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Choosing a Good Web Host

What is a Web Host?
A web host stores the web site you create on their servers and transmits it to the internet so that when someone types in your domain name, your web site appears. A server is just a large computer that "serves up" your web site to the internet.

How to Choose a Great Web Host
It is important it is that you choose a great web host. How do you know if a web host is great or not? They all look pretty much the same and they seem like they know what they are doing. There is one thing you can check on before you sign up and it's one of the most important things. When you choose a web host, make sure they have excellent support. If you have a problem with your web site you want help now, not in a day or two.

I refuse to choose a web host that I can't get on the phone in an emergency. Some web hosts are sneaky and they put a phone number on their web site, but it's just for show. They don't always answer or they advertise 24/7 support but are actually only around Monday-Friday. When I first started out, my site went down on a Friday afternoon and I called all weekend and all I got was music on hold. They put me on hold, but no one was there!

So, how can you tell how responsive the web host you are considering actually is? You test them. If they have a phone number (and they should) call them late at night or on weekends to see if they are really there.

Or you can also send an e-mail to their support e-mail address and ask them a basic question like "How many e-mail addresses will be allowed?" or "Is there a limit on the number of autoresponders I'm allowed?" and see how long it takes them to get back to you. For a non-emergency email like that I think up to 12 hours is acceptable. If you send the e-mail on Saturday and they don't get back to you until Monday, that isn't good. If they take more than 12 hours and either don't have phone support or aren't answering, choose another web host.

Once you choose a web host, then you will have to decide what plan you want. Most web hosts offer you several different plans and obviously want you to buy the more expensive one.

Get the least expensive plan. Most people buy the larger plans because they aren't sure how much space they need and the space in the smaller plans just doesn't sound like much. 10 mb is plenty for most first web sites. If you want to be sure, then choose a plan around 50 mb. 50 mb is a HUGE amount of space. If you get that you will be fine.

Also, don't get caught up in what the various hosts offer like PHP, MySQL and a bunch of other languages like that. If you don't know what those things are, you don't need them.
The purpose of this site is to give you the tools you need to make the best decision for you. Since so many people have asked me, the web hosts I recommend are:

Act Now Domains - they have incredible support and if you need a web site builder I think their web site builder is really sharp and easy to use. They have a variety of hosting plans and web builder plans available starting at $8.95/month. The price for the web builder includes hosting and email. They have separate hosting accounts for people that don't require a web builder. If you want to sell products on your site get their online store builder called Quick Shopping Cart.

Pro Website Group - this is also a favorite web host of mine. Each hosting account comes with a really easy web site builder that makes great looking sites. You get lots of free goodies with each account including a free domain name. The cost for an account is only $6.95/month and they give you a 30 day money back guarantee. I really like the fact that their support is so good. They offer toll-free support and they guarantee that all email support questions are answered in one hour or less. I've put them to the test a couple of times at odd hours day and night and they've come through each time within the hour limit. The only real negative of this web host is that it doesn't allow for month to month billing. Sign up for a year is required but they are a good group and give you a 30 day money back guarantee. They have offices in both the US and the UK.

PowerWeb - this is a great web host. It gives you everything plus the kitchen sink at a really cheap price and it comes with a 30 day money back guarantee. If you need a web site builder it has one. It also provides unlimited e-mails, more space than you will ever use and if you plan on using your site for ecommerce they have a free shopping cart. $9.95/month if you pay by the month or $7.95/month if you pay a year in advance. If you need a web site builder it's included in the price.