Web hosting service demand is rising, expected to surpass more than 288 billion in revenue by 2030. The upward trend was accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic, with many businesses forced to shift towards online markets. Currently, two-thirds of small businesses run an online website. More than half of the rest do not even plan on creating one.
However, running a successful website takes time and practice. Google carefully scrutinizes websites before indexing them in its search engine results page (SERP). According to online market research, 75% of Internet users never visit the second Google results page. Moreover, the first spot guarantees an outstanding click-through rate, rapidly decreasing in lower positions.
Securing a spot in the first SERP guarantees steady and organic website traffic. But it significantly depends on your web hosting quality. This article outlines the most common web-hosting mistakes to avoid.
Opting for a Free Service
There are many free web hosting services. Many website owners use them for the worse. Google is exceptionally picky when indexing websites, including website speed, availability, and scalability. Free website hosting service providers often lag behind regarding these crucial aspects. Here are four reasons to avoid free hosting:
- The website loading speed is too slow. Free hosting providers frequently share their servers between multiple users, which can significantly decrease website loading speed. It will immediately hurt your SERP
- Scalability issues. Even if the website runs smoothly initially, it can start lagging with more visitors. Your web hosting provider’s capabilities should reflect your potential website growth.
- Third-party Ads. Free services frequently monetize by sharing ads. The free hosting provider can introduce unwanted Ads to your website without yours
- It’s of utmost importance to secure your website against potential threats. Free hosting providers often lack the resources to implement the latest cybersecurity protocols.
Ignoring Cybersecurity
Ignoring cybersecurity might be the worst mistake modern business can make. According to statistics, 60% of small businesses do not recover after a data breach. Moreover, governments worldwide implement online data regulations (GDPR, CCPA, etc.) If your website collects user data without protecting it, you may get in trouble with the law.
Once again, free hosting is not good security-wise. Since you do not entirely control the website code, it may be susceptible to cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks (XSS). Choose a web hosting service provider that offers a web application firewall. It will inspect web requests isolating malicious chunks of code.
It is also advisable to use additional privacy protection software when connecting to the hosting server. Many of us had to work from home for the last few years. Cybercriminals shifted their focus towards unsecured home networks. If you manage your website’s server via an unsecured connection, you could open the doors to cyber criminals.
We recommend subscribing to VPN services that provide real-time threat protection and additional cybersecurity features, such as NordVPN’s DNS leak protection and dedicated IPs. You may read more about these and other types of features on Reddit’s comparison table about the best VPN service. It will secure your online communication and ensure data integrity. Meanwhile, dedicated IP is excellent for stable and secure communication with the hosting server.
Finally, make sure your website has an SSL certificate. It will ensure the website runs on HTTPS providing encryption to website visitors. Moreover, Google prioritizes HTTPS websites, so you shouldn’t expect to rank highly without an SSL certificate.
Not Choosing the Right Web Hosting Provider
When choosing a web hosting service provider, there are several things to look out for. Firstly, make sure their services offer sufficient cybersecurity features discussed above. For example, if you use a shared server, ensure it runs an AntiVirus. A great way to start is by reading through online user reviews. Avoid making a long-term commitment without learning about other people’s experiences.
Web hosting requires a lot of tech know-how. A professional 24/7 customer support team will come in handy. You may even want a “test chat” with them before proceeding. Remember, your business may depend on your website. A responsive customer support team will solve the inevitable issues without negatively impacting your revenue.
Finally, no hosting service is 100% foolproof. Make sure you back up data regularly. Store the backups on a local trusted storage device. There’s nothing worse than storing a backup on a crashed server.
Conclusion
The more you learn about web hosting, the more complex it gets. However, mastering it will help your website stand out from the rest. Moreover, avoiding discussed mistakes will ensure you have a smooth journey to the first Google SERP.
