FOUNDATION GUIDE

How to choose a web host

Choose the host for the site you have and the work you are willing to manage. A short checklist beats a giant feature table.

1. Define the site

List the software you will run, how many sites you need, whether you need email, and whether you expect ecommerce or application traffic.

2. Decide how much technical work you want

Shared and managed products reduce server administration. VPS and dedicated products can give more control, but control often comes with more responsibility.

3. Check recovery before speed claims

Understand backups, restore options, security tools, and support. Performance matters, but recovery is what you care about on a bad day.

4. Read the price at checkout

Hosting promotions change. Compare the amount due now, the term length, the renewal path, and optional add ons.

5. Plan migration and growth

Ask how you would move in, how you would move out, and what the next hosting tier looks like if the site succeeds.