Do We Really Need More Web Hosting Directories? - Caveat Emptor
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As with anything in life, and particularly on the Internet, caveat emptor applies. Putting aside my own start in the field, it is no longer a good idea to rely solely upon a web hosting directory when choosing a web host. My personal suggestion would be for you to examine a combination of a few of the remaining reputable directories, read some feedback on a few forums, check the Better Business Bureau in the state in which the hosting company does business, and try to compile all the information together before deciding who to chose to host your business.
This kind of "fake" information is pretty prevalent on the Internet these days. I see it across our own sites here on our own network. I can't tell you the number of times I have deleted/removed bogus reviews on one of our sister sites (www.scripts.com) when it's obvious that it is simply the web development company puffing up its own software. We have several methods we employ to detect this, but when a business owner can promote their own business or slam a competitor's business for free and all it costs them is the time it takes to make a post or leave feedback on a forum somewhere, how can you really expect them not to try?
Review sites, even big sites such as Amazon, Yahoo, eBay, CNET, are all susceptible to this guerrilla type marketing, and it is extremely difficult to weed out. It has to be done manually, which is very time consuming and costly from a monetary standpoint. Perhaps the cheapest defense against this new type of spam is to enlighten the Internet community to its existence. Then fewer people will rely upon these types of sources of information as the sole basis for making a decision regarding a significant purchase of any kind of product or service.
One point worth noting is that the most dangerous form of propaganda is the kind that appears to us in the form of a valuable piece of information, a hint or tip, a recommendation from a "reliable or trusted source." Many are aware of all of the different kinds of scams perpetrated upon the Internet community in the way of direct email spam, viruses and the like. But there are more and more sites popping up each day that promise to provide insight into which camera to buy, which politician to believe, which hosting company to choose. There is no solid substitute for doing the leg work needed to make any kind of decision, no matter how big or how small the matter.
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