Web hosting is a cut-throat market, where Internet Service providers are trying to undercut prices and stay ahead of their competitors'.
Although, price is a huge consideration when selecting a web hosting package, there are many implications that need to be discussed.
Just like purchasing any product or service, 'you only get what you pay for'.
Web hosting choice Before researching an ISP (Internet Service Provider), it's important to consider your customers.
Web hosting is a like a plot of land, this acts like the foundations to build your online presence.
If you were building a skyscraper, your foundations would have to be rock solid to support this structure.
A large corporation would focus on business hosting where a high level availability is critical.
High availability hosting can be referred to as 'business hosting' - this is generally targeted at mission critical applications and massively popular ecommerce websites that can't afford a second of downtime.
For many small businesses shared hosting is the most common option.
There are thousands of web hosting providers available, but choosing the correct package is a great difficultly.
Although shared web hosting packages are relatively cheap, it's important to consider the after sales support that you'll receive.
Web hosting is so imperative that choosing the wrong provider can mean the difference between success and failure.
Always choose a web hosting company that provides a Service Level Agreement (SLA).
An SLA is a guarantee for the minimum requirement of Server and Network Uptime.
For instances, a hosting provider that offers a 99.
9% guarantee is only allowed downtime for 43 minutes in one given month.
Be warned that a hosted company that offers 100% SLA should be approached with caution.
Although a 100% SLA sounds wonderful - it is impossible to do.
There may be occasions outside the ISP's control that causes downtime.
One of the most important aspects about hosting is technical support.
Fast and friendly technical support is a critical component of any hosting provider.
As a potential hosting customer, it's vital that you weigh up the pros and cons of customer service support.
Does your ISP have a telephone support line? Speaking to someone about your problems over the telephone is important, because you can attain instant response.
Some hosting providers have only one method of contact which can be through an online ticket support system.
Although it may seem a good idea there are numerous flaws.
If the hosting provider's web site fails how are you supposed to contact their technical support? What if you can't gain access to the Internet from your own connection? What if the hosting provider's website is very slow and has problems? All these implications and restrictions can jeopardise your user experience.
Web hosting customers want choices and good quality after sales service.
To conclude, it is important to understand what you are getting for your money.
Hosting providers must deliver a quality service in order to keep customers for the long-term.