So you have a web site and now you need to figure out where to host it. There are many choices but not too many affordable, reliable solutions. So how do you know which one to choose? What makes a hosting company good? Here are some general guidelines you can use to help you find the perfect hosting company.

* Is their website professional looking?

Its safe to assume that if a hosting company has a sloppy looking website then the company is also run sloppily. You dont want to get stuck dealing with a company thats run by a bunch of kids out of a garage.

* Is their customer service available by phone during business hours and by email 24/7?

Many Hosting companies take a long time to get back to you and some dont even have a phone number listed. You can get an idea about how good customer service is by contacting them anonymously with a question. See if they answer the phone and/or get back you quickly. This will help you gauge how long it will take them to get back to you once youre a paying customer.

*Are they charging too little or too much?

Remember the old saying If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. This is very true when it comes to web hosting. If they are charging under $5 it is likely that the service is poor and their technology is antiquated. Also if the prices seem astronomically high, its likely youre being ripped off. There is no regulation when it comes to web hosting pricing so some companies will charge an arm and a leg hoping that someone bites.

So keep in mind that you want to find a hosting company that provides superb support, stability and value. Dont be fooled by ridiculous claims and dont assume that paying more means youre getting more.