Once your website is completed it will need to be hosted in order for people to be able to view it on the Internet.
Website hosting companies have dedicated Internet computers which are designed especially for presenting webpages and to allow public viewing access in a way which is safe for everyone.
What you should look for in a hosting provider is great response times, you may need to be able to talk to someone from time to time or reach them quickly.
The ability to add email and sub domains is important. You must be able to rely on their ability to keep your website live to the world 100% of the time. Check that the hosting provider has good backup procedures in place.
Check the quality of the web statistics provided by the hosting provider as this can be valuable information for making decisions later on. Some providers charge extra depending on the number of visitors to your website (traffic) while others don’t. If your building the holy grail of websites then ensure that you wont be nabbed later on with extra traffic costs.
Consider the range of features that can be added or not added to your website. Hosting providers often have certain restrictions regarding what scripts you can use with your website. For example, some providers demand that you use one of their particular forms in order to be able to add a email contact form on your website.
Most hosters put restrictions on the size of your website. Its best to check if this relevant for you or not. How much space you will need depends on the size of your website now and how it grows into the future.
Database and ecommerce features could also be relevant to your website needs. There may be added fees for database hosting or secure website areas for ecommerce.
Host in your own country. Don’t be tempted New Zealanders to host with overseas companies because it looks cheaper. On paper it may work out cheaper but be warned if something goes wrong, who are you going to call? Many overseas companies operate with email only and respond when they feel like it.
Check the hidden costs! Even the big players sneak in hidden costs which are often unnecessary. Domain hosting charges and exorbitant mailbox charges are some of the costs you need to keep an eye on.
You can choose to have all your Internet components with different people. For example, you could have your email with one provider, and your domain name with someone else. Even your website can be hosted by even another provider. While this approach is possible, it is better to have everything or at least your domain name and website hosted with the same provider. In that way your Internet manager, website designer or marketer can have total control to complete all of your requests, rather that contacting and coordinating multiple companies that have differing degrees of service and urgency.
If you are interested in talking to us about hosting we would be happy to answer any questions you have.
