What to look for in a web hosting service

Evaluating a web hosting service involves considering four critical factors: speed, scalability, reliability, and security. Speed is enhanced by using content distribution networks (CDNs) like Fastly and Amazon Web Services (AWS) to ensure fast page loads globally, focusing on optimizing the time to first byte (TTFB) which can impact search engine rankings. Scalability is essential for handling traffic spikes without crashing, achieved through automatic server scaling, as demonstrated by Webflow hosting, which can manage over a million pageviews monthly. Reliability requires a hosting service that guarantees minimal downtime, such as Webflow's 99.999% uptime, to maintain brand integrity. Security is crucial, particularly for sites collecting personal data, with SSL certificates ensuring encrypted communications; Webflow offers free SSL certificates to enhance user trust and improve search rankings, as non-secure sites face penalties from search engines like Google.