Hosting companies like Hostgator issue promotions all the time. Many codes are quickly listed on websites and forums as soon as they become available. Finding a Hostgator promo code therefore usually requires nothing more than some quick Googling. Once you've found a code, you can proceed to opening an account. However, hosting companies differ in their level of service so it's worth considering some basic criteria before signing up.
For example, many companies offer so-called 'unlimited bandwidth'. The reality is, bandwidth is always limited in some way, whether through hardware or the internet itself. Also, unlimited bandwidth is really of no use to most website owners. Many are unaware of how small their bandwidth requirements really are.
Providers advertise unlimited bandwidth because it looks good and they know that the majority of users actually need very little. If you need to host bandwidth-heavy content such as video, then obviously this is something to consider. In this instance, you will need to be sure you will have enough bandwidth to meet your needs.
This is where reading the fine print is essential. On close inspection you will find that most providers will in fact state some limits on bandwidth use. You should research how much you will likely need initially, and also how much you may need as your site grows. This is also true when it comes to storage size. Hosting accounts are allocated a certain MB/GB of capacity for storing sites and files.
Again, many providers will advertise 'unlimited disc space' but the small print will usually reveal this to be limited in some way. For a small site like a personal blog, storage capacity won't likely be an issue. If you plan to store a lot of large files (e. G. Video), then you need to be sure you have enough space. You should also know the cost of upgrading should you need more in the future.
One feature worth checking for is the availability of quality website themes/templates. Many hosting providers offer free templates, although as with most things you get what you pay for. Free templates will tend not be the best quality, and providers will often charge extra for access to premium templates. That said, if you need only a basic design, then a free template may well meet your needs adequately.
However cool your site looks, it will be of no use if it isn't online. Reliable tech support therefore is a must. The 24/7 support touted by many providers can seem reassuring, but as with other claims, this should always be investigated further. Some quick Googling on the experiences of existing customers should bring up some feedback. Read a selection of users comments and get an idea of how prompt and helpful (and available) the company's support really is.
One thing to be absolutely sure of is tech support availability on weekends and public holidays. Things can go wrong at the most inconvenient times so you need to be sure that support is available when you may need it most. If the company offers a trial period, this would be a good opportunity to test them out. Try making a few support requests and gauge their response. Whether it's by live chat or email, they should reply within minutes.
For example, many companies offer so-called 'unlimited bandwidth'. The reality is, bandwidth is always limited in some way, whether through hardware or the internet itself. Also, unlimited bandwidth is really of no use to most website owners. Many are unaware of how small their bandwidth requirements really are.
Providers advertise unlimited bandwidth because it looks good and they know that the majority of users actually need very little. If you need to host bandwidth-heavy content such as video, then obviously this is something to consider. In this instance, you will need to be sure you will have enough bandwidth to meet your needs.
This is where reading the fine print is essential. On close inspection you will find that most providers will in fact state some limits on bandwidth use. You should research how much you will likely need initially, and also how much you may need as your site grows. This is also true when it comes to storage size. Hosting accounts are allocated a certain MB/GB of capacity for storing sites and files.
Again, many providers will advertise 'unlimited disc space' but the small print will usually reveal this to be limited in some way. For a small site like a personal blog, storage capacity won't likely be an issue. If you plan to store a lot of large files (e. G. Video), then you need to be sure you have enough space. You should also know the cost of upgrading should you need more in the future.
One feature worth checking for is the availability of quality website themes/templates. Many hosting providers offer free templates, although as with most things you get what you pay for. Free templates will tend not be the best quality, and providers will often charge extra for access to premium templates. That said, if you need only a basic design, then a free template may well meet your needs adequately.
However cool your site looks, it will be of no use if it isn't online. Reliable tech support therefore is a must. The 24/7 support touted by many providers can seem reassuring, but as with other claims, this should always be investigated further. Some quick Googling on the experiences of existing customers should bring up some feedback. Read a selection of users comments and get an idea of how prompt and helpful (and available) the company's support really is.
One thing to be absolutely sure of is tech support availability on weekends and public holidays. Things can go wrong at the most inconvenient times so you need to be sure that support is available when you may need it most. If the company offers a trial period, this would be a good opportunity to test them out. Try making a few support requests and gauge their response. Whether it's by live chat or email, they should reply within minutes.
About the Author:
Dhruv Patel is a customer of HostGator. He has created web site to give tutorials on HostGator and to promote HostGator. You can get detailed information about hostgator goonmonth there.
