When choosing a managed website hosting provider for your business, you want to make sure you are getting the highest possible return for your investment. Providers like GoDaddy and Bluehost provide quality hosting and domain services but lack the one to one support and maintenance of your website. So what are some things to look for when choosing a website hosting provider?
Industry standard software platforms for ultimate portability.
Portability simply means that you can take your website from one hosting provider to another without having to rebuild your website and backup your email. Most major hosting providers use the cPanel environment to manage your website, email, DNS and more. Migrating your site from one hosting provider to another is significantly easier when using the same software. Other factors, like the type of platform your website is built upon, are important, as well. WordPress websites, HTML5 templates, and even Weebly websites are generally offered by most hosting companies. Add it all up and choosing a company that offers industry standard software to manage and build your website will give you more options in the future for your business to grow.
Customer Support Channels
So often, hosting providers limit the types of support their customers can receive. Some may only offer email support or have outsourced their support. It is important for you to find a hosting provider who will communicate the way you want to communicate. If you prefer a phone conversation, make sure they offer local phone support. If you like to submit tickets, make sure they have a robust ticket system that you can easily and reliably count on. Ideally, you want to find a local company that provides phone, email, text and chat support. There are so many great local options that can provide the same service that national companies can offer at competitive prices. Performing a quick search for “hosting providers near me” give you a whole host of options in your area.
Find a company that offers Hosting, Domains, Security, SEO, Social, and Maintenance.
It is not enough to just find a hosting provider. You need more than just a website. Email, Search Engine Optimization, Social Media Management, Pay Per click, SSL certs and so much more are vital to keeping you on top. Find a company that can provide all of these and you can bundle these services to save money. Having the same company for these services, provided continuity and a consistent message to your customers and can eliminate waste and overlapping duties.
Management of your content and software is important.
Finding a company that can update your content and keep your website software up-to-date is crucial for most businesses. Why use your time updating code when you could be doing something you love? Not every hosting company provides managed hosting. Finding a hosting provider that offers managed hosting means you don’t have to worry about your website.
