What to Look for In a Web Host

With so many companies offering hosting now, it is a daunting task to find the right host for you. After you've narrowed your list down to hosts that offer the platform and features you want, you're apt to still be left with a considerable number of hosts from which to choose.

Obviously price is a consideration, but remember that the "you get what you pay for" applies to web hosting as well. A few other aspects to consider and steps to take.

Technical Support : What methods of technical support does this host offer? Can they be reached by phone in an emergency? Is support 24/7 or is it 9-5 on weekdays, or something in between? If possible, test their support beforehand by calling their phone number, emailing their support techs, posting in their forum, etc.

Do a WhoIs Search : Head over to a registrar and look up the host's domain name. Read over the contact information there, look at the company/person's name. This entry will also let you know how long the company has been in business. A company with a solid reputation and long-standing record in the hosting business can be comforting.

Contact a Sales Rep : Contact a rep from their company, explain your site and what you're looking for. Ask any questions you may have.

Payment Methods : Find out what payment methods the company accepts and see if they are methods you'd be willing to use (ie. some hosts only accept Paypal, etc.)

Payment Schedule : Some hosts offer deals for prepayment annually, some only sell hosting in a yearly package, some only sell by the month. Choose the host with a payment plan that fits your needs.

Background Check : The most important step may be to search Google, Webhosting Talk, and other Internet resources to find out first hand accounts of others' past dealings with this host. A little research can save you a lot of headache later on.

Remember that every site is different from the next and no host can meet everyone's needs. It takes time, but pays off to find the host that's best for your site.