Features

The broadband industry is suffering a crisis of confidence. Our Reliability & Service Awards 2007 survey reveals that only two-thirds of broadband customers would recommend their ISP to a friend, meaning a third of people are unhappy with the service they're receiving.

Whether it's faltering connections, dwindling speeds or poor customer service that's to blame, many broadband providers are routinely failing to deliver what they're paid for. Sadly, people put up with below-par service because the switching process is so riddled with problems and loopholes customers can end up without a connection for weeks and be hit with unexpected charges.

Our guide will forewarn you of such difficulties and provide advice on how to avoid the hidden costs. We'll let you know what your switching rights really are and how to steer clear of downtime. We'll also advise you when switching might not necessarily be the answer to your problems and tell you to whom you can turn when things go wrong.

Broadband connections aren't the only vital online

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service we entrust to a third party: millions of people also run their own websites with the help of specialist web hosts. But with dozens of companies all offering various packages with myriad different features, how do you know which one to plump for?

Our guide will walk you through exactly what to look for in a web host. We'll separate the vital features that you should look for in every host and the trivial fripperies that you don't really need. We'll explain the process of transferring your existing website domain from one host to another, and how to smooth the passage.

We'll also offer a quick-start guide to setting up your own website for those who want to give it a go for the first time, and reveal how to plug Google Analytics into your new site, so that you can keep track of the number of visitors arriving at your door, their technical capabilities, and what they do once they get to you.

This guide, coupled with the web host and broadband awards you'll find in the Awards supplement that comes with this magazine, will help ensure you're paying for more reliable, professional and suitable services for your needs.

How to switch ISP
The perils of moving house
How to choose a web host
How to set up a website