Within web hosting, each client is often different from the next. While some clients ask thoughtful questions that can lead to collaboration, others ask the most ridiculous, off-the-wall questions. Whether it’s the client’s confusion over technical terminology or an outright miscommunication of expectations, the world of web hosting is often replete with bizarre customer questions that leave hosting professionals scratching their heads. Let’s find some of the most mind-boggling customer-related questions in web hosting that leave one feeling amused and stumped.
“Can I Run My Website on My Computer?”
This is one of the most frequent questions that feels slightly awkward. They ask whether a client can run their website from their computer. As per the technical parameters, it’s possible to host a website from a personal computer. However, this is certainly not a good idea. Home internet connections often lack the speed, security, and reliability to be considered a professional web hosting environment. The hardware may not be suitable for unpredictable traffic, which increases the likelihood of some downtime. But, from time to time, a client may ask this question, thinking they can avoid the hosting fee.
Why This is Confusing:
While web hosting can technically be accomplished locally, it’s not practical for business purposes. It may be hacked, fall short when the website needs scaling, and the potential for crashes and downtime makes this option practically unreliable for anyone serious about website uptime and performance.
“Can I get ‘unlimited’ bandwidth and storage for free?”
One common misconception among web hosting consumers is the idea of resources being “unlimited.” Often, clients come in asking for an “unlimited” amount of bandwidth and storage free of cost. While some web hosting companies provide ‘unlimited’ plans, these come with an acceptable usage policy, and it’s not ideal for a web hosting company to provide truly unlimited resources for free.
Where It Gets Confusing:
Data centers are expensive to run, servers have maintenance costs, and support must be provided. When it comes to free hosting services, they are either limited or lack professional elements, including support and security. When some hosting companies use the term unlimited, it’s often a marketing term.
“Can You Make My Website 100 Percent Hack-proof?”
All web hosting companies and developers continue to improve security protocols and best practices. However, there is no realm of web and cybersecurity without some level of risk. Over the years, there were several incidents of severe attacks on websites, and adapting to new hackers as they develop new strategies is a constant uphill battle. Web hosting companies can only provide security such as SSL certificates, firewalls, and other periodic updates, but asking for a 100% “unhackable” website is pointless.
Why It’s Confusing:
Cyber threats are evolving, with new and severe vulnerabilities. While web hosting companies can protect a website from as many threats as possible, no hosting company can guarantee 100% security, as hackers develop new hacks and strategies.
“Can You Guarantee My Website Will Be #1 (on Google)?”
One common yet unrealistic question is about instant success for SEO (Search Engine Optimization). Some clients will ask if the web hosting provider will guarantee their website will be number one on Google. The reality is that while it’s essential to host your website to ensure performance, speed, and uptime, this does not mean hosting is directly interchangeable with search rankings. SEO is complex and a combination of practice, such as content (including pages and products), backlinks, keyword optimization, and certain technical considerations, none of which any web host can “guarantee.”
What is Confusing About This:
SEO is influenced by numerous factors well beyond hosting a website. While fast hosting can certainly assist with loading times for websites (which is one factor in ranking), web hosts cannot and do not have any control over how Google ranks websites or how effective a website is (content-wise). SEO is often a continual applied process, and search ranking is based on many factors that are constantly changing.
“Why Doesn’t My Website Work Off-Line?”
Some clients come into the process expecting their site to work offline, as if it were an application stored locally on their machine. Websites need to be accessed online to function. There are a few ways to create offline content (caching a website or utilizing local servers), but expecting a website to work without any internet connection is just not practical. Websites are reliant on live servers, and by getting off the web, you are losing access to the files and data that carry the functions of the website. This is why it’s not practical to run a website in an offline mode and expect users to visit it.
Why It’s Confusing:
This question by clients reveals a fundamental misconception about website functioning. When we want to access a website, we need a stable network connection. A website consists of an array of files and databases, which are stored on one or more remote servers.
Bringing It All Together
There are client questions in the web hosting industry that are sometimes mind-blowing, astonishingly funny, or downright bizarre. They do give you a sense of the importance of clear communication between client and service provider.
