Live Support? Imporant in choosing a host?

[layeredzone]

Do you base choosing a web host at all in whether or not they provide live support through chat or phone?

Thanks

[kingofoverkill]

I believe it is important to have support through email, chat and phone. Certainly email and chat are sometimes better to help document the issue and track the resolution, but if I need immediate assistance, I want to be able to pick up the phone and call and have someone answer immediately. With that said, most hosting issues I have been able to get resolved through email or chat.

[TahoeWeb]

Hello,

As a "host" I feel support is the key to all. I also feel it is important to also offer support in-house and not sent out to a 3rd party.

Support is something that should be offered to each client in the form of email, phone, live chat etc. A host should always keep in mind that without the clients they have, well they would not be in business...In other words a host should never leave a client out in the cold.

They should also offer "help" pages in the interface.

[olga100]

As a host too , we believe that best support is through email, because emails give the host experts the time to see , think and search the problem so the answer email will be the solution for sure.
We provide also live audio/video support, but it is mainly used for not important matters and belong to "Frequently Asked Questions Area".
From the other hand i have to say that instant communications ( like audio/video chat or just text chat) is the best way to create " a friendly enviroment" and make your client feel secure.

[bgcube]

The best means of communication I found was email, because you are able to document everything, and explain things thoroughly, from both sides.

However the hosting company should provide fast response times, under one hour in my opinion. As for live chat/phone, they are most efficient for sales inquiries.