Tip 4: Background Checks
This step is extremely important. These days, there are so many hosts out there, that if it’s your first time, you may fall victim to an irresponsible host, whose sole intention is to rip you off. Don’t assume that because a host may say they have a 99.9% up time guarantee and they can offer extremely competitive prices, that they are the real thing.
Don’t evaluate hosts by site design either – there’s such a thing as template monster.
A host with a nice looking site does not mean they are reliable and customer friendly. Any host, not matter what it’s actual reputation is, can have a nice looking site design, which may seem very inviting and reliable, but may be completely opposite. At the same time, poorly designed sites usually point to the same type of service. If a site looks out of date and messy, you can expect the same from the host.
“Yourfavoritehost” may not be the best bet to hold on to your valuable data. Look through some of the bigger name hosts first. Browsing around Webhostingtalk can usually help you learn a lot about any host. Look for customer reviews. Also, explore the host’s site community if they have one, and check the statuses on support requests, etc, and see if customers are having many complaints.
Lay Out Your Choices
Now that you’ve evaluated some hosts, it’s time to choose one. Based on what features and support options you were looking for, the price you are willing to pay, and what host seemed to have the best reviews (or fewest complaints), narrow down your choices. Finally, compare your last two to three options, and choose what ever host you feel is capable of serving you in a reliable, and professional fashion.
