So you have a web site and now you need to figure out where to host it. There are many choices but not too many affordable, reliable solutions. So how do you know which one to choose? What makes a hosting company good? Here are some general guidelines you can use to help you find the perfect hosting company.

* Is their website professional looking?

It’s safe to assume that if a hosting company has a sloppy looking website then the company is also run sloppily. You don’t want to get stuck dealing with a company that’s run by a bunch of kids out of a garage.

* Is their customer service available by phone during business hours and by email 24/7?

Many Hosting companies take a long time to get back to you and some don’t even have a phone number listed. You can get an idea about how good customer service is by contacting them anonymously with a question. See if they answer the phone and/or get back you quickly. This will help you gauge how long it will take them to get back to you once you’re a paying customer.

*Are they charging too little or too much?

Remember the old saying “If something seems too good to be true, it probably is”. This is very true when it comes to web hosting. If they are charging under $5 it is likely that the service is poor and their technology is antiquated. Also if the prices seem astronomically high, it’s likely you’re being ripped off. There is no regulation when it comes to web hosting pricing so some companies will charge an arm and a leg hoping that someone “bites”.

So keep in mind that you want to find a hosting company that provides superb support, stability and value. Don’t be fooled by ridiculous claims and don’t assume that paying more means you’re getting more.

Spencer Steele is the owner of Bsleek.com ( http://www.bsleek.com ) – a site that specializes in web hosting, design, promotional items, printing, CD Presentations and more. Spencer also owns WittyShirts.com ( http://www.wittyshirts.com ) which sells funny t-shirts. Spencer also owns Daterade.com ( http://www.daterade.com ) which is the first free online dating web site.

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