What would happen if you had your websites go down for five or 10 minutes? No big deal, if it happens one time. If you buy hosting for your sites from an unreliable provider, however, site outages could become an ongoing problem. This means lost revenue and readers for you, and a time to look for a new web hosting service. Start by reading the following tips that can help smooth the process for you.

Your domain name should be registered with an outside company. If you register it with your web host and the company goes under, you could end up losing your name. You do not want a web host to be the one who has ultimate control over your proprietary information and domain name.

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.

Avoid choosing the cheapest web-hosting service out there, and certainly think long and hard before you go with a free one. If you are running a business online, your reputation can be severely damaged if you choose an unreliable hosting service. In addition, the free ones will often have advertisements that make it obvious you are not willing to pay for a basic service that is important to your livelihood.

Think long and hard before deciding that you want to launch your own web hosting service. This can seem tempting, until you realize that you will likely spend inordinate amounts of time dealing with this service, rather than focusing on the business that you already have. Use the expertise of those who have been doing it for years, and pay them what they are worth.

Call the customer service number and ask about SSL certification and shopping carts. If the technicians are helpful, you have found a web host that understands e-commerce and will be able to meet your needs. On the other hand, if no one is able to answer your technical questions, look for a different host.

Take email needs into account when choosing a web hosting plan. Most plans will include some basic email services, but if you need additional mailboxes or storage, you may have to purchase an extra package or select another tier of service. Some inexpensive plans may also limit the number of emails you can send in a day.

If you wish to have more than one site, look for a web host that lets you have add-on domains. This means you will be able to store more than one site on their servers without having to open multiple accounts or paying any extra money for your different websites.

That’s really all there is to it. Reliable web hosting is a critical element of your online business plan, so don’t be afraid of switching around if necessary, to find a more reliable web hosting service that provides quality service 24/7. Follow the information in this article and you will surely find a web hosting provider that fits all of your needs.