The massive amount of money being poured into Internet business is pushing
development faster than anyone could ever have expected. Firms that can spend
millions to develop their site and servers raise the bar for all the others.



The simple web sites that worked just fine 18 months ago seem like dinosaurs
today. Now customers expect eye-catching design, targeted content,
interactivity, multi-media presentations, even instant customization. If your
web hosting company doesn't offer key features and reliability, your site will
have "yesterday's news" written all over it. Here are four developments you
should look for when upgrading to a better host.



1.) Insist on first rate technical support. The days of making customers wait
days or even weeks for tech support answers are long gone. If your hosting
company doesn't answer your email or phone call within a few hours (minutes if
it's urgent), it is time to look for a service that does. You should expect a
guarantee: if you don't get tech answers within a specified time, your service
should be free.



2.) While you're at it, make sure your new host has the technological upgrades
that prevent down time. We've found servers have far better reliability and
speed when in a climate-controlled environment with back-up power and
fire-suppression systems, bandwidth-on-demand connections, and server drives
with an excellent track record. In order to have the fastest site possible, find
a Web Host with "OnNet" connections, which means their Data Center is directly
on an Internet backbone instead of connecting to it from miles away.



3.) Make sure your host allows audio and video streaming along with popular
Shockwave support. Now that AOL has embraced the Real Audio format, we can
expect millions more to jump on the multimedia bandwagon. If your site only
offers static text, visitors will see you as two steps behind the times. Plus,
you will be missing out on the increase in sales that audio and video can bring.




4.) Your host should give you complete control in administering your website and
make it easy for you to do that. Instead of requiring Telnet and programming
knowledge, they should have a user friendly interface for things such as setting
up mailboxes, adding automated newsletters, adding Front Page extensions,
setting up shopping carts, using Web Forms, viewing your statistics, and other
important functions. An easy web-based interface will save you time and
frustration because you can do all these things in-house instead of relying on a
programmer or waiting for your host's support staff to get around to it.



Take a long look at not only what you need to have now, but what your Internet
presence will need in the months to come as you succeed and expand. Plan for
additional pop accounts, email aliases, domains, automated newsletters, and
consider upgrading to a dedicated server. Above all, make sure your hosting
service is HELPING you get your site to the next level.

 

by OnNet Web
Hosting

Bookmark/Search this post with:

| | | | | | | | | | |