What is the real price of your web hosting service?
This will sound like a stupid question with an obvious answer.
A simple search on Google for website hosting will display a number of listings all offering website hosting with low pay monthly rates or in a number of cases free. Nonetheless website hosting packages aren’t all equal and the true monthly/yearly cost may be different from the headline offered in the listing.
Below are some examples of my thoughts on what you need to check.
Web Hosting
– What’s the monthly/yearly rate?
– Does this include VAT?
– Is there a set-up/activation fee?
– How long is the contract?
– What is the fee to upgrade?
Website Name
– What is the cost of the site name?
– Is a web site name provided free?
– If it is free, who owns the domain and can it be transferred?
– What are the continuing domain renewal costs?
– Can I utilise a domain bought thru another service? If so are there any costs?
Features
– Website storage allowance
– Monthly downloads
– Includes email
Significant compare the packages to make certain you know what features and allowances are included. If you intend to have video content you will need a web hosting package with high storage and download allownaces.
Support
– Check your service has good support
A number of providers operate a ‘hands-off ‘ model meaning that the process is automated and you get really limited online support. If you are an expert this is probably not an issue. If you’re not, real support with a website host who cares about your project will prove invaluable.
Free Services
It is worth making a mention on so called free services. While there are a couple that might be truly free, most come at a cost.
– Is there an activation/set-up/management fee?
– Have you got to pay premium for website name registration and ongoing costs?
– Have you got to pay extra for email?
– Are the web storage and download allowances low meaning you’ve got to upgrade to a premium (costly package)?
– Will your internet site have to show advertising over which you have no control? It isn’t appropriate for a child friendly, church, etc web site to have adult or gambling related adverts.
– Will your e-mail or contact information be sold to direct promoters?
Conclussion
I am hoping the above gives some ideas on what to check when selecting your internet host so as to permit you to choose a suitable service (and avoid costly mistakes).
Digital Ark offer website hosting with an all inclusive monthly or yearly rate (discounted website hosting for Christian and charitable use). The website hosting packages are feature rich with good web storage and download allowances. There are no extra activation/set-up costs and all packages include free .co.uk domain with ongoing renewal.
Simon Wilkinson is the owner of Digital Ark, Colchester Web Design, which supplies web design, web hosting and local mobile search services (including Pay Monthly Website). He also writes a regular blog with practical insights to site design.
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