Looking to start up a website? You’ll need a web host to begin with! It’s important to learn the basics about web hosting so you can properly select the host that will work the best for you and your website. Continue reading for some helpful tips that will increase your knowledge of web hosting.

Start to worry if your host site or website goes down for a period beyond 24 hours. Generally outages do not last this long, so it could be a clue that there are bigger problems going on with your web host. You can check other websites to find information about your host site’s outages, as well as the reason for the outage.

Go for Linux hosting unless you need to use certain applications or server-side languages. Linux hosting has a better reputation for uptime, stability, and resource use. Shared hosting that runs on Linux tends to be somewhat cheaper, as well. There are, however, certain applications that need Windows hosting, including Plesk, Microsoft Access, Silverlight, MSSQL, and ASP.net.

Always have a backup plan for web hosting providers. In the event that you experience significant and ongoing problems with your hosting service, you will want to have an alternate already researched. If you are without service for more than a day, start immediately putting your backup plan into action. This will save you the potential for even longer delays if your provider has serious problems.

If you are considering using a particular web hosting site, read reviews about it. Specifically, check for reviews written by users of the site’s hosting services. Just as you wouldn’t make a major electronics purchase without first checking out product reviews, nor should you bypass looking at reviews for web hosting sites you’re considering using. Doing this now can save you frustration further down the road.

You must be familiar with band-width, or the amount of data that is able to transfer in and out of your web hosting account. Different web hosting companies offer different prices on different band-widths, so you need to make sure you use this to help you make a decision as to who you should select for web hosting.

Will monthly payments or a one-time payment best suit your budget? You don’t know how long the web host (or even your business) will stay open. If the web hosting company goes out of business, service declines or your company outgrows your current hosting plan, you might not be able to get back money that was paid for months that you have not used.

When selecting a web host, consider how much the host costs. Some hosts charge on a per-year basis while some may be month-to-month. Look for a host that costs an average of about $5 per month as this will most likely give you a great value for your money as opposed to a free hosting site that may not offer as many options.

Now that you are well-versed in the world of web hosting, you are ready to select a host and start a website. Whether you are looking to start a business or just have a hobby blog, there is bound to be a host that will work for your website needs.