Things To Ask When Searching For A Web Hosting Service When searching for a web hosting provider, there are some basic questions everyone should ask. If the answers to these ten items are favorable, then you've probably found a good, reliable web hosting service. If not, then it is advisable to keep looking. Do they offer fast connections? The last thing you need to worry about is whether or not your website is accessible at all hours of the day and night.
You want to make sure your web hosting service isn't too busy and that they have enough bandwidth to go around. If you have a power outage, do you have a way of backing up your data to protect it? Look for a web hosting service that updates and backs up their servers on a frequent basis. You should be able to easily find this information on the hosts website or by contacting the customer service department. If you cannot easily find this information or if you do not receive an answer to your question from customer service, move on. Do you want me to make payments in advance? Most web hosting providers offer customers three ways of paying for their hosting services: monthly; bi-yearly; yearly. It is advisable not to pay for more the six months in advance.
If the web hosting company folds, they have your money and you have no service. The best idea would be to pay it monthly if possible. Do I have to agree to any long-term contracts? Don't agree to anything longer than what you are paying for at one time. If you find that you are not happy with the service the web hosting company provides, you do not want to be stuck in a contract that is not fitting your needs. Will I be charged set up fees? Some web hosting servers offer free set up. Some do not.
If you find a particular server that seems right for you and can meet all your needs, they should say whether or not they charge a set up fee. Usually this fee is around $30.00 and is one time. What is the customer support like? Send the customer support department an e-mail and gauge how fast they respond. Ask them a question you can verify based on the information readily available on the website to confirm whether or not they know their business. How do they handle order processing? Do they allow free access to a secure server? Do they offer shopping cart software to process orders? If you are looking for a web hosting company for a business where you are going to be selling things, these questions are a must.
If you cannot find that information on the main pages of the site, send customer support an e-mail asking. Also ask them if those services cost an additional fee. A few other things to consider is if the hosting service has a good online support manual and a web site manager. The web site manager makes it easier to upload files, and view statistics reports. The hosting service should also offer free e-mail service and the ability to upload files created in popular web building software. If the price is reasonable and you get everything you want, then you have found a good web hosting provider.
Salik Syed is the author of this article on web hosting rating. Find more information about best hosting here.
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