| So you need a web host. You might - quite | | | | - When reading a review site, try and determine if |
| naturally - turn to Google to seek the information | | | | the site is in any way affiliated to the web hosting |
| you need. What you will notice is | | | | company. Often viewing the page source will |
| pages-upon-pages of professional looking review | | | | reveal the true nature of links. To achieve this |
| sites. | | | | select View->Page Source in Firefox and |
| Just what you need right…? | | | | View->Source in Internet Explorer |
| WRONG! | | | | - Be wary of reviews that only list positive |
| The large number of reviews for web hosting | | | | comments. Try and find sources with both |
| companies is a reflection of the explosion of | | | | positive and negative scores for a more objective |
| growth the web hosting industry has seen over | | | | comparison. |
| the years since the conception of the internet. | | | | - Reviews left by actual customers are more |
| It's also testament to the fact there is a | | | | reliable than other sources, but avoid the |
| considerable amount of money to be made selling | | | | testimonials on a web host's site. A host is |
| web hosting services. Both the hosting companies | | | | naturally not going to post many negative reviews |
| and savvy affiliate marketers are endlessly vying | | | | about themselves. |
| for a piece of the action. | | | | - Some web directories can be helpful, especially if |
| The top hosting companies will proclaim endless | | | | you want to compare price, features and service, |
| examples of positive reviews and testimonials, | | | | but others accept advertising and so should be |
| why wouldn't they? Many of these same hosting | | | | treated with a healthy dose of skepticism. |
| companies are at the top of the rankings on | | | | - Always seek more than one source of |
| review sites for one reason. | | | | information when doing research. General web |
| They're paying for it! | | | | hosting forums and blogs are good sources of |
| As a rule-of-thumb, any web hosting review you | | | | information, as is reading other people's |
| see online is likely to be biased and slanted | | | | experiences in older threat. Post specific questions |
| towards the hosting companies that are paying | | | | too if you like, just be careful that the person |
| the highest commissions. | | | | replying to your query is not in fact be pushing |
| But what can you do about it? | | | | their own products onto you. |
| While there is no silver bullet solution for finding | | | | - Spending some time in the forum of a hosting |
| the perfect web host, we can offer a few | | | | company can also be useful. Look for common |
| practical tips, that will help you separate truth, | | | | reoccurring themes in the post topics. If a lot of |
| from hype. | | | | people are complaining about the same problem, it |
| - Ignore the hype; be aware that most "reviews" | | | | reveals something about the host's true nature. |
| are written by affiliates, web hosting companies | | | | - Finally - don't spend too much time |
| themselves. Recognize that some paid directories | | | | over-analyzing. Choose one and go with it. You will |
| rank hosts by how much they're pay in listing | | | | soon learn through your own experiences. |
| fees. In truth, to say all reviews are slanted is | | | | Consider any host that you sign up with on a |
| unfair, just be aware of the market reality and | | | | "probation period", where they have to earn your |
| don't base your selection solely on review sites | | | | trust. If you are not happy, quickly cut them |
| returned by Google. | | | | loose and try another web hosting company. |