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Should I go with the cheaper hosting service and cut some costs?
Or
Should I rely on a well-known managed hosting provider?
It’s a debate that every soon-to-be site owner has with themselves.
And while you might want this article to simply give you the answer, we all know it’s not that simple when it comes to spending money on a service.
Instead, the following lines will help you understand what you need to look for in a hosting provider to guarantee yourself a trouble-free and high-performing future for your website and business.
Read on.
In the initial phases of launching a website, it's tempting to prioritize budget and opt for the most cost-effective web hosting solution available.
After all, saving on operational costs is a prudent business move, isn't it?
Well, not always, especially when it comes to web hosting – a foundational element that propels your site's performance and user experience.
Choosing a budget-friendly hosting provider might seem like a savvy move in the short term, offering you immediate savings and a quick setup. However, this initial cost-cutting can cascade into performance issues as your website grows and traffic increases.
That’s why, beyond the price of the service, you need to pay special attention to the four pillars of good hosting:
Modern server technology stands as a pivotal element in ensuring your website doesn’t just operate but operates at peak performance.
Unlike traditional servers, which might restrict your website’s potential with limited resources and outdated technology, modern server infrastructures are designed to embrace the demands of contemporary web usage and expectations.
Here’s how advanced server technology steers your website towards the fast lane:
This might surprise you, but even in the virtual world, distance matters.
That’s why the physical distance between your server and your site visitor significantly impacts latency and, subsequently, your site's load time.
Latency refers to the delay incurred during the communication of data between the visitor's browser and your server. When a user in Sydney accesses a website hosted on a server in New York, the data embarks on a transcontinental journey, bouncing through various nodes and networks.
Although measured in milliseconds, this journey can create perceptible delays, leading to a potentially sluggish user experience.
That’s where Content Delivery Network (CDN) comes into play, distributing your site’s data across a global network of servers.
And here’s why you need to look for a hosting provide that includes CDN in their plans:
Choosing a hosting provider with a robust uptime guarantee isn’t just a technical choice—it's a strategic decision affecting your digital reputation and operational consistency.
Here’s why:
Have you heard the quote:
“Proper preparation prevents poor performance.”
In the context of choosing your hosting provider, that means:
Future-proofing your website’s performance success does not end with choosing your hosting plan. Your site and business will grow with time, hence, you will generate more traffic.
In other words, you need to think two steps ahead, selecting a provider that can offer seamless scalability.
Scalability is critical in maintaining and enhancing your website's performance, particularly as the site grows and user demand fluctuates.
Here's how scalable options benefit web performance:
Transitioning from traditional hosting setups to the dynamic realm of cloud hosting, more and more businesses are shifting not out of whim but out of necessity.
Cloud hosting is a type of web hosting that uses multiple servers to balance the load and maximize uptime. Instead of using a single server, your website can tap into a “cluster” that utilizes resources from a centralized pool. This means your website isn’t reliant on just one server and can maintain operation through others if one goes down or experiences issues.
Cloud hosting isn't just a fleeting trend; it’s rapidly becoming the benchmark for web hosting. In fact, according to Hashicorp, 90% of large enterprises have adopted a multi-cloud infrastructure.
Why?
Because cloud hosting comprehensively addresses the four pillars of good hosting: server infrastructure, server location, uptime, and scalability.
When companies invest in cloud hosting, they aren't just selecting a hosting option but choosing a holistic solution that offers the full package. This paradigm shift ensures that their websites are well-supported and primed for future growth and challenges.
How so?
Well, here’s what a cloud hosting could offer:
Cloudways stands out in the hosting space with its balance of simplicity and power, catering to businesses looking to harness cloud hosting without the technical complexities.
By offering managed cloud hosting, they take care of the server-side complexities so you can focus on growing your business. With pay-as-you-go plans, 24/7 expert support, and an easy-to-use platform, Cloudways is ideal for those seeking a hassle-free, scalable hosting solution.
Why choose Cloudways:
WP Engine is a leading managed WordPress hosting provider. They offer specialized WordPress hosting solutions that emphasize speed, security, and scalability. With a suite of performance-enhancing tools and expert support, WP Engine is renowned for providing a streamlined and robust platform for WordPress websites, catering to both individual bloggers and large businesses.
Why choose WP Engine:
Bluehost is renowned for its comprehensive hosting solutions, robust security features, and great customer service, making it particularly attractive to WordPress users.
As an official WordPress-recommended hosting provider, Bluehost offers a free domain name for the first year, 24/7 support, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Why choose Bluehost:
DreamHost offers a wide range of hosting services, emphasizing transparency with its strong commitment to privacy. With features like a custom control panel, unlimited traffic & storage, fast SSD storage, and a 100% uptime guarantee, DreamHost provides a very customer-centric service. They also offer a remarkable 97-day refund policy.
Why choose DreamHost:
Hostinger attracts those on a budget without compromising on top-quality features, providing extremely competitive hosting plans. Offering some of the lowest prices in the industry, Hostinger doesn't skimp on performance, delivering 99.9% uptime, 24/7/365 chat support, and a powerful, user-friendly control panel.
Why choose Hostinger:
Pagely is a Managed WordPress hosting provider offering top-tier hosting solutions for Enterprise, the Public Sector, and Media companies. Their robust managed hosting service features multi-region redundancy, an enhanced SLA, and personalized technical account management – all powered by the global AWS cloud.
Why Choose Pagely:
Navigating through the vast ocean of hosting providers might seem daunting.
But if there’s one thing you should remember from this article, it would be:
The right hosting provider isn’t just a storage space for your website; it’s a pivotal partner in your site’s growth and user experience.
You can’t cut corners regarding your hosting and expect to compensate by installing tons of plugins.
So, take your time, do your research, and find the best provider to enable your business to perform, grow, and scale.
Niko has 5+ years of experience turning those “it’s too technical for me” topics into “I can’t believe I get it” content pieces. He specializes in dissecting nuanced topics like Core Web Vitals, web performance metrics, and site speed optimization techniques. When he’s taking a breather from researching his next content piece, you’ll find him deep into the latest performance news.