5 Key Steps in Determining Your Web Hosting Needs

Knowing your specific web hosting needs is a crucial step to have an effective website for your business.

It lets you choose the right hosting service that provides all the functionalities you need for your website. In result, you can maximise your hosting resources.

There are many web hosting companies for you to choose from. Each carries its unique set of hosting features.

How to identify what features you need for your website? Follow these 5 key steps:

How to Determine Your Web Hosting Needs?

Step 1: Estimate your storage and bandwidth needs

Make sure that your storage supports the amount of web files you’ll be storing. And that your bandwidth can cater to the amount of traffic you’re expecting in the long run.

This saves you from experiencing downtime and other website performance issues later on. Here’s how to get started identifying your storage and bandwidth needs:

Storage space

If your goal is to post insightful blogs or showcase your art, you wouldn't need a large space. You can go with a basic web hosting plan.

But when you’ll be using lots of graphics and other multimedia, such as eCommerce, you should consider a hosting solution with high scalability.

Bandwidth

Bandwidth plays a key role when it comes to your website traffic. The amount of bandwidth you avail determines the volume of traffic your website can support.

For example, you may need to increase your bandwidth when your eCommerce site is gaining more popularity. Luckily, some companies offer scalable hosting ⁠at a justifiable price.

READ: Get an Estimate: How Much Hosting Bandwidth Do You Need?

Step 2: List down all your needed features and add ons

Most hosting plans come with features and plugins that improve website customisation and experience. Make sure to only get what’s valuable for your website, making it investment-worthy.

You can opt for crucial features, such as email addresses, faster website speeds, SSL, website protection, backup, one-click software installations, etc. If you don't have an IT team to install any of those features, it’s best to ask your hosting provider.

You can explore different hosting plans from a reliable hosting company to narrow down your list.

Step 3: Make sure to get strong online security

With the increasing number of online breaches every year, you should prioritise your cybersecurity measures.

Protect your business data and customer’s information with business-grade web security. And getting an SSL Certificate is a must, especially if you’re handling bank details and other sensitive information.

Some of the most crucial web security features you should look for include malware detection, SSL encryption, website firewall, and constant monitoring.

READ: 9 Best Practices to Keep Your Website Secured

Step 4: Get a hosting service that provides 24/7 customer support

A website crash can happen to you anytime. That’s why it’s important to get a hosting solution that comes with round the clock support.

This way, you can resolve unexpected crashes quickly without compromising your uptime, revenue, and reputation.

Step 5: Set your budget

Prices of hosting plans vary across brands. But don't get fooled by companies who offer them shockingly lower than the average.

The cheapest solution isn't always the best option. If you aim to get a reliable hosting that powers you online effectively, you may need to invest in it a bit. This, in return for faster web performance and stronger security.

Maximise your hosting resources

Determine your specific web needs to avoid getting unnecessary hosting features in the end. Doing so lets you make the most of your resources and money.

Once you're done assessing your web hosting needs, it's time to find the right hosting provider. Do your research, read reviews, and see which can provide all your web hosting needs.