What features do look for most in a host? Of course support, reliability and speed should be high priority. I'm looking more for bonus features.

I think that hosts must promote new technologies even most customers prefer to use PHP4 scripts for example...

WebM

Name - i mean how credible the company is on the cyberworld.

what do they do as a comp to ensure the goodwill and how fast is their customer service.

dont worry abt scripts and stuff as you can get it anywhere.. likewise for affiliate programs..online site builder etc..

I agree.

I choosed latest Technologies, because the rest of the features are less important. Maybe the site builder could have a priority almost equal to latest technologies because many people don't have a clue about webdesign. But i go for latest technologies.

It needs to be stable, secure, and provide top-quality support. If I'm paying for something, I want the best.

New technologies are good, but you need to be reasonable. Don't run outdated technology, but bleeding edge or beta is just not right either. Mainstream, I guess is the word.

For example, the reason we (at my host) haven't switched to PHP is the changed mysql functions and the lack of overall support from cPanel/WHM.

I think the biggest thing to look for in a host is pricing. In the current market webhosting has become a bid war. Every host has to offer the most reliable hosting and options for the lowest price. Get together every option you want and then check the pricing of as many hosts as you can before signing up. It really sucks when you have spent the money time uploding all of your content to a new host and then you find another host that offers the same options for less money.

I agree but if the host found is less reliable? In that case you will not regret that you are paying some bucks extra but you get uptime.. not some crap of 80% uptime.

Originally Posted by Anacrusis

...Of course support, reliability and speed should be high priority.

I thought that was a given...

Let's put it this way...
if every hosting company offered fair prices, great reliablity and uptime, and good support; what would be your deciding factor when choosing a host?

Very hard to chose in this case, everyone could sign up with a host with their eyes closed. I guess features availability whould be the deciding factor..and than maybe the latest technologies.

If that is the case I would have to go with updated and current software. The host would have to keep up with all of the software upgrades and offer excellent security. Another deciding factor for me would be which web based control panel the host offers. I personaly like CPanel because it is easy to use. All things being equal I would have to say it would come down to which control panel you prefer.

Lets take it this way.

For example we want to signup with one of these 2 hosts : hostX.com and hostY.com .
hostX.com is offering latest technologies and 100 MB space and 5 GB bandwith.
hostY.com is offering php 4.2 cpanel 9 and other old software but compatible with webmasters needs, and their plan include 500 MB soace and 10 GB bandwith.
Both hosts are reliable and have a great support and their plans have the same price. I guess the features would make me go with hostY.com, now it depends if you need 500 MB space and not 100 megs, but you never know when your site will grow..

support and relaibility in that order

Originally Posted by Anacrusis

What features do look for most in a host? Of course support, reliability and speed should be high priority. I'm looking more for bonus features.

Originally Posted by 4197

support and relaibility in that order

Support and reliability come out of discussion, assume they are present, have you thought at something else?