Points to consider while choosing a web host

[iration]

Originally Posted by 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.

My question then is this, at what point does a host stop being a "start up" and becomes established? Is it the size of their customer base? Is it their profitability? Is it simply the number of years they've been around - I am not a fant of this last one because there are a ton of hosts that have been around for years, with only a handful of customers, they've grown so slowly - Why is that??

[dasp]

iration brings up some excellent points. I would tend to agree that a host can have longetivty by not having that many customers. They grow very slowly but does that mean anything? I would argue that it doesn't.

I would agree with the prior post. Customer testimonials on the host's website and also those posted out on different sites does help build reputation. This would tend to favor hosts that have been around longer.

I do have a question though. What if a host has been around for a long time and does not have any testimonials from early on or has none or very little testimonials out on the web. Personally, I would be very suspect of that too.

Basically, they have been around for a while but they had very little customers - so again, I would argue that it doesn't really mean much to have been around for so long. In this case, even claims of long term stability would be suspect - the question is can they scale? Do they do everything manually or are things automated?

Some more stuff to chew on.

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[highpr]

Okay - so here's what I think it means to be an estabished hosting company:

Been in business for a few years (at least 3 years - more is better);

Have at least a few THOUSAND customers;

General review sites and testimonials are good;

Won a few awards over the years (look for PC Magazine, CNET, TopHosts top 25, etc.)

Great Better Business Bureau scores and reputation;

Appear in the general advertising at major publications (Wired, PC Magazine, PingZine) and online at the major hosting directories (www.tophosts.com, www.webhostdir.com, www.thewhir.com and www.cheaphostingdirectory.com)

[ashish]

another good criteria

[dasp]

highpr brings up some interesting points, but I would diagree with some of them:

As in prior posts, longevity in hosting, in my opinion is not a good measure of a good host. Testimonials and reviews are better indications of a host's reputation.

I wouldn't put that much emphasis on awards unless they are those that are voted by the public. I would place more emphasis on whether the host or the staff was certified.

Appearing in major print magazines, to me, means that the host has some money to burn on branding. I do not see it being very effective for direct sales. This in itself does not translate to a good host.

My $0.02

DiscountASP.NET
http://www.DiscountASP.NET
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[mrhaha]

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[InetDedicated]

Originally Posted by 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.

On this matter, I would have to say that if your hosting provider can not support the issues that arise with it's control panel, weather it be CPanel, Helm, what have you, than one should not choose to continue to have services with that provider. Company statistics have shown that most customers look for price, service, ease of use, uptime and a more recent growth would be Virus & Spam protection. I-Net Hosting, is a partner NOC with CPanel and we offer full 24/7 support to our clients regarding any issues with CPanel.