Deciding where to host your site or blog is a fundamental aspect of starting a new business venture. Once your website is established, moving to a new host could result in losing hard earned rankings in Google. Instead, select the right host for your site for the very beginning.
Factors to consider when selecting a web host include available space and bandwidth, support, uptime guarantee, access to cpanel and FTP, and whether there are spam domains hosted on their C classes.
There are thousands of companies offering hosting services. Making the decision of who to host with is difficult and requires extensive research. In this article we are going to take the “extensive” out of your research and share the top 10 hosting sites on the market.
Determine your needs
The first step is for you to determine exactly what you need in a host. Will you be uploading a lot of images? You’ll need a host that gives you a large amount of space. Will you be streaming hosted videos? Bandwidth becomes priority. Once you determine your requirements, use a tool like WhoIsHostingThis to look at some of the top hosts. We reviewed many and are sharing the top ones here with you.
1. Host Gator
Host Gator is a web hosting company that supports the growing Linux user crowds. They offer unlimited disk space and bandwidth but don’t offer the free domain that entices many personal users. Host Gator provides clients with an updated version of cPanel, making it a simple system to quickly grasp. Fantastico is a script library that’s included with each account and offers over 50 free scripts for blogs, forums and eCommerce websites.
2. Blue Host
In business since the 90s, Bluehost supports over three million domains. Their web hosting services can be compared with any notable provider. Bluehost offers unlimited disk space, unlimited bandwidth, 24/7 phone service, and live chat support.
3. Just Host
Just Host offers clients extra features like a free setup service, a free domain name, and free advertising services with MySpace, Yahoo and Google. The control panel is an easy tool for beginners and experienced users. Just Host’s popular just plan offers unlimited SQL databases, unlimited disk space, unlimited bandwidth, unlimited email accounts, plus unlimited hosted domains.
4. iPage
iPage is a customer driven web host company that offers user friendly hosting services. Their setup wizard guides user through setting up email, custom site templates and getting websites online.
5. DreamHost
DreamHost is one of the longest standing hosting companies, they have a reputation for having a quality customer service department. Some of their features include SFTP, FTP and MySQL platforms. There is Google Adwords assistance, spam filtering and lifetime domain ownership as well.
6. GoDaddy
The popular GoDaddy hosting company provides various plans and features. GoDaddy offers an unlimited cost but it costs more than the other top hosts. Setting them apart is their in house control panel that’s well known in the hosting industry.
7. Web Hosting Hub
Web Hosting Hub also offers unlimited disk space, bandwidth, file transfers, and unlimited web site hosting for each account. For smaller businesses, there’s the option to choose shopping cart programs, shared SSL and easy compatibility with PayPal and Google checkout services. They also offer free domain names or domain name transfers with new accounts, and assistance for popular blogging platforms.
8. InMotion Hosting
InMotion Hosting has been a top web hosting service for years. InMotion also provides hosting in two data centers located in L.A and Washington D.C., allowing users to choose the one closest for fast and more reliable service. They are one of the few companies recognized by the Better Business Bureau and certified by CNet.
9. FatCow Green Hosting
FatCow Green hosting offers a free domain with unlimited space and bandwidth. FatCow also has a control panel that resembles the cPanel, but instead is called the V-panel.
Signup for FatCow Green Hosting
10. Host Monster
Many of Host Monster hosting packages include unlimited web hosting space, bandwidth and domains. They have various add-ons that improve your website, and around the clock customer support.
If you’re looking for reliable web hosting company, then choosing the best from the many that are available can be quite a task, so understanding the basics of each will help you get started.
About Author: Marcela De Vivo has been creating and hosting sites since 1999. She’s experienced firsthand the negative results of choosing the wrong web hosts. She can be found blogging at MarcelaDeVivo.com or participating in her social profiles.
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