5 Common Web Hosting Misunderstandings

Not every web hosting customer is technically minded – nor do they need to be.

But because there are such a wide spread of hosting users, there are also a wide spread of account types and hosts.

It’s easy to get confused about your host’s responsibilities.

1. Is the Host Responsible For Security?

Website security is a joint effort. The host does their part and the customer has obligations too.

A host is responsible for keeping the network secure, patching the OS and maybe even patching your CMS, but it can’t save you from bad passwords, plugins or things you upload to the server.

2. Is a Website Always Online?

No website can boast 100 per cent uptime, so your aim as a customer is to select a host that comes close. Reading hosting reviews can help.

If your site’s uptime dips much below 99.5% you might want to seek out a new host (but even that is over 3 hours of downtime in a month – quite a lot).

3. What Does Unlimited Really Mean?

Some hosting customers take the promises of unlimited hosting completely at face value. And who could blame them? It’s a common marketing ploy.

Always read the small print. Otherwise, your account could be disabled for excessive use.

4. Can I Upload Anything I Want?

Not everything on the web is public domain, and uploading the wrong things can get you in trouble.

That includes images in Google Image Search and videos found on YouTube.

This problem also occurs when users try to host certain types of content, for example adult content, on services that don’t allow it.

5. Will My Host Do Everything For Me?

Unfortunately most web hosts can only provide basic support.

Some hosts do offer comprehensive support packages, but expect to pay a lot of money for this kind of personal attention.

A Crash Course in Hosting

If you’re not confident with web hosting, choose a host that offers a site builder, comprehensive support and a good money-back guarantee.

Cheap shared hosting is great if you know your way around a control panel, but in the beginning, paying a little more will make your experience more enjoyable.