What You Must Know Before Choosing a Company to Host Your Server

Choosing the right company to host your server is a foundational decision for any online venture, whether it’s a business website, e-commerce platform, SaaS application, or gaming server. The wrong choice can lead to downtime, security breaches, sluggish performance, or unexpected costs — all of which impact user experience, revenue, and reputation.

Here’s what you need to consider before signing that hosting contract or clicking “subscribe”:

These are the 10 Points you should have in mind when you choose who should host your server

1. Know Your Needs First

Before you even start browsing server providers, clearly define your requirements:

Traffic volume: Are you expecting a handful of visitors per day or tens of thousands?
Performance demands: Do you need fast load times, low latency, or high computing power?
Type of server: Will a shared server suffice, or do you need a VPS, dedicated server, or cloud solution?
Scalability: Can the service grow with your business, or will you outgrow it quickly?

Choosing a provider without knowing this is like buying a car without knowing whether you’ll be racing or driving cross-country.

2. Uptime Guarantee and Reliability

A reputable server company will guarantee at least 99.9% uptime. Every second your server is down, you’re potentially losing customers or credibility. Look into their track record and see if they have:

Real-time monitoring
Redundant data centers
Transparent uptime logs or SLAs (Service Level Agreements)

3. Security Measures

Server security isn’t optional — it’s essential. Ask about:

Firewall and DDoS protection
Regular backups and disaster recovery plans
SSL support
Physical data center security
Compliance with regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, or ISO certifications, depending on your industry

Please don’t assume it’s secure; ask them to prove it.

4. Customer Support and Technical Assistance

Is support available 24/7/365? Is it live chat, phone, or just email? Choose a company with fast, accessible, and technically proficient support. Test their support before you sign up — submit a few questions and see how they respond.

5. Server Location and Speed

Where the server is located affects load speed. If your customers are mainly in Europe, you don’t want your server hosted in Asia. Some providers offer Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) to speed up access regardless of location, but server proximity still matters.

6. Pricing Transparency and Contracts

Low prices can be appealing, but hidden costs can quickly pile up. Ask:

Is there a setup fee?
What’s the renewal rate?
What features cost extra (SSL, backups, migrations)?
Are you locked into long-term contracts?

A transparent pricing model is just as important as a competitive one.

7. Customisation and Control

You may require root access, custom configurations, or specific OS options depending on your technical needs. Some managed hosting services limit your control in favour of convenience. Make sure the balance of control vs. ease fits your needs.

8. Reputation and Reviews

Check independent reviews, not just testimonials on their website. Look for:

User experiences with downtime or support
Case studies in your industry
Forums or Reddit threads for honest discussions

Reputation is built over time — go with providers with a proven track record.

9. Scalability and Upgrade Paths

Today, you might need a basic VPS. In six months, you may need load balancing and auto-scaling. A good provider offers seamless upgrade options so you don’t have to migrate everything when your needs evolve.

10. Exit Strategy and Data Portability

Finally, ask yourself: What happens if I want to leave?

Can you easily migrate your data?
Do they lock you into proprietary systems?
What are the data export options and downtime risks?

A good hosting provider won’t trap you — they’ll support your flexibility.

KnownHost stands out as a premium hosting provider.

I have used KnowoHost for 8+ years now, and during that time, four customers have left my hosting plans because they need their own server. They are all with KnownHost and are happy with their choice.

Knownhost is known for its exceptional reliability, performance, and support, making it a perfect solution for businesses and developers seeking a stress-free hosting experience. One of KnownHost’s strongest selling points is its industry-leading uptime, consistently above 99.99%, backed by robust infrastructure across multiple U.S.-based data centres. This makes it ideal for businesses that can’t afford unexpected downtime, such as e-commerce platforms, client-facing web applications, or mission-critical services.

Another reason KnownHost is highly regarded is its managed hosting solutions, which offer a perfect balance between power and convenience. Whether you’re using VPS, dedicated servers, or cloud options, their fully managed services mean you don’t need to worry about server maintenance, security updates, or performance tuning — their expert team handles it all. This is especially valuable for small-to-medium-sized businesses or developers who want to focus on building their product rather than babysitting server configurations.

Lastly, KnownHost excels in customer support and is consistently ranked among the best in the hosting industry.

Their 24/7 U.S.-based support team is known for fast response times, technical expertise, and going beyond cookie-cutter solutions to resolve issues effectively. Coupled with fair pricing, scalable plans, and a commitment to data protection, KnownHost offers peace of mind and a high-performance hosting environment for companies serious about uptime, speed, and support.

Let’s compare KnownHost to another popular provider, Bluehost.
Bluehost is a well-known name in the hosting industry that targets a broad range of users, from beginners to small businesses. KnownHost could be compared with others, yielding results that are more or less the same.

KnownHost vs. Bluehost

Feature	KnownHost	Bluehost
Uptime Guarantee	99.99%+ (very consistent and enterprise-grade)	99.9% (industry standard, but occasional fluctuations)
Support Quality	24/7 U.S.-based tech experts, quick and hands-on	24/7 support, but often outsourced and slower
Hosting Type	VPS, Cloud, and Dedicated (fully managed)	Shared hosting, WordPress, and beginner solutions
Performance	SSD storage, LiteSpeed, optimized servers	Decent for beginners, slower under high traffic
Security Features	Advanced — DDoS protection, free backups, firewall	Basic — most security tools cost extra
Ease of Use	More suited to tech-savvy users or businesses	Beginner-friendly dashboard and setup
Scalability	High — enterprise-grade infrastructure	Limited unless you migrate to a more expensive plan
Pricing Transparency	No hidden fees, honest renewal pricing	Frequent upsells, higher renewal rates

Summary

KnownHost is better suited for professionals, developers, and businesses that demand high performance, reliability, and expert support, especially when uptime and server customisation are critical.
Bluehost is ideal for beginners launching a personal blog or small website on a budget, but can become limiting or more expensive as needs grow.

If long-term performance, peace of mind, and professional support are your priorities, KnownHost is the stronger, more dependable option.

Final Thought:
Choosing the right server company isn’t just a technical decision — it’s a strategic one. Take your time to evaluate your needs, compare providers, and think long term. The right host will act as a silent partner in your success; the wrong one will be a recurring headache.