choose web-hosting carefully
Choosing a web hosting service from the very best wordpress hosting companies is always a difficult task as we have to decide the one that works best for us out of all. We have to look for many aspects and altogether makes it a choice though. So how do you feel if someone make this task easier? So here I am with a comprehensive guide on how to choose web hosting server with 10+ important points to choose a web hosting carefully.
- Know Your Hosting Needs
To get the best hosting first to know your needs and add your own idea. Put everything inside and first consider what your actual needs are like the type of website you build, common things like WordPress blog, specific script support, special software, web traffic volume, etc.
Think 12 months ahead for the site and look for what you want to offer as well as what you need. Look for the simple fact that what are the resources that your website needed and yes, the size of the website also matters. For example, an e-commerce website needs a dedicated server to manage large volume and traffic.
If you are a novice, then start with shared hosting as they are cheap and easy to maintain. And you don’t have to bother about maintaining the database and server security.
- Server Reliability / Uptime Scores
The most important thing for any site is 24×7 operating web host as the visitors can visit it at any time across all time zones, so you need a stable host and good network connection with 99.95% uptime. To get an idea about it, go through the customer reviews, or track the web host server with a server monitoring tool.
- Server Upgrading Options:
Shared hosts are in demand and powerful as well. It can support a WordPress blog with 30k to 40k monthly visitors. Most of the time database connections work on the server so when more people connect to the website at the same time; it affects the performance. As long as you don’t have to manage the database connection, then shared hosting is a good option. But if you think your site will grow in the next few years then pick the host that gives you a chance to grow with better upgrades and plans. These upgrades are from shared hosting to a dedicated server or VPS for greater memory capacity, processing power, disk storage, and enhanced security features.
- Multiple Addon Domains
Domains are not costly, so there is nothing wrong to get more than one. According to a survey, 80% of the people who own hosting have more than five domains, and the rest of 20% have more than 50! So to manage these extras, they need extra space, and hence it is important to pick the host that support multiple domains.
- Signup vs. Renewal Price
During signup, the hosting deals are usually cheaper, but it costs too much at the time of renewal. So always aware of a discounted sign up price. Always check the ToS to avoid unpleasant surprises and also check up the renewal rates before signup.
- Refund Policy & Free Trial Period
When you pick the trial version, you might have questions like can I cancel a plan within the trial period? Or company have cash back policy? Or are they charges for cancellation? And you hence you have to know more about the hosting provider before you sign up for a free trial or pick any plan. So if things are not as per you imagine, you don’t lose more money.
Some hosting companies charge absurdly high cancellation fees so avoid such companies at any cost. Pick the one who provides money back guarantee even after the trial period is over.
- Essential Features:
Almost all hosting providers give features like file management and site stats but along with it also look for a one-click installer, FTP/SFTP, and DNS management. Also, look for a file manager that can access the .htaccess file.
One-click Installer:
It comes in various types like Simple Script or Softalucous.
FTP / SFTP Access for Better security:
It is valuable for moving large amounts of files safely. It uses for security propose and some host only provide file manager which is limited so look for both access.
.htaccess File Access:
Now this one is quite important to make administrative changes in the site. It has the power to control everything from a redirect to authentication of the password so in future it will be vital.
- e-Commerce Features
If you think to design and develop an e-commerce website with a specific shopping cart or need business transaction on the website r technical support, then you must have to pick the hosting service that supports e-commerce features. Some special feature includes SSL certification, one-click shopping cart, dedicated IP, and software installation. It helps you to reach a better local SEO rank.
- Control Panel
Control panel is a hub for all your activities, so a user-friendly control panel with thorough functionality is essential to host your account.
- Environmental Friendliness:
For some webmasters, an eco-friendly website host is a primary concern. As per studies, a web server can produce 630 kg of carbon dioxide! And on the other hand, a green host produces 0 carbon dioxide.
- Subscription Period:
Some web host forces the customers to pick a long period, but the main concern should one have to commit to long term hosting contracts? The answer is bog no more than a year or two until and unless it provides money back guarantees.
- Site Backup:
Equipment fails, computers crash and some other factors like a hacker can get into your site and change the index.php file or nuked the entire database. There is nothing to worry if the host takes regular backup of the site in no time. So always look for the backup otherwise do not pick the service.
- Live Chat or Telephone Support
According to me, prefer the company that provides support live chat over the phone or email with comprehensive documentation in case if you face any problem. In short, we all want that our site never crashes when people are looking for it, and hence we all want to support that works like S.O.S. button.
So with it, we end up the article. Hopefully, it is informative to you. Thank you!
How affective SSL is http vs https (focus on website security)
How affective SSL is http vs https (focus on website security)
These days, everyone is looking for the security of their website. As they know even a single vulnerability can infect the connected devices. Business owners are rapidly embracing cybersecurity to ensure their data and consumer’s faith in their organization.
For an organization’s security is not only a matter of business continuity but as a matter of survival. So they started realizing the difference between HTTP vs HTTPS.
The websites use HTTP, but in the year 2014 Google recommended the websites to switch to HTTPS. Then only the e-commerce pages really took it seriously, to boost this Google announced that the HTTPS sites will get a minor ranking bump.
Now it becomes necessary why it is so important to switch over to HTTPS. Is it really important to switch? Will it affect your SEO efforts? To get the answer to this question you need to understand the difference between HTTP and HTTPS. It is important to understand the basics of HTTP and HTTPS.
What is HTTP?
Hypertext Transfer Protocol allows communication between different systems. It transfers the data from one web server to a browser that allows the users to see the web pages. This protocol was used for early web sites.
What is HTTPS?
Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure come into existence due to the problem HTTP was not encrypted means it can be easily stolen. HTTPS contains an extra layer of security by using SSL (secure sockets layers). This security layer creates a secure encrypted connection between a server and a web browser. It helps to protect your sensitive information from being stolen as it transfers between the server and the browser.
The Main difference between HTTP and HTTPS
- SSL security certificate
The most important difference between the two is the SSL certificate. Basically, HTTPS is an HTTP with additional security. But the security is extremely important for a website as it contains the data from its users like credit/debit card information and passwords.
- Translates the basic data into a code
In an HTTPS website, the SSL encrypts the information that users supply to the site. Its main function is to translate the basic data into a code. If some hacker tries to steal the data which is communicated between the sender and receiver, he would not be able to understand it due to its encryption.
- Transport Layer Security
HTTPS also secured via TLS that helps to provide data integrity. It prevents the transfer of data from being corrupted, modification and authentication, that proves your users are communicating on a safe website.
- Usage
HTTP is used by websites like Internet forums, educational sites. As there is no secured access is required to visit these websites. For example http://www.ndtv.com. Whereas HTTPS is required by the Banking Websites, Payment Gateway, Login Pages, Corporate Sector Websites. For example https://paytm.com/
Functions of SSL Certificate
It authenticates the identity of your website, protects your visitors from being redirected to fraudulent sites linked to malware or virus.
It secures your web site’s data via an encryption process by ensuring your customer’s sensitive info is safe from unauthorized connections.
The Benefits of switching to HTTPS from HTTP
- Algorithm favors HTTPS sites
Around 40% of the websites are on the first page of Google are HTTPS. Google has confirmed that it favors HTTPS sites and it wants to ensure the best user experience to its users. In case your website is not secure, it could be getting outranked by similar sites that are HTTPS.
- Builds trust among the visitors
HTTPS encrypts all communication, so the sensitive information, as well as browsing history, is also safe. Nobody will like to use your website in the absence of security as an insecure website can put their personal information into a risk. The secured website helps to build trust among your business customers.
- Preserve Referrer data
HTTPS makes Google Analytics more effective. It is due to the security data of a website which is referred to save with the use of HTTPS. Whereas the HTTP sites referral sources just appear as direct traffic. It is the great advantage of an HTTPS for SEO in itself.
- Create a great mobile experience
If you want to use Accelerated Mobile Pages, then you need HTTPS. As the AMP is created by Google to load the content onto mobile devices at a much faster speed. AMP is a kind of stripped down HTML. Creating a mobile-friendly website is important for you to increase the importance of mobile search ranking and local SEO.
- Increased rate of conversation
A nontechnical user understands secure connections such as HTTPS websites. It simply increases the conversation rates on your website. After the new HTTP labeling of Google results in the larger conversation rates.
- Updated browser labels
Google is updating the labeling for an HTTP site in Chrome’s URL bar with gray color information that tells a visitor the site is not secure. For a plain website HTTP, Google mentions “Not Secure”. However a user might not understand the same technology, but likely feels the sense of unease, from seeing that label on the site they are browsing.
Conclusion
Both HTTP and HTTPS both are the hypertext document transferring protocol. HTTPS provides a secure way to transfer data from client to server and vice-versa on the internet. Deploying HTTPS not only increases the SEO ranking but also allows you to stay on good terms with Google. Even a nontechnical person understands the HTTPS is secure.
An HTTPs website is crucial when a customer is doing a monetary transaction like shopping through an e-commerce website. The buyer to make sure that his personal information like credit card or online banking details must be secured. The HTTPS URL do the same thing for you it assures that transactions must be safe.
The browser enforces slightly higher security policy for an HTTPS to reduce the opportunities for the client. Increase your RO, improve the SEO ranking, turn your visitor into a potential customer convert your HTTP to HTTPS today!
