There are so many web hosting plans that even the popular host comparison sites don’t make the initial choice easy anymore.

Two often overlooked factors are of much more importance than slight price differences, presuming that you are somewhat serious about running a website.

When managing websites, efficiency is critical, even for small setups. Like anything computer-related, it’s easy to waste an hour or five on tasks which, in principle, only require pressing a button. Although WordPress, for example, is not complicated to install if you have done it a few times, you will appreciate a 1-click install if available – as a starter for ease, as an advanced user for efficiency.

Check the number of MySQL databases offered with a web hosting plan you are interested in and the price to buy additional ones. One day, you may need them, and you will hate to be suddenly restricted by “little things” like that.

Second, suppose your website targets potential clients who could need web hosting one day, especially if you are a web designer, an artist or sell domain names. In that case, you should consider a hosting provider with reseller web hosting plans from the beginning. Because sooner or later, one of your customers may need a web hosting plan too, and this provides not only an opportunity for additional income but, because you then already know your web host in and out, you will be able to give a good recommendation and excellent support, i.e. as a web designer you can install your client’s web site on web space you are comfortable and have experience with.

A good hosting plan includes disk space, bandwidth, domain name, unlimited subdomains, unlimited MySql databases, unlimited FTP accounts, latest CPanel, unlimited email accounts, IMAP & SMTP, PHP 4 & 5, CGI & Perl, Ruby on Rails, SSH, SSI & Python, Free Billing System, Free Templates, Instant Backups.

The prices of various hosting plans depend on the amount of disk space, bandwidth and no. of domains. It also depends on the hosting you opt for and the kind of server you choose. lA dedicated server costs much more than a VPS or shared hosting server.