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How to FindDependable Web Host |
by:
Lois S. |
Your new website is ready to upload, and now you needweb host. Or perhaps you already haveweb host, but uptime and support are lacking. Ofthousands of web hosts to choose from, how do you find one that you can depend on? Know what can go wrong and what to watch out for, and research prospective web hosts carefully.
What can go wrong with web hosting
Too much downtime
Problems happen, and even when they don’t, server maintenance results inminimal amount of downtime. A dependable web host not only maintains servers well, but also monitorsservers and fixes problems immediately. Withtype of web host you want to avoid, however, your site may be down for days.
Features that don’t work
When your email doesn’t work, your business shuts down. Problems with databases and other features can also slow down or stop your business. Most web hosts understand this, but some don’t placehigh priority on keeping not only your site online but everything working as well.
Poor support
Dependable web hosts answer tech support questions within hours. Other web hosts, however, have been known to take days. And when those responses come, sometimes they’re canned responses that don’t addressissue.
Poor communication
Support people with good communication skills help keep problems from becoming bigger problems. Being told, “Everything looks fine here, soproblem is solved,” leads to frustration. So is having your site shut down because it used too many resources rather thanweb host contacting you aboutproblem first.
Billing problems
Even after you cancel your account, problems may continue. Some less-than-dependable web hosts don’t honor their refund policy. Others don’t stop automatic billing afteraccount is cancelled.
What to watch out for
When you seefollowing at web host websites, consider them red flags to warn you of possible problems.
Unsustainable pricing
Ifpricing looks too good to be true, it probably is. Is it enough to pay for server maintenance and tech support? You get what you pay for.
Unlimited bandwidth
Nothing is really unlimited. If you sign up foraccount offering unlimited bandwidth and then uselot of bandwidth, expect to haveplug pulled on your site. The web host may find another explanation for discontinuing your account, but “unlimited” typically means “as long as you don’t uselot.”
An unprofessional-looking website
Consider how much effortweb host put into providingusable website with informative content. Does it give you confidence inweb host, or is it full of unsubstantiated statements and grammar and spelling mistakes? A web host doesn’t need to bespelling expert, of course. But ifcompany hasn’t put much effort into telling you about their services, will they be conscientious about meeting clients’ needs?
How to research web hosts
Finding web hosts is easy enough. Search engines can take you towebsites of thousands of web hosts. But after you’ve narrowed down your list by features and price, how do you find out which web hosts are dependable?
Read web host package details and TOS
Ifhosting packages offer huge amounts of disk space and bandwidth for very low prices, consider yourself warned. Don’t expectcompany to have enough money for maintenance and support.
If you want to be sure that you can getrefund if you want one, check whatTerms of Service (TOS) says about refunds.
Readweb host forum
What isambience inforum? Are clients’ questions answered satisfactorily? Don’t be concerned if you see problems; instead, be concerned if you don’t see any problems. Some web hosts remove posts that don’t show their company inpositive light. If posts about problems remain inforum, you can observe howhost handles problems.
Read web host reviews
Client feedback atweb host’s site may or may not be valid. It’s possible for hosts to make up feedback, and some have even copied feedback from other sites. Look for feedback with links toclients’ sites, and check via Whois Source to see ifparticular web host actually hosts that site.
Numerous forums allow people to post web host reviews. When you read reviews, considerposter’s credibility. Some people bash their hosts just because they’re unhappy about something. Ifhost posts in response toproblem, observe howhost tries to resolve it.
Checkcompany background
The “About Us” or “Company Background” page atweb host’s site should answer these questions.
How long hascompany been in business? A new company may be excellent, but it’s good to keep in mind thatlot of businesses fail withinfirst year.
Doescompany publishprivacy policy? Does this policy clearly protect clients’ privacy?
Where areservers located? Ideally, they should be indatacenter, and not in someone’s basement.
What areserver uptime statistics? Ifweb host doesn’t publishlink toserver uptime monitor, ask forlink to one. Uptime of about ninenine.seven percent or higher is generally considered good.
Doescompany publishaddress? You may never need it, but when you’re placing your company website in another company’s hands, you want to know thatcompany is legitimate and accessible.
Email pre-sales questions
Answers to your pre-sales questions tell youlot aboutweb host. You’ll see how fastcompany responds and how well they communicate. Ask questions about any ofabove points as well as questions specific to your needs.
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Findingdependable web host takes time, but dealing with problems and moving your site takes more time. The time spent looking fordependable web host isworthwhile investment.
Aboutauthor:
Aboutauthor: Lois S. isTechnical Executive Writer for Website Source, Inc. http://www.websitesource.com. Her established writing skills coupled with experience inwebsite hosting industry have provided internet professionals with marketing, product and service ideas for many years.
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