Tips for choosing a web hosting provider
Saturday 24th April 2010 at 7:03 pm

With literally thousands of web hosting providers out there, what type of hosting should you buy and where from? It's a minefield, so here's a few quick tips on choosing the best package for your needs.

1. Bigger isn't always better.
First, don't just call your ISP. The problem is that they have millions of customers and that means when you need help, you won't be talking directly to a technical expert. Not only that but the cost of the service in terms of what you get for you money is usually pretty poor too.

2. Try before you buy.
If you want to find out how good a service is, many offer 'try before you buy' services, or a money back guarantee. This is a great way to try out a web hosting provider without committing to a long-term contract.

3. Don't just choose the one with the most features.
You may have found a web host promising loads of storage space and "unlimited" bandwidth (sidenote: it's never really unlimited!), but if you're only hosting a small business website why do you need all that? You're better off going with a smaller supplier who cares about your business and is willing to help you get things set up.

4. Location, location, location.
Make sure you know where you're hosting provider keeps their servers. That USA based host might be cheap, but if your data has to cross the atlantic to reach your visitors computer, your website will be slow and unreliable.

5. Go on recommendation.
Almost all small businesses have a website these days. Ask some other business owners who they use and what their experiences have been.

6. Make sure it's compatible!
If you've already got a website, make sure your hosting package is compatible with your system. Speak to your web developer to find your personal requirements.

How Olio can help your business

Olio offer premium web hosting services from just £3.75/month. Our UK based servers are fully managed in-house and the high-end hardware maintained by expert engineers in a state-of-the-art data centre. We'll keep an eye on the sever, make sure things get backed up and help you sort out anything else you may need. It's a personal service so we'll set up your hosting to perfectly suit your requirements.

Get in touch today to find out what we can do for you.