Believe it or not, there are numerous decisions in choosing a web hosting company, especially if you want to serve up a business web site.
We assume you have already read our web hosting technologies section. The technology offered by a web host determines the availability of programming and database choices. Instead of letting the host drive the direction of the site, choose to let the needs of your site determine the host you choose.
The reliability of a web host is a key consideration. Why have a web site that is only available to users when the web server is working? One benefit of the Internet is that users choose the time and place for shopping, gleaning information and checking prices. If your web site isn't available, your competitors probably will be.
One way to determine a host's reliability is to review its guarantee. Not only should a web host guarantee uptime of 99.5%, their guarantee should be backed with substantial penalty to them (1 month's free hosting) if not met. Remember, it's easy to guarantee something if you suffer no penalty.
In this impatient world, the Internet offers "what you want when you want it - fast". Most users move on to other choices if they don't find what they want in a very short period of time. Many experts estimate a web site has 10 to 15 seconds to capture users' interest. If your web page is still loading when your customer expects information, you may lose customers.
Disk space is defined as the amount of room all your files take on a web server.Make sure your images and Flash files are well optimized as these types of files can consume large amounts of disk space. In addition, sites that archive information, such as blogs can consume ever increasing amounts of disk space. The same is true of large databases.
Bandwidth is the transfer space consumed by a web site over 1 month as calls are make to web servers for pages, images and other files.
While many web hosts offer large amounts of disk space and bandwidth, be careful. Most hosts don't expect their customers to really use the disk space and bandwidth they offer, therefore their servers to not have sufficient bandwidth and disk space for every customer to use large amounts.
Large bandwidth offers can also be an indication of a web host that overloads its servers with hundreds of websites. This can cause problems in reliability and in speed.
Virginia, there really is no such thing as "unlimited" bandwidth and disk space. Both of these items cost web hosts and in return a web host is going to get its money from its customers. Since these offers are too good to be true, steer clear.
As anyone who has ever worked with a web host knows, technical support is a very important issue.
We suggest that you not only find if a web host's technical support hours fit the needs of your web site but also test it out and see what type of support is offered, the demeanor and knowledge level of the support and the speed in answering.
Some web hosts only offer support through a "ticket" system. While this often saves the web host time and effort - your web site is not about the web host but rather about a functioning web site.
We strongly prefer web hosts who offer telephone support, online chat, a knowledge base and email or support tickets. Each of these types of support work best for different issues.
If you have a quick issue such as what version of PHP your web host is running, a search of the knowledge base usually is the best solution.
If your issue is very technical and involved, a telephone call may be the best way to ensure both you and the support person understand each other.
While we discuss understanding, we mention one of our pet peeves: support personnel who do not speak English as their first language. While these support personnel may be knowledgeable, if you can't understand them and they can't understand you - both of you will be frustrated. Less expensive web hosts often use support personnel from India and the language barrier can be a problem due to accents and pronunciation. It never hurts to call support before you lock into a web host. You might even contact support during a busy time (8:00 to 9:00 am or 4:00 to 7:00 pm) just to see their response time.
Some web hosts actually charge for technical support. By charging for support the web host can correctly assess the costs of providing hosting with those who overuse specific services. However, we find charging for support to be a turn-off. Hosting companies should provide support and also be trained to tell their users when their requests are out of line. For example, don't expect your web host to trouble shoot a program or script. The web host should only determine that their servers are correctly running the program or script . It's up to the user to determine how to use the program or script.
Don't forget to treat your web host with respect and courtesy. Remember, there are real people behind that telephone line, email or chat host. Always be polite and professional. Do ask for what you want, but make your requests reasonable. If you are displeased with their service, move your site; don't read them the riot act. Professional web hosts usually give refunds for unused time which was prepaid, particularly if they understand they are not meeting your needs.