Finding the right mix of web hosting features is crucial for creating and running a successful website. This article outlines 10 important web hosting features you should look for to get optimal performance, security, and scalability.
We explain each feature’s significance and how it impacts your site functionality. This guide provides small business owners, bloggers and enterprises the knowledge they need to select a web hosting package that suits their needs.
What Is Web Hosting?
Web hosting is an internet service that allows individuals and organizations to make their website accessible on the internet through the provision of server space. Web hosting providers provide the server technology and services required to conveniently store a website’s files and data. Different types of web hosting (e.g. shared, VPS, cloud, dedicated) offer different features and tiers of resources and cater to different website requirements.
10 Features to Look for in a Web Hosting Package
Here are the 10 features to look for in a web hosting package:
1. Disk Space
Disk space (aka storage or web space) refers to the amount of data a website is allocated on a hosting server to store its files. This includes content such as text, images, videos, and databases. Modern web hosting uses SSDs (Solid State Drives) because they provide faster access to data compared to traditional HDDs (Hard Disk Drives).
Disk space is measured in gigabytes (GB) or terabytes (TB). The required disk space varies depending on the size and type of the website. 10 GB of disk space is sufficient for a basic website such as a small blog or personal portfolio. 50 to 200 GB is advisable for more extensive websites like eCommerce platforms, multimedia sites, or those with large amounts of content. Some providers also offer unlimited SSD disk space.
2. Bandwidth
Bandwidth (aka data transfer) measures the amount of data that is transmitted in a fixed amount of time between your website and its users. It is measured in gigabits per second (Gb/s or Gbps) or terabytes (TB) per month. High bandwidth allows for more data to be transferred quickly, which is crucial for handling high traffic and ensuring that your website loads efficiently for visitors. There are also host plans offering unmetered bandwidth which benefits sites with heavy or unpredictable traffic patterns.
3. Uptime
Uptime refers to the amount of time a website is available and functioning properly online without interruption. It is measured as a percentage of total potential uptime (aka total time possible). Most web hosting services offer an uptime guarantee as part of their service-level agreement (SLA), which reassures customers of the reliability of their hosting service. Look for an uptime guarantee of at least s 99.9%, which means that the website experiences downtime for no more than about 8 hours and 45 minutes annually.
4. Email Services
Email services provided by web hosting companies enable you to create custom email addresses using your website’s domain name, which enhances your professional image. These services include support for email accounts, as well as SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) and POP3 (Post Office Protocol 3), which are standard protocols used for sending and receiving emails. SMTP is used for sending emails, while POP3 is commonly used for downloading emails to local clients. Look for web hosting that provides sufficient or unlimited email accounts, and check which protocols are supported.
5. File Transfer Protocol
File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is a network protocol used to transfer files from one host to another over the internet. It allows website owners to upload, download, or modify files on their web hosting server. This is essential for managing the content of a website, updating software, and backing up data. FTP access gives users direct control over their website’s files, which makes it easier to manage large volumes of data or complex site structures. Look for web hosting that provides FTP access to facilitate easy and secure file management.
6. Security
Security is a critical feature to look for in a web hosting package. Key security measures include the provision of a free SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate, which encrypts data exchanged between the user’s browser and the website. This protects all information from interception. A robust firewall also helps defend against unauthorized access and cyber attacks. Malware scanning is another essential security feature which regularly checks your website for malicious software and vulnerabilities.
7. Backup
Backup in the context of web hosting refers to the process of copying and archiving a website’s data to ensure it is able to be restored in case of data loss, corruption, or other technical issues. Effective backup strategies include daily and weekly backups, which allows website owners to revert to a previous state quickly and minimize data loss. Daily backups are crucial for websites that frequently update content, while weekly backups suffice for smaller or less dynamic websites. Be sure to check if your provider offers automated backup solutions and the frequency of these backups to ensure your data is consistently protected.
8. Support
Support in web hosting refers to the technical assistance provided by the hosting company to address technical problems or queries related to your hosting service. Fast and knowledgeable support must be available 24/7. This allows you to get help whenever issues arise regardless of time or timezone. The best support systems offer multiple channels for communication, including live chat, phone, and email or ticketing.
9. Website Builder
A website builder is a tool that allows users to create and customize websites without needing to write code manually. It features a drag-and-drop interface to make it easy for individuals of all skill levels to design and deploy professional-looking websites intuitively. The best site builders also include a variety of free templates and design elements (color schemes, widgets, typography) that are easily adjusted to suit different styles and preferences.
10. Data Center Close to Your Target Audience
A data center for web hosting is a secure facility that houses server hardware. These servers store, process, and deliver the data necessary for websites to operate. Web hosts often operate multiple data centers in different geographical locations.
Choosing a web host that operates a data center situated physically close to your target audience allows you to minimize latency, which is the delay before data transfers. A closer data center therefore speeds up webpage loading times and improves user experience. This means it’s important to check the locations of a web host provider’s data centers to ensure there is one strategically placed near your primary target audience.
Do Web Hosting Features Affect Web Hosting Prices?
Yes, web hosting features affect web hosting prices because higher-end or quality-of-life hosting features typically come at a higher cost. For instance, advanced storage solutions like NVMe SSDs offer faster data access speeds and are often used to justify higher prices. Additional advanced features such as a dedicated IP address, on-demand backups, and priority support also contribute to increased costs.
These features provide enhanced performance, greater security, and better service, which make them valuable for businesses that require more robust or specialized web hosting solutions than a basic beginner website requires. Opting for them by purchasing a higher-tier plan or paying for them as an add-on increases the total cost of web hosting services.
What Web Hosting Features Do I Prioritize for My Website?
Prioritize the web hosting features that impact 3 critical aspects of your website: website speed, website management, and website sustainability. Website speed affects how quickly your pages load for visitors. Hosting features that enhance speed improve user experience by ensuring faster, smoother access. Website management refers to the ongoing process of maintaining and optimizing your site. Hosting features that support this make it easier to manage performance, functionality, and security. Website sustainability refers to how eco-friendly your website is. Hosting features that promote sustainability help reduce its environmental impact.
What Web Hosting Features Affect Website Speed?
There are 3 web hosting features that affect website speed. The first is the disk space type provided by the web host. Choosing hosting that provides SSD and NVMe type storage disks improves website speed by reducing data retrieval times. The second feature that affects website speed is the host’s bandwidth provisions. The third feature is the data center used by the web host. The location of a host’s data centers affects website speed because it determines the geographical distance that data needs to travel. A strategically placed data center reduces delays, thereby improving server response time and your website loading speed.
What Is the Difference Between SSD and NVMe in Hosting?
The difference between SSD and NVMe in hosting is that NVMe is a subtype of SSD that leverages the Non-Volatile Memory Express (NVMe) protocol. NVMe also uses the PCIe interface and is able to handle more simultaneous data requests than traditional SSDs. NVMe hosting is therefore a higher-performing subset of SSD hosting that delivers faster website speeds.
Which Is the Best VPS With SSD?
The best VPS with SSD is Hostinger. Hostinger offers powerful plans that combine fast NVMe SSD storage with dedicated resources on a virtual private server (VPS). Hostinger’s VPS SSD plans also include root access and generous CPU and RAM. Check our shortlist of the best VPS SSD hosts for additional host options.
What Is the Role of Bandwidth in Website Speed?
Bandwidth directly affects website speed by controlling how much data transfers between the server and visitors at a time. Limited bandwidth can cause slow loading and disruptions, especially during high traffic, as data transfer gets restricted. Shared forms of hosting often enforce stricter bandwidth limits, leading to performance issues. VPS hosting with unlimited bandwidth solves this by providing dedicated resources and unrestricted data transfer, reducing congestion and ensuring faster and more reliable website performance.
What Can I Do If a Web Host Does Not Offer My Preferred Data Center Location?
You have 2 options if your web host does not offer your preferred data center location. The first option is to switch to another host that operates data centers in other, more strategic geographical locations. It is ideal for your chosen web host to operate data centers near to your main website target audience. The second option is to use a Content Delivery Network (CDN). A CDN is a tool that distributes your content globally, improving load times for users worldwide. Choosing reputable CDN hosting ensures access to a free CDN that caches and serves your content from the nearest server.
What Web Hosting Features Are Important for Website Management?
There are 5 web hosting features that are important for website management: email hosting, FTP, security features, support, and website builders. Email hosting is important because it streamlines communication by keeping all business emails under a professional domain. FTP access simplifies website management by allowing quick file transfers and making updates and backups more efficient. Security features play a crucial role by protecting sensitive data and ensuring the site remains uncompromised. Customer support is vital for troubleshooting issues, minimizing downtime, and maintaining smooth website operations. A website builder enhances website management by making it easier to design and update content without coding knowledge.
Are Email Services Included Free in Web Hosting?
Yes, email services are commonly included free in web hosting. The best email hosting allows users to create professional domain-based email addresses at no additional cost. This is especially beneficial for businesses looking to keep overheads low.
How Many Email Accounts Can I Create in Web Hosting?
The number of email accounts you can create in web hosting varies by provider. Opting for hosting with unlimited emails ensures you can create as many email accounts as you require. Other web hosts set strict email account limits based on the plan tier.
Which Is the Best Web Host That Supports FTP?
The best web host that supports FTP is Hostinger. Hostinger offers SFTP support for securely encrypted data transmissions, 100 FTP accounts and fantastic FTP tutorials. For more web host options, check our shortlist of the best FTP hosting providers.
What Features Make a Web Host Sustainable?
Sustainable web hosting uses features like renewable energy, energy-efficient hardware, and carbon offset programs. Some hosts rely on green data centers or participate in eco-friendly initiatives. The best green web hosts help you reduce your website’s environmental impact without compromising server performance or value for money.
Are There Web Hosts With Unlimited Features?
Yes, there are web hosts that offer unlimited features like unlimited storage, unlimited bandwidth, and unlimited email accounts. These unlimited web hosts are ideal for fast-growing websites but it’s important to check their individual fair usage policies to fully understand the terms.
Which Is the Best Shared Hosting With Unlimited Features?
The best shared hosting with unlimited features is Hostinger. Hostinger’s shared hosting plans include unlimited bandwidth, unlimited databases, and unlimited free SSL at affordable rates.
Which Provider Offers the Best Hosting Features in Their Plans?
Hostinger and TMDHosting offer some of the best hosting features in their plans. Both providers include SSD storage, LiteSpeed caching technology, and wide data center coverage. They also manage to keep their prices competitive, which make them attractive options for both new and experienced website owners. Learn more about these brands and more in our lineup of the top web hosting providers.