How to Choose a Web Host In Nigeria And Why Host Locally

Choosing a web host can be challenging, as there are hundreds of web hosts in Nigeria. But not many reliable web hosts

What you’re not aware of is that most of these web hosting companies are resellers or affiliates of a foreign web host. In practice, they do not have a data center of their own where they store your website files.

This means if your business is serving the local audience in Nigeria, your files are stored abroad.

This might add an extra bit of layer to your website’s page speed. Also, your blog files and content are subject to the existing laws of the foreign host country.

But before we go into the technical details, let’s consider other reasons to host locally. Especially if your business serves the local audience.

Let’s take a look at how to choose a web hosting company in Nigeria.

Since we have hundreds of web hosting companies in Nigeria claiming superiority over one another in service delivery, it is essential to analyze what makes a good web host for your needs.

How to Choose The Best Web Host In Nigeria

This is one thing you need to bear in mind.

A good web host is as good as your needs and wants.

1. Technical Support

I believe that things don’t always go smoothly, no matter how good or competent your technical staff is. But what makes a good support system is the ability to always be available when the need arises.

A good and reliable web hosting company’s technical department should always be on the ground, 24/7, to address customers’ issues and complaints.

There should be several customer rep communication channels. i.e., Twitter, Facebook page, WhatsApp, Skype, Live chat, 24/7 call support, email, etc.

In today’s world, people communicate using various channels, and you can’t tell what your customers prefer.

In fact, some customers have reported receiving quicker and better customer service via the company’s Twitter handle.

2. Hosting Package Prices

This is an essential aspect of web hosting you should look into carefully.

You need a reliable web host to do business with; in the same vein, you want something affordable.

Remember, if it is too cheap, it could also mean a sign of inferiority.

Reliable web hosting services cost money to run. From modern and reliable hardware purchases to the in-house support team, everything costs more money to run.

You need to analyze every feature and service your web host offers, and compare them to the prices of each hosting package.

If things do not balance well, it could be a sign of a non-transparent web hosting company.

3. Contact Customer Support Before Placing Your Order

This is good to do before placing your order, so you can see how the service department works. 

But not just that, your website has its own needs and wants, so you need to contact your potential web host to make your inquiry.

For instance, you may have a blog you want to migrate to the server after completing your order. You need to confirm if your web host provides free WordPress migration services or charges a small fee.

If they charge a fee for site migration, I suspect they’ll happily charge you more for other hidden services in the future.

Make a list of your questions and take note of the customer rep’s response before placing your order.

4. Features and Limitations

Your business needs and wants will determine what features you will need on your website.

If you’re running an e-commerce site, your web hosting features will be different from those of a content publishing powerhouse.

So, go through the list of features and limitations your web host provided and showcase them on their homepage.

If something you want is missing, consider asking, or ideally, move on to the next hosting provider.

But I will advise you to speak with a customer representative first before deciding on your next move.

Some companies don’t list everything on their homepage. Not for bad reasons, but someone may not just be doing their job too well.

Okay, now that we’ve identified how to pick a web host… let’s see why you should host locally with a Nigerian web hosting company.

1. Economic Value

Disclaimer – I’m not singing the present government slogan – Grow The Naira…far from it.

But if you look at it from a business perspective, and as a patriotic citizen. You’ll agree that if there is an “equal in quality” of services or product value in Nigeria to what we have abroad.

What is the need to take your Naira abroad to purchase the same services or products?

I agreed in the past that Nigerian web hosting companies are nowhere near as good as their counterparts overseas.

But with this new web host on the block, I think the face of the Nigerian web hosting industry is about to change for the better.

Let’s support our own…and grow the Naira.

2. Ease of Access to Technical and Staff Team

One of the best advantages of hosting with a local web host is the ability to reach out in person if needed.

No matter the state your web host is in, with proper arrangements, you can visit their office and sort things out amicably.

I once had an issue that required extensive protocols and all sorts of personal identification with HostGator. If it were to be a local host, things would have been settled within a few hours.

All I need to do is locate their office, go there in person, and speak with the man in charge. Plus, you can even exchange business contacts and meet new people.

People are more likely to be interested in what you offer on your blog and possibly do business with you.

3. Domain IP Location

Though not a direct ranking factor and still a subject of debate, your website’s IP location might play a small role in search ranking.

If your business serves the local audience and your files are hosted in the same country. Technically, it could improve page speed, which is a direct SEO factor.

This is because of the time required for information to travel from the source to the user’s network.

So, in an ideal world, I strongly advise you to host with a local web hosting company if your business serves the local audience.

4. Currency Exchange Rate

This is another factor you should consider when hosting your website locally. Especially in this current economic recession, the Naira to the dollar exchange rate.

If you’re a small business owner just starting out with a limited marketing budget, the best place to start is here with Localhost.

The Naira equivalent of the same hosting services you can get here is not worth it.

You’re ignorantly paying high prices for the same product and service available to you at your fingertips.

5. Face-to-Face Meeting

I briefly mentioned this up there, but it is important that I remind you again.

It is easier for me to get on the phone or knock on my web host’s door if needed. But you know, I can’t get on the plane and fly to Chicago to settle issues concerning my website hosting.

That’s impossible.

Considering all the above factors, your next question will be which Nigerian local host will be good for my next blog project.

Since most Nigerian web hosting companies are either affiliates or resellers to one web hosting company abroad, Garanntor is my recommendation.

Why Garanntor Web Host?

Garanntor is a web and cloud hosting company that delivers outstanding hosting services and amazing features, with its data center located in a Tier III facility in Lagos, RackCenter.

Garanntor is the first indigenous web-hosting company to have its infrastructure hosted here in Nigeria. An indigenous company that claims to have its infrastructure in place delivers quality services on par with international standards.

Unlike other web hosting companies in Nigeria, Garanntor provides many other services, such as cloud hosting, WordPress hosting, email services, domain name registration, storage, security, etc.

A company founded in November 2015 by a team of experts in web and cloud hosting services, but officially launched in 2016.

Currently, their hosting package starts at N125/month, which I believe is affordable for any level of internet marketer.

All Garanntor hosting plans come with cPanel features available in most top web hosting companies.

Garanntor has a dedicated WordPress hosting package starting at 600 Naira per month. This is something I haven’t seen in other web hosting companies in Nigeria.

It is good to know that Garanntor is the first to have dedicated WordPress hosting in Nigeria.

Try Garanntor today, and hopefully,  you won’t regret it.