Web Hosting Reviews & Ratings

August 06, 2010

What to Look for in a Managed Hosting Provider

Managed hosting is an excellent and efficient method for the “hands off” approach of setting up and maintain a server. For many individuals and companies that are not technically savvy, this is the most viable option. It significantly saves costs through labor and equipment while receiving top-notch customer service.

Like all other types of hosting, when shopping around, there are several key points that must be considered before selecting a managed hosting provider. These guidelines include:

• Quality of customer service
• Internet connections
• Internet providers
• Regular backups
• Guarantees
• Number of other clients
• Specific hardware and software needs
• Cost

In the web hosting industry, the importance of customer service is priceless. This is especially true for managed hosting providers. While shopping, try to uncover the quality of their customer service. With managed hosting, you won’t have access to the equipment so there must be a great deal of trust that they can minimize downtime.

The number of other clients can have a large effect on the quality of customer service. If there are many other clients and a small number of network technicians, you’re server may not immediately be attended too. This can cause problems if the server suddenly goes down.

Also, it’s beneficial to inquire about the connections and providers to the internet that the company uses. This way you’ll know the quality of the connection as well as the potential for downtime.

Another important guideline is to ensure the provider offers regular backups. In case of an emergency, you’ll want all data backed up onto another server. If a problem does occur, most hosting providers can switch between servers in a fairly quick amount of time.

Additionally, guarantees are vital to the business. If they promise a 99.9% uptime guarantee, it’s best to know the terms and conditions in case they do not end up providing. There are many sites that promise one thing and actually do another.

Managed hosting providers must be able to fully customize their client’s experience. Therefore by inquiring about your specific hardware and software needs from the start, there won’t be any surprises.

Finally, the cost is one of the most important questions to ask. Ensure there are no hidden fees and that the price you pay is exactly what you get in service. Also ask about price increases in case of traffic spikes or expansion. These tips will help you find the best managed hosting provider for the most reasonable price.

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Categories: Managed Hosting

Tags: uptime guarantee,  server connection,  backup,  maintain a server,  Managed Hosting