5 critical features to consider when choosing your hosting provider

So, you or your client has finally pulled the trigger on a business license, brainstormed a genius blog idea, or purchased a domain name that promises to be the gateway to your future fortune. Now, it’s time to get your website up and running. But before you launch into copy, design, and development, you have to decide one small detail: Where will you host your site?

Hosting may not sound like the sexiest part of building a website, but it’s one of the most important choices you’ll make. After all, your hosting service determines where in cyberspace your website will actually live — kind of like its virtual apartment (the domain is merely the address). And as anyone with noisy upstairs neighbours can attest, real estate is all about location, location, location — even online.

When making this choice, there are several critical factors to consider. Services like tsoHost provide peace of mind in addition to steadfast functionality. And during tsoHost’s Summer Sale, which goes through 21 July, you can save up to 75% on web hosting, 38% on business hosting, and 50% on WordPress hosting. 

Below are a few of the features you need to think about when making this all-important decision.

Security
Much as you’d purchase a robust alarm system to protect your physical property, security is a crucial consideration for virtual real estate, too. tsoHost’s advanced firewalls and multi-layered security features provided by Sucuri help ensure that your website’s hosting solution is as impenetrable as possible. Rest easy knowing your site is safe with behind-the-scenes monitoring, including customisable alerts of any indicators of compromise, and advanced incident response features, such as unlimited malware removal.

Flexibility
When your business is still a kernel of an idea, you likely don’t know what features you’ll end up using later down the line. Opting for a hosting service that seamlessly integrates with WordPress, Magento, Drupal, PrestaShop, and third-party plugins gives you flexibility to grow your site in tandem with your business ambitions. tsoHost’s single-click installs make this process simple and intuitive.

Speed, uptime, and bandwidth
Three seconds: That’s how long it takes the average internet user to navigate away from a website that’s not loading quickly enough. So, speed is a prime consideration when selecting your hosting service. Additionally, if you’ll be launching a high-traffic site like an ecommerce storefront, you’ll need to ensure your business hosting packs sufficient punch for smooth, reliable, and consistent operations. tsoHost customers can choose from multiple data center locations to find the best, most optimal fit for streamlining their site’s performance.

Ease
When it comes to website hosting, the best services are the ones you don’t even notice. Look for ease-of-management features like an intuitive control panel, and research the services that get high marks for user-friendliness. Be sure whatever hosting service you select has mechanisms for keeping up with scripting languages like PHP, database management systems like MySQL, etc. tsoHost also offers 24/7 ticketing system support for existing clients, and a highly trained support staff — available daily from 7 a.m.-midnight — who have the technical know-how and customer service skills to provide answers to all your questions. So, there’s no need for a degree in server administration to confidently manage your websites.

Cost
In addition to standard hosting fees, be on the lookout for competitively priced SSL certificates, free domain names and website migration, and money-back guarantees. Through the end of July, don’t forget that you can save up to 75% on tsoHost’s web, business, and WordPress hosting services — as well as major savings on domain names — during the Summer Sale. Snag a great deal on your website’s new home.

via mashable