How to choose a web hosting company
Is it just me or does there seem to be 10 times more hosting companies than there were in the good old days of the internet? We were told that many of the smaller players would go bust and just the big boys would survive - so what happend? God know, but all I can say is that there are a shite load of companies out there offering some killer deals. So where does one start in weeding out the bad from the good?
Probably the first question you should ask yourself is "will the hosting be for your business or a just a personal website?" If the site being down for an hour is gonna cost you $100 then the hosting company bloody well better be up 24x7! If it's just to host your site that documents your vast collection of pet rocks then who gives a shite right! But even if it's only a site about your hobby you probably want it to work seeing as you've put down some of your hard earned lolly to get it. Ok then, let's make this article one of those 10 easy steps jobs. Here are 10 points / tips to ponder before you give em your dosh:
- Low, low price = bad, bad, bad!. They offer unlimited everything (storage, bandwidth and emails) for $1 a month. Come on now, that's the surest sign of a scam. We don't recommend touching anything under $6 per month (paid yearly upfront)
- Do then have a 1 800 support number and is it up 24x7. As a test you can call up the support number they provide and see how long it takes to talk to a real live human and to see thats the number actually works. The sales number may be better staffed than the support number. Some real cheap hosting companies don't have telephone support and an email address sent to them may take days to be returned , if ever.
- A google search. Search for info. about the hosting company - if someone has taken the time to put up a website xyzhosting-sucks.com then you should probably avoid them.
- If you have broadband their home-page should load quickly - a slow loading website is a bad, bad sign!
- Take a look at their support pages - some have great online help and tutorials. Message boards that have questions from users like yourself are an even better sign. Make sure the posts to the message board are newish too - no posting after Dec 2001 may be a bad sign!
- Look very closely at what is written in their terms of service (TOS) and acceptable use policy (AUP) documents.
- Look for a host that offers a 30 day money back guarantee. You also have the option of pulling the charge from your credit card (you will have to contact your credit card company to do this) as well if you're not happy with them.
- Beware of letting them register your Domains in their name - it locks you into hosting with them forever ! Never let a host register the domain for you in their name - always provide your own contact info and billing info. If you try moving hosts, you will lose the domain because it was done in their name and only they will be able to make changes. Be careful of this! Also don't pay more than $8.95 for a domain name - if you do it's a rip off! (we recommend godaddy.com for all domain registration)
- Linux or Windows? - most cheaper hosts will be Linux which is great but if you gotta work with the devil, Micro$oft , then you're gonna need a Windows hosting company - this may cost a little more.
- Send them an email. If they're on the ball you'll get an email back immediately saying that you're in some kind of que or tracking system and the question/s you submitted will be answered shortly. If you don't hear back from them within a day then bye bye, bad hosting company!
Summary
Good - 1800 number, 24/7 support, $6/pm in advance, email response, money back guarantee, extensive support pages
Bad - Too cheap, no 1800 num., unlimited everything, bad google feedback, long term only, slow loading website, not located in USA
For more information on web hosing see WebHostingAnswers.com. To get the low down on high speed internet Access see Broadband-Cable-and-DSL.com and see a comparison of the major US broadband providers