How do I find a good, shared Web host?
Consumers can
find an excellent shared hosting provider by utilizing host
directories or by directly soliciting Web hosting firms for
comments on their service packages.
Using hosting
directories is a highly recommended strategy, because such sites
aggregate a tremendous amount of information about the hosting
industry and its participants. By leveraging a host directory,
regular consumers can contrast and compare the different features
of several Web hosting firms.
The most credible
hosting directories contain a collection of hundreds to thousands
of Web hosts. These catalogues allow you to search for hosts that
match specified criteria, whether it is based on cost, technology
or geography. Most of the more sophisticated hosting directories
also include an "advanced search" options that allows consumers to
fine tune their hosting requirements.
Users of these
resources must be cautious and exercise due diligence however.
Some directories only allow paid advertisers in their catalogues,
making the directory non-meritorious in composition. Consumers
will thus want to be aware of how the list is compiled, updated
and what criteria are utilized, especially if the site offers a
top ten or twenty ranking.
Many hosting
companies only conceive of hosting directories as marketing
channels. For this reason, some disreputable hosting companies and
executives have developed, purchased or even influenced certain
hosting directories to boost their own revenues. Consumers must
therefore exercise caution and evaluate a multiplicity of hosting
directories before selecting one to assist in making purchasing
decision.
Too often, a
directory will actually sell the most popular listings to various
hosts who are willing to pay top-dollar for an award or
recognition. Consumers should thus make no correlation between an
award and quality.
Kudos, awards and
recognition are indicators that a host has financial resources to
advertising online, but does not indicate whether the host offers
credible and reliable quality-of-service.
Not all awards and
recognition are purchased advertisement however. When recognition
is not purchased, then you only need to inquire how the host was
specifically selected for an award. This can usually be determined
from an evaluation formula that is posted on the Web site.
Consumers should
also note that many hosting directories not only offer a large
list of hosts, but also detailed information about the host's
features, price ranges and provide consumers with the ability to
compare hosts again each other.
More sophisticated
hosting directories will also include in-depth articles, message
forms, evaluation tools and even promotional campaigns that will
save you money with the most credible hosting firms. These
features are also important because they allow consumers to obtain
more in-depth and personalized information about a hosting firm.
Another strategy
that should be employed in order to find a quality shared Web host
is direct correspondence. The concerned consumer should actually
send potential hosting companies pre-sales e-mail to determine
what features are available. Sending a pre-sales e-mail will also
give the consumer an indication of how quickly the host responds
to general inquiries. A credible Web host will respond in less
than 24 hours. However, consumers must be aware that most hosting
outfits will always respond to sales inquiries faster than
technical support requests.
When composing a
pre-sales e-mail, consumers should consider asking the following
questions:
- Is there a
discount if I pre-pay for a number of months in advance?
- What payment
methods are available?
- How many months
in advance am I required to pay?
- Is there a set-up
fee?
- Is there a trial
period or money-back guarantee?
- What is your
bandwidth, transfer or hit limit?
- May I visit other
sites hosted by you?
- From the time I
submit my order, to obtain access to the site?
- Will I have my
own IP number or is it shared?
- Do you offer an
unlimited, 24/7 technical support service?
- How much space is
available with your package?
- What is the OS
and version of the server?
- What are the
hardware specs of the server?
- How many sites
are currently running on the server?
- How many more
sites do you think you will put on it before it is full?
- How do you decide
what constitutes a full server?
- Is there any way
for us to set up a mailing list for announcements?
- Will I have
24-hour FTP and telnet access?
- Will I have
anonymous FTP?
- Will I have an
automated control panel to access my site?
- Do you provide a
full, free CGI directory?
- Can I run CGI
scripts outside of the CGI directory?
- Is there a limit
to how many scripts I can install?
Do you provide full shell access?
- Can I debug a
problematic CGI script on the server?
- What version of
Perl do you use? Does it contain a full set of modules?
- Do you offer a
Web statistics package?
- Will I also have
access to the raw statistical log files?
- Does the space
used by my logs count against my allotted disk space?
- What is your
acceptable usage policy?
- How long have you
been in business?
- By employing a
strategy of due diligence through the combined use of credible,
hosting directories and direct correspondence with hosting
firms, smart consumers can find an excellent shared hosting
provider.
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