Okay so you are getting a nice new website for your business and it is going to look the part; professional, aesthetically attractive, dynamic and cutting edge. You know exactly how you want the page structure and layout to look and you have your content all mapped out. You’re ready to rock and roll and start uploading your content but is there something else that you might be forgetting?

Have you researched the best web host for your site? Do you know that the solution that you are planning to use will suit your business requirements, both in the short and long term?

So what exactly is a web host?

In a nutshell, your host is where your website lives in the World Wide Web. It provides you with an IP address that is essential for people to be able to access your website. People often refer to the company that provides the server space for their website as their web host.

How to obtain a web host

There are a number of website platforms that provide managed hosting such as the more popular platforms WordPress and Wix. If you go for this option, your hosting needs are all taken care of. However, this does not necessarily mean that this is the correct option for your website.

There are lots of different factors to take into consideration when selecting your web host. Cost is obviously a key so lots of people opt for a free web host. There are a number of other web hosting options available all with differing levels of support and control.

Free Web hosts

Whilst this option may suit people who are unable to afford a paid host, there are limitations and future changes that you must take into consideration. If you sign up for a free host, the provider may change the conditions of usage or they may use your site for advertising. Basically, with this option you have much less control over your site so take this into account when you are making your web hosting decision. You don’t want to end up with a situation where your web host accidently deletes your website like customers of 123-reg recently were unfortunate enough to experience!

Shared web hosting

This option is where a website lives on the same server as multiple other sites. Again, there are some limitations with this solution for example, the provider may set you up to share RAM with other website owners.

Virtual Dedicated Server (or Virtual Private Server)

This option provides you with more flexibility and control as it allows you to install pretty much any software that runs on the operating system. Sometimes this solution well entail a number of server admin tasks for the customer, which is also a key factor in deciding the level of support that is right for your business and your website.

Reseller web hosting

This is a bit like subletting a house. You pay your landlord your rent but you have lots of other rooms that you are able to let out and gain income from. The same concept applies with web hosting, you pay the web host a fee and then you can make money back by becoming a host for other websites.

This just a brief summary of some of the web hosting options available, so make sure you do you research or get advice from the experts before making your choice.