Finding a web hosting company that fits your needs is as important as the site itself. Most people run towards the big guys on the block that promise the world for a low cost or one that has been recommended to them. These are traps you simply cannot allow yourself to fall into, and this article will point out which mistakes often lead a site to ruin.

Never take the word of someone who recommends a web host. First off they may have different needs than you do, and while it may work for them it may not for you. This leads to unnecessary costs via way of features that do not pertain to you or the service itself is substandard for what you require. The person may have a blog site with low traffic while a site that requires high traffic bandwidth may fail. Always research the companies you are interested in before jumping into a long term obligation you can’t get out of or costs more to bring up to par.

Reliability is key when it comes to web hosting. Nothing turns off visitors more than the dreaded 500 server error. Some hosts offer fantastic pricing, however they cannot handle traffic and the features you require may be limited. For this reason alone, price should not be the first thing you look at when choosing a host. Always research the reliability of the platform before making your decision.

The domain name is your key to the online kingdom, and you should never register it through the web host. They will be the ones who register it, not you, and in truth it is like handing someone else a cherished possession to hang onto. You don’t have possession of it, and it theoretically is their asset. Register it on your own so you hold it and nobody can take it away from you as long as you renew it.

Why pay for features you do not need? Do you really need 25 email addresses included that you will never use? Many of the items offered in host packages are available for free elsewhere, including site templates. You also need to decide how much bandwidth you require. Why pay for more than you’ll ever need. These items can often be purchased separately so pick and choose what you wish to have before settling on a “get it all” package for a ridiculous amount of money.

Always read the agreements and terms in front of you. You certainly do not want several fees and penalties placed on you for exceeding agreed upon usage, lack of activity and certainly not handing over rights of the site and domain name if you default on one monthly payment. The point is that these contracts are there to benefit the hoster and not you, so make sure you understand that and read them carefully before clicking submit on the sign up page.

These are common mistakes people make when signing up for web hosting. With a little research and due diligence, as well as knowing what exactly you need in the way of hosting, you can secure your place on the information highway.