Web hosts are pretty much all the same, right?
After all, how much difference can there be when it comes to hosting a Web site or blog?
The reality is selecting a Web host shouldn't be seen as a commodity where the lowest price is the law. Nor should it been an after-thought, given a Web host is where your Web site or blog is going live so it can meet the needs of your customers, partners, investors, employees and the media. A Web host is also where your e-mail service will exist, so you definitely need to make a smart choice.
David McKendrick, founder and CEO of Fused Network, a Web hosting service in Toronto that hosts my blogs, says selecting the right one is crucial because it provides the reliability, uptime and support needed to ensure that a company's Web presence is stress-free. When considering different Web hosts, he says it is important to remember they are not all the same.
“Just like cars, not all brands are created equal, and more often than not certain types can lead to a lot of headaches later on down the road,” he says. “The quality of service offered by a hosting company is quickly reflected in their service. If they cut corners and use lower quality hardware, support teams or network gear, the difference is often like night and day.”
For start-ups and small companies, Mr. McKendrick says a Web host checklist should start with how much support is available. Given that small businesses have little time to deal with issues that crop up, a Web host that can quickly and easily solve problems is a good investment.
“Steer clear of hosting providers that can turn a 15-minute problem into a three day ordeal,” he says. “It distracts you from your own core business and could greatly affect your small business as a result.”
In addition to providing customer service when it is needed, Mr. McKendrick says a good Web host should offer friendly, easy-to-use tools and online systems so you can manage your own Web site, e-mail and any installed software.
Special to the Globe and Mail
Mark Evans is a principal with ME Consulting , a content and social media strategic and tactical consultancy that creates and delivers ‘stories' for companies looking to capture the attention of customers, bloggers, the media, business partners, employees and investors. Mark has worked with three start-ups – Blanketware, b5Media and PlanetEye – so he understands how they operate and what they need to do to be successful. He was a technology reporter for more than a decade with The Globe and Mail, Bloomberg News and the Financial Post. Mark is also one of the co-organizers of the mesh, meshUniversity and meshmarketing conferences .
