The Ins and Outs of Choosing the Right Web Hosting Platform

Even before the pandemic forced people into quarantine, the field of business was already moving further and further into the internet. All that 2020 has revealed to us is that every business needs to maintain an online presence; in some cases, an online presence is preferable to a brick-and-mortar establishment. 

The foundation of your online presence begins, first and foremost, with a website. Without a website, you would be cutting yourself off from multitudes of customers who are now realizing the superior convenience afforded by the internet. 

Before you even think about building and designing your website, you must choose your web hosting platform. If you think in terms of physical structures, a web hosting platform serves as the place that houses your website (akin to a structure housing an office). If you need help choosing the right platform, read on. We have created this guide for those hoping to build a website for their business.

The Types of Hosting

Before passing the responsibility of website hosting to a provider, you must first choose among three main hosting types:

• Shared hosting. As the name suggests, shared hosting means your files will be placed on a server that other websites use. If you continue with the office building metaphor, shared hosting can be likened to a coworking space, where businesses use and share the same resources. While this is the most affordable option, it is also among the least secure. 

• Virtual Private Server (VPS). The VPS takes the concept of Shared Hosting further by allocating a set amount of resources and space to your business that nobody else can access. The traffic from other websites will not affect yours with such a hosting plan. 

• Dedicated hosting. With dedicated hosting, you have the freedom to keep a whole server to yourself. This is the best decision for websites that get a lot of traffic, simply because it’s the fastest and most secure. This option, however, is definitely not cheap. 

Your provider may or may not manage your allocation or server, depending on your plan. If you opt for management, your provider will handle security, updates, and technical issues. An unmanaged plan means you’ll have to learn to handle that yourself. 

Technical Issues Will Arise

There is no website exempt from technical problems or downtime. One way or another, at some point in the future, something will affect its operation. Fortunately, this risk can be lessened the more you invest in your hosting platform. In general, the field follows a “you get what you pay for” model of success. 

That being said, not every business has the capacity to invest in a dedicated server or VPS right off the bat; in fact, they might not even need to. If your business is still growing and trying to lure in traffic, cheaper options in hosting are perfectly fine. Only when your operations and user base start growing should you invest in dedicated systems. 

It also helps to pay attention to the level of customer service you are provided. It’s generally all the same equipment, but not all providers are equal. Some are better at handling client concerns than others. 

Security Concerns

Security is always a concern in cyberspace, especially since users will be submitting financial information or even their addresses to your website. Without adequate security, you would be leaving all their data at risk. If the breach of the customer is tied to you, your business may be held liable. 

As with everything, your options become more secure the more money you are capable of spending. Luckily, many providers offer creative security solutions no matter the type of hosting you sign up for. You will likely have to shell out a little more for this security, but every bit certainly helps protect your customers’ data (as well as yours).

Final Thoughts

Making the right choice in a hosting platform is the first step to success in e-commerce. After all, your customers need as few obstacles as possible to your desired goals, whether this means purchasing a subscription, buying your latest product, or just signing up for your mailing list. 

If you’re looking for a trustworthy web hosting platform known for unparalleled customer service, chat with us at I/O Zoom. We can help you launch that state-of-the-art website with all the latest innovations and technologies.