The Web Hosting Dilemma

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How do you select the perfect web hosting company? This is a dilemma that no doubt many a webmaster have run into, and today, with so many hosting companies on the market and each one offering different promotions and deals, it can be hard to pick the right one. But take a step back from the prices and promotions and think about what your website really needs. Once you’ve nailed down a list of must-haves for your site’s hosting plan, you’ll have a better idea of which web host you should ultimately sign up with.

First and foremost, you’ll want to decide between a Linux server and a Windows server. Linux servers are the most popular and tend to support more scripts and coding languages. But if you have a website in mind that will utilize Microsoft’s own coding languages and scripts, a Windows server would be more suitable, since it’s been specifically designed to handle your needs. Find web hosting that offers the type of server you need.

You’ll also want to think about shared hosting versus managed hosting versus dedicated hosting. A shared hosting plan gives you a sliver of space on a server that is also home to dozens or even hundreds of other websites. A managed hosting plan may be on a shared server or a dedicated server, but has the distinct advantage of offering you the support and monitoring services of the company that’s hosting it. And with a dedicated hosting plan, you’ll have an entire physical server all to yourself. This is great if you are in need of a lot of space or resources, but not very cost-efficient if you only have a small website to host.

When checking into different hosting companies and their options, look at their plans and prices. Check out the features list. But you’ll also want to see what type of support they offer. Some hosting companies offer more support — such as 24/7 phone and online support and automated backups — than others. Remember that you usually get what you pay for, so choose a hosting company accordingly.

Finally, if you’re not satisfied with your existing hosting company, don’t be afraid to move! Switching from one hosting company to another can actually be a pretty easy, and often automated, process.

I’ve compiled this list of the best website hosting companies for you if you’re looking to get started quickly. It’s pretty extensive and updated regularly, and I’m sure you’ll find hosting for your needs easily.

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