Some of the questions you’ll need to ask of your host will depend on the type and size of website you plan to operate. However, other questions remain essential, no matter what type of hosting service you need. These cover such matters as support, speed, reputation, backup, add-on services and guarantees.
Following are some key questions you should ask of any prospective web host:
What type of support do you offer?
email or web-based only?
Do you provide telephone and live chat support as well?
Is support available during business hours only, or 24/7?
Do you offer a community Forum?
What Software do you use?
Linux
Windows
Do you offer MS Front Page Extensions?
What program do you use to Login (Plesk, C-panel, etc.)?
Php4, Perl, CGl-Bin, SSI, ASP
MySQL Database Support
E-mail accounts POP, IMAP and SMTP Support
What Spam filters do you use, example - Spam Assassin
How many E-Mail Accounts and Auto Responders?
Which Webmail Programs do you use?
Customizable Error Pages?
Protected Directories
FTP Access to upload/download files
Website Statistics
Do you have Setup Fees!
What sort of data backup and recovery do you provide?
How often do you back up data?
Is the data downloadable?
Do you operate your own data center?
If not, with whom do you colocate or resell?
Either way, what sort of security, power backup and fire protection does your facility provide?
What is you Up Time - 99.8% or better
What are your network connections to the Internet and/or Internet backbone and how many do you have?
(For example, T-3 connections are faster than T-1s; OC connections are faster than T-1 or T-3 connections, and the higher the OC number, the faster the connection.)
How easily can I add (or delete) services once I’ve signed on as a customer?
What sort of additional services do you offer?
For example, e-commerce software, merchant accounts, search-engine submissions, dedicated servers, managed services, etc.)
Month to Month, Quarterly, or Yearly billing?
What are your uptime guarantees? What sort of refunds do you offer for failure to meet uptime or other guarantees?
It’s also a good idea to search the various web hosting forums or ask other forum members for their comments about and experiences with specific hosting providers.
