A hosting provider is a service who houses all of a website’s code, media, and other data. Common web hosting providers include GoDaddy, Bluehost, HostGator, Media Temple, WPMuze (for WordPress sites), and RackSpace. We use WPEngine. There are several factors to consider when choosing a provider: Speed – User experience is key. If your site takes too long to load, visitors will move on. Worse, Google will ding you in the search rankings. Use a service like Bitcatcha to check hosts’ response time. Uptime – Reliability is crucial. If your server goes down, so does your website. And, for however long it takes to rectify the issue, your site will be dead to the world. Choose a hosting provider who can prove at least a 99% uptime score. Bandwidth – This refers to the amount of data shared between users and your site at one time. Many providers offer “unlimited” bandwidth, but they often throttle sites which exceed their expectations. Make sure to pick a host with scalable bandwidth solutions that guarantee maximum speed at all times. Data Security – The internet is filled with malicious actors. It’s only a matter of time before one of them finds your site. You need to ensure your host uses the latest in protection software. Also, you’ll want a provider that regularly backs up content. That way, if you are the victim of an attack, you won’t lose everything. Technical Support – Things are going to break from time to time. You need a hosting provider who’s willing to be on call for you 24/7. These are the most important factors to keep in mind when choosing a web hosting provider. A professional web designer/developer can offer specific recommendations to connect you with the appropriate web hosting solution for your needs.