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How to Find a Dependable Web Host
Your new website is ready to upload, and now you need
a web host. Or perhaps you already have a web host, but
uptime and support are lacking. Of the thousands 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 in a minimal amount of downtime. A dependable web
host not only maintains servers well, but also monitors
the servers and fixes problems immediately. With the type
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 place a high 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 address the issue.
Poor communication
Support people with good communication skills help keep
problems from becoming bigger problems. Being told, "Everything
looks fine here, so the problem is solved," leads to
frustration. So is having your site shut down because it
used too many resources rather than the web host contacting
you about the problem 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 after the account
is cancelled.
What to watch out for
When you see the following at web host websites, consider
them red flags to warn you of possible problems.
Unsustainable pricing
If the pricing 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 for an account
offering unlimited bandwidth and then use a lot of bandwidth,
expect to have the plug 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 use a lot."
An unprofessional-looking website
Consider how much effort the web host put into providing
a usable website with informative content. Does it give
you confidence in the web host, or is it full of unsubstantiated
statements and grammar and spelling mistakes? A web host
doesn't need to be a spelling expert, of course. But if
the company 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 to the websites 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
If the hosting packages offer huge amounts of disk space
and bandwidth for very low prices, consider yourself warned.
Don't expect the company to have enough money for maintenance
and support.
If you want to be sure that you can get a refund if you
want one, check what the Terms of Service (TOS) says about
refunds.
Read the web host forum
What is the ambience in the forum? 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 in
a positive light. If posts about problems remain in the
forum, you can observe how the host handles problems.
Read web host reviews
Client feedback at the web 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 to the clients' sites, and check via
http://www.Whois.sc to see if the particular web host actually
hosts that site.
Numerous forums allow people to post web host reviews.
When you read reviews, consider the poster's credibility.
Some people bash their hosts just because they're unhappy
about something. If the host posts in response to a problem,
observe how the host tries to resolve it.
Check the company background
The "About Us" or "Company Background"
page at the web host's site should answer these questions.
How long has the company been in business? A new company
may be excellent, but it's good to keep in mind that a lot
of businesses fail within the first year.
Does the company publish a privacy policy? Does this policy
clearly protect clients' privacy?
Where are the servers located? Ideally, they should be
in a datacenter, and not in someone's basement.
What are the server uptime statistics? If the web host
doesn't publish a link to a server uptime monitor, ask for
a link to one. Uptime of about 99.7 percent or higher is
generally considered good.
Does the company publish an address? You may never need
it, but when you're placing your company website in another
company's hands, you want to know that the company is legitimate
and accessible.
Email pre-sales questions
Answers to your pre-sales questions tell you a lot about
the web host. You'll see how fast the company responds and
how well they communicate. Ask questions about any of the
above points as well as questions specific to your needs.
Finding a dependable web host takes time, but dealing with
problems and moving your site takes more time. The time
spent looking for a dependable web host is a worthwhile
investment.
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