Is Clickfire the Only Honest Web Host Review Site? - Breakdown of Clickfire’s Process
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Thankfully, Clickfire’s entire review process isn’t as simple as the outline previously mentioned. The process begins with Rowland himself opening an account with a web host. Once the service is active, Rowland then passes the actual review assignment for the company off to one of his qualified reviewers, who will user their expertise and hands-on experience in the field to form a reliable review opinion.
The first thing a reviewer will evaluate is the control panel used by the host; they are looking to assess how the control panel stands up for usability. The reviewers will then install CMS scripts and work with the files to test the host’s functionality and speed.
Rowland allows his reviewers to be as critical as they want, and urges them to check out every feature and aspect of the host that they can. Some reviews are so thorough that they include information taken from the fine print in the terms of service provided by the host being reviewed. Often this is a favorite hiding place for policies that can affect buying decisions and harm consumers.
The reviewer must also contact the host directly without revealing that they are reviewing the company. This is an especially important step, as hosting support is a major issue with webmasters.
Each reviewer is also required to specifically list what they believe are the pros and cons based on their personal experience with the web hosting company. Though it’s true that all webmasters who use that specific site may not encounter the same problems or have as pleasant of an experience, a firsthand, detailed account of how the host site works will prove to be incredibly valuable to anyone struggling to pick a web hosting company that best meets their needs.
Finally, the reviewer gives the host a rating between one and five stars and publishes their review on Clickfire, where users can add their own comments and web hosting companies can respond -- if they choose.
It is very rare that an Internet company is willing to go above and beyond what is expected of them in order to provide stellar service to their users. Surely Rowland is earning a profit due to his new review process, but the fact that Clickfire has chosen to undertake this overwhelming endeavor speaks volumes about their dedication to their users.
Will Clickfire’s web hosting reviews put a stop to less-than-stellar web host review sites that give five gold stars to their advertisers and affiliates? Definitely not, but at least Internet users and webmasters now have a reliable place to come for answers, advice and finally, a push in the right direction.
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