According to the consumer marketing group Scarborough Research, there are about 3.9 million mommy bloggers in the U.S. Your average mommy blogger is 37 years old and has kids between the ages of 2 and 11. Does this sound like you? If you're interested in launching the next great mommy blog, here's a roundup of what to look out for in a hosting provider.
Free vs. Paid Service
If you have zero budget, set up a blog on a free platform like Blogger, Tumblr or WordPress and publish your first post. However, free comes at a price. The technical support staff is usually nonexistent and it's not uncommon to hear about blogs going down or going missing altogether with no recourse for recovery. Meanwhile, paid hosting usually offers a free custom URL, email, backup systems, 24/7 technical support and plenty of easy-to-use tools to get set up.
Know the Uptime
Uptime is how much the server your hosting provider uses is up and running. Companies will throw lots of impressive percentages at you, but keep in mind there's almost no real way to verify uptime. You're essentially taking the provider at his word. Instead, look for online reviews and ask for hosting recommendations from reputable bloggers. Pay attention to comments on how the hosting provider responded to complaints and resolved issues.
Individual vs. Dedicated Plans
Individual plans are sometimes called "shared plans" and are popular with new bloggers. For just a few bucks a month, you can get set up with a hosting plan, but it comes with a catch. You'll be sharing a server with numerous other bloggers and website owners. Shared plans offer limited features and the technical support generally isn't as good. You'll probably want to set up your own cloud storage to keep track of your files if you take this route. Read reviews to buy cloud storage to find a solution that fits your needs.
If you're fortunate enough to command a corner of the Internet with thousands of daily readers, you'll need a dedicated hosting plan. This means you have enough traffic that you need more support for your blog. Such packages are more expensive but generally offer more space, multiple domain hosting, more features and better uptime. But instead of jumping right into a dedicated plan, pick a provider with the flexibility to move from an individual plan into a dedicated plan as needed.
Check out the Technical Support
Scrutinize the technical support of any hosting provider before signing up. Every company will have technical problems now and again, and servers will go down. But how technical support handles your issues is the most valuable part of a hosting plan. Locate the dedicated technical support phone number on the company website and call it. Note how long it takes to get through. Ask a few simple questions about setting up hosting to see how they respond and treat you. Look to see if there's a live chat technical support option, too.
Read the Terms of Service
Look to see if there is a penalty or other fees for quitting early. Some companies offer a discount for an advance payment for the year. Find out if you'll get any of it back if you jump ship early. Does your contract give the company the right to shut down your site without warning? Find out what your rights are both financially and as a website owner.
Whether you're starting your blog for fun or to launch a new career, a good hosting provider can make or break your passion. Stick with the basics and find a company that puts customer service front and center.
If you have zero budget, set up a blog on a free platform like Blogger, Tumblr or WordPress and publish your first post. However, free comes at a price. The technical support staff is usually nonexistent and it's not uncommon to hear about blogs going down or going missing altogether with no recourse for recovery. Meanwhile, paid hosting usually offers a free custom URL, email, backup systems, 24/7 technical support and plenty of easy-to-use tools to get set up.
Know the Uptime
Uptime is how much the server your hosting provider uses is up and running. Companies will throw lots of impressive percentages at you, but keep in mind there's almost no real way to verify uptime. You're essentially taking the provider at his word. Instead, look for online reviews and ask for hosting recommendations from reputable bloggers. Pay attention to comments on how the hosting provider responded to complaints and resolved issues.
Individual vs. Dedicated Plans
Individual plans are sometimes called "shared plans" and are popular with new bloggers. For just a few bucks a month, you can get set up with a hosting plan, but it comes with a catch. You'll be sharing a server with numerous other bloggers and website owners. Shared plans offer limited features and the technical support generally isn't as good. You'll probably want to set up your own cloud storage to keep track of your files if you take this route. Read reviews to buy cloud storage to find a solution that fits your needs.
If you're fortunate enough to command a corner of the Internet with thousands of daily readers, you'll need a dedicated hosting plan. This means you have enough traffic that you need more support for your blog. Such packages are more expensive but generally offer more space, multiple domain hosting, more features and better uptime. But instead of jumping right into a dedicated plan, pick a provider with the flexibility to move from an individual plan into a dedicated plan as needed.
Check out the Technical Support
Scrutinize the technical support of any hosting provider before signing up. Every company will have technical problems now and again, and servers will go down. But how technical support handles your issues is the most valuable part of a hosting plan. Locate the dedicated technical support phone number on the company website and call it. Note how long it takes to get through. Ask a few simple questions about setting up hosting to see how they respond and treat you. Look to see if there's a live chat technical support option, too.
Read the Terms of Service
Look to see if there is a penalty or other fees for quitting early. Some companies offer a discount for an advance payment for the year. Find out if you'll get any of it back if you jump ship early. Does your contract give the company the right to shut down your site without warning? Find out what your rights are both financially and as a website owner.
Whether you're starting your blog for fun or to launch a new career, a good hosting provider can make or break your passion. Stick with the basics and find a company that puts customer service front and center.
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