What do you look for in a host?

Okay, I've been going on about a mini e-book of mine about hosting, a mini start-up overview and insight into really starting a hosting business, costs, opportunities, rewards and effort needed. Now comes the last chapter of the book, about what people are attracted to in a book.

The book is mainly built up of case studies and input, input from you. I'm wanting to know what type of things do you look for in a host?

Are there any pages you look to see, information you try and find before signing up? Does a 30 day trial interest you? What items do you require to be clear on the homepage, and then the rest of the site?

I'd like any general input from you guys about what you look for in a host. Please just try and stick to giving input, if you have any questions, please PM me and i'll answer them, it just makes it easier for me to read, you to read and people actually wanting to find out what people look for in a host.


So, I'd love to hear from you.

good prices and speed would be my needs.

I was never one for 30-day trials. I mainly took recommendations from friends who had used certain hosts in the past, and took their word for the speed/service/support. The prices and what was offered was also always important. It's hard to find a good host that brings together every aspect of service in a satisfying manner, yet manages to keep costs low.

Sometimes it's a matter of trial and error with hosting. You think you find an awesome host because what is said on the front page isn't necessarily true. You get sucked in by fancy designs and promises, put forth the money and get fooled. Other times you get lucky, and get one that gives what it promises.

I managed to find one after years of searching, and I'm completely happy.

What I relied on choosing a package from ********.biz was plenty of reviews from their customers and -this was more important- my friend's recommendations.

Forum is a very helpful thing while choosing a web host.

At least a 99% uptime guarantee.

30-day trial sounds absolutely nice, discount coupons, high uptime guarantee, host ans staff's forum membership.
One more important thing I'm strongly attracted to is real clients' testimonials with urls to their sites.
Choosing ********.biz I was keeping in mind, plus recommendations from the forums.

Quality support and good server speed. Price comes second for me.

Originally Posted by Village Idiot Quality support and good server speed. Price comes second for me.

I would like to quote Village Idiot, since I look for the same in my choice of webhosts.

Speed, fast quality support, upgradability, reputation, benefits.

Price comes after those.