Do you have reservations about your web host?

Posted by Laura Bergells

April 9, 2007

Today, I am reminded of a Seinfeld episode. Specifically, I remembered the show where Jerry is frustrated because the car rental company took his reservation — but they did not keep the reservation. And that, Mr. Seinfeld explained to the supercilious attendent, is the most important part of the reservation.

Anyone can take a reservation. It’s keeping the reservation that matters.

I remember this scene because I am in the middle of a Joomla installation for a new client. This client has his own virtual web host, and the web host site specifically stated, “Joomla supported.” So all should be well, right?

Well, almost. The host supports Joomla installations. They just don’t support secure Joomla installations.

Hmm. Isn’t security an important feature for a web host?

Is security even a feature at all? Isn’t “secure” just supposed to be part of the part of any virtual web hosting?

Moral of the story: before you commit to using any web host, get them on the phone. Ask specific questions. Evaluate how well they answered (and how long you had to hang on the line to get to talk to a salesperson).

Do not depend on reading the laundry list of features before you commit to a host. The phone’s the thing. The list of questions and how well they and how quickly they answer them is important.

You’ll thank me later.