The Small Print: 5 Things To Ask Your Host

Most web hosting providers will ask you to sign a contract.

Have you checked the terms of yours?

Here are five terms that could trip you up.

1. Types of Content Allowed

Check what types of content your host will allow.

No reputable hosts will allow illegal content, but they may allow adult content, controversial views and so on.

Some hosts are very specialised – they only serve a certain type of customer or business.

On shared hosting accounts, check if any scripts or services are banned. Some hosts bar chat rooms, IM bots and other resource-intensive scripts.

2. Uptime Guarantee

Most hosts provide some form up uptime guarantee, but it might not be that comprehensive.

• Check the definition of downtime.
• Check how long a period is used to calculate the uptime figure.
• Check how much the guarantee pays out.

3. Billing, Payment & Refunds

What happens if a payment fails? Will your site be taken offline?

Find out what payment methods are accepted and how much leeway you have.

Also, understand what does and does not qualify for a refund, and how the money-back guarantee works. It’s normal for there to be some strict terms around refunds.

4. Domain Issues

If you register a domain through the hosting company, what would happen to it if you switched hosts?

Does the host keep it, or do you?

Is there a penalty if you transfer it away?

5. Termination

Understand when you can end the agreement, how much it will cost and how you do it.

Be aware of termination fees and penalties.

Generally speaking, a host won’t give you a refund if you’ve signed a long contract.

Checking the Small Print

Treat your web hosting contract like any other contract: don’t sign it if you’re not sure what it says.

Paying for something without checking the terms is never a good idea.Keep up with posts like this by subscribing to our RSS feed, or following @WhoIsHosting on Twitter.