Finding a Web Host

There are plenty of good web hosts out there, you just need to scratch beyond the surface to find them. Not all good web hosts have a high powered advertising campaign so it takes a little research:

• Perform a web host search using your hometown as keyword
• Search local advertisements
• Check internet providers and phone companies
• Best of all, ask friends for referrals.

Hosting Search Criteria

When deciding upon a web host, chose the one that best meets the following requirements: software platform, performance, level of support and additional incentives. A solid web host is essential to a website’s operation. If the host cannot meet your criteria than the operation of your website is toast.

Software Platform

First and foremost the web host must support the software platform needed to run your website. If any required software packages are missing than keep searching. No point hiring a web host that cannot deploy your website. Most hosts list their supported software; therefore it should be no trouble figuring out this requirement.

Performance

Unfortunately it can be difficult to asses the web host’s server performance prior to using their services. Hopefully the web host you hire will not have performance issues, but you may always switch hosts later. If possible, check message boards to see how others have rated the web host. Beware some message boards are just cleverly disguised advertisements for the host, always be critical of the source.

Level of Support

Strongly evaluate the level of software support required for your website. The main difference in web hosts is the caliber of technical support offered. As a rule of thumb, the more critical it is to have your website operational the more money you should pay the web host for support. Have an honest assessment on the host’s level of support, response time and expertise before making a decision.

Additional Incentives

Additional incentives are nice but do not give them much weight. Often hosting packages bundled with a heap of bonus offers is a sign of a terrible web host. Their service does not sell, so they use bonus offers instead. Do shop for free incentives, but remember they are luxury and not priority.