• Author
• Recent Posts

Paul Wheeler

Hi, I’m Paul and I run a web design company that helped me learn the ins and outs of web hosting and design. I’m a fan of anything DIY– from woodworking to building and scaling successful websites.

Latest posts by Paul Wheeler (see all)

• Ways To Make Your Website ADA-Compliant – January 27, 2023
• Cybersecurity Trends and Threats to Watch Out for in 2023 – January 16, 2023
• 8 Common Reasons For Website Downtime (And How To Avoid Them) – November 30, 2022

Without the right web hosting, audio files can slow down your site.

When it comes to setting up your website with audio files, storage, speed, and bandwidth are crucial. Every website hosting service has different terms, but you are better off hosting audio files on a dedicated file or audio hosting service.

So if you have recently launched a website and are trying to figure out the best way where to host audio files, this article will help you explore all the considerations you should make.

What You Need To Know About Hosting Audio Files

If you recently launched a website, either through drag and drop services like Squarespace or a self-hosted WordPress setup, you might be ready to add audio and other media to share with the world. You might be wondering why you can’t just upload the file to your web host and then insert it into the pages you want.

And while there is not anything technically stopping you from doing that, keep reading to learn the basics of why you should find a dedicated hosting service for your audio files.

What Is File Hosting?

If you’re someone new to websites and file hosting, let’s cover the basics. The first thing to realize about the internet is that every content that you see on a website has to be stored somewhere. For most websites, you store pictures, videos, audios, texts, website layout/themes, and other data with your web hosting company.

Some hosting companies might offer unlimited data and bandwidth, but many have limits on file size and bandwidth that make it more optimal to host large files elsewhere. This step is where the file-hosting company comes in, a service specialized in storing large files and making sure users can download them as quickly as possible.

Large files include almost any audio clip, especially uncompressed Wav files, and any videos or high-resolution photographs. To the user of your website, they will just see the media player and just click it like they normally would. But upon clicking the file download comes from the much faster and more reliable file hosting service that you’ve chosen.

Why You Need a Dedicated Audio Platform

It might be a good idea to store any file above a certain limit on third-party file hosting services as they are just better at that job. But it becomes much more of a necessity with audio files, especially uncompressed music or long podcast episodes. And it should go without saying that whatever principles are true about audio files are extra applicable to even larger video files.

Even if you have tons of available storage space with your web hosting plan-some services offer unlimited storage space is not the only consideration. The user experience on the internet is all about bandwidth, and the problem with audio and video files is that their large size uses up a lot of bandwidth. Loading text and pictures for your blog is usually fine, and even then you will likely want to use a website plugin that compresses images and decreases website load time.

But that consideration is everything when it comes to audio files. Whether you are a musician who has sound file examples of your playing or a podcaster looking for a way to get your content out there, using a dedicated audio platform will be the smoothest option, and it will keep working even as your audience grows.

Why Website Speed Is Important

Besides user experience, there is also the issue of website speed and search engine optimization (SEO). Many factors affect how successfully your website will appear in search results, including your use of keywords, breadth of content, and how long users interact with your pages.

But one of the huge data points that search engines like Google use to determine website quality is the website speed or loading time. Google wants to give users great websites that not only answer the questions they search for but also give them a good user experience. And if a user has to wait too long for your website to load, Google will penalize your ability to show up in the most competitive spaces of search engine results.

There are many ways to increase the speed of your website, most of which are beyond the scope of this article. But hosting audio files directly on your website will almost definitely hurt you and your business in terms of SEO.

About Audio Files and Compression

In the age of digital audio, you will rarely be listening to an audio file that has not been compressed. Digital compression allows you to reduce the size of a file without doing too much damage to the quality of its content. For audio, one of the most common compression file types is an mp3 file.

So if you are going to host any audio directly on your website, be sure that you are using an mp3 file that is as small as possible without affecting the sound quality too much. Podcasts can be much more heavily compressed than music without detrimental effects, but be careful with overly compressing music files.

Lastly, you should never use an uncompressed audio file-for example, a Wav file-on your website or podcast service. Those files are great to work with when editing music and podcasts, but once you are ready to share them with the world, be sure to compress them beforehand.

Getting Your Website Ready For Podcast Hosting

Podcasting has exploded in popularity over the last few years, both in terms of the number of podcasts and the number of listeners. In 2021, there were an estimated 120 million podcast listeners and over 850,000 podcasts on a huge array of topics. Podcasts are a fantastic way to get your conversations to an eager audience, especially if it is part of your business plan.

So the majority of people interested in where to host audio files are coming at this problem from the podcast perspective. And again, while you can technically upload episodes directly to your website, there are a variety of reasons why you should use a dedicated podcast hosting service.

Firstly, podcast hosting is complicated behind the scenes, and podcast hosting services take care of all the technical details for you. They usually take care of the podcast distribution, making sure it’s findable on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, and any other podcast app. They also make it easy to view your podcast analytics to help you better understand your listeners.

Many of them even allow you to host multiple podcasts under the same account. You can then use HTML embed links to easily put podcast players onto your website. They all have different pricing structures and features, and the best podcast hosting service largely depends on your specific needs.

Keep reading below to learn about some of the most reliable services and how they compare and contrast.

Where Should You Host Audio Files?

There are a lot of web hosting services out there that promise exceptional service when it comes to hosting. The problem is, how would you know which of them is the right fit?

A good web hosting provider is essential in hosting audio files so your website won’t suffer. As experts in the field, here’s what we can recommend:

BlueHost

With a three-dollar-a-month plan and other affordable options to choose from, Bluehost offers the best bang for your buck. It doesn’t stop at affordability, though. This hosting provider also comes with a free SSL certificate too. Whatever business you’re building, you can easily adjust your plans, and scale up or down based on what your website needs. This is also the best choice if your site is on WordPress. Some of its ‘real good deal’ packages come with:

• Unlimited domains for paid tiers
• Integrated Cloudflare support
• A 30-day money-back-guarantee (all plans)
• Security features such as SSL, SiteLock protection, and unique IPs
• Guaranteed 99% uptime

InMotion Hosting

May it be personal or business, InMotion Hosting is your one-stop shop for web hosting. You don’t have to worry about your site getting offline since it guarantees a 99.999% network uptime through Smart Routing™. They adapt services based on your business’s changing needs.

• Product variety
• Reliable uptimes and data storage
• 90-day money-back guarantee
• Private cloud hosting

HostColor

Web hosting can be tough for non-technical people. If you want a web host backed up by excellent customer support, HostColor is your best bet. Aside from that, it has an ample choice of features that will suit your needs.

• Very customizable hosting plans
• Built-in data support without performance impact
• Top-notch IT infrastructure
• High Availability and Fault Tolerance applications
• Excellent customer support

WP Engine Hosting

WP Engine is a premium integrated WordPress hosting service. If you’re a WordPress lover, this can easily be your go-to choice. It boasts of its lightning-fast speed, excellent security and top-notch customer service. While it’s generally for WordPress website hosting only, its features and offerings are the best. Here are some:

• Access to 24-hour customer support
• Create a WordPress site easily
• Simple management tools
• Performance is unbeatable, consistent, and solid
• Free automatic backup and disaster recovery

Common Problems with Hosting Audio Files (And How To Fix Them)

Now that you have read through many of the most popular web hosting sites for audio files, let’s work through some of the common problems people face on this topic. Even if you are just getting started in the world of website and audio, these issues are worth knowing about and may even save you some time in the future!

1. Variable vs. Fixed Bitrate

Unless you have training in audio engineering or other audio technology, many of the terms you read about on audio hosting sites might seem confusing. You might also encounter something when trying to edit a podcast episode and get stuck not knowing what kind of file you should make.

And understanding the difference between variable bitrate and fixed bitrate is helpful. In an mp3 audio file, the bitrate is a measure of how much information there is per unit of time. The advantage of variable bitrate (VBR) is that the audio quality is better in more complex moments, especially in detailed music. And the advantage of a fixed or constant bitrate (CBR) is that it is more consistent with timing and saves space.

Many podcast hosting sites only allow you to upload files with a constant bitrate, so happen to have the wrong file type, you will have to use software like Audacity to export your file with a fixed bitrate. Generally speaking, CBR files are best for podcasting, and VBR files will sound better with music, especially complicated music with lots of sound layers.

2. What Audio Format Should You Use?

Whether you are hosting audio files for a podcast or uploading your music, it is worth investing some time to understand how sound file formats work. Knowing the basics of this technology will help you make good decisions that balance speed and audio quality.

And there are two main file formats and encoding types that you should know about. First up is the uncompressed format, which is a large file size but has great audio quality. The most common uncompressed file you will encounter is the Wav file, and it might be best for certain musical situations. You also try to record in Wav files because it gives you the most flexibility when editing audio.

And on the compressed side of things, you are almost always best when using the mp3 format. Mp3 files are universally accepted, and most podcast hosting sites require you to use a lower bitrate mp3 file. So unless you have a specific need for uncompressed audio, always export your final audio in the mp3 format. It will save space, make for fast downloads, and most people will not be able to hear the difference in quality.

3. Files Are Too Large

Especially if you have a podcast where each episode is multiple hours long, your audio file might be too big even after compressing it to an mp3 file. Large file sizes can make you unexpectedly bump into upload limits with your hosting site. Outside of that issue, they also cause a slow download speed that can potentially make you lose listeners.

And the most common solution to the problem of large mp3 files has to do with bitrate again, but this time it is a measure of how many kilobits per second your file contains. If you are consistently bumping into the problem of large file sizes, you might be using an unnecessarily high bitrate like 320 kb/s.

There’s no question that music sound better at a higher bitrate, but sometimes lowering it to the next tier available in your program will save space and have barely noticeable results. And with podcasting that only involves voices, you can go even lower on your bitrate without affecting the quality. Podcasts sound great at 128 kb/s, and if those files are still too large, even 64 kb/s is acceptable for podcasting.

Takeaways

Knowing how and where to host audio files helps you understand why it’s important to have a dedicated service to host your audio. When you attempt to upload audio directly to your website, you will run into all kinds of problems, especially when it comes to site speed and SEO performance. This advice works for audio files and any other large files you want users to interact with on your website.

And especially if your audio needs are in the podcasting space, there are more reasons other than storage and bandwidth to choose a dedicated podcast hosting site. Podcasting hosting is complicated, and you are almost always better off leaving it to the experience of those companies to take care of the technical issues behind the scenes. They will handle all the details and keep people’s interaction with your audio content smooth and easy.

And while you are researching your best options for audio hosting sites, you might also need to know your web hosting options. So if you don’t yet have a website and want to do proper research, check out these reviews of the best web hosting providers.

• Author
• Recent Posts

Paul Wheeler

Hi, I’m Paul and I run a web design company that helped me learn the ins and outs of web hosting and design. I’m a fan of anything DIY– from woodworking to building and scaling successful websites.

Latest posts by Paul Wheeler (see all)

• Ways To Make Your Website ADA-Compliant – January 27, 2023
• Cybersecurity Trends and Threats to Watch Out for in 2023 – January 16, 2023
• 8 Common Reasons For Website Downtime (And How To Avoid Them) – November 30, 2022

Fact: Anything stored on a device that’s connected to the internet is at risk of cyberattacks.

This is the first thing that you should consider when running a small business website in the modern, digital age. Even if you are not conducting online transactions and payments, aspects of your business are almost definitely stored on devices that connect to the internet.

If you are a small business owner, you must remain updated on the latest best practices in cybersecurity for small businesses. Neglecting your cybersecurity puts your website at risk of cyber-attacks, which can affect your whole business.

What Is Cybersecurity?

Cybersecurity refers to the processes individuals and enterprises apply to protect their electronic equipment and data from those who might try to access it without permission. In other words, it is a combination of security practices that focus specifically on electronic equipment and the data that is in it.

The US Department of Homeland Security divides cybersecurity into two areas:

• Protecting your networks, devices, and data from criminal or other unauthorized access
• Keeping information private and using it responsibly

As a small business owner, learning how to keep your business safe online and offline is essential. If cyber attackers access your devices, sensitive data—whether related to the business itself or its employees—could be made available to others. Additionally, viruses and cyber-attacks can damage your electronic equipment.

Cybersecurity Statistics and What They Mean For You

Cybersecurity is a growing problem, especially in the United States. Many people are aware of the ever-growing risks of identity theft and other attacks on your personal information. Still, it is crucial for an entrepreneur also to recognize the risks to their small business.

One report found that small businesses are at significant risk of cyberattacks. Even worse, each cyber attack resulted in an average loss of $188,000 for the company – not a small number!

Verizon’s 2022 report found that 82% of all data breaches involved a human element. This fact shows how important it is for small businesses to train their employees on cybersecurity and how to stay safe online.

To further emphasize how damaging a cyberattack can be for your business, a study found that 60% of all small businesses that experienced a cyber attack closed within 6 months of the attack. Unfortunately, just one cyber attack can be all it takes to ruin decades (or more) of hard work and dedication to growing your business.

Types of Cyber-Attacks You Should Watch Out For

There are many types of attacks to be wary of when planning your cybersecurity strategy. Here are a few of the most common types used against small businesses.

Phishing Attacks

A phishing attack occurs when a criminal sends you an email that tricks you into clicking a dangerous link. Once you click the link, you arrive at a page that will trick you into providing the criminals with sensitive data.

You might receive phishing messages in your email, text messages, or even as a pop-up on a website you are visiting. You and your employees need to know what phishing looks like and how to recognize these malicious links.

Phishing emails typically come from an email address you are likely to trust. The sender could look like they are from your bank or appear to come from the email address of someone you know personally.

Phishing emails try to trick you into believing you are providing the requested information to a provided source. They might ask you to “confirm” information for your bank, donate to a charity, or even confirm details to allow delivery of a package.

Here are a few types of information phishing attacks might ask you for:

• Usernames
• Passwords
• Bank account information
• Credit card information
• Addresses or other personal information

Ransomware Attacks

A ransomware attack occurs when a criminal gains access to your data or bank accounts. They then lock you out and demand a ransom payment to give you back access to your information.

Ransomware attacks can happen in many different ways. They are usually initiated through email or malware.

Email Ransomware Attacks

A criminal will send an email to someone in your business that asks them to click on a link or open a file. Once they do, the criminal can take control of the user’s computer and through their device, your business network.

After the criminal has control of the user’s device, they will encrypt all the files. When you try to access the files, you will see a message asking for payment in exchange for regaining access to the device and files.

Malware Ransomware Attacks

Malware is another way to fall victim to a ransomware attack. Malware is a code a criminal plants on your computer. This code allows them to collect your data, access your programs and files, and eventually engage in ransomware attacks.

Cybercriminals can plant malicious code on your computer if you do not have adequate security for your network. They might hack into your system to drop the code or trick a member of your organization into downloading it without realizing they have done so.

Like with phishing and other attacks, it is crucial for you and your employees to recognize the signs of malicious files, links, programs, and attachments. The best way to avoid a ransomware attack is to not engage with malicious items.

9 Ways to Secure Your Website Against Cyber Attacks

Luckily, there are many ways to secure your website against cyber attacks. We will cover the essential steps you should take to keep your devices and data safe from cyber-attacks.

1. Choose a Good Web Host for Your Secured Website

Choose a web host for your website that will keep your website and your data safe from cybercriminals. There are many hosting options, so do your research to select one specializing in security for small businesses.

Some hosting sites will offer you a free security certificate for your website. These are great for your web security and help your customers know that your website is a safe place to trust with their personal data. Without a security certificate, your customers will receive a “this website is not secure” warning when visiting your site on most internet browsers.

Check out the next section for our recommended hosting services. These providers will host your website and provide the security you need to keep your business information safe from cyber criminals.

2. Assess Your Risks and Vulnerabilities

The first step in creating a comprehensive cybersecurity plan is determining your risks and vulnerabilities to attack. Small businesses can benefit from hiring an outside consultant to help with this process because they may not have someone on staff who is qualified to complete the analysis.

You can begin to address your vulnerabilities once you understand how cybercriminals are most likely to target you. This process will also help you devise an action plan if you become a victim of cybercriminals.

Consider all devices your employees regularly use when analyzing your risks and vulnerabilities to cyber threats. For example, many employees check work-related email on their phones or other mobile devices and on their computers at work. You will need to ensure email security on each of these devices.

3. Train Your Employees about Basic Cybersecurity

Take the time to train your employees in cybersecurity basics. Your employees are a crucial part of your cybersecurity strategy. Many cybercriminals will attempt to gain access to your business through them.

Hold meetings or seminars that share best practices with your employees. Review the different types of cyber attacks, such as phishing, malware, and ransomware. Show employees examples of what malicious emails, links, and files look like so they can recognize them if they appear in their inboxes.

Some companies arrange to send false “phishing” emails to their employees to test their ability to recognize them. This can be an excellent way to learn how proficient your staff members are in cyber security. It will also help them practice recognizing malicious emails in a low-risk environment.

  Update the training often as cybersecurity is an ever-evolving field. New risks emerge frequently, so you want to keep your employees aware of how to stay safe while connected to your business networks.

4. Hire at Least One IT Competent Staff Member

Small businesses often have small staff, many members of which will wear many hats within the company. Keep an eye out for an employee competent in IT practices or at least in general technology best practices.

Always have at least one technology-competent staff member on the payroll. This person might significantly help draft your cyber security plan, keep your technologies updated, and notice potential cybersecurity threats.

5. Invest in Security Software

Robust security software can alert you to risks and vulnerabilities while identifying any malware that makes it into your device or network. There are many security software options, each with different specialties that might be right for your business.

Look for software that specializes in small businesses. It should identify and protect against hackers entering your system. It should also have an anti-virus component to protect you from viruses and malware on your device.

Once you have your security software in place, keep it updated, paid, and active on all devices that have access to your business files or network. Train your employees on how to use the software, what to do if it alerts them to a potential problem, and why they should never disable it.

6. Use Multi-Factor Authentication Whenever Possible

Multi-factor authentication requires you to approve log-ins on a second device, even after you enter your password. For example, you might type in your password to log in on a web browser and then be prompted to enter a code that was texted to you.

Two-factor authentication is an extra layer of protection that keeps your data secure even if someone else learns your password. It will also alert you to the fact that someone else is attempting to access your account by sending you a second authentication attempt.

Another form of two-factor authentication can require your biometrics to access the account. This might include facial recognition or fingerprint unlocking software.

7. Create Unique Secure Passwords and Keep Them Secret

It can be challenging to remember your passwords. Still, you are better off resetting them when necessary than compromising your security by repeating the same passwords for multiple accounts. Using the same simple password for all your accounts is tempting, but you must resist the temptation.

Follow password best practices by making them long, unique, and including different types of characters in every password. A good strategy for creating a hard-to-guess password is to think of a sentence you will remember. Use the first letter of each word in the sentence while incorporating numbers and symbols.

For example, the sentence: “A strong password should have numbers, letters, and symbols” might translate to the password: 4sPWshnl&s38495.

Once you have your strong password, store it somewhere safe and secure. Consider investing in a secure password keeper application to store your usernames and passwords for different accounts safely. Never store your password in an unencrypted digital location, such as an email draft or document on your desktop.

8. Keep Your Apps and Software Updated

Apps and software are constantly updating to provide users with new security features. Always make sure you are using the latest versions and approving any updates your programs request from you.

It can be tempting to click “later” or deny updates that require you to restart or stop using your computer for a period of time. However, doing this can put your small business at risk. Continually update every program you regularly use, especially your security and anti-virus software.

In addition to updating your own apps and software, be sure that your employees do the same. Utilize the administrator functions on staff technology to disallow use if security updates have not been performed. Additionally, ensure that personal devices connected to the business network (such as through an email app) are required to download and maintain stringent security requirements.

9. Create a Back-Up Plan in the Event of a Cyber Attack

Finally, create a backup plan to follow if you become the victim of a cyber attack. Know in advance who will take which actions immediately following a cyber security breach and how you will get your business back up and running quickly and efficiently.

The first step in any backup plan is to keep backups of your most essential data in a cloud server. This simple step means that even if a hacker takes control of your local device or files, you will have at least some of them available in another location. You can also back up your files to a separate hard drive that hackers cannot access through your internet-enabled device.

Another vital part of your backup plan involves your customer’s sensitive personal information. Familiarize yourself with the types of data you are collecting and any relevant regulations to safeguard the information. You will likely need to report a data breach within your network if you collect sensitive information.

Consider working with an external cybersecurity expert to develop your backup plan. Choose a security expert familiar with small businesses like yours and with experience working with companies that may not have a full-fledged and well-managed IT department. This will ensure that you plan for all eventualities and do not let anything important slip through the cracks.

Check out the Department of Homeland Security’s guide for more tips and tricks to keep your small business safe. You can also check with your local small business administration to find cybersecurity professionals to help you.

Top Web Hosting Services with the Best Security Practices

Here are a few of our favorite hosting services that do an excellent job of keeping your website and data safe.

WP Engine Hosting

WP Engine Hosting is an excellent service that integrates with your WordPress site. It only hosts WordPress websites, but that does not stop us from recommending it.

This hosting service allows you to fully customize your website while providing the security you need to guard against cyber attacks. It also provides data to learn about your website visitors, how they interact with your site, and how you can turn more visitors into customers.

InterServer Hosting

InterServer is a popular choice for businesses of all sizes because it provides a super secure and consistent hosting service. It guarantees 99.9% perfection in keeping the network online and 100% power uptime.

Not only does InterService provide an excellent service, it also comes at an affordable price. You can purchase an inexpensive plan that includes everything from web hosting to email to free migration services from your current host.

InMotion Hosting

InMotion hosting offers various plans that can meet any small business’s needs. In addition to their versatile plans, they adjust to your evolving business needs over time. They provide an excellent and secure experience for your website.

Aside from the great security features, InMotion will keep your website live as you switch to their services. This great feature means you can become more secure without losing business or shutting down.

Protect Your Website At All Costs

Small business owners need a cybersecurity plan to protect their small businesses from attacks. These attacks include phishing and ransomware attacks via email, text messages, or hacking into your system.

You can protect your business by choosing a quality hosting service for your website, training your employees, and creating a comprehensive cybersecurity plan. Visit our reviews page to learn about your website hosting options and choose the best fit for your business.