Every business wants to try and save money wherever they can, but some things are worth spending that little bit extra on. Web Hosting is one of them. Even though web hosting doesn’t often make it to the top of the priority list, a quality web host is one of the best business investments you can make. Here’s why.
What Is Web Hosting?
Web hosting is the foundation of every website. It is where all the files that make up your website are stored. When you click on a domain name, it is translated into the IP address of its web host (a remote computer) which sends the website’s files back to you in the form of a website. In other words, web hosting is rented space on a remote computer that allows your website to be visible on the internet.
A web host is also responsible for making sure your files are secure from hackers, and there is a backup power supply so your website will be live 24/7.
Why Cheap Web Hosting Will Cost You More in the Long Run
If you are trying to save a few hundred dollars a year by going with the cheapest hosting you can find, it could end up costing your business thousands. Here’s why:
- Most providers offering cheap web hosting are based overseas or have overloaded servers. Websites hosted overseas are slow to load, and Google penalises slow-loading websites.
- Cheap web hosting companies are more likely to cut corners when it comes to backups, security & maintenance. And the less money your hosting company spends on hosting, the higher your chances of being hacked.
- When something goes wrong, you will be on your own. Cheap web hosts generally don’t invest in enough staff or knowledgeable staff. Wait times can be frustratingly long, and when you eventually get to speak to someone, they may not know how to fix the problem.
Quality Australian hosting and support will cost more because it is reliable, secure and fast. Think of web hosting like an insurance policy for your business.
5 Things To Look For In A Web Host
There are hundreds of web hosting companies to choose from, so knowing which one to go with can be tricky. Whatever company you end up choosing, make sure these features are included in their web hosting packages.
Uptime Guarantee – Every minute your website is offline, is a minute you are losing potential business. Don’t accept anything less than 99.9% uptime
Support – If an unexpected problem occurs and your website goes offline, you want it sorted out straight away, not the next day or whenever they get to it. Look for a host that offers 24/7 phone support so you can speak to an actual person whenever you need to.
Backups – Look closely at how often your web hosting service takes backups. If you ever need to roll back your website to a previous version, you’ll want at least daily backups taken. Also, make sure they have a disaster recovery plan (backups of backups) in place.
Location – Hosting locally is best. If the majority of your site visitors come from Australia then your site should be hosted in Australia. The further away your server is, the longer it will take your site to load.
Web Hosting Reviews – If you have a shortlist of web hosting companies, do a bit of research via their social channels and check review sites. People don’t tend to hold back when it comes to their website being offline!
Invest In Fast, Reliable Web Hosting in Australia
Where you choose to host your website will impact your SEO. Yes, your site’s uptime and page speed will affect where your site ranks because they affect the user experience. Google wants to deliver the best possible experience to the user, so if your site is prone to server errors and timeouts, your site will not rank as high as a competitor’s site that doesn’t suffer from these issues.
Webics has been hosting websites in Australia for over 10 years. We offer fast, reliable hosting with 99.9% guaranteed uptime and 24/7 site monitoring. All our website packages come with support.
