If you are a Bizboost Client, then you’ve likely heard us talking about website hosting before. But for those who haven’t, what exactly is it?

Think of a hosting account like a storage unit for your website.

A hosting account is space on an internet server in which we can store all the images, documents and files that make up your website. These files are accessed by the public to view your website.

A ‘server’ is a computer system used solely to store and transmit files and information through the internet.

A hosting company or hosting provider is a business that provides the hardware, the software, temperature control, power backup and data backup services. A host server is often housed in a massive data centre so access and support can be provided to these files 27/7.

Domain Name Registration

Website hosting is a service that is often confused with domain name registration. However, they are two different things.

To launch a website, you need to register a domain name. This is the URL or website address that people use to access your site (for example, www.bizboost.com.au is our domain name). Think of it like an “address” that can be used to direct people to the particular space on the storage unit in which your website files are stored (the hosting account).

What to Look for in a Hosting Provider

What services do they offer?

There’s a lot to think about when it comes to setting up a website. You need the domain name. You need a hosting account. Sometimes you also need an email address. And of course, you also need someone to design the layout for you. Finding a business that can provide all these services for you in the one place can make life much easier. It also reduces the risk of a mistake or issue arising due to a miscommunication as there is no longer the need to pass information between multiple businesses.

What Does the Hosting Package Include?

Before starting with a hosting company, make sure their package covers everything you need. Will the hosting company allow you to host multiple domain names? Will your business need an email address? If so, is it something that they will provide or will it cost extra?

Are They Reliable?

You want to know that your hosting company has your back. I wish I could say that technology never fails – but sometimes it does. If something goes wrong with the server, you want to know that you have an expert team chasing up the problem for you.

Do They Take Backups?

Again, despite our best efforts, sometimes technology can fail. You want a company that works hard to ensure this never happens. But all the same, you also want a company that takes a regular back up just in case.

 

If you have any other questions about websites, hosting and how it relates to your business, feel free to get in touch. We’re always happy to help.