CHOOSING A WEB HOST >> HOSTING CHECK LIST

Before you hand over your credit card number or your money to a web hosting company. Make sure you feel comfortable with their answers to these basic questions:

1. How long have they been in business?
   Most business fail in the first 5 years. Has the company been in business for at least five years? If not, do they seem like a solid company?
    
2. Do they offer a money-back guarantee?
   If you are not satisfied with their services, will they refund your money? How long do you have to make the decision? What is the process for getting your refund (some companies say they offer a money-back guarantee, but make it compmlicated and cumbersome to claim it).
    
3. Do they offer 24 hour support?
   Many companies offer support only during business hours. If you expect only to request support durring normal business hours, that might be okay. If not, make sure that the company you choose offers at least email support 24 hour a day.
    
4. Do their servers support the technologies you plan to use for your website?
   Make sure that the company you choose will support the technologies used by your website. For example, many Linux servers do not support ASP pages (or support them only partially), and many Windows servers do not support PHP. If you are using a specialized technology like ColdFusion, be sure that the company you choose will be able to accomodate your site.
    
5. Do they answer the phone?
   If you need to be able to talk with someone about your hosting account, is there a number you can call? And do they answer the phone during business hours?
    
6. Do you have any references?
   One of the best ways to find a host is get suggestions from people you know who are hosting sites that are similar to your own. Find out what their experiences have been, and whether they match your expectations for your own host.
    
7. Do they have payment options other than PayPal?
   There's nothing wrong with paying via PayPal, but keep in mind that PayPal is available to anyone with a checking account and an email address. It can be an indication that they are not well established if this is the only online payment method they accept. Look for a company that has gone to the trouble of setting up a merchant account to accept Credit Cards. While this is not a perfect indicator, it can indicate their level of commitment to the business.
    
8. Cheaper is not always better!
   Look out for host offering impossible deals (unlimited space for $1 a month!). They are most likely not interested in providing a stable environment for your website. Perhaps they are trying to get into the business (and are not very experienced) or they are trying to acquire customers in preparation for the sale of their company. In any case, ultra-cheap hosting probably doesn't mean ultra-stable hosting.
    
   Instead, look for a company that you trust, and that is offering a reasonable price for the hosting package they are providing.
    
9. Do they belong to the Better Business Bureau or similar organization?
   While membership in a business watch-dog organization is not a guarantee that you're going to receive a quality service and stellar support, it can be an indication of how confident the company is that you'll be satisfied with their service. The Better Business Bureau and similar organizations track any complaints and how they are resolved. If the company does not resolve issues according to the standards of the organization, they will no longer be in "good standing" until the issue is resolved.
    
   However, don't just trust that because the company displays a seal of a business wath-dog organization that they are actually a member. Make sure the sysmbol is linked to the correct reporting site and that the company is in good standing.