March 26th, 2021
In this digital era, having a strong online presence for your business is no longer optional. More than 80% of consumers perform online research before making a purchase. Even if you operate a physical store, you still need a small business website that highlights your competitive advantage.
The first step to building your online presence is to choose a domain name and web host. Depending on your needs, you may opt for dedicated hosting, shared hosting, cloud hosting, and everything in between.
Think long-term when comparing the best web hosts. Consider the amount of disk space and bandwidth, as well as the uptime scores and security features.
Not sure where to start? Here are some aspects to keep in mind before choosing a web host for your small business website!
Know Your Options
Whether you're planning to set up a business blog, an online store, or a portfolio website, you need web hosting.
This service allows individuals and businesses to "store" their websites on servers so that people can access them online. Therefore, it eliminates the need to set up your own server and the infrastructure required to run a website.
There are several types of web hosting available, including:
- Shared web hosting
- Dedicated hosting
- VPS (virtual private server) hosting
- Cloud hosting
- WordPress hosting
Shared web hosting, for example, enables users to share one server with other clients. It's an affordable solution for personal blogs and small websites.
Dedicated hosting is more suitable for medium and large businesses. If you choose this option, you won't be sharing resources with other users. Moreover, you'll have full control over the server settings, configurations, and other aspects.
VPS hosting is somewhere in the middle. Although there are multiple clients on the same server, each user is allocated a certain amount of space. This service works best for websites with extensive content.
Another option is cloud hosting, a cost-effective version of VPS hosting. Users can scale up or down as needed and have higher uptime rates compared to other service plans.
Assess Your Needs
Now that you know your options, assess your short- and long-term needs.
Shared hosting, for instance, is more than enough for a five-page website that describes your business and its services. But if you're going to set up an online store or build a content-heavy website, opt for cloud hosting or VPS hosting.
Next, decide on the features you want. For example, if you're planning to set up a small business website by yourself, look for a web host that can make your job easier. SectorLink offers a free website builder and over 190 templates in 22 categories.
If you're going to sell products online, look for web hosting plans with eCommerce features. These may include:
- Advanced security features, such as malware protection and SSL certificates
- PCI compliance
- Unmetered bandwidth
- 99.9% uptime
- One-click installations for eCommerce platforms
- eCommerce optimized servers
- Multiple payment methods
- Shopping carts
Ideally, choose a web host that offers support around the clock. To make savings, look for hosting plans that include free domain names, unlimited subdomains, and other extras.
Find the Best Web Host for Your Small Business Website
Setting up a small business website doesn't have to be difficult. A reliable web host can provide you with the tools needed to get your site up and running effortlessly.
Start by researching the different types of web hosting available. Consider your business needs and goals, as well as your budget. Next, compare the best web hosts and read customer reviews to how other users feel about their services.
If you're ready to launch your small business website, reach out to our team! Call us, leave us a message, or use the live chat feature to discuss your needs.