Are you in the process of starting an online store? If so, one of the most important decisions you will make is which web host to use. A web host is a company that provides the servers and bandwidth that your store will use to run.
It also provides other essential services such as email and website security. And while some hosts will offer a “one size fits all” service, others will specialize in hosting eCommerce sites.
Choosing the wrong web host can be disastrous for your business, for many reasons. Your site could crash frequently, your sales could suffer, and your customers could become frustrated.
So, it’s important to do your research and choose wisely. In this blog post, we will discuss some tips for choosing a web host for your online store. So whether you’re just getting started or you’re looking to switch hosts, read on!
Make Sure The Host Offers eCommerce-Specific Features
When you’re looking for a web host, it’s important to make sure that they offer features that are specific to eCommerce. For instance, if you’re using WooCommerce, you’ll want to choose a host that offers WooCommerce optimization as a part of their package.
WooCommerce is a popular eCommerce platform that powers many online stores. And while it’s possible to run WooCommerce on any type of hosting, it works best when it’s optimized for WooCommerce.
This means that the host has made some changes to their servers specifically for WooCommerce stores. Additionally, some hosts will offer features such as one-click installs and automatic updates.
These features can save you a lot of time and hassle, so they’re worth looking for.
Some of the other features you should look for include:
Abandoned Cart Recovery
Abandoned cart recovery is a feature that allows you to recover lost sales. It does this by sending emails to customers who have abandoned their shopping carts.
These emails usually contain a link back to the cart, as well as a discount code or other incentive to complete the purchase.
This is a valuable feature because it can help you boost your sales and make up for lost revenue. Some web hosts will offer this feature as a part of their package, while others will charge an additional fee, so be sure to check before you sign up.
Security Features Such as SSL and DDoS Protection
Security is a major concern for any online store. After all, you’re dealing with sensitive customer information such as credit card numbers and addresses. So, you’ll want to make sure that your web host offers security features such as SSL and DDoS protection.
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is a protocol that encrypts data transmitted between your store and your customers’ browsers. This makes it much more difficult for hackers to intercept and steal this information.
DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) protection protects your site from attacks that try to overload your servers with traffic. These attacks can cause your site to crash, which would be very bad for business.
So, if your host offers these features, be sure to take advantage of them.
Scalability
As your business grows, you’ll need to scale up your operations. This means that you’ll need more bandwidth and storage space. And while some web hosts will offer these things as an add-on, others will include them in their base package.
So, if you’re anticipating growth shortly, be sure to choose a host that offers scalability. This way, you won’t have to switch hosts or upgrade your plan every time you need more resources.
Choose a Host with Good Customer Support
Another important factor to consider is customer support. If you have an issue with your site, you want to be able to get help from your host as quickly as possible. Ideally, you should choose a host that offers 24/7 customer support.
This way, someone will always be available to help you, no matter what time it is. Additionally, it’s helpful to choose a host that offers multiple methods of contact. For instance, some hosts will offer live chat, phone support, and email support.
This way, you can always reach someone, no matter what your preferred method of communication is. In most cases, the best web hosts will offer all of these methods of contact.
Make Sure The Host Offers a Good Uptime Guarantee
When you’re running an online store, it’s important to have a site that is up and running as much as possible. After all, if your site is down, your customers can’t purchase from you.
That’s why it’s so important to choose a host that offers a good uptime guarantee. This is a promise from the host that your site will be up and running a certain percentage of the time.
For instance, many hosts will guarantee 99% uptime. This means that your site will only be down for 1% of the time. While no host can offer 100% uptime, you should still choose one that offers a good guarantee.
This way, you can be confident that your site will be up and running most of the time.
Choose a Host With a Good Reputation
When you’re looking for a web host, it’s important to choose one with a good reputation. After all, you don’t want to entrust your site to a company that has a history of problems. So, how can you tell if a host has a good reputation?
One way is to read online reviews. You can find these by doing a simple Google search. Just type in the name of the host followed by the word “reviews.” Then, take some time to read through what other people have to say about the host.
Another way to research a host’s reputation is to check out their social media accounts. If they have a Twitter or Facebook account, take a look at the things people are saying about them.
If you see a lot of negative comments, that’s an indication that you should avoid that host.
Even though choosing the right web host may seem like a daunting task, it’s not that difficult if you know what to look for.
With these four tips in mind, you’re sure to find a web host that is a good fit for your online store. Just remember to take your time and do your research. This way, you can be confident that you’re making the best decision for your business.