Hosting Provider Scams, Traps, and How to Choose the Best Web Host
If you have a website or plan to create one, you need a hosting provider. A hosting provider is a company that rents you space on their servers, where your website files and data are stored and accessed by visitors. However, not all hosting providers are created equal. Some of them may try to scam you or trap you into paying more than you should. Here are some common hosting provider scams and traps, and how to avoid them.
- The unlimited plan scam: Some hosting providers offer unlimited plans that promise unlimited disk space, bandwidth, domains, email accounts, etc. However, these plans are usually not truly unlimited. They may have hidden limitations or terms of service that restrict your usage or penalize you for exceeding certain thresholds. For example, they may throttle your speed, suspend your account, or charge you extra fees if you use too much resources. To avoid this scam, read the fine print carefully and look for any hidden clauses or fees. Also, compare the features and prices of different plans and choose the one that suits your needs and budget.
- The free domain trap: Some hosting providers offer a free domain name when you sign up for their hosting plan. However, this may not be a good deal in the long run. They may charge you a high renewal fee for the domain name after the first year, or they may retain ownership of the domain name and prevent you from transferring it to another registrar. To avoid this trap, check the terms and conditions of the free domain offer and make sure you have full control over it. Alternatively, you can register your own domain name with a reputable registrar and point it to your hosting provider.
- The fake review scam: Some hosting providers may pay for fake reviews or testimonials to boost their reputation and attract more customers. These reviews may be posted on their own website or on third-party websites or forums. However, these reviews may not reflect the actual quality or performance of the hosting provider. They may exaggerate the benefits or hide the drawbacks of their service. To avoid this scam, do your own research and look for unbiased and honest reviews from real customers. You can also check the credibility and authority of the review sources and look for any signs of manipulation or bias.
- The hidden fee trap: Some hosting providers may charge you extra fees for services or features that you may not need or want. These fees may be hidden in the fine print or added to your bill without your consent. For example, they may charge you for backups, security scans, SSL certificates, site builders, etc. To avoid this trap, review your bill carefully and look for any charges that you did not agree to or expect. You can also contact the customer support and ask for an explanation or a refund if you find any discrepancies.
FAQ's
Q. How to Choose the Best Web Host ?
A. Now that you know some common hosting provider scams and traps, how do you choose the best web host for your website? Here are some tips to help you make an informed decision.
- Know your needs: Before you start looking for a web host, you should have a clear idea of what kind of website you have or want to create. What is the purpose of your website? What are the features and functionalities that you need? How much traffic do you expect? How much storage space and bandwidth do you need? These factors will help you narrow down your options and find a web host that can meet your requirements.
- Compare different plans: Once you have a list of potential web hosts, you should compare their plans and prices. Look for the features and benefits that each plan offers and see if they match your needs and budget. You should also look for any limitations or restrictions that each plan imposes and see if they affect your website performance or functionality.
- Check customer support: One of the most important aspects of choosing a web host is customer support. You want a web host that can provide you with fast, reliable, and helpful support whenever you encounter any issues or have any questions. You should check how easy it is to contact the customer support team and how responsive they are. You should also check their availability and channels of communication (phone, email, chat, ticket system, etc.). You can also test their support by asking them some pre-sales questions