Web Hosting Company Selection Checklist

Here is a checklist for selecting a web hosting company for your small business. Take it as a template for the questions you need to ask the issues you need to check. Switching a company is not easy - it's better to ask those questions in advance then being disappointed.

Level of service
Price
Company Background
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Quality Service

  • What's the response time?
  • Do they offer real-time support using chat? (like in HostRocket.Com Website Hosting).
  • Do they offer phone support? In which hours?
  • Listed price for extra services (like in HostRocket.Com Website Hosting) or all included (business web hosting company comparison).
  • Availabilty of script installation services?
  • Do they actively push security updates to your customers? Do they get an alert when a critical update arrives?
  • Do they have a support knowledgebase online? (Take a look).
  • Do they have an active community of users? (Take a look at the forums of the web hosting company. Are they active? Do they have a god community of users which provide answers? Are the answers easy to read, or too technical?)

Best Value

  • Listed price for extra services? (like in HostRocket.Com Website Hosting).
  • Flexible Payment Plan.
  • Scalability
  • Do you offer automatic renewal?
  • Which volume discounts do your offer?
  • Take a look at your web hosting agreement. Is it clear? Is it easy to read?
  • Do you get a free trial period so that you can test your compatibility, service level, etc...? Is there a money back guarantee?
  • Are there any discounts for related products?

Company Background

Related Articles

  • Take a look at my web hosting glossary for a full list of no-nonsense article with business strategy advice.
  • Take a look at my small-business web-hosting strategy guide for more articles on effective web hosting and strategies for your business.







Amnon: Your small business web hosting consultant