Does a business really exist if it doesn’t have a website? Well, it does, but will it thrive is the more appropriate question. According to Clutch.co, nearly two-thirds of small businesses rely on websites to connect with their customers. As of 2019, 94 percent of small businesses will have mobile-friendly websites. As they say, the proof is in the pudding: 25 percent of small business revenue comes from an online presence, according to Google. So how does a small business decide on a hosting provider for its website? There are a few key factors to take a look at when choosing a website host, such as price, ease of use, customer service, and uptime.
Here are our top picks for 2020.
1&1 Ionos: This hosting provider that powers up to 12 million sites and is considered to be very reliable. One of the best perks to 1&1 Ionos is each customer gets a dedicated support assistant. They offer basic and advanced hosting packages starting at $7 per month. This particular host highlights easy-to-use website creation tools. 1&1 Ionos claims to have 100 percent uptime, and according to a study by WebsiteBuilderExpert.com, they have 99.98-percent uptime, a great figure. 1&1 Ionos has 15 data centers, so performance varies on which data center is being used. However, a website hosted by 1&1 Ionos does load fairly quickly. The interface for website creation is a little outdated but is recommended for small businesses that are not first-timers at website creation.
GoDaddy: A commonly known hosting provider thanks to its marketing, GoDaddy ranks high as an overall provider. GoDaddy touts itself as a one-stop shop for website building. This hosting provider is a great choice for beginners because it’s straightforward. Users pick a plan once the site package is set up, and the interface is simple for new users and even allows users to pick from eight templates that can be customized later. The introductory rate of $3 per month for the first three years is great for new users building a site. For any troubleshooting, users can refer to the GoDaddy knowledge center that tends to be more efficient than waiting on a support representative. GoDaddy offers a variety of plans and add-ons to fit any business’s needs, so as a hosting provider for a small business it fits the bill.
Bluehost: Bluehost is a great overall choice as a hosting provider. It’s dependable and reliable when it comes to uptime, and customer service, and it’s affordable. Bluehost powers up to two million sites out of its data center in Utah and guarantees 99.98 percent uptime. This hosting provider works very well with WordPress and starts at $2.99 per month with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Bluehost ranks high for customer service as there are a variety of support options like live chat, 24/7 phone support, and email support tickets. Bluehost is affordable for small businesses looking for reliability. As far as, security goes all Bluehost sites come with a free SSL certificate and can be upgraded to premium SSL certificate, a valuable investment for an ecommerce small business.
At the end of the day there are dozens upon dozens of hosting providers clamoring for business from a small business. No matter which one you choose, it’s best to do your due diligence and research to find one that best fits your small business needs.
If you’re looking to develop a website for your company, no matter the size, let us know! Studio Brand would love to work with you and your team.
