YNOT – Finding a hosting provider can be harder than it seems, despite the development of the industry and a huge choice of suppliers. Setting up a quality internet infrastructure, be it dedicated servers or cloud services, may have become everyday business, but choosing a provider should not be left to chance. When considering a hosting provider for your business, be sure to get answers to the following questions.

How long has the hoster been in business?
Fly-by-night hosting operations spring up overnight and disappear just as quickly. No matter how good the prices or how friendly the sales representative, choose a host with a track record that indicates an understanding of the industry.

How good is the host’s connectivity?
The internet is global. Hosts with good “peering” to other carriers offer the best performance. The best European carriers, for example, have peering with the Frankfurt (DE-CIX), Amsterdam (AMS-IX) and London (LINX) internet exchanges as well as reliable connectivity to other carriers.

How prompt is the company’s support if a problem develops?
Does the company provide 24/7 support? The best hosts have support technicians on the premises around the clock so that if a problem arises, the issue may be addressed right away. Do technicians and engineers have technical certifications and regularly take continuing education classes?

Does the host use quality equipment?
This includes not only the servers themselves, but also the quality of the switches. Ensure all equipment is from well-known and reliable brands. Saving money on the initial investment may seem foolish if, down the road, sub-standard equipment fails at a critical moment.

Does the host maintain sufficient supplies of spare parts to deal with any equipment failures promptly?
How fast does the host fix or replace failed equipment, such as servers? No one can afford long periods of downtime.

Does the host have redundancy?
Uptime is critical, so redundancy must be built into the system. Does the host have backup power in the event of a failure? Does the host maintain redundant connectivity, so that if one connection goes down, the host is able to transition to another smoothly?

Does the host occupy a commercial-grade datacenter?
Is the datacenter a purpose-built facility, or is it just an office building with some servers in a room? A quality hoster should have a professional and secure physical location.

Is the host environmentally friendly?
Datacenters consume a lot of energy. Is the datacenter embracing environmentally friendly initiatives, such as a cold air corridor to minimize the need for cooling energy or free-cooling that utilizes outside air when the temperature outside is low?

Does the hoster have a good website?
Any company in the internet business should have a first-class website, and a hosting provider is no different in that regard. The website should detail all services and products the host offers. Check for a press section and blog too, which may showcase the success and knowledge of the company.

Does the company have a good reputation?
Ask for customer testimonials, and search the web for positive write-ups in the press. Investigate online “league tables” that compare hosting providers on their core services. Try to determine whether the host subscribes to initiatives for improving online security and personal privacy, as well as programs that address other current issues within the industry.

This article was written for YNOT.com by LeaseWeb, a Netherlands-based web-hosting provider since 1997.