How to Pick a Suitable Hosting Provider – 5 Factors to Consider

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Introduction

A strong online presence is essential for most businesses and non-profit organizations in the digital age. This foundation relies on a secure and well-optimized server. It’s hard to choose the right hosting platform with so many options. Whatever you’re looking for – hosting for one domain, multiple sub-domains, or a secure email server – there’s a hosting solution just for you.

The key is understanding the different functionalities offered by various providers and how those functionalities align with your specific goals. This article is your guide on this journey, empowering you to make an informed decision and select the perfect hosting platform for your unique case.

How does a hosting company work?

Imagine your website as a vibrant online gallery showcasing your work. But for visitors to see your creations, you need a space to exhibit them. This is where servers come in–powerful computers act as your website’s digital foundation. Think of them as the secure storage units housing all the essential elements of your website, like its code, text, images, and videos.

 A server is a computer that provides information to other computers called “clients “on a computer network (Cisco Networking Academy, 2024). Servers are hosts with software installed that enables them to provide information, and clients are computer hosts with software installed that enables them to request and display the information obtained from the server. 

Sharing your website address is like giving someone directions to your online gallery. Their request goes through a network of computers until it reaches the server where your website is stored. This server acts as your reliable curator, efficiently gathering and showing the information for your website visitors.

Hosting companies are now managing and offering this essential digital space. They handle both the hardware and software that keeps your website running smoothly, in some cases owning the server buildings themselves. However, like landlords rent out spaces in the physical world, some hosting companies might “rent” server space from larger providers who own the actual server infrastructure.

Hosting companies are crucial for your online presence, regardless of ownership. Their goal is to give your website a prominent and accessible spot in the digital world so anyone can visit your online gallery and experience what you provide.

Key challenges of the hosting industry

The convenience of the digital world has a downside: the environmental impact of data centers. These large facilities work nonstop to power the internet infrastructure we depend on.

While estimates vary across studies, a concerning picture emerges. Data centers are estimated to consume a significant portion of global energy–between 1.5% and 4%–with the associated greenhouse gas emissions as a cause for alarm. To put this in perspective, the current global emissions of the aviation industry sit around 2.5%.

Perhaps the most worrying aspect is the projected rise in this footprint. The ever-growing demand for data storage and processing, fueled by advancements like artificial intelligence, data center energy consumption, and emissions, is expected to increase significantly. This is a hidden cost with real-world consequences for our planet.

Many people are unaware of the environmental consequences of the “cloud.” However, organizations choosing to host providers have the power to be a force for positive change. By considering their practices, you can choose to support companies that are actively reducing their environmental impact.

You can also take further steps to mitigate the environmental impact of your digital presence. Choosing a hosting provider committed to renewable energy sources is a powerful first step. Organizations can offset the emissions generated by their server usage through initiatives like tree-planting programs. Platforms like Tree Nation or other reputable tree-planting charities offer solutions to help organizations contribute to a greener future.

While the digital world has advantages, we must also recognize and tackle its environmental impact. Organizations can contribute to a sustainable future by making informed choices about hosting providers and finding ways to offset their impact on digital and physical environments. 

Five considerations when choosing a hosting provider

Choosing the right hosting provider is essential for any organization going online. It doesn’t apply to everyone in the same way. The perfect choice will be a combination of factors that suit your needs and budget. Here are some important things to think about:

1. The performance of your website depends on its speed and reliability. Search for a provider that ensures high uptime, fast loading, and reliable security. Uptime refers to the amount of time your website is available and operational. Hosting providers often offer uptime guarantees, typically expressed as a percentage. 

Aim for a provider that offers at least a 99.9% uptime guarantee to ensure your site is accessible to users around the clock. Speed optimization can involve technologies such as solid-state drives (SSDs) for storage, HTTP/2, and server-side caching. 

A provider that invests in these technologies can significantly boost your site’s performance, leading to better user satisfaction and lower bounce rates. Additionally, some providers offer advanced security options like Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) and intrusion detection systems (IDS), which provide extra layers of protection.

2. Giving importance to the user’s experience is key. A friendly interface and helpful tools can help a lot. Look for features like website migration, security management, and speed optimization on the platform. Providers with automated migration tools can simplify this process, making it less daunting for users with limited technical skills.

You should also opt for providers that feature user-friendly dashboards, one-click software installations, and automated options for tasks such as backups and updates. Control panels like cPanel or Plesk offer intuitive access to these functionalities, simplifying the management of domains, email accounts, and databases.

Some providers will offer a centralized interface where you can handle all aspects of hosting management, from DNS settings to e-mail dashboarding. This centralization helps streamline operations, especially for businesses with a diverse portfolio of websites.

Other potential factors to consider are whether the provider offers additional security tools and whether the addon domains are offered in a separate root directory. 

3. When technical issues arise, responsive and knowledgeable customer support is important. Seek a provider with skilled support staff readily available to guide you through any difficulties.

4. A provider’s dedication to sustainability matters for organizations that care about the environment. Is the company powered by renewable sources? What is their goal for helping the environment? Aligning your values with your hosting partner can create a positive outcome.

5. Being aware of pricing is important, but don’t solely focus on it. Look at the features in the original plans, such as storage space, domain and mailbox limits, and other functionalities. Beware of discounts that end up costing more when you renew. To avoid unpleasant surprises later, research if there are any hidden fees for specific support requests or features.

By weighing these factors, you can make an informed decision and find a hosting provider that perfectly complements your organization’s needs, budget, and values. This sets the stage for a successful and sustainable online presence.

Conclusion

Although it may take some time, researching and selecting a hosting provider will be worth it. Selecting a reliable provider that suits your requirements will prevent the need for complicated server switches and migrations, ensuring your website operates smoothly.

Data centers’ impact on the environment is becoming a bigger worry. You can contribute to a more environmentally friendly digital future by choosing a provider that prioritizes sustainability.

Are you ready to find the perfect host? Reach out! If you tell us what you need, we’ll guide you through the process.

References:

Client (computing) (2024) Wikipedia. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Client_(computing) (Accessed: 10 June 2024). 

Computer (2024) Wikipedia. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer (Accessed: 10 June 2024). 

Globally Connected, Cisco Networking Academy (no date) 1.1.2.2 Clients and Servers. Available at: http://cisco.num.edu.mn/CCNA_R&S1/course/module1/1.1.2.2/1.1.2.2.html (Accessed: 10 June 2024). 

Green Data Centers: Towards a sustainable digital transformation (no date) World Bank. Available at: https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/digitaldevelopment/publication/green-data-centers-towards-a-sustainable-digital-transformation (Accessed: 10 June 2024). 

Posey, B. (2021) What is a server? – definition from whatis.com, WhatIs. Available at: https://www.techtarget.com/whatis/definition/server (Accessed: 10 June 2024). 

Wayback Machine (no date) Expand web menu. Available at: https://web.archive.org/web/20240407111300/ (Accessed: 10 June 2024).