For companies that offer a client portal, having a secure and reliable hosting infrastructure is of utmost importance. This is especially true for industries that handle sensitive client data, such as healthcare, education, and finance. A poorly managed hosting environment means an inefficient client portal and login experience.
Fortunately, there are some measures providers can take to ensure smooth client portal and login management. Here are four factors you should consider when choosing a hosting approach for your business:
Security
The efficiency of a client portal depends on its security features. First, make sure your hosting provider offers robust security features, such as:
- SSL certificates
- Firewalls
- Encryption
- DDoS mitigation
- Malware detection and prevention
- Intrusion detection
Once you’re satisfied with the general security features, consider factors relevant to your client portal’s success. For instance, multi-factor user authentication protocols can protect sensitive client data. Other advanced features include:
- Secure online signature
- File saving and sharing
- Control levels for authorized personnel
All of these features will ensure client satisfaction and boost your business’ reputation. Cloud VPS hosting is generally preferred for businesses that handle client portals and logins.
Compliance
As mentioned earlier, businesses that store confidential client data must pay special attention to compliance. Here’s a list of regulatory bodies that your hosting provider must comply with:
- GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation)
- HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)
- PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard)
- FCRA (Fair Credit Reporting Act)
- ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)
- FTC Act (Federal Trade Commission Act)
- HITECH (Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act)
Compliance will protect your business against legal troubles and ensure smooth operations. Reliable hosting providers, such as Liquid Web, are fully transparent about their compliance status, allowing you to choose the best platform for your needs.
Uptime and Reliability
Just as users expect your site to remain accessible all the time, clients also want 100% portal accessibility. Take a closer look at the uptime guarantee offered by your hosting provider.
Remember that even a 99.9% uptime guarantee means the site will remain inaccessible for approximately 52 minutes and 56 seconds per year. This might not seem like a lot, but in the fast-paced world of digital connectivity, even 1 minute of downtime can create issues.
Never choose a hosting infrastructure that offers an uptime guarantee of less than 99.9%.
Backup and Support
Data breaches and security issues are almost impossible to avoid. But the question is: How can your hosting provider protect your client’s data in case of a crash? Always check the backup and recovery protocol of your web hosting provider. Automated backup, be it daily, weekly, or monthly, can protect your client’s data, ensuring trust.
Moreover, consider the hosting provider’s support system. They should be able to provide guidance when technical errors arise and address all server-related issues. Knowing you have a support team at hand can ensure peace of mind for you and your clients.