If you think that your choice of web host is a minor concern, think again. Having the right provider and package is essential if you want your business site to flourish.
Of course, it’s possible to be hampered by your current hosting setup without even realizing it, so take heed of the following red flags so that you can tell when the time to move on has arrived.
You’re Paying Too Much for Low Quality Service
There’s no such thing as a bad product, just a bad price, and this rule definitely applies to web hosting. So a question you need to ask is whether you’re paying over the odds for a service that simply isn’t competitive in the context of the rest of the market.
If this is the case, then it’s time to assess what other hosts can offer that will better suit both your budget and business needs. Look at different plans across a range of tried-and-trusted providers, check out reviews online, and contact them directly to unpick which one is the best fit at the right price.
When Traffic Spikes, Performance Falters
Do you find it takes longer than usual for your website to process requests when there’s a sudden uptick in traffic? If so, then this could be a sign that it’s time to move on and upgrade your web hosting plan.
A good quality host should be able to handle increased levels of traffic with ease, so if yours isn’t doing this, then you’re leaving yourself open to potential customer dissatisfaction and lost sales.
Your Site Has Been Hacked More Than Once
A good quality hosting plan should include robust security measures that protect against malicious attacks and keep your data safe at all times. If you’re experiencing problems with cyber-attacks or other forms of hacking, then this could be an indication that the level of protection offered by the host isn’t sufficient.
Human error can of course be to blame for breaches, so consider the source of previous hacks before you go straight to blaming your hosting package.
Your Website is Experiencing Less Than 99% Uptime
Uptime is a measure of how often your website is available online. If it’s not up and running for the vast majority of the time, you’ll inevitably be losing out on potential business opportunities.
As such, it’s a pretty clear-cut metric for determining if any hosting infrastructure you’re using is fit for purpose. If the uptime rate for your website falls below 99%, then it may be time to consider switching to another web host provider that can offer more reliable service.
Your current hosting plan should guarantee at least an average of 99% uptime each month in order for your site to remain accessible when potential customers are trying to access information or purchase products from you. Any problems with downtime will cause them frustration and could compromise conversion rates as well as customer loyalty.
Don’t risk turning away customers due to poor performance, and instead assess whether it’s time to move onto a new hosting solution with NameHero that provides better quality service if uptime falls short of expectations.
You’re Not Getting Appropriate Support from the Current Host Provider When Issues Arise
As soon as you start feeling frustrated by a lack of response or direct help when something goes wrong with your website, it’s clear that the hosting provider you’re currently using doesn’t have your best interests in mind.
Quality customer service and reliable maintenance should come as part and parcel of any good hosting plan. If yours isn’t delivering on either front, then find one that does!
When searching for a fresh web host to work with, look out for companies who offer 24/7 support in case anything goes wrong, along with regular updates and advice at no extra cost. Don’t settle for being left in the dark, but instead make sure you get all the backup assistance available when conundrums occur.
Your Growth As a Business Outpaces What Your Current Web Host Can Offer
It’s not unusual to find that as your business grows, you also need your web hosting package to expand along with it. Hitting bottlenecks in this regard isn’t just about slow page load speeds, as discussed earlier, but also covers everything from bandwidth and uptime to data storage and other add-on features.
Eventually it will come time to assess whether or not there are better hosting plans out there which will be able to accommodate for larger volumes of traffic and data without compromising on accessibility or affordability.
Essentially you’re looking for hosting firms that offer scalable solutions, rather than rigid and immovable products. Some may even serve up extra features such as automated backups and email services without pushing your budget too far.
Don’t let an outdated plan hold back your growth or hamper SEO. Rather, aim to research other options now before making any decisions, or hitting any speed bumps on your business’ road to sustainable growth.
You Don’t Have Access To Site Analytics
It pays to be aware of how many visitors your website is receiving, where they’re coming from, and how they’re using it. If you don’t have advanced analytics available on tap, then it might be wise to move to a hosting platform that supports them natively.
With detailed access to site analytics you’ll be able to keep track of the performance of your website in terms of traffic, page views, conversions and more. With these insights at hand, you’ll be able gain a better understanding on what works best for attracting customers, allowing you to make informed decisions when it comes to optimizing content or advertising campaigns.
Wrapping Up
The simple fact is that you don’t have to tread water with whatever web host you chose when your site first launched. It’s usually better to migrate elsewhere when the time arrives, both to get better value for money and to make sure your site enhances the growth of your organization.
