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10-14-2003, 12:27 AM #1Web Hosting Master
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How would you define "GOOD HOST"?
Hi there
I have seen so many threads on WHT about people looking for a GOOD HOST. My question to you would be the following:
Which of the following do you look for in a GOOD HOST?
1.)24/7 LIVE CHAT technical support
2.)24/7 HELPDEK support
3.)Quality Assured Service
4.)Economical Hosting Plans
5.)15 Day Money Back GUARANTEE
6.)Dedicated People
7.)Awesome Website
8.)ALL OF THE ABOVE
Please do let me know which one by indicating the numbers...you could choose multiple selections.
Thanks all in advance!
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10-14-2003, 12:39 AM #2Web Hosting Master
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For me it is simple. A good host is one which is responsive, proactive and helpful. One which provides what they claim they would provide. Money is not an issue to me if it does what it claims.
Uptime is important too. At times, downtime is expected due to many different reasons and a good host would be one which monitors and work on the issue even before anyone notices it.
So basically iin your list it is 1,2,3 and 6.http://www.batchimage.com - Offering Batch Image Processing and TIFF/PDF Software Solutions
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10-14-2003, 01:01 AM #3Web Hosting Master
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Add this to your list :
One that keeps the promises they make.EIRCA Ltd, home of The Genius Network™.
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10-14-2003, 01:19 AM #4Web Hosting Master
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I'm with Eddy on this one. If a host makes a claim about something, they had better follow through with it.
Consistent response times are good (fast response times are better) and yes, proactiveness is a big thing.SuperWebHost.com, a Digitally Justified Company
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10-14-2003, 10:21 AM #5Web Hosting Master
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Greetings:
Everyone defines "economical" differently.
We have cusotmers paying over $10,000 per month, and call it economical <smile>.
May I ask why some companies feel their customers appreciate 24x7 chat?
We looked into it, and didn't see our customers needing it. Most email or call.
Lastly, I believe the standard for money back guarantees has been 30 days for years now.
Thank you.
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10-14-2003, 07:39 PM #6Web Hosting Master
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May I ask why some companies feel their customers appreciate 24x7 chat?
For some web host which claims to come with 24/7 helpdesk sometimes actually mean you have to wait a minimum of 24 hours to up to 7 days before you hear from them. Yes, the web based helpdesk is available 24/7 but the people who was supposed to front that might be in school, in summer camp, at work or sleeping.
To front a 24/7 chat line, you actually need people sitting there 24/7 waiting for responses. At least the assurance that someone is there to handle support.
True, I never use chat for support myself and only use emails so far and that is sufficient especially if the response time is great.http://www.batchimage.com - Offering Batch Image Processing and TIFF/PDF Software Solutions
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10-14-2003, 07:56 PM #7Web Hosting Master
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Originally posted by dynamicnet
May I ask why some companies feel their customers appreciate 24x7 chat?
Nothing is more handy than being able to click "live help", ask a quick question, and be gone in two minutes flat.EIRCA Ltd, home of The Genius Network™.
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10-14-2003, 08:04 PM #8Web Hosting Master
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I would only say #3 & #6 but would also have to go with Simon and add #9 (Keeps promises).
I don't see why people long on 24/7 concerns. You are expecting too much. Are you available 24/7 to the rest of the world or to maybe your employer? I wouldn't expect 24/7 supposrt via desk/chat/phone but would expect some sort of support.
Like 'dynamicnet' stated, Economic can mean many things so you would need to supply more detail.
The 'money back' issue should be with every host and not just a 'good' host.
The website doesn't make the company, so it could be a very dull website and have outstanding performances and feedback fromt he community.
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10-14-2003, 08:24 PM #9Web Hosting Master
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True, a website doesn't make the company but a simple website stripped of all the fancy gizmos would reduce the likelihood of browser incompatibility and would give the perception that your web hosting network is fast. If everything is static html, it will be snappier than having some scripts for everything you do.
Flash and all those things are great but it does make access slower and frankly I do not have time to wait.
The site must be easy to navigate and easy for someone to find out what they need to find out and not buried behind tons of links.http://www.batchimage.com - Offering Batch Image Processing and TIFF/PDF Software Solutions
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10-14-2003, 08:53 PM #10Web Hosting Master
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Re: How would you define "GOOD HOST"?
Originally posted by Daryl
Which of the following do you look for in a GOOD HOST?
2.)24/7 HELPDEK support
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10-14-2003, 09:17 PM #11Web Hosting Master
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Originally posted by IHSL
Mainly for quick pre-sales questions.
Nothing is more handy than being able to click "live help", ask a quick question, and be gone in two minutes flat.
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10-14-2003, 09:33 PM #12Web Hosting Master
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Yes, I can see how live chat can be beneficial for the client, but how do you implement such a system with around 1000 clients?
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10-14-2003, 09:51 PM #13Web Hosting Master
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Originally posted by SplashHost.com
Its not difficult to do bob, im sure you could do it your self if you wanted to.• WLVPN.com • NetProtect owned White Label VPN provider •
• Increase your hosting profits by adding VPN to your product line up •
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10-14-2003, 09:55 PM #14Web Hosting Master
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Bob, if companies can offer fast phone support to thousands of clients where each operator can only speak to 1 person at a time then surely its possible to offer fast chat support where each operator can speak to 2-4 people at a time.
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10-14-2003, 09:55 PM #15Web Hosting Master
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Re: Re: How would you define "GOOD HOST"?
Originally posted by mpalamar
. . . 24 hour server monitoring with paging to the world requesting the server be put back online . . .• WLVPN.com • NetProtect owned White Label VPN provider •
• Increase your hosting profits by adding VPN to your product line up •
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10-14-2003, 09:58 PM #16Disabled
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Personally, I would go with #1-3, & 6. A nice web site is a bonus in my opinion. Also, for the live chat, it is a good addition for a web host, but not a must. As for having over 1,000 customers, wouldn't having sales representatives and support technicians be a good idea to help aid you?
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10-14-2003, 09:58 PM #17Web Hosting Master
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Originally posted by SplashHost.com
Bob, if companies can offer fast phone support to thousands of clients where each operator can only speak to 1 person at a time then surely its possible to offer fast chat support where each operator can speak to 2-4 people at a time.• WLVPN.com • NetProtect owned White Label VPN provider •
• Increase your hosting profits by adding VPN to your product line up •
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10-14-2003, 10:00 PM #18Web Hosting Master
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Originally posted by Xyphix
. . . As for having over 1,000 customers, wouldn't having sales representatives and support technicians be a good idea to help aid you?• WLVPN.com • NetProtect owned White Label VPN provider •
• Increase your hosting profits by adding VPN to your product line up •
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10-14-2003, 10:52 PM #19Web Hosting Master
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I don't think being "good" so much depends on what you have as it does on how you use what you have. If you ask me, there is a difference between many of these hosts that claim 24/7 responses with livechats and the like, yet they're offline (with a chat) or you must leave a voicemail (with a phone). I've seen and heard many cases of 24/7 support with response times of a day or more.
A good host is someone that doesn't lie about false support hours, and is there when you need them. A host that responds to normal requests within 4-6 hours is much better than a host that offers 24/7 support and doesn't respond in 12 hours. Obviously a host that has at least 24/7 monitoring is needed, just in case something goes wrong.
Guarentees really don't mean anything. It really comes down to how the host delivers. Some do, many don't. Simple fact is don't say it if you can't follow it.
Personally, I love looking down at the ad forums and seeing hosts that I know are 1 man operations claiming 24/7. Guess they have figured out a way not to sleep or either evented some sort of alarm system. I guess I should talk with them sometime and see if I can learn the technique.Denver Hunter | Webmaster | Library of Biz - Side Hustles, Small Business & Professional Growth
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10-14-2003, 11:08 PM #20Junior Guru Wannabe
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#2 and #7
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10-14-2003, 11:24 PM #21Disabled
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I pretty much agree with CrazyTech. Whether or not you have the best stuff and so forth, it's nothing without the proper usage and support.