A site for sore eyes.
By Joe Myna
11/06/02
I know, by now you are snug and cozy in your own
web host's warm fail-proof server, megabytes oozing
from every web page.
Right now your probably beaming with confidence because
you know that your web host considers any technical glitch
on your website, as a personal affront.
I am sure also, that you are benefiting from the spaciousness
of a 'gig' or two of roomy server space.
Which, you no doubt demanded to accommodate the throngs
that are attracted magnetically to your website daily, while
you reluctantly allow them to purchase your wares.
Alas, I once knew that tranquil feeling!
Emphasis here on the past thence, for I recently was
required to "trip the Internet fantastic" in search of a
new web host.
You see, one day when I discovered that my web forms
would no longer perform, I calmly reached for Mr. Bell's
gadget to inform the hosting company of my little quandary.
After all, I had been a star boarder for over two years and
quite naturally was under the silly impression that all
my problems would be quickly dispatched, instead I was!
It appears my web host had decided that tech service
was just too trivial and bothersome to be of importance.
In addition, I had the audacity to relate such an insignificant
topic by phone. I guess in some hosting circles answering
the telephone is a real no-no.
I was briskly informed I must send in what is called a
“Support Ticket.”
A support-ticket I discovered, is an email plea for help
that gives you all the confidence of waving a distress
flag in an empty room, only mine was not as effective!
Meanwhile, my little predicament was beginning to
aggravate visitors, a feat which I must admit is fun
at times, but definitely hard on the pocketbook.
So in annoyance, I know you won’t believe it but I do get
a little peeved at times, I packed my collection of megabytes
and began my quest for another web host, along with a
“Gig,” or two of server space.
As I skipped merrily along the super highway, via my
favorite search engine, it soon became apparent that I
could no longer cling to my air of confidence, let alone
dreams of frugality.
Have you noticed lately how they have twisted the
meaning of that beautiful word ‘cheap!'
As a result it’s getting harder and harder for me
to maintain my image.
And the phrase, ‘Customer Service’ has turned into more
of a slogan then a certainty. All too often the term
‘24/7 support’ really means, “Don’t call us, we’ll call you.”
However, even though this eye-opening search had left me
“Google-eyezed,” I had to admit that there really are
many good web hosts populating the Internet.
Of course, while searching for my new host I had to
concentrate on such seemingly mundane things as;
Server side includes, Data transfer rate, and that
ever popular Secure socket layers.
Boy, I don’t know about you, but I certainly want all
my sockets, especially the layers, to be secure.
And, get a load of those ‘cron jobs,’ sounds obscene
doesn’t it! Moreover, are you sure Perl isn’t a knitting term.
So my advice is, if you have a good web host
wrap your arms around the nearest FTP access
and hold on for dear life.
A good web host is money in the bank. So, may I
wish you many happy uploads and profitable downloads.
As for me, I’ve found the perfect host from which I’ll never
roam, who would - would you! Now it’s blue skies forever.
Yet I did hear of one that…
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Joe Myna is webmaster at http://www.anezbizz.com
"The Virtual Warehouse Of Info Products." Also,
http://www.ahow2.com "The Virtual Bookshelf Of
How-To Courses." Mr. Myna who began marketing
on the Internet in 1996 is also the author of many
best-selling marketing and How-To eBooks.
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