How to choose a web host
by Henriette Martel
Choosing the right web host can be daunting and time consuming. Fundamentally, you should look for
1. Technical support
Being able to contact your web host by phone—not just through email—and
receive expert advice by patient and friendly people is critical. Without
excellent customer service you can feel lost, vulnerable and frustrated in
time of technology failure or simply lack of personal knowledge. You need a
quick response to your cry for help.
My first experience:
After a lengthy research on the Web, I thought I had found the best web host
deal. Not only had they every feature on my long list but also they were
within my price range. Their user-friendly website attracted me. It was an
American company with offices in Australia where I live. So, I rang their toll
free sales information line and left a message on their answering machine.
They never returned my call. I sent them an email, they never answered. Their
physical address and a photograph of their impressive building were displayed
on their website. Like a detective, I followed their trail. I rang another
tenant in the same building. The receptionist had never heard of the web host
supposedly next door to her.
My second experience: After transferring my domain name to my new web host, I
had some technical problems which prevented me to use my email. Although the
web host was located in Brisbane (which is not exactly next door to Perth), I
could contact them by phone during daylight hours (3 hours time zone
difference). Fixing the problem cost 5 hours of our time and $2.50 (special
phone rate). I discovered the true value of good customer service—a patient
and sympathetic person to help me in time of crisis. Having an alternate way
to contact my web host—other than email— was not a luxury but the only way to
receive help.
The lesson from that? Before clicking on submit
your credit details, make sure they are contactable...by phone.
2. Value for money
Value for money can be closely related to paying only for what you need and
will use.>
Web space: Web host sell space on their server. Space is measured in terms of
megabytes not pages. Graphics take more room than text. For a small website
5MB is usually sufficient. If ever you need more space, you can usually
upgrade your hosting plan if you choose a flexible plan. Pay for what you need
NOW. Why pay for something you may only need in a year’s time?
Special features: Pay for the features that you will use. Autoresponders,
subdomains, SSL etc are all great to have as long as you know what they are
and how to use them.
3. Autonomy
Autonomy provides you with the ability to make decisions and also to change
your mind.
Contract duration:
Can you easily change Web host if your needs are no longer fulfilled or you
simply found a better deal? Check your contractual agreements (length of
contract, penalty clauses) before committing yourself.
Website portability:
Make sure that your website is portable and not locked with your web hosting
plan. If you create your website with the online software provided by your web
host, what happens to your website once the contract expires? Do you keep the
website? Can you still use the specific software for updates and changes to
your website?
4. Security
You need to feel comfortable that the web host ensures security for you and
your customers. If a host asks for your credit card details over an unsecured
server, how can you trust him if he cannot take those minimal security
measures?
In the long run, doing your homework now will save you time, money and stress.
Research your options.
© 2003 Henriette Martel
Henriette Martel is a website strategist and author of 200
Marketing Ideas for Your Website'. Receive a free ebook when you
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