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What is SOHO:
Small Office/Home Office (SOHO)
Finding reliable hosting can be a difficult task. This is
because hosting companies focusing on the higher-end
corporate market often overlook the fast-growing small
office/home office (SOHO) sector. For this reason, finding
quality Web hosting can be a challenge, especially for
individuals and businesses on a limited budget. Finding
reliable hosting is possible if a buyer takes the
following steps: clarify needs; gather recommendations;
create a short list of potential Web hosts, and ask
questions.
Clarify your needs:
- How much disk space and bandwidth is necessary?
- Will you require CGI or database capacities?
- What operating system will you need?
- Will you have streaming media requirements?
- Will you site change substantially in the future?
- Are you searching for hosting only for your purposes
or for clients?
Gather recommendations:
- Be wary of Web hosting directories; many are owned
by Web hosts.
- Obtain opinions from those who have Web sites.
- Query trade associations and mailing lists.
- Read alt.www.webmaster newsgroup postings.
Create a shortlist:
- Make a list of hosts that you see are recommended
the most and complained about the least.
- Determine which hosts offer specific services that
you need, with scalability for future changes.
- Determine which host fits your price range.
Ask questions:
- Ask hosting firms technical questions to gauge their
knowledge and accuracy.
- Ask a lot of question to determine the host's
commitment to customers.
- Subject host to an honesty test: offer them the
opportunity to up sell you needlessly.
Recommendations
SOHO consumers can find the most effective
hosting services for their business if they follow and
understand the following recommendations:
- Small business may feel most comfortable with small
hosts who better understand their needs.
- Do not be seduced by hosts offering more than you
need and then skimps on support.
- Note the price of affordable hosting is often that
the customer is expected to be technically
knowledgeable and self-sufficient.
- Choose a host who is flexible, scalable, and who can
grow with your business.
- Ensure that you can add domains to a core plan and
resell services.
- Ensure that the host offers a knowledge base.
- Check to ensure that the host offers some level of
interaction.
- Watch for signs of rudeness, impatience and
unresponsiveness.
- Do not sign a long-term contact for hosting services
right away.
- If you have more than one site, consider spreading
them among several hosts.
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