A review of Hosting Review Site

[~ServerPoint~]

The url's are not even hidden if you know how to look at the source code behind the site

You can hide URL anyhow.... (say server redirect) but the main idea is not hide - move people to trust thtt review web site is honest.

 

[HagenOey]

Most indeed are just puppet websites for the webhosting companies to garner more income. Some are even selling those spots based on cost vs. ranking. i.e., the higher the rank, the more money webhosting companies have to fork out.

Of course, you still see a few that are still honest enough. But, more often or not, these honest sites are still lacking in traffic to be of any interest to web hosts for their marketing purposes.

A good indicator could be; instead of worrying if web hosts "buy" their spot on review sites, you can gauge the ranks as how deep a financial pocket these hosting companies have. Usually, the deeper the pockets, the more financially secure the company is, and therefore, the less likely anything bad will happen to your website should you decide to host it with them.

 

[mwaraitch]

You have a point here, about financial strength of the hosting companies which bribe or buy the web hosting reviews sites to fool their would be customers.
However, the intent and the method both or morally incorrect, there could be many other ways to show financial strength, like free LCD tv to all people who host with them, or one kilogram gold jewelry to every lady who host with them.
The point is that a philosophy based on incorrect intent, no matter how much financially sound show the direction of work of the owner. Such owner is not sincere as service provider but a cheat by instincts.

 

[mwaraitch]

An interesting point so far for the readers is, that of around 168 viewers of this post to date, there does not seem any difference of opinion in community here, as per poll results so far.
Incidentally despite this uniformity of opinion, seem negligible number of viewers have participated in polls.

 

[buffhost]

I totally agree with 3rdRock Hosting!
These review sites just let hosts pay for the top ten spots.

 

[HagenOey]

You have a point here, about financial strength of the hosting companies which bribe or buy the web hosting reviews sites to fool their would be customers.

However, the intent and the method both or morally incorrect, there could be many other ways to show financial strength, like free LCD tv to all people who host with them, or one kilogram gold jewelry to every lady who host with them.

The point is that a philosophy based on incorrect intent, no matter how much financially sound show the direction of work of the owner. Such owner is not sincere as service provider but a cheat by instincts.

I didn't mention about moral issues, but yes, it can be considered as morally incorrect. Yet, it's business, and sometime that leads to them to do something that is business-correct.

 

[Blue]

I totally agree with 3rdRock Hosting!
These review sites just let hosts pay for the top ten spots.

That may have been the case 5 years ago.

Today any kiddie with a spare $3.00 a month and a membership on a warez forum can start a "hosting review" site.

There are literally thousands of them out there. The "major" hosting companies do not buy ad space on these sites.
Instead they offer high commissions on sales. It's a no lose situation for the hosting company. They pay only based on sales. Nothing up front.

That is why we have this deluge of low rent sites proclaiming to be review sites and spamming our forums with their URLs.

 

[mwaraitch]

I didn't mention about moral issues, but yes, it can be considered as morally incorrect. Yet, it's business, and sometime that leads to them to do something that is business-correct.

If the intention of a business man is to earn by fooling, spamming and bluffing customers, I do not think most will agree thats right way of business more so if it relates to provision of service, compared with selling goods.

 

[mwaraitch]

That may have been the case 5 years ago.

Today any kiddie with a spare $3.00 a month and a membership on a warez forum can start a "hosting review" site.

There are literally thousands of them out there. The "major" hosting companies do not buy ad space on these sites.

Major hosting companies do pay to major review site even today. You can find tons of banners out there, all paid banners.

 

[Blue]

Major hosting companies do pay to major review site even today. You can find tons of banners out there, all paid banners.

What are the "major" review sites?
How many of them are there compared to the kiddie sites?

Do some research. Legitimate review sites are a VERY small fraction of the sites out there.

 

[crazypenguin]

Please define "major review sites" and "kiddie sites"?

So what are you defining and why?

 

[mwaraitch]

I can see here, most, rather all agree on lack of utility of web hosting reviews sites.
What really makes these tons of review sites survive?
Why there are tone out there, I mean what makes people to go out there and develop sites which has nothing for any one.

 

[mwaraitch]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8PidNJLrek may be interesting to have a look at.

 

[crazypenguin]

.
What really makes these tons of review sites survive?
Why there are tone out there, I mean what makes people to go out there and develop sites which has nothing for any one.

Money, money, money...

"Top ten" sites survive due to anyone falling for the advertising which they are selling. If you choose to purchase from one of the "top ten' sites it will be converted in to a sale for the entity running the site. If you sign up with any of the companies listed on a "top ten" site they will be making money off of you.

And the last thing any of the so called "top ten" hosting sites care about is the welfare of finding you a decent and reputable host.