All web providers are not created equal. In today’s market when anyone can set up a server and call themselves a web host and high school students are coding websites, the waters get murky. Unfortunately, there are some practices that are increasingly commonplace that you need to avoid. These practices are not solely the domain of amateur. Some of the largest web providers use these same practices. Here are three to watch out for:
- Domain ownership: Under no circumstances should anyone but you own your domain. Many web hosts will purchase your domain for you and then not give you access so that switching away from their hosting is difficult if not impossible. Buy your domain from a registrar such as GoDaddy or Network Solutions. They are the ones that actually sell the domains, your web designer is merely a middleman. Also, it is important to know what registrar you bought from. They are the only ones that can renew your domain. Solicitations you get in the mail that look like bills for your domain are generally unscrupulous companies trying to get you to switch to their services.
- Unnecessary services: Building websites is a business like any other and you can buy supplementary products from almost any web provider. Make sure the services solicited are useful to you before buying. The most common upset is they will list you in search engines and directories. This is useful, but don’t assume. If they are trying to list you on Angie’s List you better be one of the businesses that can benefit from it. Are they promising to get you on the first page of Google? They’re probably selling advertising not SEO. IF you’re looking to advertise, that’s fine, but make sure what they’re selling is what you need.
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