Hello,

Just wanted to get an opinion on something. Is phone support a critical item when choosing a host? I am thinking of signing up with 24hostingnow but being that they are not in the U.S., phone support is not very feasible. They do have a phone number listed so it's not like they are not reachable by phone. Any opinions?

Thanks,
Hookani

Just wanna say, Awsome host :)

I've got a custom acccount with them, no problems yet! :)


~Confuzzled

In another thread I stated that IMO, phone support is not needed, but a contact umber would be required. The only thing I'd look at is the fact that they are based outside the US might pose a problem (assuming you are also from the US)

I don't think phone support should be posted. You can always request it if you need it.

Contact the host and see if they would be willing to give you the number, in case of emergencies, etc.

I would have to agree with akash - and phone support is *expensive* for the host to provide, so you'll see it on mostly more expensive providers. I think just so they have a number listed and have a fairly good rep you should be good to go.

-David

It's not that phone support is expensive; it's impractical.

Email and support desks are much more effective options.

It's nice when the host has a number you can call when it seems everything's down and you want to be assured they are still in business. But, for general support issues, it's much more difficult for someone to remember what the other said; instead of having a written record.

Not to mention, things like pA$Sw0rds and such can be very difficult on the phone.

Hello,

I like it when a web hosting company has a phone number I can call to and talk with a real person, but at the same time it does not play crucial role in choosing a host.

If the company repond to its tickets and support e-mail fast (with my company the longest waited ticket was I think 14 minutes), then the phone is really not the issue.

But I would agree with Akash - a contact number to their headquarters or central office is good to have.

Hope this helps!

My stand is the same as SoftwareRevue. Support can be just as prompt (if not more) effective with email/tickets over phone and provides a form of documentation and record, so that things handled are harder to dispute by either parties if it comes to that. It's also easier to manage in terms of operations. Just a simple but true example: If you have 1 person manning the phone, and he goes for a toilet break, he may miss the call while he's away. But if it is on email, the absence won't even be noticed. and the customer will probably gain higher customer satisfaction as the 1-2 minutes delay won't be reflected :)

That said, it is also true many customers prefer the old school of phone calls and won't deal with one that lacks that option.

Originally posted by SoftWareRevue
It's not that phone support is expensive; it's impractical.

Email and support desks are much more effective options.

Yes, have to agree here. As said in one of my other posts. I can provide phone support, but I do not becuase it is not as good.

I think every host should at least invest in a beeper for emergencies. They're only like 4 bucks/month these days.

Originally posted by Rewdog
I think every host should at least invest in a beeper for emergencies. They're only like 4 bucks/month these days.

I just have 4 diffrent servers in 4 diffrent data centers. No matter, I can access one of them and talk to my clinets/send out e-mail alerts etc.