best web hosting for small business

Best Web Hosting Solutions for Small Businesses

Website Tips and Tricks

Are you on the search for the perfect web hosting platform for your small business?

Starting out as a small business is tough, especially when it comes to staying on top of your digital platforms.

Your priority across these platforms is your website. But your website is only stellar if it’s adequately hosted.

As you’re looking for the best web hosting for small business needs, it’s important to keep a few things in mind.

Read on to learn more about what you should consider as you’re browsing solutions.

1. The Best Web Hosting For Small Business Keeps the User in Mind

It can be overwhelming scrolling through the endless options for web hosting out there. One way that you can start narrowing down your choices is to look for hosts that obviously keep your user in mind.

At the end of the day, this is what is really going to matter: how your user experiences your website and its information. The better the user experience, the better your conversion rates.

What does this look like when it comes to hosting options? Look for hosts that you can trust, with a clear record of reliability. You can assess reliability by reading customer testimonials and browsing online reviews.

Also, inspect the host’s pledge to give you the best web hosting for small business websites. This may be in the form of a satisfaction guaranteed policy or a conversation you have with a representative.

Ask to see examples of websites the host currently supports so you can assess user experience.

2. Look for Support

It’s essential as a small business to always have an online presence. You’ve got to know when your website is down so you can address the issue immediately.

The best web hosting for small business sites will give you the support you need in managing your site. Make sure the host offers 24/7 support for website maintenance and uptime management.

Don’t just look for a phone number, either. Ask about other communication channels and troubleshooting options, including guides, messaging systems, and support hotlines.

3. Choose a Platform With A Presence

As you’re assessing web hosts, prioritize the ones who have many different locations for their servers. The closer a server is to you, the better.

Why is this so important?

Let’s say that you operate a small business in Bellingham, Washington. If your host had a server all the way in New York, you may notice a significant lag in loading speeds.

Check on location information as you’re searching for web hosting solutions, and make sure you find one with a location near you.

4. Give Yourself Room to Grow

It’s essential to have a clear idea of your hosting needs before you start your search. This will help you choose between hosts who offer certain add-ons that may be necessary for your small business growth plan.

For example, you may be just starting out now as a brick and mortar shop. But what if you wanted to start up an e-commerce store online to go with your website?

In this instance, you’d want to look for hosts who can accommodate a future shop or additional websites as your business grows.

Inspect the flexibility of a web hosting plan. Ask what room to grow you do have with a certain host, and make sure you give yourself a lot of breathing room.

5. Keep Your Data Secure

Your web hosting platform plays a huge role in the traffic you draw to your site, your users’ experience, and even conversion rates. It also is closely associated with data security.

It is possible to choose a web host that doesn’t give you the best data protection out there. Cheaper plans or poorer models may put you at higher risk for data breaches or other attacks.

It’s important to keep your data as safe as possible, especially as a small business owner. Make sure you choose a hosting platform that prioritizes data security.

If you aren’t sure if a certain host does, talk to a customer representative to make sure you won’t be vulnerable.

6. Opt for High Speed and Consistent Uptime

One of the biggest factors that can influence traffic to your site and bounce rates is the speed of your website. When you’re searching for the best web hosting for small business websites, look for ones that offer high speeds for all hosted sites.

You’ll also want to look for hosts that guarantee uptime. Uptime is the amount of time your website is functioning smoothly. It is accessible, loads quickly, and performs as it should.

Downtime is the opposite. The more downtime your website has, the less time you get to promote your brand visibility. It could cost you money and customers in a matter of minutes.

Research hosting platforms that are known for consistent uptime. We also recommend investing in site uptime maintenance services, like those offered through Site Uptime.

Learn more about our support options here.

7. Seek Out Cost-Effective Solutions

Some web hosting platforms offer incredibly cheap plans. This may seem like good news to you as a small business owner, but cheap doesn’t necessarily mean cost-effective.

Cheaper plans often don’t guarantee high speeds or quality site performance.

They may actually exclude you from valuable support and lead to increased downtime. In this sense, cheaper plans could end up costing you more in the long run.

The cost-effective hosting solution won’t have any hidden fees and will give you the coverage that you need. Choose a solution that works for your budget but also doesn’t sacrifice on your priorities.

The Best Web Hosting for Small Business Websites

As the owner of a small business, it’s essential to have a functioning website. Your website is your key to driving traffic through your doors, so it should be hosted properly.

When looking for the best web hosting for small business websites, make sure you look for hosts that keep your user at the fore. These hosts will be reliable and offer consistent uptime and high speeds.

They will also offer cost-effective solutions that meet your needs as a business. They will provide a robust support system, multiple server locations, and room for you to grow.

Found your web host but want to stay on top of your site performance? We can help here at Site Uptime.

Reach out today to learn more or start a conversation about your website monitoring needs.