Finding the best host for your company's Web site is one of the most important steps when taking your business online. Not only will your host be responsible for placing your company's site on the Internet; it will also be responsible for keeping it there and available to potential customers.

However there are thousands of Web hosting companies with even more Web hosting plans, and it can be confusing when trying to compare offerings by separate companies. When you reach this point it is crucial that you understand exactly what it is you're looking for, and what Web hosting services or companies to avoid.

TopHosts.com (http://www.tophosts.com) is an online resource that helps businesses learn about and compare Web hosting companies. TopHosts.com helps you determine the issues you need to be aware of when choosing hosting services, and you can use their free database of hosts to develop a short list of the ideal companies to meet your site's needs.

TopHosts.com provides the following list of seven things you should do before you start asking a host for the price of their services:

1. Create an online plan for your site. Sit down with pen and paper and figure out the nuts and bolts of your store: What you are going to sell, the number of items, methods of payment and the features of your site. Then determine the possibilities for your site's expansion over the next six months, the next year and the next five years. It's easy to find a host that can meet your needs, if you already know what they are.

2. Find out what other business owners have to say. Spend some time talking to people who own online businesses that are similar in size to yours. Ask about their experiences with hosting services and see who they recommend you use.

3. Get it in writing. Once you have come up with a list of potential hosts, submit a request for a proposal to the candidates. Ask possible hosts to respond in writing how they can accommodate the needs you determined in step one.

4. Pick your top five responses. Surprisingly, many of the hosts you submit a request for a proposal to won't respond by your set deadline -- their apathy says something significant about the way they do business. Instead look at the responses you did receive and pick the five best. These are the hosts that you are going to investigate.

5. Ask for references. Take your short list of hosts and ask them for the names of some of their clients -- then pick up the phone and see what the host's clients have to say. Be sure to inquire how good the host is at making the site available online.

6. Take the service for a test drive. Your host plays an important role in the success of your business, so it's important to see if their services stand up to their promises. Pick up the phone and call customer support at 2 a.m. Drop customer support an e-mail to see how fast they respond to you. Do what it takes to feel comfortable with your service provider before you enter into any type of business relationship.

7. Trust your gut. When it comes down to selecting a host, trust your instincts. The host you select will become a strategic business partner in some ways -- you have to feel comfortable with the services provided and the level of support you are getting. What good is dealing with a host that you loathe to call?

Choosing the right Web host is easier if you approach it the way you would approach any other major purchase for your business. Doing this homework can save a lot of aggravation and money down the road. It can also mean the difference between success and failure for your online venture.

TopHosts.com offers a searchable database of Web hosting services. Visit http://www.tophosts.com to learn more about hosting or to find the ideal hosting company for your Web site.

This article may be reprinted at no charge, provided it is printed in its entirety (including this message) and with the URL/link to www.tophosts.com.