Every online store needs a digital storefront, and this space takes up storage on a server. That storage space is owned by a hosting company, and you pay rent for it either monthly or annually.
A reliable host is crucial for ecommerce because one minute of downtime costs an online business $220,000 in lost revenue. A good host will guarantee uptime and offer 24/7 customer support.
Unlimited storage
Choosing the right ecommerce hosting provider is a critical step for entrepreneurs planning to start an online store. Because a digital storefront exists only in cyberspace, it’s essential that the hosting service be capable of supporting its high traffic load and scalability. A good ecommerce web hosting provider offers unlimited storage and bandwidth, and it should be PCI compliant. e-commerce websites should also provide state-of-the-art customer support, including live chat and phone.
Another important consideration is how much storage your ecommerce website needs to store products and content. Many ecommerce sites are large, so you should choose a plan that provides sufficient bandwidth and storage capacity to ensure your website stays online during traffic spikes. A good ecommerce hosting provider will offer a generous amount of bandwidth, and will provide the tools you need to monitor your site performance and identify bottlenecks.
There are several types of ecommerce hosting options to consider, including SaaS hosting, shared and dedicated. SaaS hosting is a great option for small businesses, since it provides a simple connection between your website and your host, with no need for complex coding. This type of hosting is typically cheaper than dedicated or cloud servers, and can be scalable to meet your growing business’s needs.
Dedicated and cloud servers are a better choice for larger enterprises with high volumes of visitors. These hosting solutions provide a higher level of security and performance, but can be more expensive than SaaS hosting. These hosts are often PCI compliant, and offer advanced security features such as SSL certificates and a CDN to protect your data from hackers.
The best ecommerce hosting providers have multiple plans for different budgets. For example, Bluehost’s mid-tier plan includes unlimited SSD storage and a free SSL certificate. Its one-click WooCommerce integration makes it easy for beginners to set up their first store. It also features excellent 24/7 live chat and phone support, so beginners can get help with any issues they run into.
Another popular option is InMotion Hosting, which offers a range of ecommerce-ready packages with an intuitive design and reliable support. InMotion is also PCI compliant, and its servers are fast enough to handle the load of heavy ecommerce websites. The company’s plans are affordable, and include a free SSL certificate, unlimited domains, business email accounts, and more.
Unlimited bandwidth
When choosing an ecommerce web hosting solution, look for unlimited bandwidth and a host that guarantees speed. Most people won’t wait more than 3 seconds to load a page, and you’ll lose sales when your site is slow. In addition, look for a hosting provider that offers PCI compliance for its shared hosting plans. This ensures that you’re protecting your customer data.
Another important aspect to consider when selecting an ecommerce web hosting provider is a host that offers 24/7 customer support. Every minute that your website is down costs you sales, so it’s crucial to find a provider with a good reputation for providing excellent customer service. You also want to look for a host that offers basic security measures, including a free SSL certificate. This is especially important for ecommerce websites, since most visitors will not trust sites that do not have SSL certificates.
Ecommerce hosting providers offer a variety of packages, depending on your needs. Generally, these packages will include a domain name, a hosting space on a server and some services to assist with the setup of your online store. Some providers even provide website design and payment processing. Some of these packages are available in a hosted or cloud environment, while others are self-hosted.
There are many different types of ecommerce hosting, and the best one for you will depend on the type of product you’re selling and the size of your business. Shared ecommerce hosting is not recommended for most businesses because it limits the amount of storage and bandwidth your website can use, while VPS and cloud hosting are more suitable. You should also consider whether your site requires a managed hosting option, which will take care of onboarding, configuration, maintenance and monitoring.
Ultimately, the most affordable way to host your ecommerce website is by using a provider that supports open source software like osCommerce, Zen Cart, and CubeCart. This will reduce your initial development costs and allow you to upgrade when your business grows. You should also look for a host that provides a high-speed connection and a good customer support team.
24/7 customer support
Ecommerce web hosting is different from normal hosting because of the requirements of online stores and marketplaces. These sites need to be available all the time, be secure and be easy to use. The ideal ecommerce host is one that can handle large traffic spikes and ensure high performance and security. It also needs to offer 24/7 customer support.
The top ecommerce web hosts provide various plans, including shared, VPS and dedicated. A good ecommerce hosting plan will include an unlimited amount of storage and bandwidth. It should also include a free domain name and SSL certificates, as well as an easy-to-use control panel. A free domain will also help you brand your website and make it easier to find.
While choosing an ecommerce host, you should be sure that they have a good uptime, as downtime can cost your business money. You should also look for a host that offers unlimited bandwidth to handle traffic spikes and a robust server environment. You should also pay attention to the site’s loading speed, as a slow site will lose customers.
Most ecommerce web hosts will offer set-up services for Internet merchant accounts, which can process major credit card transactions. They may also offer other business-to-business ecommerce solutions, such as EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) services that allow businesses to exchange electronic documents using email or fax. Some will even register a domain for their clients.
When choosing an ecommerce hosting provider, you should choose one that provides 24/7 technical support by phone and chat. This is a vital service, as it can help you resolve problems that arise quickly. You should also look for a host who can give you detailed information about your website’s traffic and performance. A good ecommerce host will be able to tell you the number of visitors, what pages are being visited and how often.
The top ecommerce web hosting providers provide an array of features for their customers, including support via phone and chat, as well as secure facilities with restricted access. They will also offer basic management services such as patching, system monitoring and sending updates. Some of them will even help you get a website certificate, which is essential for online commerce because it gives users the peace of mind that their transactions are secure.
PCI compliance
Credit card payment data must be handled according to strict PCI compliance guidelines. If a business fails to meet these standards, it can be banned from accepting credit card payments. This can be very damaging for an eCommerce business. The good news is that you can avoid these risks by choosing a web hosting provider that understands PCI.
All ecommerce websites that process, store or transmit customer data should be PCI compliant. This is a set of standards that help protect the data from hackers and reduce the risk of huge fines in case of a breach. However, most small-sized ecommerce stores don’t have the time or resources to make themselves fully compliant. So, it is important to find a web host that understands the PCI standards and can handle your needs accordingly.
For example, some ecommerce businesses use URL redirects to direct customers to the PSP-hosted webpage where they enter their credit card information. This method reduces the merchant’s compliance responsibility and impact, but it also increases the complexity of the ecommerce website. Alternatively, some merchants utilize iFrames to embed the PSP-provided functionality on their websites. This approach is similar to URL redirects, but the iFrames are not visible to visitors.
The first step in the process of becoming PCI compliant is to identify your Card Data Environment (CDE). This includes all systems that collect, store, process or transmit credit card data. You must also include third-party providers who have access to this data.
Once you’ve identified your CDE, you need to create a detailed security plan. This involves documenting all aspects of your system’s security, implementing two-factor authentication, limiting physical access to data and implementing a strong password policy. This is a lengthy process that can take weeks of staff time.
Non-compliant ecommerce merchants face a variety of consequences, including huge fines and lost revenue. A data breach can cost a company millions of dollars. Besides the financial costs, it can damage a brand’s reputation. To prevent this from happening, choose a host that provides a secure infrastructure with strong firewalls and restricted access to servers. Ideally, the host should offer SSL certificates, which provide encryption between the browser and the site.