How to choose a Web Host?

Choosing the right web host can be daunting and time consuming. Fundamentally, you should look for

Being able to contact your web host by phone—not just through email—and receive expert advice by patient and friendly people is critical. Without excellent customer service you can feel lost, vulnerable and frustrated in time of technology failure or lack of personal knowledge. You need a quick response to your cry for help.

My first experience

After a lengthy research on the Web, I thought I had found the best web host deal. Not only had every feature on my long list but also they were within my price range. Their user-friendly website attracted me.

It was an American company with offices in Australia where I live. So, I rang their toll free sales information line and left a message on their answering machine.

They never returned my call

I then sent an email, they never answered.

Their physical address and a photograph of their impressive building were displayed on their website. Like a detective, I followed their trail.

I rang another tenant in the same building. The receptionist had never heard of the web host supposedly next door to her.

My second experience

After transferring my domain name to my new web host, I had some technical problems which prevented me to use my email.

Although the web host was located in Brisbane (which is not exactly next door to Perth), I could at least contact them by phone during daylight hours (3 hours time zone difference).

Fixing the problem costs me 5 hours of my time and $2.50 (special phone rate).

I discovered the true value of good customer service—a patient and sympathetic person to help me in time of crisis. Having an alternate way to contact my web host—other than email— was not a luxury but the only way to get help.

The lesson from that? Before clicking on submit your credit details, make sure they are contactable...by phone.
 

 2. Value for money