
Managing client websites isn’t easy. From choosing the hosting type to managing technical features, freelancers need to pay close attention to every aspect. As your client’s business grows, you need to ensure both scalability and robust security.
Here is a list of five hosting features that matter most. These features can help keep your site running smoothly:
1- Storage and Bandwidth
Every business owner dreams of having thousands, if not millions, of visitors. And you have to make sure your client’s site can accommodate each one of them. The first thing you should consider is the bandwidth of the hosting package.
Bandwidth is the measure of data that can be transferred between a website and its visitors within a given time period, such as one month. In simple terms, more bandwidth means a website can handle a higher volume of visitors. Many hosting providers promise high bandwidth, but fail to mention that it comes with performance issues.
Different hosting types have varying bandwidths. VPS server hosting and dedicated hosting are often recommended for sites with moderate to high traffic.
2- Uptime and Reliability
Next, there is uptime, or the percentage of time a website is actively running and accessible to users on the Internet. Assess and compare the uptime guarantees of different hosting providers, such as Liquid Web. Remember that even a 99.9% uptime guarantee means a website will remain inaccessible for about 8.76 hours a year.
Frequent downtime can frustrate users and result in lower conversion rates. Therefore, choose a hosting provider that offers an uptime guarantee of 99.9% or higher to keep your client’s site up and running.
3- Robust Security
Cyber threats have become more sophisticated than ever. Security breaches can put your client’s data, financial information, and business operations at risk. Pay special attention to the security features offered by different hosting providers. Some must-have security features are:
- Secure Socket Layer (SSL) certificates
- Firewalls
- Secure Shell (SSH) access
- DDoS mitigation
- Malware detection
- Secure data centers
- Secure authentication
Robust security features will protect your client sites, ensuring long-term success.
4- User-friendly Dashboard and Control Panel
You don’t need a degree in web design, management, or programming to manage client sites. The good news is that reliable hosting providers offer a user-friendly dashboard and control panel, allowing you to manage things with ease.
With a user-friendly dashboard, you can easily access all your hosting information and submit requests for customer support. An easy-to-use control panel helps you manage technical settings, such as email hosting and DNS configuration.
5- Customer Support
You can’t fix every issue that emerges on your client’s site. This is where customer support from hosting providers comes in handy. Choose a hosting provider that provides 24/7 support via live chat, email, or phone.
Many hosting providers also offer detailed guides, tutorials, and booklets to help you resolve minor issues on your own. You can also reach out for technical advice, such as when to upgrade from a shared hosting to a VPS hosting package as your client’s needs expand.