Why web hosts and ISPs need web site monitoring

If you have spent much time earning a living on the Internet, fewthings will surprise you. However, I am always amazed with how manycompanies and individuals make astounding claims without backing themup.

Web hosts and ISPs make such claims all the time: 99%uptime. Some web hosts post on their site live results of their uptimefrom a third-party web site monitoring company. However, those hostsare very few.

Here are four reasons why every web host and ISP(Internet service provider) should post uptime and connectivitystatistics from an independent, third-party web site monitoring firm,with an external monitoring network.

Monitoring reports are excellent marketing tools

Thisis the most obvious reason a web host or ISP should post monitoringreports on their site. Don't tell me you have 99% uptime. Even theworst hosting companies and ISPs can make that claim, but it does notmake it true. Prove it to me. Posting a report right on your home page,or posting a link to the report up front on the home page tells me younot only can make claims, but you can deliver!

Make sure to postyour uptime statistics for the last day, week, month and year, so thecustomers know you are in it for the tong haul.

Web site monitoring reduces technical support work-load

Arecent review by Dotcom-Monitor reveals that accessibility calls to aweb host's technical support can be reduced by 30% just by posting thecurrent status of the web site as reported by an independent monitoringservice.

Dot-Com

Often a user will call technical support if heencounters a slow Internet connection or download times, dial-upproblems, web site accessibility or various computer issues. Usersassume the problem is with their web host or their ISP, and calltechnical support to fix the problem, even if the problem is on theircomputer.

Real time independent connectivity reports eliminatethe need for such calls in many cases, by showing what the status ofthe site is. A sample report atDotcom-monitor.com gives an idea of howthis works.

Web site monitoring is good customer relations

Ifit costs up to ten times more to attract a new customer than to keep anexisting one, independent web site monitoring can help you keep thoseprecious customers.

Nothing is more frustrating for the end-userthan to have her site down and nothing is more embarrassing for an ISPto receive a call from customer about a downtime, especially if it isrelated to a connectivity issue the hosting company or ISP is not evenaware of.

An external monitoring network can alert an ISP orweb host immediately to problems that often cannot be detected byinternal monitoring, allowing the company to address the issueimmediately.and hopefully before a customer even notices that a problemexists.

Monitoring cuts the burden of dispute resolution

Corporatehosting clients and Internet access customers often expect certainlevels of service and enter into an SLA (service level agreement).Often, SLA contracts impose fines on ISPs and web hosts who do not meetthe targets. Determining how those levels are measured can bedifficult, but an independent, third-party monitoring service caneasily resolve disputes before they begin.

Dotcom-Monitor isamong those services that provides an added SLA reporting function,which can be seen atDotcom-monitor.com . Both thehost or ISP and the client can view the reports, and reportingintervals can be set based on the terms of the SLA contract.

Whileevery web site can benefit from some form of monitoring, no class ofbusiness needs more the credibility of an independent monitoringservice as much as those who provide access to the Internet for theirclients: ISPs and web hosting companies.

Choosing Keywords: What They Don't Tell You
Let me start off by saying that I am no web design expert but I have designed a few websites and the biggest challenge I found was choosing keywords. It seems like it would be easy but it is not.
Choosing keywords and keyword placement is the foundation of getting indexed properly in search engin...
The 3 most common complaints against web site hosts
The 3 most common complaints against web site hosts are pretty commonplace these days.
There has been a rapidly rising demand for web hosting services and many of the part-time basis-basement operations have found it virtually impossible to meet the new quality and service demands of web sites...
Sometimes It's The Little Things That Count!
Recently, I decided to switch my web hosting company. I had been with my last hosting company for almost two years but I was having continuing problems with their system. So I switched and I am up and running wi...
Pick Up The Phone And Let's Network
I was forced into my best marketing tool by problems with reliably getting my email through. As more and more ISPs, and more and more individuals, heavily filtered their email, I wondered if my...
Creating a Website / Server Monitoring Script
I have created a script which allows users to check to see if their server is online. Obviously running this script from the same server and trying to check your server status whilst its down its too clever, so try using an include or iframe from a free hosting company.
How to Find an Affordable and Reliable Web Hosting Provider
So your new web site is finished and ready to be hosted, now it is time to choose web hosting provider. How do you find a reliable web host that is also affordable for your new web site? Below are some of the pitfalls to look out for when choosing your next web host.
How to Choose the Best Web Hosting
When choosing web hosting for the first time many consumers are attracted to free and cheap web hosts. Many feel that they should not pay for a service that is available for free or at such a low cost that it might as well be free.
Good 24/7 Hosting Customer Support -- Is It Possible?
Even if you are an experienced webmaster you will need to contact the support team time from time in order to solve problems which can be either on your side or web hosting company side...
Simple Ways To Make Your Website Load Faster
Creating a website that loads quickly is important for you and your business. If you have a website that loads too slowly, potential visitors and even customers will simply give up and click away.
An Overview Of Pay Per Click Search Engine Fundamentals
Forbes magazine has reported that pay per click ad sales are expected to increase to at least $8 billion by 2008. The three fundamental core elements that form the basis of a successful pay per click advertising program are constant monitoring, analysis, and refinement.