Down Time can be Detrimental- How to Choose an Affordable Web Host with Great Service

Articles on Hosting | Topics: hosting, web, host

by Shelton Yates

Choosing an affordable web host that provides great service can be an incredible challenge but is well worth your research to choose well. First of all consider how much money you have to work with. A web host does not have to be really expensive therefore even if you have a small budget; you should be able to find one that is within your price range. After you have determined the money you have to spend then take into consideration what your individual needs are in regards to your website. The answers you come up with should point you in the right direction.

If you plan to sell items on your website then for your specific e-commerce needs you require SSL Layer which allows you to safely and securely process credit card payments at your site and gateways (such as for example, CGI or Common Gateway Interface) which involves shopping carts and allows the credit card payments to process in real-time.

Make the call as to whether a dedicated server or virtual server is what you need. Some online companies offer options that are called "semi-dedicated" which is basically a combination of the two. However this can be pricey and is not always very reliable so if you were considering this option then it would be in your best interests to go with a dedicated server.

Two things, besides affordability that are the most important in choosing an appropriate web host are the speed it offers and its reliability. Visiting the prospective web host's website and asking as many questions as you need to (and paying close attention to the answers you get) is a gauge for which web host you should choose for service.

What type of connection does the web host in question have? Is it an ISDN T1, T3, etc.? The answer is a very simple one- find a company that possesses at least a T3 connection. If the host doesn't have that, then your search is not over.

Bit of History

Our friendships hurry to short and poor conclusions, because we have made them a texture of wine and dreams, instead of the tough fibre of the human heart. The laws of friendship are austere and eternal, of one web with the laws of nature and of morals.

—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)

Take a cryptic look at the company as a whole. How long have they been around for and are they thriving? While this may not seem to be high on the web host priority list a company's track record could very well play a role in your decision making process. The longer a company has been around the more established it is and that could mean that they are worthy of your business. A more established company might also be more inclined to have affordable deal for first time business clients.

Another thing to inquire about is whether the company has in place any kind of money back guarantee in the event that you are not happy with their web host service. The more reputable and reliable companies generally provide a month's time where clients can try out their services before making a further commitment. This is an excellent "safety net" so you don't get roped into purchasing an unwanted service or in case you find a web host service that suits your needs better.

What is the web host's down time? This is a very important question as down time can be detrimental to any website. A service that is reliable and worth your money will have an "up time" in the area of 98 to 99 percent. Your web site will not survive (especially if you are selling things on it) if it is down at crucial moments. Customers will visit, become frustrated and not return for a long while (if ever). Don't allow this to happen to you. Find out this essential piece of information before you sign on the dotted line.

How much technical support a web host can provide the client with is a matter of importance. Test it out beforehand by e-mailing them with a particular question and then taking note of how long it takes them to respond to your inquiry. Another thing you can try is to call their telephone number and see if a real person answers or if a machine picks up. If it's the machine then leave a message and see how long it takes for you to get a response. The response time should tell you something about what could lie ahead in the future if you choose this particular web host. Of problems arise you want help sooner as opposed to later.

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Please note: All personal opinions expressed in the "Down Time can be Detrimental- How to Choose an Affordable Web Host with Great Service" article belong to the contributing author and are not necessarily shared by WebDesignConferencing.com.

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