Hosting Plan

5 Add-ons to Consider for your Hosting Plan

Last updated on June 23rd, 2022 at 04:25 am

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If you already have a hosting plan, or you are thinking about investing in one for your site, there are a few add-ons that make sense to throw into the mix so that you can get the most value from the service.

Knowing which extras to pick up and which to skip can be tricky, so here are just a few that should be considered close to essential today.

A dedicated IP address

While a shared IP address may be more affordable, opting for a dedicated one which is assigned to your site and your site alone is better for a number of reasons.

From making your site easier to access directly prior to launch, to allowing certain apps and security features to function as intended, a dedicated IP will become the cornerstone of your online presence going forward.

Offsite backup storage

Storing all of your data on-site is like putting all of your eggs in one basket; convenient in normal circumstances, but a real problem when disaster strikes.

That is where having an offsite backup available as part of a hosting plan is sensible, in the form of a file server. But what is a file server? Simply put it is a place to keep data remotely, so that it is safe from everything from on-site hardware failure to cyberattacks, allowing you to restore mission-critical information in the result of a catastrophe.

Intuitive control panel

Most likely you will want to be able to interact with the backend of your hosting plan, monitoring performance, making changes, carrying out maintenance and troubleshooting issues.

A control panel should help you achieve this, although not all packages come with one and not all hosting companies are able to deliver one that is actually user-friendly, so make sure to do your research and compare the functionality offered before you commit.

Simple script installers

Adding scripts to your website can be a hassle if you need to do a lot of the installation work manually, so a hosting package that includes straightforward options for partly or wholly automating this process can be a time-saver, and also avoid errors arising or instabilities emerging in the long run.

SSL Certificates

If you want to ensure that visitors to your site know that they can trust it to keep their data protected and avoid leaving their devices exposed to malicious exploitation, then having an SSL certificate is a vital step to take.

This certificate sits on the server and allows for encrypted connectivity between the site and end-users, while also verifying the identity of your site to reassure people that they are in the right place.

These are just some of the add-ons that can make your hosting plan more cost-effective and impactful, but remember to consider the specific needs of your site when making your selection, as there may be other desirable features not mentioned here that would make a sensible investment in your particular circumstances.