7 Important Tips from IT Industry Experts
Different Hosting Types Hosting services should be chosen based on the website’s needs. Some providers offer shared hosting, suitable for smaller websites with low traffic, while others focus on dedicated hosting, ideal for e-commerce sites and large multimedia blogs. The cost typically depends on the amount of stored data, allocated power and resources of the hosting plan, as well as the number of domains and email accounts.
Customer Support It is important to choose a hosting provider that offers fast and efficient customer support via chat, email, and phone. Good hosting providers include free customer support in their hosting packages. If additional fees are required for first-level support or it is not possible to contact the company during an issue, it might be worth considering switching to a different provider.
Data Storage Volume Hosting plans usually specify the maximum amount of data that can be stored. If exceeded, clients are notified to upgrade the service plan and pay extra. The initial data amount offered in the plan is not as important if the hosting provider allows for easy upgrades. This flexibility allows the website to naturally grow and accommodate more text and multimedia content as demands increase.
Security It’s essential to check if the hosting package includes protection against attacks and hacking attempts. Many providers do not offer this or charge additional fees. Therefore, it is wise to choose an IT service provider that includes protection against hacking attempts by default. This is especially important for WordPress-based websites, as these are frequently targeted by hackers.
Data Backups Issues with computers, files, and data are almost inevitable in any company. External threats, such as hackers, can breach your WordPress site and replace the index.php file or destroy the entire database. If your IT provider regularly backs up your website, you can feel more secure during such incidents. Pay attention to whether regular backups are made and don’t wait until data is already lost.
Price Price is one of the most important and often decisive factors, especially in Latvia. Local companies tend to offer more expensive services, but they often allow payment monthly. Foreign web hosting services are cheaper but generally require payment for multiple months in advance. A good way to secure your commitment to continue the project is by signing a hosting contract for several years. By choosing this option, you get a discount but must pay a larger sum upfront.
Money-Back Guarantee Almost all companies offer a money-back guarantee within 30 days after signing the contract. This provision allows you to try out the hosting services and ensure the service quality, website speed, and uptime. When paying foreign hosting providers, it is safest to use PayPal, which will refund the payment in case of a claim.