When evaluating a hosting company, there are a few essential elements that need to be investigated very carefully. In today's eWorld, a business' web site is its bloodline and should be considered as such by the web hosting provider. First and for most, make sure the hosting company offers 24/7/365 technical support by phone and email. Try their phone lines and make sure you talk with a human being and not to a machine before signing up. Ask them about their Server Specifications to make sure it is a commercially graded computer and not a regular desk top or a laptop. Find out about their Facility to make sure they have fault tolerant data center facilities employing some sort of true N+1 redundant configuration for all power and network components, and not some one's basement. Request information about their security and monitoring systems to make sure that the servers are managed and monitored around the clock with fault detection systems. Your web site is your bloodline and should be considered as such by your web hosting provider.