How to Begin With Shared Web Hosting
If you want to use shared web hosting, the next step is to find a provider that meets your needs and upload your site to their servers. Whether you’re using web hosting for the first time or switching from an existing plan, you should be able to get started quickly and easily by following the setup instructions provided by your provider. While the specifics may differ from one provider to the next, the process will be largely the same regardless of the platform you use.
We’ll go over everything you need to know to find your first web host or a new provider to switch to in the following section. While we’ll go over some of the most important things to look for in a web hosting provider, our provider comparison is a great place to go for more information on specific platforms.
Dishonest practices & terrible customer service.
Krista W
I had a terrible experience there. I don't access my website often, and apparently they found malware and shut it down. I have searched through my email and there was no notification of this. I also have everything turned on for notifications including texts. Never received a warning and the ticket they set up expires after 21 days. So when I logged in there was no information regarding the fact that my website had been down for months. The customer service rep told me it was my fault for not logging often enough. They have an obligation to put a notification on the website once you have logged in, letting me know that the site is down. I was in there setting up emails and never had a clue my website wasn't working. I was told repeatedly that it is my fault, even though the only way I could find out why my site was down was through customer service. Serious failures in communication, followed by terrible customer service. Also, watch out for sleazy sales tactics. I was told that I should use the security scan and the button says free for 3 months, but doesn't provide the cost of the service anywhere on the screen. You actually have to click to add the service and then on the bottom of the next page in small print, it tells you that you will be charged a monthly charge once the 3 months are up. This dark pattern is designed to intentionally trick customers into signing up for a monthly charge without realizing it. I asked him about why they would not provide a cost up front, and was told that it would be cluttered and it's easy to get a refund. There are so many red flags in that statement. It's never easier for someone to have to contact customer service for a refund on something they did not know they were going to be charged for. And to justify it by saying it clutters the site to add "$2.49 for month after 3 months" is absolutely untrue and shows exactly how little they care for the customer. Make no mistake, that dark pattern is designed to increase conversions by causing users to accidentally add a monthly cost to the service. They are banking on you never realizing that you signed up for it. Shame on you for taking advantage of users who are stressed due to a site being down, and not fully focused on the task. They belong on the dark patterns shaming website. As someone who is in charge of the user experience of 20 software products, this blatant disrespect for users churns my stomach.
SiteGround has be a very pleasant…
Jeffery
SiteGround has be a very pleasant surprise. Their hosting infrastructure has exceeded expectations. Their support (especially via Chat) has been very excellent.