I make my living running websites. Web hosting is therefore very important to me. I need to know that my websites are up and running no matter what, that my backups are safe, and that I will get technical support when I need it. And since I have a good number of websites, I don't want to pay a fortune for hosting plans and domain registration.



How does one go about finding a good web host, and what should they provide? To me, reliability is key. I simply cannot afford to have my websites down, even if it is for just an hour or two. So look for a web host with an uptime guarantee. You don't want to have to worry about power outages or equipment failures. That's the host's problem, not yours. So make sure you go with a reliable outfit with world-class data centers and 24/7 maintenance and protection. Again, you don't want to wake up on a Saturday morning to find your web sites down or your DNS scrambled, and tech support won't be back until Monday.

Cost is another important issue with hosting plans. Some hosts try to lure you in with prices that seem too good to be true, and usually they are. Maybe that low offer is for a single domain name. Once you're all set up you may find that your web site is running slow and you're told you need to buy more bandwidth. A good host will tell you upfront what you get and what it will cost. So be realistic. Don't pay too much, but also don't fall for lowball offers.

Picking the right hosting package, however, is not enough. You also need to figure out whether all you need is basic web hosting, virtual dedicated servers (which you share with others), or a fully dedicated server. With almost 20 commercial websites, I like to have my own dedicated machine. That's the most expensive option, but it may be worth it. A good web host will give you all these options, and also the choice of hardware and operating system software.

A good hosting company will also offer you all the necessary software you need to run your sites. Automatic installation of popular software is mandatory. And the web host should be familiar with all the leading e-commerce and traffic analysis packages and make them available to their customers. Likewise, online security has become mandatory and your web host should offer SSL Certificates. On the email side, you want powerful spam filters so you won't be inundated with tons of junk.

Finally, and I think few hosting companies understand that, you need someone who speaks your language. Not everyone is a techie and understands all the jargon. You want a host that not only offers powerful hosting plans with all the features at a reasonable price; you also want to understand what you're getting. So look at the host's website. Is everything clearly explained? Is there a detailed help facility? Are there FAQs? Can you actually call and ask someone for help?

Your business depends on good, reliable, economical web hosting. Be sure to make the right choice.