Read this Before Signing Up for Web Hosting
When signing up for a new web hosting account there are a few things you should be aware of. These include those small details that aren’t included on any sales pages.
When first signing up you may be tempted by the low prices that are offered over the long term. This may include signing up for a one year deal or more. While this option may sound great, what happens if you have problems in the first few months? Does the company offer a refund? Many do not so this is something to be cautious with. Your best bet may be to try out the company first and then sign up for a longer term offer when you are completely satisfied.
Unlimited bandwidth does not really mean unlimited. Most hosting packages are run on shared servers. This means that your site has to share resources with a ton of other sites. If one site uses too many resources it can cause all of the sites to go down.
One reason for this is sites that use too much CPU usage. If your site goes over a certain limit, the hosting company will suspend all of your sites. Some companies do this without any warning. One morning you will discover that all of your sites are offline.
It is important to know what your limits are and to pay attention to what scripts and software you are using on your site. Basically this means not uploading and activating all those latest and greatest programs and software. Especially when you never get around to actually using them. Just leaving those running can eat into your CPU limits.
If you purchased your web hosting during a special offer, check what your prices will be when the offer has expired. Sometimes a low upfront offer may lead to a much higher price after your trial period has expired. This is similar to buying a new domain name. You can often pick a new domain up for a couple of dollars, however when it comes time to renew it the cost has jumped to $15 or more.
Another word of caution is to look at what type of scripts are included in your package. Some companies will charge you extra if you decide you want a certain application installed.
Before signing on that dotted line, ensure that you understand what you are gettng for your money. Ask questions on any area that you are not clear on.
