Mary Schmidt Marketing Troubleshooter

Working with Web developers and Web hosting companies can be sheer Hell, since many (most?) of them haven’t a clue about real-world customer support…and they can hide in plain sight on the Web. And, good luck canceling your hosting account (flaming hoops for everyone! More about iPower and what NOT to do in another post.)

I’m one of those bad, bad people who don’t update their site software on a regular basis. It’s rather like going for regular dental check-ups, you know you should, but…you keep putting it off. (Then, when you finally do go, it’s a major root canal…been there, done that.)

However, what with the recent WordPress hacks, I decided I’d better get busy. Now, I could have done the update myself, but web techie isn’t my day job, and I think I’d shoot myself if I lost the site, including four years of blog content (ack!) So, I asked around to find someone who really knew WordPress, preferably local.

Through AIBA (Abq Indie Biz Alliance) – I knew Josh Gentry of Southwest Cyberport, a local web hosting company. Even though we’ve never met, I like the guy, because he’s been very patient while I worked on fixing his inability to log into the AIBA site (I’m the volunteer webmaster [ack, ack]…and it’s an “interesting” exercise in adult learning…which is also why I did not want to meddle in my site.)

He recommended one of his staff, Todd. Then, I thought, hey, why don’t I switch hosting to SWCP; I’ve been meaning to switch from my clueless hosting company for over year (customer inertia, friend and foe.) Todd suggested it, but no hard sales pitch. We sent a few emails back and forth (including on Friday after 5! Try that with your typical Webbie company…)

Well, it’s ALL done. Like that. Lickety-split. Painless. Unlike the last time I suffered through a long, problem-ridden site update and hosting switch with another supposed Web expert.

Here’s why I love the LOCAL Web:

SWCP is right here with offices practically within walking distance. If I have a problem, I can find them.

I can call SWCP…and they call me. Unlike my previous hosting company, WebFaction, who doesn’t offer “phone support.” And, good luck trying to find WF.

Todd was extremely responsive and fast. Sure, for him it was a simple job, but haven’t we all been snowed by techies who made expensive mountains out of mole hills?

It was easy to sign up with them – no pages of forms and they don’t try to force you to sign up for “auto renew.” (code for “we’ve got your credit card info and we’re never letting go, even when you tell us to…”)

Bottom line: It’s the WORLD WIDE Web, but people aren’t virtual (yet…but we sure are viral, thanks to the Web.) We work and live local (including sobbing over broken web sites at the local bar…;-). Remember that and you can beat the big boys every time.

Now, I’ve got to go cancel my other hosting account (wish me luck with the hoops) and send Todd’s info to a client who also wants to switch from WebFaction…

P.S. I’ve not linked to iPower and WebFaction since I don’t want to inadvertently send another sucker their way, especially after my client’s horrible experience with WebFaction.