If you are relatively new to the world of internet development and are
thinking about purchasing a web hosting package for the first time it
can be hard to know where to start. By avoiding the following common
mistakes that many beginners make you can increase your chances of
choosing the right web hosting provider.


Mistake 1 - Buying A Web Hosting Package From A Domain Registrar.

Don't fall in to the trap of immediately hosting with a domain
registrar as many of these companies provide overpriced web hosting
packages that are stripped of the most essential features for building
a website. Many of these companies skim the market with their web
hosting packages and prey on uninformed clients who ultimately end up
with a web hosting package that does not fulfill their needs. I am not
saying all domain registrars do this, some do not, but make an informed
decision.


Mistake 2 - Choosing A Web Hosting Package With No Refund Guarantee.


Some web hosting companies do not provide a refund guarantee for
their starter packages. If you are starting out and only require a
moderately sized web hosting deal ensure you do not end up paying for a
web hosting package that does not fulfill the requirements of your web
site with no option for a refund.


Mistake 3 - Choosing A Shared Web Hosting Package When You Require Dedicated, Or Vice Versa.

The two main types of web hosting packages you can select is shared
or dedicated hosting. Shared hosting is best for web sites that are
reasonably small or web sites that are only starting out. Purchasing a
dedicated server is only required for web sites with really high
traffic. You can always switch to a dedicated server later on if
required, many companies will do this for you free of charge, and you
can save money in the mean time.


Mistake 4 - Selecting A Package With Inadequate Features.


If you are only starting out you don't need every feature under the
sun yet there are some essential features that some web hosting
companies do not provide on their starter packages. PHP, MYSQL, Webmail
and a handful of email accounts is the very least that you will require
for even the most basic website. Your web designer will love you and it
prevents having to change web hosts unnecessarily later on down the
track if you require these features for simple things such as a contact
form, news section, database of customers and so on.


Mistake 5 - Not Choosing A Package With Free Support.


If you end up with the right web hosting provider you usually wont
encounter too many problems. It's better to be safe than sorry,
however, and you should have the freedom to contact the support
department of your web hosting provider whenever you encounter a
problem or have a question and not have to worry about a hefty fee.


Mistake 6 - Choosing A Package With No Simple Back Up Solution.


Many web hosts do not provide a free back up solution. This may
seem unreasonable but it because it would be impossible for the web
hosts to back up every single time their clients modified their web
sites. This means it is your responsibility to ensure you retrieve
regular up to date back ups of your web site and if this is a feature
of your web hosting package it will help you out a great deal.


Mistake 7 - Paying The Wrong Price.


The many different prices that web hosting providers use for their
products can be quite confusing for the beginner. It is common practise
in the industry for companies to advertise a monthly price yet expect
you to pay for at least a years worth of hosting. If you keep this in
mind and steer clear of the mistakes mentioned in this article you will
be well on your way to choosing the right web hosting provider.

I hope my advice has been helpful. If you are about to be involved
in creating an internet presence for the first time it can be a very
rewarding experience. Try not to get too overwhelmed by the many things
to worry about and give something creative and different to the
Internet - your visitors will love you for it. Good luck!