Web Hosting in Kenya
10 Factors To Consider Before Hosting Your Website in Kenya
If you are not a tech savvy person or knows nothing about Hosting, then making an informed decision on which web hosting company to choose can be tough. In this article, we take a look at Factors To Consider Before Hosting Your Website in Kenya.
With all the companies we have around, each promising to have 99% uptime, unlimited resources, and knowledgeable support, there has to be a way to cut through the jargon and make an informed decision. Right?
That’s why this article will help you make that decision by showing you how to compare apples to apples. By understanding what hosting companies mean by what they say, you’ll be able to decide which hosting company and package best suits your needs.
#1. Pricing
This is the aspect most of us will look at first when choosing a hosting provider; however, it shouldn’t be the deciding factor. When you see price differences it’s helpful to remember the old maxim that we get what we pay for. Jumping on the cheapest offer you see isn’t necessarily the best idea, especially if you rely on your site to make money. Every kenyan Knows that cheap is expensive.
So things like non-outsourced support and quality hardware cost money, and a hosting company that charges below Ksh 300 per month likely won’t offer these features. Take a closer look at the features that each host provides, and THEN compare prices.
#2. Control Panel / User Interface
Even if you’re the least tech-savvy person in the world, there are some things – installing WordPress, setting up email, setting up FTP accounts – you should be able to do without calling your hosting company’s support line. Anyway, you can comment below if you need help on this.
Does your hosting provider use cPanel to make updates and modifications easier, or do they use some unfriendly interface that no one can figure out? You’ll most likely be the one working with it, so if you can’t figure it out, then that’s going to be a problem.
#3. Area of Specialization
It’s a fact that not all web hosts in Kenya are right for all different kinds of customers. Some offer great shared plans but don’t have solutions that are good for growing businesses, while others have great enterprise solutions but aren’t the right fit for someone with a small recipe blog.
Look into a company’s specialty or area of expertise before you buy, and go with one that understands your particular needs as a customer. You can find reviews and recommendations on our Website, and many of these will talk about a particular hosting company’s strengths and weaknesses.
#4. Technical Specifications / Limitations
Take a good, honest look at your site and figure out what you want it to do. If you’re hoping to host a blog, an e-commerce site, rich content, and videos, then you shouldn’t go with the cheapest hosting package you can find. A cheap hosting plan probably won’t have the RAM, processing power, and disk space to serve all these needs, and you’ll spend more time dealing with downtime or load issues than you would like.
Look to see what you are getting with the cheap host and what features are included in the cost. Do they charge for additional domains, support, backups, etc. Call them. Ask questions. Tell them what you envision your site’s needs to be. Just don’t take it for granted that they take your site as seriously as you do. Due diligence is required
#5. Technical Support
In most people’s opinions, this is the big one. When my site, for some unknown reason, goes down, can I call up and get a real, live person on the phone? And, more than that, can they find out what’s wrong and fix it, or at least tell me what I need to do to get my site back online?
Before going with a host look into their reputation for customer support. See what kinds of different ways you can contact them when you need support – email, toll-free phone, chat, and so on. Are they staffed 24/7? Do they outsource support?
You’ll find that, like in price and technical specifications, all hosts are not equal. Some hang their hat on their support crew, and some view customer support as an afterthought. Steer clear of the latter.
#6. Available Features / Add-Ons
This area of consideration comes down to the following question – What makes this hosting company special? What extra incentive do they provide to make hosting your site with them just a touch more attractive? Whether it’s multiple data centers, energy-saving practices, or additional features such as regular data backups or free domain privacy, hosting companies often offer more than just servers.
If you see one that offers something you need or find important, that can be a good indicator that you should look into using that company.
#7. Type of Hardware
You might have to do a bit of reading (or question-asking) to get to the bottom of this one. What kind of machines does your hosting company use? Are they top-of-the-line, out-of-the-box new machines, or are they cobbled together from what might be spare parts and chicken wire?
If the hosting company doesn’t say what kind of servers they use, you’ll want to ask, since hardware can affect the performance of both their servers and your site.
#8. Customer Reviews / Reputation
This is one of those factors that you’ll have to get a little creative to get the real story on. Do a Google Blog search for a particular hosting company, or look them up on Twitter – whatever you have to do to see what their current (or former) customers are saying about them. Are they easy to contact for support? What’s the average time it takes to respond to a ticket? When they find a problem with a site, what’s their course of action?
This is one of the great things about social media – ask a question about a company, and you’re more likely than not to get a few answers.
#9. Email Features
This is one of those areas where you might not have considered asking your host for help. If you have a spam problem, then it may be because your hosting company doesn’t provide an adequate solution to stop it. Look into or ask about your provider’s spam solutions and general email practices. No matter what they say, email isn’t dead quite yet.
#10. Scalability / Room for Growth
Finally, an important thing to consider about your hosting provider (and the plan you choose) is whether or not they fit into your plans for the future. In other words, what you consider adequate hosting now might not meet your needs two years from now, once you start selling your wares online and getting some good traffic to your site.
Any web-based enterprise should have its eye on growth, so if a hosting company might have difficulty accommodating that growth it could pose an issue. Does the host have VPS or Dedicated Server solutions? Will they be able to easily upgrade your account? Transferring from one host to another takes valuable time and effort which could be avoided if the company can scale their solutions for growth. As with all these factors, do some research, get some opinions, and make an informed decision.
Web Hosting Recommendations
Last but not least, we’d also like to share with you some reputable web hosting companies in Kenya that might serve best to your hosting needs. Also watch the videos we have shared on this page for further detailed information about these hosting companies.
- Hostpinnacle Web Host – Hostpinnacle Kenya is one of the fastest growing ICT solutions provider in the East Africa region. They have handled thousands of clients worldwide and still remain passionate and innovative about what they do.
- Hostfiti Web Hosting – HostFiti is a website building platform and hosting company that enables you to develop your professional website from pre-configured website templates or starting from scratch.
- Kenya Web Experts – Kenya Website Experts Ltd is the best website hosting company in Nairobi, Kenya that offers; cheap web hosting services in Kenya, domain registration in Kenya, co.ke domain names, email hosting services in Kenya e.t.c
Best Web Hosting in Kenya – HostPinnacle Review
HostPinnacle provides the best web hosting in Kenya and is one of the fastest growing ICT solutions provider in the East Africa region who have handled thousands of clients worldwide. It is amongst the Best Web hosting companies we have in Kenya
Every online business in Kenya requires a reliable web hosting provider to host their website on the internet. If you need a provider that have their servers in Kenya your business gets the advantage of local hosting and proximity which can help in faster page uploads.
Picking up or choosing the right web hosting service is an essential component of successful business these days in Kenya. Particularly if you are to employ internet for offering your services or aim to sell products online; a reliable web hosting service is a pre-requisite. Due to the importance and sensitivity involved, a lot of businesses and internet entrepreneurs feel confused when making the final decision.
Unfortunately, the information on the subject online also adds up to the confusion because each article or piece of content is tilted towards the interest of a particular service (or provider) and compromises on the consumer experience at large.
That’s why In this article, I will try to provide a comprehensive package of information about HostPinnacle Kenya, so that you make informed decision on whether to host your website with them or not.
A good web hosting service provider offers you a range of features. These are some of features you are likely to get when you host with Hostpinnacle
1. Storage Capacity:
The first and foremost concern should be the amount of storage your service provider offers. For most small and medium web sites, you’ll find few GB of data storage as enough.
For hostpinnacle, they offer 35GB for starter package, 100 GB standard package and unlimited volume for executive package with certain conditions applied. So read the details or get in touch with support representatives to get the accurate picture. Once done, go with the plan that suits your needs.
2. Amount of Bandwidth:
This is very tricky deal as many people confuse bandwidth with storage. Storage and bandwidth go hand in hand. Technically speaking, bandwidth is the amount of cumulative data that web hosting company will let you and visitors upload or download your visitors upload and download in a given month.
Once the bandwidth limit is met, the host will charge you as per the amount of visitors or per MB consumed. Therefore you need to keep an eye on bandwidth particularly if your site hosts multimedia or allows frequent upload/download content. Hostpinnacle provides unlimited bandwidth for all its plans.
3. Email & E-Commerce Features:
Email accounts are an integral part of the web hosting plan. Many web hosts including hostpinnacle offer multiple free email accounts for your domains. You need to pre-check as how many email accounts they’ll let you set up.
Moreover, don’t forget to see their email sending/receiving interface and ability to integrate with other email programs such Gmail.For starters, number of accounts and integration with Gmail should be more important than other too much techie stuff.
Again if you are running an ecommerce website, hostpinnacle will offer some key features for free such as SSL certification, dedicated IP, and one-click shopping cart software installation . Ask your web developer to help you list down other required features you nay need.
4. Number of Domains and Subdomains:
If you are running a website that needs to have a blog, you might need a subdomain. Moreover, there is a big possibility that when your one site is successful you might need another one. It would be painful to have to manage a hosting account for each site you own. Hostpinnacle will let you host multiple domains from a single dashboard.
5. Database Management & Support for Frameworks and CMS:
There are many types of database management systems, frameworks and content management systems for websites and blogging networks. This integration and alignment with your website and hosting company’s system is provided.
Moreover, since websites need to have a backend database, hostpinnacle offers you the type of database system you’re used to and compatibility with your preferred framework and offers one-click install facility.
6. Backup & Security Services:
Cybersecurity is a key component in today’s web management. Hackers, software bugs, and hard disk failures can cause data loss from the websites. In this regards, you will be provided with a free reliable daily backup system that keeps record of your files regularly.
If your website deals with users’ data like signup and private information; you need no tot worry since you will be provided with a free SSL certificate and other security software to install. The element of security is taken very seriously.
7. Quality of Customer & Technical Support:
They say; “internet never sleeps”. So its particularly important for web hosting firms to provide excellent technical and customer support. Personally, I have found hostpinnacle to provide around the clock support. They provide an integrated customer support that includes phone calls, live chat, social media and email.
Another element is of technical support they provide without additional charges. You can try and crosscheck their quality of tech knowledge by asking some technical questions prior to opening up an account.
8. Guaranteed Uptime:
Anything that involves machinery has a probability of failure. Equipment failures, power outages or some internet blackout can result in downtime for clients’ website. If the time is greater, it requires proper compensation from the hosting company. Hostpinnacle have proper power, internet and supplies back up to guarantee 99.0% uptime.
9. Subscription Period & Money Back Guarantee:
In most of the times, users subscribe for an annual contract with web host. They sign up and keep paying annual fee after the subscription. However, in the recent times, I have seen some customers take up unreasonably long contracts. Some providers offer 5 years and longer subscription program at some discounted rates. However, don’t fall into this trap.
Never signup with a web host for more than 2 years upfront unless you receive a written money back guarantee from them. Hostpinnacle provides a 30 day money back guarantee. This will help you to avoid any financial issue if the service turns out to be substandard as you can claim your money back if the desired standards are not met.
10. Additional Features and Support:
I have already discussed some key features that hostpinnacle will offer you or should offer you. From domains to emails, security to uptime, CMS to ecommerce management capability; all of them have been listed.
However some of you might need something extra or unique that is specific to your niche. Something like forum, email list building, some news board, online store, and ecommerce setups; there are a range of features that hostpinnacle provides you but only if you need them.
Conclusion:
I am sure that the above given points will help you make the right choice when it comes to choosing hostpinnacle as the right hosting company. However, I do not advise you to stick to only this web host since the service providers and features may be different from one web host to another. Please note the fundamentals of web hosting will remain the same for all industries and market.
On your own you can do the following background check to a certain if my observations are correct;
- Check background, history and achievement notes
- Read authentic customer testimonials
- Check out reviews on the rating websites.
- Obtain information about web hosts from research companies, online forums, and listing websites.
- Check their social media profiles. Read customer comments about them in discussions, group chats and forums.
If you think I might have missed out some point or need some detailed explanation of a particular note; please use the comment box below, send us a message, or reach us on social networks; we would love to facilitate you and provide the best information we can. I will be reviewing other web hosts with time
Top 5 Best Web Hosting Companies in Kenya
In this article, we take a look at the best web hosting companies in Kenya. Every online business in Kenya requires a reliable web hosting provider to host their website on the internet. If you need a provider that have their servers in Kenya your business gets the advantage of local hosting and proximity which can help in faster page uploads.
When you have developed a website for your business, the next step is to make it accessible for the world. Web hosting is a kind of internet hosting service that allows people and organisations to host their websites and make them accessible to the world via World Wide Web. Usually these companies have data centres with mega servers (owned or leased), where they host the customers’ data and website. They offer space and connectivity to the servers located in their facilities.
These top 5 web hosting companies in Kenya gives everyone from bloggers to business owners the tools and support they need to build a professional, reliable website, at any budget in Kenya.
HostFiti Website Builder is a Kenyan company whose target clientele is mainly Kenyans.
Click here to Register Your Domain with HostFiti Today
Host Fiti’s mission is to help small business owners create an online presence by providing them with an easy to use website builder where they can create their professional websites at affordable rates.
HostPinnacle Kenya is the leading premium web hosting company in Kenya with over 20,000 clients from all industries. Thousands and thousands of developers flock their website every week in search of great web hosting packages.
Click here to register your domain name @ 1990Kshs only:
They have a web hosting package tailor-made for everyone. You will fly through the internet with HostPinnacle’s powerful network of state-of-the-art dedicated servers that have powerful CPUs and are located at very secure data centers.
All data across their servers are stored on RAID arrays, this protects client data from ever going offline due to a failed hard drive. Gone are the times of having to wait hours or even days for your website to be restored from backups due to a hard drive failure.
Gone are the days of having to buy expensive domains seperately, gone are the days of having to buy SSL certificates that are so expensive and cumbersome to deploy. At HostPinnacle Kenya, you are fully sorted; free domain and free unlimited SSL certificates at a click of a button.
Bluehost is one of the largest website hosting providers and powers millions of websites. Choosing a reliable and affordable web hosting provider isn’t an easy task if you need to host your website. In terms of web hosting companies, Bluehost is one of the top-rated hosting providers which is even recommended by WordPress itself.
Bluehost plans offer their customers 24/7 live chat, unmetered bandwidth, and five email accounts. Similarly to many other website hosting companies, they too offer their new users a free domain for the first year. Their plans start from $2.75/mo and include improved security, backups, and free SSL certificate. These help to keep your blog or website protected and safe.
Overall, their last 24-month performance has been good. Bluehost is clearly at the top with its uptime (99.99%) and a fast load time of 405ms (0.4 seconds).
Kenya Website Experts Ltd is the best website hosting company in Nairobi, Kenya that offers; cheap web hosting services in Kenya, domain registration in Kenya, co.ke domain names, email hosting services in Kenya, G Suite Emails for work, asp .net windows web hosting, dedicated servers, website builder and reseller web hosting services.
They offer ultra fast, reliable, affordable and secure shared website hosting services, email hosting, cloud hosting and SSL certificates. We make registration of Kenyan domain names (.co.ke, .or.ke .ac.ke) and international domains (.com, .org, .net) fast, simple, and affordable.
They offer linux web hosting plans great for any type of website! Their packages include powerful features and tools and 99.99% uptime reliability. Whether you have a low traffic, brand new blog or own a popular business site, Kenya Website Experts has got you covered! Whether you’ve never run a website before or are a professional developer, rest assured they have a web hosting solution to meet your unique needs!
Safaricom provides Website and Email Services that enables you to create and own a unique business domain address, business email addresses and create your business website with an easy to use FREE Website Builder. Some of the features of website and e-mail includes;
- Domain name
- Website builder/wizard
- E-mail addresses
- Unlimited bandwidth
With Safaricom Website and E-mail service, you can
- Change to a professional e-mail address such as info@learnerscoach.co.ke and maintain a professional outlook.
- Build your own website with our easy-to-use website builder for a professional outlook.
- Market your business online with your own website.
Key Benefits of Website and E-mail
- Free Website Builder
- Online self-provisioning of service.
- Easy to use, affordable and no hardware or software purchase is required.
- Websites and email hosting.
- You can provide email accounts to your employees.
- Payment is made once off annually and upfront (in full) before service is activated.
InterServer.net has been providing the same services for the last 16 years! Although the technology has changed from the time they first opened in 1999. Their core principals of quality service and support have remained the same. Over the years interserver has expanded its product offerings to include dedicated servers, colocation and other managed services.
As a technology and product innovator, Interserver is able to provide its innumerable customers with innovative products and services designed to complement their existing businesses. They serve customers ranging from individual freelancers to Fortune 500 companies in many countries including Kenya. Over the years, Interserver has built a solid reputation for commitment to security, reliability, technical expertise all while providing outstanding customer support.
Summary
It’s good to note that most web hosting companies in Kenya actually resell services from top tier hosting providers like Softlayer, Rackspace, Hostgator ,GoDaddy, BlueHost, Siteground, Kinsta, Domain Racer, iPage, InMotion Hosting, LiquidWeb and WP Engine
The factors listed below make a web hosting provider the best.
- Server Up-time Guarantee (i.e. 99.99% Must need)
- Reliability and Bandwidth
- Web Hosting Plans
- Data backup and Disk Space
- Responsive Technical Hosting support