Part II: What to Look for in a Web Host Service

• Customer Service Availability. Is the hosting service available after hours? If it's not, is there a means to contact the company via email or via the Web during off-hours, and how long does it take to get a response? If you're using a reseller, can the parent company be reached for technical assistance? Never invest with a reseller who won't tell you the name of the parent company. Put these features to the test; give the web host service a call or fire off an email at 10:00 Sunday morning, just to see if someone's around, before signing on the dotted line.   Completeness of Service Provided What level of service do you need? Many web host services will handle every aspect of your website creation, from domain registration, to design and maintenance. On the other hand, service at this level is more costly, and you may well be able to cope with these details yourself. Don't pay for services you don't actually need. If you want to hand it off to someone else and (try) not to worry about it afterwards, you may want a full-service company, or possibly a comprehensive service reseller.