Selling Your Soul: Your Guide To Web Hosting Contracts

When you are going through the purchase process with your favorite cheap web hosting reseller, it is easy to want to hit the “next” button through everything so you can start setting up your web sites and web hosting reseller accounts. But, push the pause button for just one minute and examine your web hosting contract before adding your credit card information. You could be committing to a longer term than you are comfortable or even be missing out on a great deal.

Many cheap web hosting reseller companies will offer package renewals and contracts. There is no signature for these required, but your credit card will be charged until the agreement has been fulfilled. Some low cost hosting companies do this on an automatic monthly renewal basis or even an annual automatic renewal basis. If the wording is confusing to you or you do not understand what the “minimum term” is, call up your web hosting reseller and find out. In most scenarios, the automatic renewal and charge of your credit card will continue to occur until you cancel. Frequently, hosting companies will be more than happy to cancel your automatic renewal for you, but on the day it expires, do not expect to have service!

It is commonly misconceived that the $4 fee or $29 fee that you are being charged by your web hosting company is all you will have to pay for the year. People pay an annual, relatively low cost fee on their domain name so they automatically think hosting works in a similar fashion. Keep in mind that your cheap web hosting reseller has to pay monthly fees for your usage, so it is only reasonable that some of this cost be passed onto you. Often times you may cancel your hosting at any time should you no longer need the service or are dissatisfied with a particular company.

Before you sign up, think about the other hosting plans offered by your cheap web hosting reseller. Sometimes, annual plans can be provide a savings of 40% and even more! If you are sure about your domain name, your business, and your hosting company, consider signing up for a longer plan. Yes, these cost more up front, but you can avoid constant automatic renewals and usually save yourself quite a bit of cash by purchasing a longer term.

Buying into the long term hosting is not generally recommended if you have never worked with the company before or are unsure of your business plan. Generally, hosting companies are unable to provide refunds outside of thirty days, so think carefully before exercising this more economic option.

Do not over purchase but be more wary of under purchasing, as this can be dangerous to your site. Your cheap web hosting reseller company should offer a myriad of packages and selections for you to choose from. Calculate your usage carefully in addition to the storage you will need to find your best fit. However, cutting this close to the wire “under purchasing” your hosting package could lead to terrible consequences. These include: site downtime, site lag, large usage charges from your hosting company. Before signing up with any hosting company, ask them what their overage charge is so you know going in what kind of bill you would be looking at should you “under purchase” your hosting. Though this is grave, over purchasing is also not a good thing. You do not want to pay $35 per month to host a private, media free blog! Make sensible choices. Your cheap web hosting reseller company should be there to help you along the way. Describe to them what you are trying to do and ask for a recommendation on which package would best fit your needs and wallet.

Above all the other recommendations, be sure that the page which you are entering your credit card into is completely secure. Most reputable web hosting companies will have secured, encrypted credit card pages. However, there are many fly by night companies that try to scam people and do not offer any sort of protection. If your discount web hosting company accepts PayPal and that is the payment method you choose to use, than you are protected. Otherwise, look for a “lock” or “key” in your title bar or status bar of your browser. If you are unsure how to find out if the site is safe and secure, check to see if they have any valid site verifications like Verisign or Thawte. Some companies do not post these, but some do and they are definitely a good indicator of a good, secure site. If you are still unsure, call up the prospective cheap web hosting reseller company and ask them how they secure their credit card order form and payment processing. Use your best judgment and never make decisions that affect your website too quickly!