Web Hosting Talk : Web Hosting Main Forums : Web Hosting : Picking a Webhost

[ride_bent]

How does one honestly pick a good webhost? One would think this forum is a good place to start.

However, I find it as confusing as ever when visit here. Let's assume I read bigxyzhost's plans and think they are a good host. I come here and do a search for bigxyzhost.

The results will normally yeild multiple reviews. They will say that bigxyzhost are the worst hosts ever or they will say that they are the greatest thing since sliced bread.

Now who am I to believe? The water gets even more cloudy if the bigxyzhost's owner (or rep) is around as he will try to put his spin on things.

Also, once you post that you are looking for a hosting provider, you will get a dozen or more e-mails/PMs from people telling you they have exactly what you need and to contact them right away.

So, how do I pick a good provider? Even the worst provider must have done a few things right. So how does one decide?

[WebHoster]

Instead of asking what host they reccomend ask which one they use

-Luke

[Martie]

I agree...the choices are overwhelming!
Ive often said you will be more confused after looking around here.
A few things you might try when looking for a provider, IF you have the time to do some research.
1)Check with your own friends,people you know,and trust... whom do they host with, and have they been happy?
2)Look for user reviews/testimonials on the website, and in directories. Follow up on those with some emails to them.
3)Do your own research with the potential host...drop them a few emails, see how they respond, etc.
4)Check their terms and make sure they at least carry a money back guarantee.
The list can go on but I think these these will at least point you in the right direction.
Good Luck

[Zoosushi]

And I would never suggest going with a host that spammed you right after you stated that you were looking for a new host!

[Paul-UKWSD]

There are lots of good hosting companies so searching this forum should land you with plenty of choice.

Try ~
splashhost.com
voxtreme.com
httpme.com

All respected members of this forum

[pmabraham]

Greetings:

"How does one honestly pick a good webhost? One would think this forum is a good place to start."

Why do you believe the statement, "One would think this forum is a good place to start" is true?

Thank you.

[CyberLand]

Look for user reviews/testimonials on the website, and in directories. Follow up on those with some emails to them.

I have to agree Martie. The best way to find a good host is to ask the people who use their service. They'll be the first ones to tell you if they are unhappy with the system or the support.

[Reptilian Feline]

Get in touch with the host you think is OK. Ask some questions. See how long it takes before they respond. Visit their forum (if they have one), talk to them on some messanger service (if they have that). Look through the threads about them and see what other people say about pre-signup contacts and post-signup contacts.

[UH-Matt]

easiest way is to post a request THEN

Choose a few packages you like the look of,

THEN run a search on each company on this board

THEN post for opinions of the companies on your shortlist. If you just post a bogus question with no idea who you plan to go with then you will probably be mis lead by people posting dodgy recommendations

[jose3030]

my recommendation is.

dont ever be in too big of a hurry for something.

that's when you get caught up, my friend.

[squeebo]

Just start compiling a list of $10+/mo hosts and start visiting websites. You can eliminate one heck of a lot of hosts by noting that they can't spell, have bugs on their site, don't have a decent About Us page, sound like a slimy used car salesman in their sales pitches (lots of words that amount to BS), don't say they've been around for 2+ years... all kinds of stuff.

If you find negatives on this board, don't go with them. It's not a matter of balancing the negatives and positives, it's a matter of finding whether they have ANY complaints that you feel are significant. The really good hosts don't have those complaints - problems are resolved immediately.

Just be intuitive about it, it's impossible to choose someone like this if you try to go completely by stats and whatnot.

[talk]

The secret is :
take the time to find out what's your critical criterias, then do your research and check references if required.
This can take quite a lot of time if your hosting is for mission critical applications as an error would mean many sleepless nights.

[mmhelp]

I found my new hoster reading this message board for 2 months.
Create a list of hosters and read comments. Eventually all bad hosters will be striked out and you will be able to pick out your hoster among the good ones.

[TRenander]

Originally posted by Martie
Look for user reviews/testimonials on the website, and in directories. Follow up on those with some emails to them.

That's how I found my new host, I actually had a good list going but one of the main sites I visit (the biggest prerunners site) is hosted by GearHost. When I found out about that I added them to my list and ended up with them.

Ask around ... you'll find a good reliable host.

[NexDog]

Host's forums are an excellent gauge of how happy their clients are. My recommendation is to hang around the host's community.