May 27, 2010 07:40 PM
1854 Views
(Updated May 27, 2010 08:27 PM)
Disclaimer: When I started searching for a web host 2 years back, I ran an internet search for the ones available & the name that repeatedly popped up among the good ones was HostCats. So I took my chances with them. And because of their high service standards I stuck with them. This means I only have experience of HostCats(all other web hosts that I know of are from online & offline reviews)
I have always used a Linux package for small domains. Not sure about their larger modules. But my opinion is that if they pay so much attention to the smaller customers, then they must be doing the larger deals even better.
I never contact them by Phone; Email is my preferred mode for Customer Support.Just to make you aware of my recent experiences.Deutsche Bank replies after 4 days & there is a 3 months old MAJOR issue still unresolved.Citibank replies in 2 daysSo that gives you perspective on Customer Support by Email!*
So here is the Review:
Response Time for New Registrations(Domain & Hosting): 30-60 minutes by email
Response Time for Support(Sales & Billing): 30-60 minutes by email
Response Time for Customer Support(Technical & Setup):15-60 minutes by email
Ordering Process:You can *completely *order online after registration.(Registration required)
Domain Registration & Setup(after payment confirmation): within 2 hours they will complete their work. The global registry does once every 12 hours(which is beyond their control)
Domain Technical Support:Anything that is their responsibility will be fixed within 2 hours(that is the maximum I have experienced). Mostly it is fixed within minutes.
Server Configuration: You will find that they use the latest architecture & configuration.
(NOTE: I have used Wordpress, PHPlist, MySQL, Contact Forms, Google Apps & what not! So I faced a lot of configuration issues & they have always been there to fix it, even when it might not be their responsibility)
Whitelisted Servers: This is important if you send Newsletters. Their servers are white-listed. I never found them listed on the many blacklists that I regularly check. This only means that you will not share your domain space with Spammers!
Video Tutorials for Hosting Account Management: They have Video Tutorials for managing your Hosting Account. Now this might not be important for most readers, but if you are starting up with your first website, then this saves you a LOT of time.
A few things which is Good but not Great!
Occasional Server Downtimes: Although this is RARE, it does happen. Any reasonable webmaster will use a server monitor. The good thing is that whenever I send them a mail about server downtime they restart the server & it is up & running within minutes.(99.9% uptime is what is promised & is what you get)
Hardbound Sales Packages:The web-hosting packages available at HostCats are hard-bound(meaning a fixed set of options). But reality means that you will need something from a host various options. There could be more flexibility in the choices available.
OVERALL OPINION: Choose HostCats. You will not regret it.
