What would it mean to your business if your website went down, or your email did not send or receive?
What would you do if you could not call anyone to find answers?
How would you fix the problem and get your crucial business lifeline back online?
I know it is cheaper to buy your domain and host your website offshore, but is the extra money saved initially, worth it eventually?
Once again, I am baffled by the cheaper is better attitude. For me personally, peace of mind and a smoothly running website and email, with 98% uptime are well and truly worth paying the extra couple of bucks a month.
IMPORTANT REASON 1
If your site and email mysteriously go down … who you gonna call? (Sorry for the pun). If you were calling an Australian hosting company, it is either a local or long distance call away, and yes while there is Skype, if you are really nervous you can jump in a car or on a plane and be there and back quickly and cheaply.
IMPORTANT REASON 2
Back up servicing! Do you fully understand how to run your server? If not, you need to be able to talk to someone in your time zone and localised to you to work out any kinks or make any changes, e.g. moving from a MYSQL database to a MSSQL database.
IMPORTANT REASON 3
Different programming languages require different server extensions, for example should you want to place flash onto your existing website, you may have to install a flash player into your server to make the changes work – locally this can be done in minutes and at little cost to you.
IMPORTANT REASON 4
In Australia we have a Code of Practice and legislation that other countries do not have to protect consumers from fraud or illegal activities, for example hosting pornographic material on the back end of your website.
IMPORTANT REASON 5
Support Australian business! This one is a no brainer; we are currently experiencing a huge shift in the economy and what better way to secure our position than by supporting home grown, Aussie companies that are committed to supporting localised business.
Above all else, it is important that you find a hosting provider that is prepared to go the extra mile for you, whereby if problems do occur they can action them immediately and not pass responsibilities off through international connectivity issues or communication confusion.
Bottom line – support the hosting providers that are supporting our business’ and our country’s future!
Aussie, Aussie, Aussie ….
