To maintain your online business running successfully, you need a web host that you can trust. Though no one can predict what is going to happen in future, still you can atleast try to pick the best from available options. Before you buy web hosting here are some important tips to remember.

1. Never Pay Yearly
There are many web hosting providers that give you hefty discounts or some even force you to pay yearly. Why would a hosting company care if you pay monthly or yearly. After all if you are happy with them you are going to end up staying much longer then a year. Most web hosting providers have horrible support, slow servers, or even high downtime. If you were paying month to month you are not going to stick around. On the other hand if you pay for a year up front you are forced to stay for a year. You won't get your money back so you have no choice but to stay with them. That is why we highly recommend, pay monthly!

2. Do not register your domain with web hosting provider
I would prefer registering my domains with a registrar that solely takes care of domain business. Its nice to have all domains in a single account and host it wherever I like and move them as per my will . You must insist for a control panel that allows you to manage a domain yourself.

3. Don't go for unlimited space/bandwidth
Everyone pays for space and bandwidth so when a web hosting provider promises you unlimited space or bandwidth than most probably there is some catch. And almost in every case such servers are hugely loaded and you may have difficulty accessing your site at certain times. In fact you must be willing to pay for web space and bandwidth you use. After all you pay for good service.

4. Beware of web hosting directories and comparisons sites
Explaination is simple. Most websites / directories get paid for every customer they refer to web hosting provider. So you know what is more important to them.

5. Bottom line, if the service seems too good to be true, it probably is.

I disagree with #1 & #2.

For #1, while I agree you should start out month-2-month just to make suere all is well, there is no reason not to take advantage of any discounts annual payment offers. If you have to sign a contract, that's different. I wouldn't do that for any price from the outset (later on after I know the service is good, then maybe).

For #2, that's all well and good for people who know what thier doing. But for beginners and those who just don't have the time to manage seperate accounts there's no reason not to get your domain from the host. Just make sure the domain is registered in your name and not the hosts (some slimey hosts still do that).

For #4, if a web host has any banner ads, or popups, or "editor's picks" or sponsored links, then the directory is probably compromised (ie, owned by a web host, or at least promoting based on who pays the largest sum of money). People should look at the directories, find out who owns them / who is partnered with them. If no hosting companies are included, the directory may likely be balanced.

I have a #6: READ THE CLIENT AGREEMENT. If a client has questions about refunds, what constitutes a breach of contract on the client's part, what can get them suspended or terminated, what services are and aren't allowed, what third-party software is and isn't supported, and so forth. Signing up with any service provider is entering into a legally binding contract. Know what you're agreeing to, and know what the provider is agreeing to. If you can't understand the document, or have trouble reading it because the type is so very tiny...that may be a warning sign (the provider discourages client knowledge). Actually reading the client contract and asking questions about anything you don't understand...will help you make a more informed decision.

I agree you should try a month to month plan before you jump into a yearly account, but if you find someone good then you might as well take advantage of the discounts!

Registering a domain - I agree/disagree! DO NOT register a domain with someone that is going to force you to ONLY use their services, but do register with a host that gives YOU the control panel to manage the domain and point it where you want to go. Many hosts of course buy in bulk and offer lower prices.. all about saving money but keeping control.

Referral/rating sites - MANY if not most rating referral sites get a kick back as an affiliate to hosts. That is why we started Top25Hosting - to be a neutral information site that does not accept any affiliate programs and we can NOT control who is ranked where! This is done purely by votes of customers. We are not selling any advertising space but as soon as more and more votes come in what we will be offering is for the hosts in the top probably 5 spots get a free banner. Not sure if we are going to do this or just leave it all in the voting. So we are NOT selling ad space...

I think there are many sites out there that offer good information and between them a consumer can make an educated decision on who they should go with.. we are just trying to make one stop unbiased shopping site for the consumers...

To people out there looking for a host - please do MUCH research before choosing so you don't get burned like I did!

top25hosting, just curious, how does your site generate revenue if you do not get paid on referrals or commissions?

iblive -

we went through this in another post... please follow this link..

http://forums.webhostdir.com/showth...=&threadid=7953

sorry top25, my mind gets mushy after all of these posts. Maybe i need to get outside

fresh air would do you good bud!