One of the most important decisions in the process of creating a company’s website is selecting the web host. The following are criteria that will provide guidance, but consulting with an expert IT support firm will best help you determine the web hosting features that your business especially needs.

Reliability & Uptime

It is critical for your business that the web host you choose is reliable and functions 24/7. Select a web host that operates using powerful servers with stable network connections. Only choose a web host with an uptime score greater than or equal to 99.5%.

Upgrading Options

A website with 40,000 unique visitors a month can run on a shared hosting account. However, if you anticipate massive growth within 2 years, this will not be enough, and the upgrading to a virtual private or dedicated server will be necessary because more disk storage, memory capacity, processing power, and improved security will be needed.

Multiple Domains

When your business branches out far enough from its core, it may be time to create a site specific to this new endeavor. If you anticipate growth and diversification, consider having the capability of adding several domains. This will also allow you to have Add-on Domains and Parked Domains.

Pricing & Refunds

Shared hosting offers start at below $10 a month, but check if you will be able to afford the increased renewal costs. Make sure you also understand the trial and refund policies in case there is poor service. On the same note, avoid web hosting companies that charge a high cancellation fee.

Basic Hosting Features

Basic web hosting features, such as Auto Script Installer to enable easy installations and updates of web applications, .htaccess for redirects, etc., Server Side Include (SSI) for site maintenance, FTP access for file transfers, and Cron for day-to-day operations, are essential.

E-Commerce

An e-Commerce website will need a web host that will be able to support its essential features. A dedicated IP, 1-click shopping cart software, and SSL certification are some that an online business will require.

Alpha Engineering Business Support

Choosing an expert computer technology-support provider is an important decision for your business. Alpha Engineering Associates has been a trusted partner of many companies in the Washington, Baltimore and Annapolis areas since 1990 and offer:

• 24/7 Managed Services for Business Computing Systems
• Network and Mobile Computing Support
• Disaster Recovery Planning
• Software Development

For affordable client-focused network consulting services and solutions, please call Alpha Engineering Associates today at 410-295-9500.