How to Choose the Right Website Host
Every website is stored on a server that is owned and operated by a different business. Sometimes this is the company you purchase your domain name through but it isn't necessarily the case every time.
You're basically looking for someone to store the data for you, and allow your website access. They often also offer ways to combat spam and have antivirus systems in place to protect your site. If they do not then it's probably not the best place for a business website to be parked.
In choosing a host one of the main things to think about beyond this is their downtime. All servers will go down at some point, generally for maintenance, if there is a power blackout where it is stored or for other causes. You need to know what the chances are and what downtime statistics look like. Good hosts will have this information to look at on their web site, including their back up power sources and percentage of time that sites will be live.
While 100% up time is the best scenario it may not be realistically possible but you're going to want a web host that at least aims for it. If they can offer you 99% then this may be suitable, but remember that each time your website is unavailable potential customers are turned away. They cannot access your contact details, any information at all in fact. It is as if your page no longer exists and they will be informed that their browser cannot find it.
If this keeps happening the chances of losing business are high. It will have a negative impact on your web site marketing. It'll also lead to word of mouth that you are no longer in business, or at least put people off checking back if you're turned away more than once without finding the business information at all then it'll be thought of as outdated and forgotten. Ensuring you choose the right website host should be a key element in your internet marketing strategy.
Tags: internet marketing strategy, web site marketing, website optimization