Web Hosting Checklist: Get the Features You Need in Your Price Range

In order for web hosting to be cost-effective, you don’t want to pay for services that you don’t use (or need). We’ve compared features for the major types of web hosting services to help you determine which web hosting services suit your needs. From software options to security needs, our checklist helps you double check that your hosting provider fits your website.

Option 1: Shared Hosting

Shared Hosting is recommended if you need:-

Easy-to-use content management system
Simple web templates
Simple software solutions
Dedicated domain name
Email access
Reliable support for moderate traffic

And your budget is:-
Very low, starting at $4/month

A few hosts to try:-
iPage, FatCow, Hostgator, InMotion Hosting

Option 2: Reseller Hosting

Reseller hosting is recommended if you need:-

An easy-start-up web hosting business
Support multi-users enviornment
Software & scripts ready
Reliable support for both you and your clients

And your budget is:-
Moderate to very high, starting at from $20/month and ranging into $80+/month

A few hosts to try:-
Hostgator, Bluehost, JustHost

Option 3: Colocation Hosting

Colocation hosting is recommended if you need:-

A dedicated server
High security
Unrestricted software choices
Lots of bandwidth for high amounts of traffic
Dedicated domain name(s)
Email access

And your budget is:-
Moderate to very high, starting at from $50/month and ranging into $100+/month

A few hosts to try:-
Varies by your city or region – you’ll need to do some research!

Option 4: Dedicated Hosting

Dedicated hosting is recommended if you need:-

A dedicated server
Increased security
Database and special software support
Multiple domain names
Email access
Reliable support for high amounts of traffic

And your budget is:-
High, starting at $100/month

A few hosts to try:-
Hostgator, InMotion Hosting, LunarPages

More Advice Before You Choose a Web Hosting Provider:

You’ve decided on the best type of web hosting – but your quest isn’t over yet. Before you sign up, be sure to check out each provider and compare:

• Pricing
• Features
• Loading Speed
• Uptime Reliability
• Customer Service

One of the best ways to do this is to read up web hosting reviews. Feel free to contact the host’s current customers to see what they think, or surf their sites to get an idea of the host’s speed. Want more details about the different types of web hosting services and what service fits your website best? See our Beginner’s Guide: How to Find the Best Web Host for You and Your Website.