By: Jason Kay
Submitted: 2009-12-26 09:13:49 | Word Count: 540
Alright, so you’ve got your website ready to go and now you only need to figure out which small business web host to go with. There are so many small business web hosting companies out there today that you can literally go nuts trying to figure out which one is the best for you. But choosing the right small business web host right out of the gates will save you time and headaches going forward.
When you think about choosing a small business web host you probably go straight for price right? Wrong! Relying on price alone could have you missing out on some key factors that can help you to determine if the small business web host you are considering is worth a darn. Here are some factors to consider before you make your choice:
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• Customer service: This point cannot be overemphasized. Whenever you have a web site it is not a matter of if it will encounter problems, but rather when. When something does happen you need to resolve the problem as quickly as possible so you don’t risk losing vast amounts of money. This is almost impossible to do with a small business web host that has sub par customer service. Many small business web hosts have a time limit on when you can call customer service, like 9 to 5 Monday thru Friday and even worse, some offer no phone contact whatsoever, only e mail. Think of it like this, if you lose $25 of revenue per hour because your site is down, how much will you lose if your site goes down in the evening and you have to wait until the next day before the issue can be resolved? Now how much will you lose if you have to play the three to four day e mail game? You get the drift. Always be sure that you have a small business web host that offers phone support 24/7.
• Growth ability: There are many small business web hosts that can offer you great service and support but at one level only. This is great and may indeed save you some money, but only while your business is small. What happens if you actually get really big? That’s the whole point of being in business right? If you are with a small business web host that cannot handle your expansion, you are setting yourself up for headache after headache because now you have to find another web host and change services. Do yourself a favor; get a small business web host that can grow with your company.
• Price: While not the most important factor, it is nonetheless a factor to consider. If in your research you find several small business web hosts that all offer the same service and support, then by all means you want to select the cheapest one. Just be aware of the introductory price trap. Make sure you know how much your web host will charge you the whole year through.
A small business web host is going to essentially be your partner in online business. Just as in choosing any business partner, you need to do your homework and go with the one that will ultimately help you succeed in the end.
