How to Choose A Good Web Host

Choose a web host very, very carefully. Spend some time on this because it can be crucial to the success of marketing your website and your business. Don't be afraid to ask questions - if the host shies away from answering your questions, find someone else. Some crucial things to be aware of and look for are:

• UPTIME: What is their server uptime? It should be no less than 99%. Ask if they can verify this. For example, my host has a record of the last few months, which days they had issues, how much uptime they had and whether they had to use backup or spare servers.
• TECHNICAL SUPPORT: What do they have for support? Accept no less than 24/7/365 support. If their support is only available weekdays or specific hours, don't use them. Move on.
• YOU HAVE CONTROL: Do you have total control of adding email addresses, changing forwarding issues, changing passwords, etc? If not, do not use them. You will eventually regret using them as you will get frustrated with having to ask someone else to do it for you as well as I don't believe you should have someone else implement your email setup and password. That should be private and only accessible by you. A good hosting account will allow you complete control of this and will have a control panel available for your use.
• SCRIPT CONTROL: Do you have control of your cgi-bin? In other words, can you run scripts yourself or do you have to use only their scripts for forms processing, etc? This will directly impact whether your webmaster can effectively manage your site.
• SECURE SERVER: Do you have the option to run server side includes and secure server? Particularly the secure server can be crucial if you intend to sell anything from your site, now or in the future.
• TYPE OF SERVER: Make sure you understand what technologies you will be using to run your website. Make sure that if you are running ASP or Coldfusion, for example, that you buy web hosting on a Windows server. Some hosts support both Windows and Unix/Linux technologies.
• COST: What does it cost? You can get exceptional hosting for $6 per month with us. (Click HERE to see the features of our service to compare with others you research.) Don't fall into the trap of particularly the local hosting companies touting superior service because you are supporting a local company, who often combine ISP service with web hosting at outrageously high prices. They are notoriously overpriced for less service and increased downtime. That is not to say that there are not some very good "local hosting" companies; I just have never had the opportunity to come across one.

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© 2004 Susan M. Totman. All rights reserved.

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