Upwards of 20% of small and medium enterprises don’t have a website.
While the majority of these enterprises do not think a website would benefit them, a third simply state they don’t have the time to create and maintain a website. And while creating a website may seem like a daunting affair, not being able to easily find an enterprise online is equally frustrating for consumers.
Customers want to find enterprises so they can connect with their vision, services, and products prior to purchasing. If your competitor has a website and you do not, then it’s more than likely that your competitor will win over this customer. Even if your enterprise does, in fact, offer a higher quality experience.
As a business owner responsibilities seem to pile up. From managing money to customer service, there is an abundance of factors to consider. We all want the best chance at growth for our businesses, and to do that, we need to become more visible to the public.
Word of mouth can only get an enterprise so far. Enterprise growth lies in marketing and accessibility both of which are provided by having a website. The question is, where to start?
The answer: web hosting in Ireland.
Web hosting services are providers which possess the servers needed to make your website visible. They provide services and technology for a fee and in return, your website is accessible to potential customers and business connections.
It’s true that some hosting platforms complicate matters more by charging higher fees and less easy-to-use features. However, this is not the case across the board. Increasingly, if you’re an Irish business then the best place to host your website is in Ireland to avoid several pitfalls.
Read on to the learn the benefits of web hosting in Ireland and why location matters.
Web hosting matters. Here’s list of the benefits of hosting your website in Ireland.
As they say in America, “location, location, location.”
The closer your business is to your hosting server, the better. Selecting a web hosting platform in a foreign country can slow down the loading speed of your website.
Customers in the digital age expect quick results. Unfortunately, if your website is taking even one second too long to load, it’s likely they will conduct their search again in favour of a faster website.
Ireland is also nestled nicely in the middle of the Americas and the EU. This allows your website to load more quickly for your foreign customers as well.
By selecting a web hosting platform in Ireland, you bypass each of these common loading speed problems.
Irish law provides some of the best privacy protection online worldwide. Additionally, if a complaint arises and your web hosting platform is located in Ireland then expect to receive protection from the courts.
This provides your customers with a sense of security as well as you and your business. With hacking and privacy scams galore, privacy laws are something to cherish in this digital age.
Web hosting platforms in Ireland must also remain accountable by law to their claims, services, and fees. If you find that a web hosting platform violated the terms of your agreement, the Irish courts will be able to settle the complaint.
If your business is in Ireland, then it’s more than likely that your customers are also in Ireland. With close proximity to your customer base, you can afford them the best website services possible. By sharing an Irish IP address with your customers a faster and smoother exchange is made possible.
While having customers in the UK and elsewhere is commendable, site performance matters most to those located within the same country. Your foreign customers will be understanding of a slower loading speed, but your Irish customers who are able to easily access your storefront need optimal site performance.
Finally, some customer service provided especially for you! While the some hosting platforms boast low fees, their customer service is nothing to brag about. Because of a higher volume of customers, customer service falls by the wayside. Even businesses using these services in the United States aren’t impressed.
Irish web hosting platforms, however, are better able to understand meet your needs. When you speak with a representative of an Irish web hosting platform you can expect them to understand exactly what you’re saying and use Irish phone etiquette.
Additionally, if you have a question about a feature such as a website builder or application not running properly then this may delay the launching of your website. While you don’t need to expect your website to be perfect the first go-around, it is fair to expect that the components are at least working properly and efficiently.
The most popular hosting platforms in the US seem to provide the cheapest services, but there’s a catch. Reports of additional fees, late charges, and changes in subscription rates are common among American hosting platforms.
Irish web hosting platforms are now able to compete with American prices and are more transparent. In the past, this wasn’t so, but in recent years Ireland is advancing its prices and services. We are surpassing the US in terms of pricing, customer service, and quality of services offered.
Another benefit of web hosting in Ireland is lower corporation taxes. Our lower taxes attracted the likes of Apple, Facebook, and Google to web hosting in Ireland.
The lower the taxes, the more money goes back into your wallet. Having your business and web hosting platform both located in Ireland also helps tax time to run more smoothly. With more clarity and ease, you’ll have more time to focus on your business rather than tax laws in other countries.
Site maintenance and technical customer support are based on the business hours of where your web hosting platform is located. If you live in Ireland and have an Irish web hosting platform, then expect site maintenance to be completed at hours with less traffic.
If you choose to a foreign web hosting platform then site maintenance could be completed at times when Irish traffic is high. Foreign platforms don’t take into account time differences when updating and maintaining your site. While it may not seem like a big deal in the short-term, in the long-run customers may find a lack of access to be unprofessional and simply annoying.
To receive the best web hosting platform in Ireland know what questions to ask to find a service that best meets your needs. Firstly, find out how many domain email accounts you’ll have access to. Consider how many domain emails you may actually need as well.
Secondly, see what website builder applications are available to you through your web hosting platform. For example, you may have access to helpful website builders and applications such as WordPress. Discover the skill level needed to operate these applications and website builders.
Next, inquire as to how much web hosting space is available to you and if you are limited in the amount of data you can upload and store.
When shopping for a web hosting platform, understand the amount of customer service available to you with your subscription. Look into where the customer support centre is located and their hours of operation.
Rates and pricing are important components to review when selecting a web hosting platform. Research the company’s monthly or yearly rates, hidden fees and if their rates reflect the customer service they provide. Be clear about when the subscription needs to be renewed.
Lastly, note which features included or accessible with your subscription. Some hosting platforms offer additional security features which help to protect your website from malware and cyber attacks.
While there are a lot of factors to consider when selecting a web hosting platform, one element remains clear. If your business is Irish then your web hosting platform should also be located in Ireland. From lower taxes to privacy laws to faster connection speeds, Irish web hosting is the most beneficial when attempting to grow your business.
If you’re ready to purchase your web hosting subscription then visit our website to learn more about the benefits of Irish web hosting and using our services. We provide three subscription packages based on your business’s needs. Sign up for what you need and expect the support you deserve.
We also partner with Softaculous to make customizing your website using applications a breeze! We offer additional security features to keep your website safe from hacking and data misuse. All aimed at giving you peace of mind and ease of use.
