My recommendation
I've had my Web site, december.com, since May 1995 and have had four Web hosts.
I am 100% satisfied with my current Web host because of its exceptionally good uptime and its highly-usable interface.
Why do I like My current web hosting service? Let me count the ways:
- UPTIME. Their uptime is publicly posted! As of this writing, the machine on which I have my Web site has a cumulative uptime of 99.989%! This is the major reason why I chose the service.
- REPUTATION. As I searched online directories of Web hosts and googled for comments about the web hosting service, I found comments that were very favorable. I was surprised to hear that an Internet company would deliver competent, reliable service. I was impressed that the company is "completely debt-free."
Since the service offers a 30-day trail period, I decided that this host was worth considering further.
- RESPONSE. I used a visual traceroute service to see how packets traveled to the Web hosts's servers. I was satisfied that my users would be able to access the servers easily, particularly users on the east coast of the United States, a major area for Internet use.
- USER SUPPORT.
Right from the start, the user support interface was so clean, clear, cogent, concise, and comprehensible that it brought a tear of joy to my eye.
(My previous Web host had online information that was disorganized, cluttered, incomprehensible, out-of-date, and ill-presented.) I was able to get my Web site up and going within minutes of my payment clearing. I prepared my DNS settings, email for my domain, and transferred my files without ever getting confused or sidetracked, not even once. In fact, I have never been even slightly puzzled by the control choices and other services I have available. The interface is beautifully intuitive and the information presented is clearly understandable. I've never had to ask for help or technical support.
- COST. I hate to say this because it might give the service ideas about its price, but I would gladly pay five times what this company charges for its services. Competent Internet companies are so very rare that they are easily worth many factors of cost over their incompetent competition. In fact, I hope this company does not lower its price too much, as I don't want it to compromise service quality in any way.
Bottom line: In choosing a Web host, look for demonstrated competence as measured by uptime and user-oriented support information.