5 Signs You Need to Upgrade Your Website Hosting
Most people think that website hosting is an unimportant aspect of having a website. And while it may not be the most glamorous part of owning a website, it's definitely one of the most important. In fact, web hosting is an investment, and if you're not getting the most out of your web hosting provider, then you're doing yourself a disservice.
If you're not sure whether or not you need to upgrade your web hosting, here are five signs that it might be time:
1) You’re site is loading slowly
One of the first signs that you need to upgrade your web hosting is if your website is loading slowly. If your pages are taking longer than usual to load, then it's a sign that your web hosting isn't up to par. There are several reasons why this might be happening, but the most common one is that your web hosting company isn't providing enough resources for your website. This means that your website is competing with other websites for resources, and as a result, it's not loading as quickly as it should be.
Slow loading speeds can have a negative effect on a website in a number of ways. First, slow loading speeds can lead to higher bounce rates, as users become frustrated and leave the site before it has a chance to fully load. Second, slow loading speeds can negatively impact search engine optimization, as search engines penalize sites that take too long to load. Finally, slow loading speeds can decrease the overall usability of a site, as users are less likely to stick around and navigate through a slow-loading site. In short, slow loading speeds can have a significant impact on a website, both in terms of traffic and conversions. As such, it is imperative that website owners take steps to ensure that their site loads quickly and efficiently.
2) You're receiving frequent error messages
Error messages can be frustrating for website visitors, and they can also indicate a more serious problem with your site. If you're seeing error messages, it means that your website is not able to load properly. This can be caused by a number of factors, including coding errors, server problems, or third-party plugins. Whatever the cause, it's important to deal with error messages as soon as possible. Not only do they create a bad user experience, error messages can interfere with search engine optimisation efforts and impact your website's ranking in search results. So if you're seeing error messages on your website, take the time to troubleshoot and fix the issue as soon as possible.
3) You’re using outdated software and plugins
Any website, no matter how well-designed, is only as good as the software and plugins that power it. Over time, updates to these components are released to patch security vulnerabilities and add new features. One of the most common problems is that outdated software can leave a website vulnerable to security risks. Hackers are constantly looking for new ways to exploit weaknesses in software, and outdated software often has known security vulnerabilities that can be easily exploited. In addition to security risks, outdated software can also lead to performance issues. Outdated plugins, in particular, can often cause conflicts with other parts of the website, resulting in slow loading times and other issues. Finally, outdated software can make it difficult for website owners to take advantage of new features and updates. For these reasons, it is important to keep all software and plugins up-to-date.
Website hosting services have come a long way in recent years, and one of the most convenient features of modern website hosting is the in-built auto-updating functionality. This means that your website will always be up-to-date with the latest security patches and updates, meaning that your site is less likely to be hacked or compromised. Additionally, auto-updating can also help to ensure that your website is always compatible with the latest browsers and devices. As a result, it is well worth ensuring that your high-quality website hosting and maintenance support service includes this essential feature.
4) You have limited storage space
Storage space is a necessary component for any website server. It is used to store HTML files, images, scripts, and other digital assets. Without adequate space, a website will not be able to function properly. This can lead to reduced page loading speeds, decreased website performance, and ultimately, a poor user experience. In some cases, limited storage space can also cause a website to crash. As a result, it is essential to ensure that your website server has enough space to accommodate your website's needs. Otherwise, you run the risk of jeopardising the success of your online presence and turning away potential customers.
5) You’re host doesn’t do safety or security checks
When you choose a web host, you're entrusting them with your most valuable online asset: your website. And while most web hosts are reputable and take steps to protect their customers' data, there are always risks involved. Unfortunately, not all hosts live up to that trust. If your host doesn't perform any safety or security checks, it's putting your site at risk. This means that your website could be vulnerable to hacking, malware, and other threats. Without security checks in place, your website could also be at risk of being taken offline by a denial-of-service attack. And if your host doesn't have any safety checks in place, your website could be exposed to dangerous code that could cause it to crash. Without safety or security checks, your website host could be putting your data at risk of being hacked or accessed by unauthorised individuals which could lead to a loss of privacy, identity theft, or financial losses. In short, choosing a web host without security or safety checks is a risky proposition. If you value your website, make sure you choose a hosting provider that takes these risks seriously.
Bonus! 6) You can't access your website or your current host won't let you log in
This can sometimes be a bigger problem than just needing to get a new website host for technical reasons. We've seen some awful practices with website hosting companies gatekeeping client websites through not performing requested changes, making it difficult or confusing to access the site, or even worse - deliberately trying to block someone from accessing their site in a bid to get more money out of the client. With many proprietary systems out there, websites are sometimes not made on flexible platforms and you end up getting stuck with that one provider and can't upgrade or move our site without it getting rebuilt entirely.
There is also the other side of the issue with a lack of awareness and education around site management. Once your website is built, it is essentially a living thing that needs to be maintained. There is a difference between asking a company to make changes for you for free and asking them to make changes when you have a managed hosting plan. If you don't know how to operate your website and the company that built it does not want to make changes for you on a whim, you need to pay for managed site support and maintenance to get work done on your website.
This can be confusing for clients though with a lack of service transparency, there are unfortunately many companies out there that are taking advantage of non-tech savvy clients and not communicating that work is not done for free. Ask your developer or designer if maintenance support is available. If you need a website maintenance plan, explore our website concierge plans here.
There are a lot of different website hosting providers out there, and it can be hard to know which one is right for you. But by keeping an eye out for the five signs listed above, you can ensure that you're getting the best possible service for your website.
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