travel, the longer it will take your website to load.<\/span><\/p>\n

Even if the differences in speed and stability are negligible, domestic web hosts will often be easier to get in touch with than foreign ones. There are several obvious reasons for this, such as time zone differences and language barriers.<\/span><\/p>\n

So, to get the best results, you should pick a web host with servers in the country where most of your visitors reside. After all, they\u2019re the ones who will suffer or benefit the most from the added speed and stability. Moreover, web hosts with domestic servers will often rank higher in search engine results than those with foreign servers. In other words, if most of your visitors are in the United States, then you probably shouldn\u2019t pick a web host with servers in Europe or Asia, even if they are sometimes cheaper or if you are operating from there. What matters most is where you\u2019re generating most of your traffic.<\/span><\/p>\n

2) A Good Web Host has a Positive Reputation<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

It\u2019s not uncommon for people to make purchasing decisions based solely on the reputation of the seller or service provider. The same holds true when choosing a good web host.<\/span><\/p>\n

More often than not, there is a good reason why reputable web hosts are so popular. With a few rare exceptions, reputable web hosts only become popular by consistently providing high-quality service<\/a><\/strong><\/span>. In other words, they\u2019re often faster, more reliable, more secure<\/a><\/strong><\/span>, and have better overall features than their lesser known competitors. One surefire way to verify this is to conduct a thorough search for customer ratings and reviews. You\u2019ll also want to give less weight to extreme reviews, such as the ones which describe a service as \u201cperfect\u201d or conversely described it as the \u201cworst.\u201d While there are some genuine reviews of this type, the more reliable reviews tend to be the ones which thoroughly describe the service by giving both pros and cons. After all, it\u2019s unlikely that you\u2019ll across a perfect web host that does everything flawlessly. What you should be looking for is a web host that does what it promises to do reliably and at a reasonable price.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are a few ways to check the Reputation of your Web Host.<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n