So... how do I know which website host to pick for my website?

Now Mr X from part 3 wanted to know if my website hosting packages were really good value for money. I tell you, if he had not been a big-contract-to-be I would have most likely walked right out! You see, I was starting to get into that area where you don't know if it's worth it any more? You know, that area where it feels like you just might be working too hard. But I thought 'nah, let's do it!' After all I was confident that my website hosting was a very popular brand of website hosting in Glasgow so I was ok to talk about this.

So... here's how you choose a website hosting service:

You want a website hosting service that will always be up and running with 100% uptime.

They should be able to grow with your business and provide you with scripts and software that you will need in order to run web 2.0 applications on your website. This is important as you dont want to left behind by your competition who will most likely show videos/ RSS feeds and other new gadgets available. Most of these are 1-click installs which means your website host has installed software to get these essential scripts to be installed by simply clicking a button.

Your website host must have Google Sitemaps and submission as standard. In other words before you even think about what page you will rank on, you must have the tools to submit your website to Google and other search engines. This is very important as it allows you to connect with potential clients on the Internet.

Must be affordable and good value website hosting.

Must have customer tailored support with FAST RESPONSE at all times.

Must have a library of any other scripts and software available so that if you need an upgrade it can be down without downtime of your website.

You must have your own control panel for absolute control of your website. There's nothing worse than having to ask third parties for access to your online business. This may take a long time and be a costly delay. You want fast response and that control is best left to you.

They must offer a reasonable money-back guarantee for say 30 - 60 days with no questions asked. After all, if you are satisfied and happy you will stay.

They must have ample after sales support. They should not abandon you at all but have support that will be tailored for you as an individual and not a statistic.

These are the sort of website hosting features that Mr X was impressed by and as a busy man he wanted to make sure he would have the piece of mind that only top notch website hosting provides.

This was ok, but Mr X, ever the shrewd business man, wanted to know how to measure the ROI of this investment in the website design and what else was requirted to make it all work. After all he did not leave anything to chance on the High Street, so why do it online? Same rules apply right?

We decided to meet again and set up a marketing plan and a way to track this process over say a year to start with.  Goodness Mr X, you are making me work here!