While in the progress of working on the 21st host of May 2010, I start with looking at host reviews.   I happen to find a review about Scalahosting.com on webhostingtalk.com, He claims it sucks and its fraud.  I decided to ask for what no one else was asking for.  That was documentation (chat sessions, email, support tickets).  Instead the moderator wanted to wait for the host to chime in, which it never did.     What I did not notice was the reviewer’s access was suspended.  No reason was given.   The post was soon locked out.    But clearly everyone but the reviewer was playing advocate for Scalahosting.com.

I have a problem with this because no reason was given for suspending the access of the poster, and some one who did not work for the host some how knew the situation.  Even though his information on the situation was limited at best.  But I think he could have gotten his point through on the first post before they locked him out.

So many Host Reviews, so little to work with

Over the last few months I have read a lot of reviews.  Most of the comments I read through I did not bother to use, even though they were leaning towards my desired goal.  Obviously I was  looking for negative feed back.  One end of the spectrum someone would say a site sucked and provide little to back it up.   Then there were people that would tell you they just signed up with a host and it was great,  frankly I think they needed to wait till the end of the guarantee before commenting.    Rarely have I found reviews on either side of the spectrum that got my attention.    But here is my idea of what would be hard to avoid and get your point across, even if they decide to suspend your access.

What I recommend not doing when writing host reviews

For Negative host reviews

• Don’t go anonymous, you will get more mileage out of your review if you disclose what site was involved with the host you are complaing about.
• Don’t get an user id called (host name) sucks, (host name) fraud, (host name) anything.  Doing so just makes you look like your out for revenge and may just a be a disgruntle customer.
• Avoid using vulgar language.
• Avoid using the words scam and/or fraud.   Most times what people label as a scam or fraud were covered under the terms of service.   Like shutting your site down.   I think this was the reason the above poster had his access shut off.

For Positive Host Reviews

• Don’t go anonymous, you will get more mileage out of your review if you disclose what site was involved with the host you are complaing about.  Yes its a repeat, but that does not make it any less effective.
• Avoid writing host reviews until your guarantee period expires, depending on the host its usually 30 days.   Things could go wrong and you may have a hard time removing your endorsement from the site you put it on.

What has to be in the host reviews

Being a vegan, it might be weird for me to say but make sure there is some meat to you review.  Simple saying “x host” sucks, or” x host” is great is not much to a review.  For that matter they tell people nothing as to why or why not they should buy hosting.

For Negative host reviews

If you have a complaint provide copies of the email, chat, or ticket.   This is why I hate dealing with people by phone, unlike the other methods unless I record the call there is not much proof with phone conversations.   Its harded to be discredited if you have documentation to back your complaints.  If there is alot of documentation consider hosting it on your site and provide links to it.

For Positive host reviews

Give the reasons for why you choose this company.  Perhaps you joined them because of a control panel like Plesk.  Simple saying that the company has great support with out examples is just like saying “its a deal, just trust me”.

By no means is this a complete concept, but its what I see missing  in reviews.  Written properly your host reviews will be worth the effort be they positive or negative.