A good, shared Web host must provide reliable and reasonable
quality-of-service. Many times, a consumer will sign-up with the least
expensive provider only to experience many technical difficulties and
the inevitable and frustrating experience of changing Web hosts. To avoid
this experience, it is best if the consumer chooses the right hosting
company. Ensuring that a shared Web hosting firm has the following characteristics
will increase the probability of consumer satisfaction.
Quality Server Technology
The use of quality server technology is important. Since shared hosting
services utilize multiplexed equipment, consumers must ensure that the
server and server technology used can accommodate the number of users
on your particular server.
System Administrators
The consumer should ensure that knowledgeable system administrators are
operating the multiplexed shared hosting technology.
Network Redundancy
Your shared hosting package must have multiple connections to the Internet.
Network redundancy ensures that if one Internet connection goes down,
then traffic can be re-routed through another connection.
Network Connectivity
It is important to find the fastest Internet connection possible. Since
you are competing with other users for resources in a shared hosting environment,
you should ensure that you have at least T3 connection that is utilizing
less than 50 per cent of available bandwidth.
You should also consider the following factors before
selecting any type of shared hosting solution for your Web site. By considering
these factors, you will save money in the long run by selecting a solution
that grows with your business.
Purchase only what you need
Select a Web hosting solution that corresponds with your business needs.
Only purchase services that your site will require to provide your specific
content. Don't sign up for an all-inclusive account with a hosting firm
if you won't use most of their services if it will unnecessarily increase
your costs.
Select a scalable solution
Make sure that your hosting solution can grow as your site grows in complexity.
Ensure that you can upgrade your site to accommodate increased bandwidth
and other demanding resource requirements such as server-side scripting,
database support and additional email accounts.
Find prompt tech support
Only use a host that provides prompt and knowledgeable customer care.
Try sending a test email to the sales department or call them during business
hours. See how polite and effective technicians are.
Check references
Before you commit to a particular hosting firm, ask for references. Make
sure to canvass other webmasters running sites with similar specifications.
Browse their Web sites and measure response times at both peak and non-peak
periods.
Watch your billing and keep your receipt
Many hosting firms are notorious for their horrid billing practices. Check
your credit card statements to ensure that you are not being overcharged
or billed at an incorrect frequency. Most purchases occur online, so make
sure to print out your receipt. Most companies will require you to remit
that receipt by fax in order to cancel.
Back up all your data
Do not depend on your host to recover any data you publish on the Web.
Most hosting firms are only equipped to recover files in the event of
a system failure. Ensure that you have a copy of any data that you post
to the Web on your own hard drive.
Own your own domain
Make sure that the Web host will not hold you hostage to their service
by exercising administrative control over your domain name. Your host
should only be listed as a technical contact. You should exercise administrative
control over the domain name from the point of purchase.
Follow the experts
Consult our recommended webmaster resources to find out which hosting
companies get thumbs up from established industry participants. Use the
resources to glean from the experiences of successful industry players
before you spend a cent.
Do extensive background research
Find out whether a host is real or whether it resells hosting solutions.
Also determine what payment processor the host uses to run credit card
transactions. Determine who owns the hosting company and whether they
possess the technical expertise required to run it effectively. All of
these factors impact upon the credibility and reliability of the host
and the services you provide your customers
