Need Advice on Hosting Services

[pohkeiong]

Hi All

I am new to this forum and new to internet business as well. Need your advice on the following as I am looking for reliable and affordable hosting service:-

a) Is it advisable to use local or overseas hosting service provider? Which is more affordable? Roughly what is the cost per month?

b) Can we switch hosting provider if later we find the hosting company is not reliable or efficient? If yes, is it difficult to switch?

c) What are the important criterias that we need to consider when selecting hosting service provider?


Thanks in advance for your advice.

pk

[kawan]

I use both local and overseas webhost.

Frankly I prefer local hosting partners as I will be able to make a phone call in case of emergencies.
For overseas webhost, payment is a hassle unless you are willing to use cc. To pay local webhost, just got to Maybank ATM and transfer money, settle...
Switching difficulties depend on our site and database usage. Generally, shouldn't be an issue. If your site is strictly HTML-based, switching webhost is like eating ice-kacang.
Webhost considerations:
Uptime, support hours, support turnaround, backup policy, payment type, overselling policy, etc.

Finally, don't just look at pricing. Cheap is not necessarily good.

[michaelfoo]

Good day,

a) Is it advisable to use local or overseas hosting service provider? Which is more affordable? Roughly what is the cost per month?
I would say it is much safer to get your hosting services from local providers especially those who display their mailing address and have their company registered at SSM. At least you know they are serious with their business and you can count on them.

Customer service as mentioned by kawan is also another considering factor. Not every overseas provider has 24x7 manned technician. If you're unlucky to subscribe to hosting provider who provides only daytime customer support, most likely you will suffer with their customer service due to time zone difference.

b) Can we switch hosting provider if later we find the hosting company is not reliable or efficient? If yes, is it difficult to switch?
Yes, moving around from providers to providers are very easy. For instance, if you subscribe to a hosting provider who provides cPanel control panel, you can perform a full backup and restore the backup file on the new provider's server. Everything from the previous web host will be transferred to the new provider.

Please make sure you get access to the domain manager for changing the DNS of your domain


c) What are the important criterias that we need to consider when selecting hosting service provider?
kawan has suggested good considering criterias

Hope that helps!

All the best.

[pohkeiong]

Hi

Thanks for your prompt advice.


pk

[starsearcher]

hi, welcome to webmaster malaysia forum.

a) People will usually go for local hosting due to the "convenience" reason. If you do not mind, calling an overseas company when you are having problem, then you can go ahead and use overseas provider. The cost varies from different hosting to another hosting. But, like kawan has said, cheap is not necessarily good.

b) Yes, you can switch. It's not difficult. It's better you find those hosting provider who has 30-days money back guarantee.

c) Reliable support - it will be great if they have 24x7 support.

wish you all the best!