Choosing the right web host is probably as important for your sanity as it is for your Internet marketing business
. There really is nothing more frustrating than tearing your hair out because you've got a web hosting problem and your web host really doesn't seem to care.
Obviously you need a web host that's affordable, but at the same time you need to get the balance right between quality and price - if the price seems too good to be true, that's probably because it is.
You must be prepared to pay for the features and functionality that you need. You should spend some time thinking about what you need now and what you're likely to need in the future as you develop your business. Is your web host going to be able to continue to provide what you need as you grow?
Is the control panel they provide you with easy to navigate and understand? Is it easy to access the main features that you need on a regular basis? Not all web hosts use a standard control panel. You need to check out the control panel your favored web host is going to provide you with and make sure you're comfortable with it and it has all of the functions you need and that they're easily accessible.
Some web hosts provide a Website builder as part of their package. You need to decide if this is important to you or not. If it is, then make sure your web host provides it.
Are they man enough for the job you intend to throw at them? Do you get enough hosting space and bandwidth for your needs now and into the future?
How reliable are they? What is their published server uptime? You should be shooting for uptime of 99% in an ideal world.
You should also try to get some idea of their security record. A hacker proof web host is definitely what you should be looking for.
And, of course, you shouldn't just take their word for anything. Ideally you want to be looking for some independent user reviews. Just exactly how highly rated is your potential web host out there in consumer land?
A final point. You'll tend to get a better deal on price if you make sure that you're dealing with the hosting company themselves rather than a reseller.
Remember, it can be a real pain to have to change web host so make sure you do your due diligence to try to choose the right one for you in the first place.