Hosting your web site(s)

I don't know whether or not you have a web site but if you have, or intend to develop one sometime soon, you're going to need a good hosting service - and one that understands the needs of the small business operator. Horror stories abound in this field - of people who have suddenly found their accounts frozen because of some presumed malpractice of which they were totally unaware, or due to sudden surges of traffic following a promotional campaign, or .... . The excuses for substandard service in the hosting industry are many and varied. You need a reliable hosting service.

Three Suggestions

Rather than just offer one solution here I suggest the following three quite different options. Of course, I don't know your precise needs, and even if I did I'm probably not sufficiently competent in all the technicalities to make a solid recommendation, but take a look at these. Read, view or listen to the guidance resources provided, and by the time you've done that you should be well placed to decide what is right for your business.

• 1&1 Internet - This is the hosting service we use ourselves for almost all of our sites. Previously we were using the internet service of one of the UK's major telecommunications companies but after experiencing incredibly poor customer service combined with intolerably high prices we hunted around for an alternative. At the end of 2006 we found 1&1. Early in 2007 we transferred our main sites across to them and have since registered many more domains and built sites on their system. We have been more than pleased. The people are friendly; when we've needed advice it has been forthcoming, quickly; and their prices are considerably below what we were previously paying. [Note: The prices on the banner are in British pounds; double the number to get approximately the figure in US dollars].
• My second suggestion for you to investigate is Ken Evoy's highly-acclaimed and longstanding programme, SBI! (SiteBuildIt!). This is much more than hosting; it is a complete training and resource system to guide you through the development of a content-rich web site. In the spirit of honesty I have to say that my own initial experiences of the site building service were not good, but this was not the fault of the SBI! people themselves. It was just when the Overture keyword service appeared to be in its death throes as it was merged into Yahoo. The SBI! people were working furiously to compensate for the effective loss of a service on which they so much relied. They succeeded. We were delayed, but we have two sites due to come through their system later this year. Ken Evoy's commitment to service is second to none, and his widespread good reputation is thoroughly deserved. Check here for more on the SBI! approach.
• Finally. take a good look at Hosting-Secrets-Revealed. This is a Mike Filsaime site which builds on the story of his early hosting problems and recommends the service, Kiosk, he now uses for his multi-million dollar internet marketing business. Watch the videos and listen to the 75-minute recorded telephone call between Mike and the president of Kiosk, Joel Therien.

So then, three suggestions for you to investigate. Give this subject of hosting your careful consideration. Your entire business could depend on your decisions in this area.