|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Web Hosting Articles
|
|
|
|
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
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.
We can recommend you quality and cheap web hosting
http://www.AvaHost.net
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.
We can recommend you quality and cheap web hosting
http://www.AvaHost.net
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
