Web Hosting Geeks' Blog » support staff http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog Web Hosting Industry News, Latest Trends, and Analyses. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:48:19 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 What Does Web Hosting Support Entailhttp://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/04/20/what-does-web-hosting-support-entail/ http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/04/20/what-does-web-hosting-support-entail/#comments Wed, 20 Apr 2011 21:04:39 +0000 Art http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/?p=1553 The web hosting industry is extremely broad and diverse, so it can be somewhat difficult to properly define the boundaries of what is provided within hosting support. Web hosting encompasses and incorporates nearly every aspect of Internet technology into a single solution, so understanding related concepts is very important when requesting assistance from your host’s support staff.

There are so many aspects of building an online business that are facilitated by the use of a web hosting account, including but not limited to web design, custom scripting, website creation and promotion, and e-commerce. Within the web hosting account countless tasks can be completed that facilitate various steps in building a successful network of sites, including but not limited to link building, control panels, keyword optimization and research, on-site search engine optimization, IP addresses, bandwidth, disk space. However, not all of the aforementioned aspects of site creation/promotion and server administration are covered by web hosting support.

Inquiring about the Terms of Service

The extent to which service and support is provided varies depending on the terms of service of the hosting provider. Although it may be difficult to decipher the exact meaning of many clauses and phrases within the fine print of the web hosting agreement, it is fairly simple to contact a web hosting provider via phone or e-mail in order to inquire about what level of assistance is provided with the hosting plan. For example, there are two types of dedicated hosting plans – managed and unmanaged. Unmanaged hosting plans include customer service, but not extensive technical report. On the other hand, fully managed dedicated hosting plans include full technical support related to all aspects of server management.

Understanding the Boundaries of Web Hosting Services

Web hosting is basically a service that allows you to lease a web server, and that provides technical support related to the administration and management of that web server. Many web hosts also provide additional assistance related to script installations, task automation, and even site creation. However, there is a limit to the amount of support a web hosting staff can provide in relation to certain topics. For example, a web hosting support staff may be able to walk you through the process of setting up Cron jobs for scheduling server administration tasks, or even installing content management systems for your site such as WordPress, but they will not be able to assist you in creating a custom design for your site. Such a job would have to be outsourced to a qualified web developer or programmer.

Comparing Methods of Support

Different web hosting providers offer different levels of support through various contact methods, including phone, e-mail, live online chat, and even text messages. When examining the terms of service related to a web hosting plan’s included customer service, it is important to compare the methods of support provided and look for hosting providers that offer as many methods of contact as possible. Ideally, you’ll want to choose a hosting company that lets you chat with online representatives 24 hours a day.

 

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]]> http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2011/04/20/what-does-web-hosting-support-entail/feed/ 1 What to Look for in Web Hosting Supporthttp://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2009/09/04/what-to-look-for-in-web-hosting-support/ http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2009/09/04/what-to-look-for-in-web-hosting-support/#comments Fri, 04 Sep 2009 19:23:03 +0000 Art http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/?p=507 It does not matter whether you lease a dedicated server or a typical web hosting plan, having a solution that comes equipped with excellent support is an absolute must.  From basic customer service endeavors to more complex technical issues, you need a host that can come through in the clutch to deliver top-notch support.  This article will explain why support is so critical and give you a few key factors to consider when evaluating service.

Peace of Mind

Just because you sign up with a reliable hosting provider, doesn’t necessarily mean that you will enjoy a flawless service.  Whether it is a power outage or a corrupt hard drive, anything can go wrong behind the scenes and for the most part, these problems are out of your hands.  Should something occur that brings your website down, you need to have the reassurance of being able to get in touch with someone immediately to find out what’s going on.  If the web host cannot provide you with speedy, quality support, you run the risk of enduring even more problems and losing visitors when technical issues are not resolved in a timely manner.

Putting the Support Staff to the Test

Before entering a service agreement with any web host, it is highly recommended that you test their level of support first.  You can do this by contacting the support staff with basic questions regarding uploading your files to the server or whatever concerns you the most.  By asking pre-sales questions, you will have a chance to evaluate the competency and overall effectiveness of the web hosting provider’s support staff.  This will ultimately help you determine if the host can provide you with clear, satisfactory answers to your questions in the future.  Of course nothing is guaranteed down the line, but first impressions can tell you a lot in this regard.

Evaluating Response Times

When evaluating the hosting provider’s support staff, there are few things you want to consider but most importantly, the time frame in which it takes to receive a response to your initial inquiry.   This applies for addressing matters via phone as well as email and support ticket.  If you can get in touch with the support team directly, evaluate how long it takes to get someone on the phone.  Some companies have incredibly long wait times so this is definitely something you want to take into consideration before making a commitment.  Depending on the nature of the problem, a support staff that leaves waiting on the phone for ten or twenty minutes could be like having no help at all.

Anticipate Problems, Expect Great Support

If all of a sudden you begin to experience technical issues with a web hosting service, relax because you are not the first to hit such a road block.  Problems occur quite frequently and can range from subtle annoyances to catastrophes that result in some downtime for your website.  Though it is almost impossible to obtain a 100% trouble-free service, it shouldn’t be difficult to find a solution that comes with first-rate customer service and technical support.  As a customer that enables the business to exist, a web host needs to make you a priority by providing the assistance whenever you need it.  If not, they are not worthy of your business.

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