{"id":397,"date":"2021-04-07T06:46:23","date_gmt":"2021-04-07T06:46:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zenhosting.com.au\/blog\/?p=397"},"modified":"2021-04-10T11:32:02","modified_gmt":"2021-04-10T11:32:02","slug":"choosing-a-web-host","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zenhosting.com.au\/blog\/choosing-a-web-host\/","title":{"rendered":"Choosing a web host: How to find the best provider"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

\"Choosing<\/p>\r\n

Choosing a web host can be a really difficult and often confusing task, with lots of web hosting providers offering heaps of deals.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n

Here\u2019s a look at what to consider before making that choice, so you ultimately get fast, reliable and secure web hosting backed by the best technical support.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n

Know what web hosting you need<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n

At its most basic level, web hosting is defined by storage space (or disk space) and bandwidth. All your web site components, such as files, images, databases and emails, get stored on your web hosting provider\u2019s server. Generally, the more components to your site and the larger they are in size, the more web hosting storage space you need. Keep in mind your site will likely grow over time and need more space.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n

Now, if you expect just a few visitors to your web site, the server won\u2019t have to transfer much data to their computers, so you don\u2019t need much bandwidth. But if you expect lots of traffic, bandwidth usage will be high.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n

If you\u2019re really not sure what you need, ask your potential web host.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n

Be smart with your web host comparisons\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>
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When choosing a web host, you\u2019ll want to compare like for like, so look at the amount of storage space and bandwidth you\u2019ll get and the unit of measurement (ie megabytes or gigabytes). Be sure to consider the free inclusions: after all, a free SSL certificate enabling https and free web site backups are pretty standard these days. Also, when it comes to pricing, what currency is being quoted? And where are the servers located? Are you comparing the pricing of Australian web hosting with American web hosting when you should be comparing Australian web hosting providers?<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n

Server location counts when choosing a web host<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n

You don\u2019t want your web site to load so slow that visitors leave without seeing what\u2019s on offer. One of many ways to make your web site load faster for your target audience is to choose a web host with servers that are physically near your visitors. This means if your target audience is Americans, you\u2019ll want a web hosting provider with servers in the US. Likewise, if you\u2019re targeting Australians, you should be choosing a web host with servers in Australia.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n

Quality and availability of technical support matters<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n

You don\u2019t need to look far to find a web host offering 24\/7 support, but it often just means you can file a support ticket at any time and possibly receive help days later. When choosing a web host, find out if they offer genuine around-the-clock support. If it matters to you, ask whether the support team is onshore or offshore. Also, most web hosts use a tiered support system, with \u201clevel one\u201d support working after hours and on weekends. As they have basic technical knowledge, you might have to wait until the experienced support staff are back on deck to get your problem solved.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n

Make sure the web host has a good reputation<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n

It pays to read up on what other customers have to say about web hosts but only check trustworthy sites. Ask yourself:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n