Points to consider while choosing a web host

[ashish]

Hi all,

This for for all the novices in the web hosting world, I think these are some of the things I would look for while choosing a web host:



Uptime
A web server should have a uptime of atleast 99.5% or more.

Data transfer
First of all you should try and work out what your own requirements as that is most probably going to help you out in determining the amount of bandwidth you require.

Also keep in mind that there is no such thing as 'unlimited' bandwidth, you can only have a certain amount of bandwidth alocated to you, if you go over that limit then you will definitely have to pay for it.

Technical Support
Only go for those hosts that offer prompt 24/7 all year round technical support. If you do not have a lot of technical knowledge yourself you do not want to be stuck when there is a server problem.

Security
IF you are planning to perform business related activities on your web site, then security is a big issue, you should make sure that your host uses the latest security techniques & softwares and regularly applies new patches.

Pricing
You get what you pay for, generally you should not chose a host on the consideration of the price alone, remember the cheapest or the most expensive does not necessarily mean the best.

[dasp]

I would also add to this good list: You should go with a host that is properly licensed. For example, for a Windows Hoster, they should be licensed under Microsoft's Service Provider Licensing Agreement.

DiscountASP.NET Hosting
http://www.DiscountASP.NET
Experience the Power of ASP.NET for Less

[ashish]

Thats a very good point thanks for adding that

[iration]

I also think that its important for a host to design their own control panel. I think there are too many hosts that use Helm, CPanel or some other third party canned control panel. Whenever I need support in regards to these third party control panels, the hosts are never able to answer my questions. I think this is because they do not know these third party control panels.

Also, I think if a hosting company develops their own control panel, it shows that 1) they are web developers 2) they care about their business and have taken the time to develop a control panel and 3) because they developed their own control panel, they fully understand the ins and outs of their control panel and can answer my questions if I have any.

[ashish]

that is another very good point, i totally agree with you on that.

If your web hosting company is not able to solve any difficulties that you are having with your control panel that you are as good as gone.

if a web hosting company is designing its own control panel it will do so keeping in mind the type of services it is offering, and will make a CP that is going to support their services i.e. best suited according to the services that they offer.

[reinventme]

Another bit of criterea is longevity. Has the host been around for a while? Does the host of a history of trouble-free hosting or have they had many problems? Is the host a startup without a proven track record?

[ashish]

Fair Point

[iration]

Originally Posted by reinventme

Another bit of criterea is longevity. Has the host been around for a while? Does the host of a history of trouble-free hosting or have they had many problems? Is the host a startup without a proven track record?

This is a good point however I don't fully agree with it. There are new hosts cropping up all of the time, and to say that just because they are "new" doens't mean they don't offer great hosting. To be honest, I think new hosts could be even better because they can provide more personalized service because they are not bogged with hundreds and thousands of customers. There comes a point where a host just gets too big where the level of their service depletes In addition, newer host don't have the legacy issues of older hosts. Just my 2 cents.

I even find more pleasantly surprising when a new host wins awards and the positive word of mouth about them spreads rapidly. That's a host that I want test and see if the positive things about them are true.

[dasp]

Some great points made in this thread:

I would agree with Iration regarding the custom control panel over canned hosting automation software. To further the point, a host demonstrates their knowledge of technology if they custom build their own control panel. If a host uses a canned automation software system, then they do not understand how their own backend works and they are also dependent on a third party vendor for product enhancements. Most of the hosts that use canned automation software are more marketing companies rather than technology focused hosters.

In addition, if you are marketing as a specific niche technology host, then a control panel developed in that technology is demonstration that they know that technology. For example, if you are marketing yourself as an ASP.NET Hoster, then it would be better to have a custom control panel built in ASP.NET rather than ASP or PHP.

reinventme brings up an interesting point. I would tend to agree for basic hosting but this becomes less of an issue if you are seeking hosting on new technologies.

Many large and well established hosters are slower to adopt new technologies due to legacy issues. These hosts have to decide whether to disrupt service for the majority of their paying customers who are on an older legacy system. This is why many established hosts do not upgrade to new technology quickly - for example, upgrading hosting to Windows 2003/IIS6. And if they don't upgrade, then they have to spend their resources maintaining a bunch of different systems. And this could lead to issues - like technology deprecation, security patches....etc.

The established company may have had a state of the art ASP system, but are they going to continue using it? or start from scratch and build an ASP.NET system? Or do both? These are tough and resource intensive decisions that established hosters much make.

I would argue that a relatively younger host would be much more agile in quickly moving to support new technologies in this case because they do not have legacy issues to deal with.

Just food for thought.

DiscountASP.NET
http://www.DiscountASP.NET
Experience the Power of ASP.NET for Less

[highpr]

All,

Good thread. DASP makes a great point that newer hosts will almost certainly have current technology versus potential legacy systems at more established hosts.

However, I would say that on the whole - it is better to seek out a more established hosting company. You can check their reputation with current and former customers. You can check their record of customer complaints with the Better Business Bureau. You can also rest easier knowing that they have weathered the difficult storms of DDOS attacks, hackers, network outtages, power outtages, and customer complaints - and found a way to make the customer come out on top.

That's how a great hosting company maintains longevity.