This guide is for users who are looking for a professional and reliable [COLOR=blue ! important][COLOR=blue ! important]Web [COLOR=blue ! important]Hosting[/COLOR][/COLOR][/COLOR] company. If you're looking for highly oversold hosts, this guide is NOT for you.



Step #1: Question, question, question!

Think to yourself, "What do I need?"

Do you really need huge amounts of storage or bandwidth? Probably not. Hosts offering these insane amounts of storage and bandwidth are most commonly referred to as "oversellers". In terms of Web Hosting, an overseller is simply one who promises an extremely large portion of a service (such as storage and bandwidth). Oversellers load their servers with hundreds of accounts, hoping that their customers don't use all of their resources. In reality, if even 1/4 of the people on their server decided to use all of their resources, the server would most likely be full!

Mini FAQ: How do I know how much storage or bandwidth I will need? It's rather simple:
• For storage, add up all the files you plan to upload on the host and you will have a rough idea of how much disk space you will use.
• Now, for bandwidth, here's where it gets tricky! Add up the file size that a user will see on 1 page of your website and multiply it by the number of hits you think you will receive. This will give you a rough idea of the amount of bandwidth you will use. There's really no more-precise way to calculate bandwidth.

Remember, there is NO SUCH THING as 'Unlimited' storage or bandwidth! IT IS NOT POSSIBLE!

After you've decided how much storage and bandwidth you require, it's time to set a budget. If you plan on finding a quality [COLOR=blue ! important][COLOR=blue ! important]Web [COLOR=blue ! important]Host[/COLOR][/COLOR][/COLOR], your budget should be no less than $5 per month (Note: This does not mean that the full budget has to be met, but it should be available). Need help setting a budget? Take a look at our example listed below!

Here's a plan that we have formulated a well-based price for:
• 500 MB Storage
• 15 GB Bandwidth (or "transfer")
• This package is worth at least $6 per month!

Step #1 Summary:
• Oversellers aren't necessarily of low-quality, although it's not worth taking the risk.
• Set storage and bandwidth requirements; as well as other features (such as [COLOR=blue ! important][COLOR=blue ! important]email[/COLOR][/COLOR], mySQL, etc.).
• Have a sufficient budget so you're not leaning on the edge of quality.
• Buy what you know you'll need! Most hosts allow for quick, friendly account upgrading.



Step #2: Let the search begin...

Now that you've created a budget and discovered the amount of storage and bandwidth you require, it's time to start the search! We recommend that you don't search for hosts via "review" or "directory" websites. Most of these sites are biased and your chances of finding a quality host will greatly decrease.

So... how can I go about finding an honest website?
• Search [COLOR=blue ! important][COLOR=blue ! important]Google[/COLOR][/COLOR], Yahoo, and MSN for hosting keywords (such as "plesk hosting", "quality web hosting", "premium web hosting", etc.). It's recommended that you do not search for keywords such as "web hosting" - it's just too general.
• Web Hosting Talk is a very large, active forum where many users post reviews about their services with certain hosts. With the help of Web Hosting Talk, you can greatly increase your knowledge of the Web!

After you think you've found a company that will work well with you, search again! This time, search for the company's name on sites such as Web Hosting Talk, Google, Yahoo, and MSN!

Not only should you try and find reviews about this host, but you should also search sites such as Domain Tools. Type the company's URL in, and you can find a lot of interesting information about the host (such as domain registration date, domain history, blacklist status, server location, contact information, and much more). You should stay away from new companies (ones that have domains less than 1 year old) and companies that hide their domain whois information (private registration, proxied whois, etc.).

Believe it or not, a host's website can be very critical. You shouldn't order with hosts that use templates and other free websites. If they don't have time to [COLOR=blue ! important][COLOR=blue ! important]create [COLOR=blue ! important]a [/COLOR][COLOR=blue ! important]website[/COLOR][/COLOR][/COLOR], what makes you think they'll have time for you? A website's design can show a lot about the host - including how serious they are, professional, honest, how they'll help you, and much more. All website's won't be aesthetically pleasing to you, but they should at least tell you who they are and what they believe in.

Do NOT click order just yet! It's NOT over!

Step #2 Summary:
• Searching for in-depth keywords will greatly help you find a host that fits your specific requirements.
• Search again. Finding a Web host isn't a 20 minute assignment. Some people end up search for days, weeks, and sometimes even months!
• Make sure the host presents themselves in professional and mature manner on their website.
• Grammar and spelling ARE important! If they don't have the time to present themselves as professionals on their website, what makes you certain that they will once they have your money?



Step #3: Order? Not so soon!

So, you think you've found "your host?" Let's hope so, or else you're repeating Step #2 again .

Here's where we conclude our final evaluation of the Web Host you have almost chosen. If the Web Host offers any of the following, it's strongly advised that you repeat Step #2.
• The Hosting company offers a shared plan with a storage quota greater than 5 GB (5120 MB).
• The Hosting company has a shared package priced under $1.00 per month (normal price).
• The Hosting company does not have a Contact page.
• The Hosting company does not have any type of billing panel setup (you can view this if you click on a package to order - if you're taken directly to a site such as PayPal, hit the 'X' on your [COLOR=blue ! important][COLOR=blue ! important]browser[/COLOR][/COLOR] and repeat Step #2).
• I'm sure there's more! Please contact me.

Now, it's time to "test" the company. Navigate to their contact page and send them an email. Ask them about their services and/or their company. If you receive a quality, quick reply, you're almost done - if not, you may want to repeat Step #2. Note: If it's an odd hour, give them a break and try again Monday-Friday during normal business hours (usually 12:00PM - 8:00PM).

If you don't receive a reply, a poor reply, or a slow reply, you definitely want to repeat Step #2. Remember, we're searching for a quality web host! Slow or no support won't help you!

If you have received a quick, quality reply, move on to Step #4. If not, repeating Step #2 wouldn't be a bad idea!

Step #3 Summary:
• Make sure the host and their website is developed.
• Do they have ridiculous plans? You may want to repeat Step #2.
• Check the host's response time and the quality of their response.



Step #4: Everything appears to be OK, let's finish!

Ok, so after you've checked and verified the following:
• The Web Hosting company isn't "new" and they don't have anything to hide from their whois information.
• You can easily find the company on search engines and other websites.
• They have had positive reviews posted and they appear to be a good option.
• Their plans and price layout are reasonable. They don't oversell and their plans appear to be based on quality.
• The Web host has a developed, in-depth website about who they are and the services they provide.
• The Web host has professional, mature content on their website, email replies, and if possible, review responses.
• You have read and understood their Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Acceptable Usage Policy.

You should place the order! Everything appears as if it would suit your requirements. Remember - there are THOUSANDS, quite possibly MILLIONS of Web Hosting companies on the Web! If this isn't the one, we're 99.9% sure that there is another!

We recommend that you don't have the host register your domain name. It's not worth the risk for something you can easily control yourself.

Good luck! Let your Web Hosting company make the best of you!

Step #4 Summary:
• You've evaluated the host and it has met the requirements discussed throughout this guide.
• You've got a new Web Host !



Step #5: I'm with the host, what now?

It is very important that you generate and and save backups yourself. Your host may run backups, too, although if something goes wrong and you need your website - what are you going to do?

As you have confirmed in Step #4, you may want to re-read the host's Terms of Service and Acceptable Usage Policy. A 20 minute read can save you from account suspension - and sometimes deletion! If you're not going to follow their rules, they'll give you the boot.

I guess it's time to dive back into the negatives! If the host has any of the following, a repetition of Step #2 may have to take place:
• Excessive downtime.
• Not supporting PHP or mySQL version requirements.
• Doesn't reply to support requests and/or tickets.
• Is not suiting your every need.

Once again, there are plently of hosts on the Web that are willing to work with you. If you don't like something about your current host, SWITCH! But, if it does come down to switching, make sure you follow these critical steps:
• Find a new host! Don't cancel with your current host until you have another.
• Backup your website with your old host.
• Transfer the backup to your new Web host.
• Change the nameservers on your domain name to your new host (which is why we didn't want the host to register the domain).
• Cancel the account with your old Web host. Tip: It would be a good idea to allow 24 hours before cancellation to ensure minimal downtime.

Well, I guess that's it! You're done!

Step #5 Summary:
• Backups are important. You should keep them, too.
• If your host isn't satisfying you, don't hesitate to move!
• If you do need to move, there are critical steps to ensure you do it the correct way.

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Hopefully this guide has helped some people, since that's the reason it was created. Feel free to leave your feedback!


by Steve