Five Quick Ways to Determine One Hosting Company From Another
These days, web hosting companies are popping up faster
than dandelions. And just like those pesky weeds, they usually
aren't going to benefit your business at all. So how do
you pick out one hosting company for another for that big
Internet move? Below I've provided you some quick ways to
sift out the sheep from the wolves.
1. Traceable Testimonies - Many web hosting companies provide
a testimony page. Good web hosting companies will actually
link to the person who 'said' what is posted. If there is
no link, it is possible that the hosting company simply
made up the testimony. You don't want to be involved with
a company with questionable integrity.
2. Testing Quick Response Claims - Testing out the response
of a web hosting company is easy: email them. They should
provide an email address or at least a feedback form. Ask
a simple question about their service, and see how fast
they respond. Compare that with what they have 'advertised'
as their response time. See how they measure up.
3. Online Help or Ticketing System - Some hosting companies
may even offer and online ticketing/helpdesk. While you
may have to be a customer to actually use it, just the fact
that it is available is a good sign.
4. Sense of Community - Good web hosts still have problems.
Honest web hosts will be open and (of course) quick to resolve
them. Many hosting companies now offer online forums - a
place for their customers and potential customers to post
questions, comments, testimonies, and complaints online.
Really good hosting companies will not only answer these
questions, but they'll supply educational posts that may
answer similar future questions.
5. WHOIS - Taking a quick visit over to www.whois.sc will
reveal a lot of information about your web host. Besides
giving you some technical information, you'll also find
out just how many websites are running on that server. Remember,
more websites doesn't always equal better company. You certainly
want to make sure the server isn't bogged down!
This is a good place to also make sure that the host isn't
on any blacklists. Blacklists usually mean that there are
documented reports of spam coming FROM that server, and
that's not good at all!
Whether you are a first-time hosting purchaser or a hosting
refugee (that's what I call those people who bought hosting
from a fly-by-night hosting company, and their website is
now AWOL), I hope that these tips will help you save some
future headaches and maybe even a little money, too.
Back
to Tips Page |
