Next Set of Questions to Consider

Question #6: How much to upgrade?

You start out small with the basic VPS plan only to discover that you need more disk space, more RAM and a faster CPU 12 months after opening your site. Be sure to ask what costs are involved in acquiring the additional hardware assets you need. Some companies will simply charge a one-time set-up fee for an upgrade. Other companies slam you with outrageous fees for migrating your site and its underlying data to a bigger server.

Assume that your site will be successful and that you’re going to grow in the first few months. Be prepared for success before you even launch your site. It’s a lot easier (and less expensive) than upgrades every three months.

Question #7: How long has the hosting company been in business?

Hosting companies come and go, sometimes leaving clients with virtually no access to their sites or data. You log on to your site and see that “Page not available” warning and you’ve got some serious problems – insurmountable problems.

Go with a web host that’s been around for at least five years. That’s an eternity in the w3 sphere. If you can find a host that’s been around even longer and, all other things being equal, go with the more experienced company.

Question #8: What kind of client support does the company offer?

Some will only talk to you via e-mail. That’s not good – especially when you’ve got a problem that’s put you off line and out of business. Look for a company that offers 24/7 tech support and a toll-free number. That’s a company that cares about maintaining its customer base.

Also, be sure to ask where tech support is located. Is it right down the hall from the server room or is it half a world away? Tech problems will be resolved much faster when a technician can just walk down and handle the problem immediately. If tech support is in Bangalore and the server is in Iowa, it might take a bit longer to get problems resolved.

Question #9: What is the company’s client retention rate?

Happy customers don’t move to another host. And a good host, with smart management, knows that it’s a lot easier to keep a customer than it is to find a new one. Go with a company that’s been around for a while and maintains an ever-expanding customer base.

Question #10: What backup technology does the company employ?

Technology doesn’t always work the way it’s intended. Problems do occur. And it’s nice to know that your host company maintains various backups and system redundancies to manage technical problems when they arise. One way to measure the success of a host company’s backup systems is to ask about down time. Any reputable web host will offer a 99.9% uptime – as close to perfect as you can get when dealing with complex software and hardware.

These are the things you want to know going in. There are other questions you can ask that might be of particular interest to you. For example, does the company offer free tools and applications that you can quickly install on your VPS? Does the company offer any service guarantees? How about a money-back guarantee if you aren’t happy with the way things are going?

Most companies will provide all of the details you need in writing – either on-line for download or in printed collaterals and/or service agreements. Read this information and if you don’t understand the significance of a feature or a piece of hardware or software, ask questions. Lots of questions. You’ll learn a lot about a hosting company by how patient they are when confronted with basic “how-to” questions.

Take your time, shop around and ask all of the questions you want. Once again, the hosting marketplace is very competitive – it’s a buyer’s market. And you’re the buyer. So make sure you get the answers to all of your questions and that you feel 100% comfortable with levels of service and the company’s commitment to your site success.

The smart companies recognize that their long-term success depends on the long-term success of their clients. Find a hosting company that clearly recognizes that and sign up. That’s the company you want as a partner in your new, on-line enterprise.

Learn more about the Website Source Virtual Private Server hosting plans. Call or get started today. We will be with you every step of the way.

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1 - 5 Questions To Ask Before Signing Up For VPS Hosting