It is time yet again for me to empty my inbox and answer some of your questions about the Web hosting world. I have questions from every end of the Web hosting industry. From Web hosts to Web hosting clients, everybody has had something to ask.

I’ll answer as many as I can before I loose my voice and my fingers go numb right here on the 84th edition of the Web Hosting Show.

Download the Web Hosting Show, Podcast 84!
Running Time: 13 minutes | File Size: 6.20 MB

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Hello I am the media maven of the Web hosting industry Mitch Keeler, and I want to welcome you to the most fun and entertaining podcast you will ever listen to on or about the Web hosting industry, the Web Hosting Show.

For those of you who might be new listeners, each week I try to go over the best of the best inside of the Web hosting industry. We tackle news, tips, thoughts and links to make your experience with all this hosting jargon just a little better.

This week is going to be a little different though. Instead of me deciding what I am going to talk about, it is totally up to you this time around. I have a handful of E-mail that need some answers so let us get into what you want, what you need and what you love.

Does forwarding a domain hurt your search engine standings?

This first question coming from Mary is an interesting one. Now these days it seems like everybody is still worried about the big bad search engines not listing us for one reason or another.

Personally I think the search engines should be working to make us happy – not the other way around.

With my feelings put aside though, No I do not think you should have a problem forwarding a domain name to your Web site. Since for the most part it treats it like a 301 redirect, it should neither help nor harm you in search engine rankings. At least that is how I understand it.

If there is a guy from Google or a SEO expert in the audience that wants to set me straight – feel free to leave a comment on the show notes.

How can I help my customers find what they are looking for?

Sami was the one who sent me this great question. One thing that I see a lot when it comes to customer and client relations inside of the Web hosting world is that there is a lot of asking about services. Do you support this? Do you have that? What is the version number for this, that and the other?

For the Web hosting clients or folks looking for a good Web host, I have a tip for you.

Much of this information can be found on the Web host’s Web site already. Before you go and ask support or send that E-mail, you might find it quicker to find the answer yourself. Some places you might search are:

+ Web Host’s Frequently Asked Questions
+ Web Host’s User Forums
+ Web Host’s Help Site or Help Desk

Now for the Web hosts out there, you have to make sure that you have this data available for the public. The longer they have to spend asking questions, the less likely they are going to be signing up for a new Web hosting account. Make sure you have a FAQ page setup and make sure new visitors are going to be able to find it.

Some Web hosts have the problem with putting too much “sales talk” on the front page and not enough help. The thing to do is balance out both helpful information and sales perks so that folks want what you are selling and they know what it is.

Is HostJury a good place to get opinions about Web hosts?

George wants to know if I know anything on the Web host reviewer, HostJury.com. Well after spending a minute or two on the Web site – this seems like a nice wrap up of what they do there:

Unlike other web hosting reviews sites we don’t want to give you our opinionated view of providers (often geared towards the site that pays the most for affiliate links) – we want to give you, the user, the ability to recommend and review your web hosting provider to other users and to share your experiences about them.

Now I always like to start on the nice side of things, so I have to say this looks like a pretty good resource to go to. The only thing I would have to ask the owners of the Web site is if they allow Web host’s to come back and answer any reviews that have been given?

Nobody likes to hear just one side of the story, and to get the full experience we need to hear both sides and make up our mind from there. This is most helpful when you run into situations where the Web hosting client may have left on bad terms and is now just trying to go around and hurt the Web host on these review Web sites.

Now this is not just something that HostJury needs to do, I am speaking more at the entire Web host review system in a whole. A lot of places do offer feedback from the Web host – and when they do it is a very good thing for all parties involved.

What is an easy way for me to get reviews from other Web sites?

This question sent in from Mark ties in with the previous question sent in from George. Now most if not all of you know about these Web host review Web sites. I have already covered that topic today. You might also make a special section of your own Web site or forums for customer reviews as well. Now that is good, but it isn’t a review from a third party or a Web site outside of your “base” of Web sites. For that I am going to point you towards ReviewMe.com.

For advertisers (that would be you) ReviewMe gets your services or Web site reviewed by bloggers, gaining your site traffic, invaluable feedback, and word of mouth buzz. I think this is an exciting new resource that Web hosts can gain a lot from. For my blog, Mitchelaneous.com I signed up and will be willing to write any review that you need. This is not getting a blogger in your pocket, this is getting a person with a lot of readers talking about you and starting “buzz” in the world about your product.

No matter which blog you choose, there is nothing saying it has to be a good review. If you are offering crap, you will probably get a review saying you offer crap. As long as you are providing a good quality service and are willing to pay for good quality reviews, this is a match made in heaven when it comes to getting the word out in more ways than one.

Related Links:
+ Review Me Launches – Review Me’s Blog
+ More Launch Coverage – ProBlogger.net

How can I find a job inside of the Web hosting industry?

This question (this time sent in by Kris) is one that I get asked at least one a month. Now how did I get a job inside of the Web hosting industry? Well for me it was all about being at the right place at the right time or knowing the right people.

I realize though that I might be a little bit of a special situation. This podcast has brought me a lot of attention – and a lot of people wanting to gain my services. For the regular Joe or Jane on the street though I would recommend checking out a new service out there at HostCareers.com.

For people needing work I have a feeling this is going to be one of the top spots to look Online. The Web site is new (only launched in the past few weeks) but offers a lot of promise. All you need to do is browse through some of the job listings available or search for what you need. After you find what you want – just click “apply for this job offer” and you are good to go.

Now Web hosts, this could be a good resource for you as well. Need to fill a spot inside of your own company? HostCareers.com plugs you right into the folks that are looking to work. Job listings are free for a limited time so hurry and get your open positions listed today.

This is a service that is long overdue for the Web hosting industry and you can bet it will be the first place I send folks when it comes to finding a job in this industry that we all know and love.

Final Web Hosting Thoughts

Well that is it for this week’s edition of the Web Hosting Show. If you want to interact with this podcast, it is easy to do.

+ Send me your audio questions or comments!

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I am Mitch Keeler, and you have been listening to the Web Hosting Show, the number one Web hosting podcast across the nation and the one and only voice of the Web hosting world.