BlogLayer

Let’s be constructive.

Start-up business with newer websites need cost-effective ways to expand their reach and improve their brand image. Who’s going to argue with that?

But sometimes smaller businesses don’t need the expense and complex infrastructure of a dedicated server. They just need quality, reliable hosting that doesn’t break the bank. Fully-managed, shared hosting is a great way for expanding businesses to build their audience and create a wider market for their content, products and services.

Marketing expert Tom Pick points out that a strong website is key for any expanding brand:

• Company websites are the single top driving factor for B2B sales for SMBs.
• Before making purchasing decisions, B2B buyers in the 26-45 age bracket conduct research online over 50% of the time.
• According to B2B marketers, online ads/paid search, content marketing and email marketing are some of the most effective ways to generate leads.
• As opposed to older team members, B2B buyers under age 35 are 131% more likely to make business purchases online.

With stats like that, it makes a lot of sense to develop the strongest possible online presence for your brand – even if you have a smaller website.

Shared hosting tips

Remember, all shared hosting is not created equal. Popular low-cost shared hosting companies like HostGator or GoDaddy cram hundreds of sites onto a single server and provide limited tech support for their customers, leading to slow load times, security issues and other problems. With these companies, you don’t pay much for hosting – and you definitely get what you pay for.

It’s a lot better to invest in fully-managed shared hosting that includes comprehensive security, firewalls and 24/7 monitoring and maintenance. (Backups are important, too – many popular shared hosting sites make you back up your own data, or insist that you pay extra for this service. That’s a policy that can go downhill really fast.)

Managed hosting costs a little more upfront, but in the long run, you avoid all the hidden costs and pitfalls that come with low-cost shared hosting. And you can focus on your actual job, not on perpetual maintenance and troubleshooting.

A strong brand needs a strong website – and a strong website should be built on a solid foundation. Shared, managed hosting gives you the platform you need to help you expand.

What better way to start building?

For more on shared hosting, dedicated hosting and hosting tips for e-commerce sites, read our articles here.