Web hosting for SEO: Why it’s important

Search Engine Land


A website hosting service provider, or web host, is a service that offers the technology required for a website to be viewed online.

Think of a web host as the home base of your website. Websites or webpages are stored on special computers called servers, and through the server your webpages get connected and delivered to internet browsers.

So, when users want to view your website, all they have to do is type your website address or domain into their browser. 

When building a website, companies typically invest a lot of time and resources on design, development, digital marketing and SEO.

But web hosting is one area that tends to be an afterthought.

If you are willing to invest in making sure the website looks good and driving traffic to it, why not also ensure that the actual website is fast, functional and flexible? 

Using a high-quality web host can maximize your conversion rates, along with other helpful benefits. 

How web hosting benefits businesses

If you want a website for your business, then you will need a web host. Although web hosting is usually left at the back of a business’ mindset, it is crucial for your online presence.

A reliable web host can give your company a variety of benefits, such as:

  • Improved site performance.
  • Effective data management.
  • Enhanced security.
  • High uptime.

In short, investing in a reliable web host is wise – and should help grow your business. 

Expected features from hosting providers

Web hosts offer more than just web hosting services for businesses. Web host firms offer multiple services that ensure a hassle-free experience for business owners and to make sure their only focus is the time and energy spent on their business.

Here are some features you should expect from a good web hosting provider: 

  • Email accounts: Hosting providers will require users to create their own domain name. Domain names and email accounts will be one of the features provided. 
  • FTP access: FTP allows you to upload files from a local computer to the web server. Your website will be accessible through the internet, with files transferred from your computer straight to the server using this feature. FTP access is critical for web developers. 
  • WordPress support: WordPress, which powers nearly half of the websites on the internet, is a convenient way to create and manage your website content. 
  • Enhanced security: Many hosting providers, such as WPEngine, now provide complimentary SSL certificates with their hosting services.

Most popular web hosts

Popular web hosting companies include: 

  • GoDaddy 
  • Amazon Web Services
  • Google Cloud Platform 
  • 1&1 IONOS 
  • HostGator
  • Bluehost
  • Hetzner Online 
  • DigitalOcean
  • Liquid Web 
  • WP Engine 

Why web hosting is important for SEO

When it comes to SEO, Google strives to deliver the best possible results for its users.

This means that a strong and reliable web host will lay the foundation for your SEO efforts.

Google looks at several factors to ensure the user has a positive experience after using their search engine. Websites that work faster with improved UX can get a rankings boost. 

SEO is a huge focus for nearly all businesses and brands today. Everyone wants their site listed on the first page of Google for relevant search queries.

Websites that fail to rank on Page 1 of Google likely won’t be found. As the saying goes, “the best place to hide a website is the second page of Google.”

There are three main reasons why web hosting is important for SEO: speed, security and location. 

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