An important element to online success is choosing the right web hosting provider for your business. Choosing the right hosting provider is not as easy as it seems. How will you know what questions to ask or what options should be available? How can you be sure you are choosing the right provider since there are so many web hosting companies available on the web?  Here are some recommended options to look for when choosing a web hosting provider.

Support system
A good customer support system is very important. The new customers usually test how fast, friendly and helpful the web support systems are. Support forums, phone number, email or a live chat option are great tools for a web host to provide to their clients. This enables the new customers to instantly have ability to ask any question relating to the product before purchasing a web package.

Disk space
A web host should ensure there is a good offer of disk space but not too large that there prices are move higher. A typical business site package offers at least 50GBs of space and there are many that offer unlimited as well. If you offer downloadable files, images and eBooks you may want to consider an unlimited package. The amount of disk space is largely determined by the nature of products you are considering to offer at your site.

Bandwidth
This can be defined as the amount of data transfer occurring on your site. It normally includes data transfer resulting from downloading of your web page by visitors to uploading of files to your web site yourself. If you offer downloadable items on your business site, you would probably need more bandwidth than an average site. It is recommended that you increase the amount of bandwidth as your site grows and increases in popularity. The average business site need not to worry about bandwidth but it is recommendable to check out the balance routinely, to avoid a penalty as a result of going over the allotted amount.

Programming Services
A good web hosting service should be compatible with HTML and CSS as well as other database capabilities and additional programming language such as CGI, PHP, SSI and MySQL. Many clients require an all inclusive business site package.

User-friendly
A web hosting business should provide a demo of the control panel they offer. Many clients dislike intimidating and frightening control panel. Potential customers are more attracted to control panels that are easy to navigate and understand.

File Transfer Protocol (FTP) access
This is a popular feature with many web host service that provide an easy, fast and efficient way to upload files other than the control panel. For easy access of your FTP, use your domain as your ftp. Clients like web hosting services with an easy FTP access.

Site Builder
Web site creation tools are very important for a new client who wants to wants to build an additional or new site. Ensure that that your web hosting service provides these website building tools to your clients.

Web Statistics Tools
Web analytic tools enable you to know the number of visitors you are getting on your site and the duration they spend on your site. This tools help to establish a successful and efficient business site by providing invaluable information that helps to improve the quality and stimulate growth of your business site.

Bottom-line, you want to choose the right web hosting provider for your business, this is key to your online business success. A service full of hassles, short-comings, and inconsistencies will ultimately cost you in time, money, and sales – which is your bottom-line. My advice when making your decision is make sure your asking as many questions as you can do your homework and choose the one that will truly deliver the best service package your budget can afford – your online success depends on it.

Crystal Watts is a web publisher and writer for websites24seven.com and the wattspublishinggroup.com – her expertise and passion includes web technology, online business, monetization, seo and social media marketing.