Terrible, but they say they are working on it!
Written: Feb 06 '08 (Updated Feb 07 '08)
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Pros: Cost is good for features.
Cons: Service is suboptimal. Limited .NET functionality only. Not all commands supported.
The Bottom Line: You can save money here, but the websites seem to be down a lot. Other reviewers have had similar problems so I know I am not alone.
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| drcns's Full Review: Netfirms |
My website was fine, then, with no change from my end, simply was inaccessible. There were "server dropped connection" errors. The 24/7 support, as they call it, was not helpful. The only response was "we are working on it, thank you for your patience." Since I run a business, not having the website is a disaster. Their own website disconnects frequently so if you are a member and you try to work with your account, you will have multiple dropped connections there. Don't try to check on your web statistics very often. They won't be available much of the time.
To provide more balance: I had a regular account and had a very basic website that worked okay. I needed to upgrade my website to reflect the modern changes in my business. I paid a huge premium to add .NET to my account (it is NOT included unless you have a minimum level of service). After doing so, my website worked fine. Then, one day, it stopped and cannot be accessed. It seems that Netfirms has simply blocked .NET but not html. But, the business world runs on .NET and quite frankly, they charged extra for me to use it. .NET and some other features are not available on the cheapest plans.
For balance, they do support most MODERN scripting languages; they don't support some of the older languages. Producing your site and uploading to their servers is very easy, but even easier through programs like Expression Web, etc. They have PHP. MSQL. ASP.NET. etc. They do NOT support the full .NET language, but only the basic .NET commands. I didn't know this so I have one page of cascading menus that does not cascade (I have to fix that!)
Perhaps a problem for some people is the telephone number. They are in Canada and they do not have a toll-free help line. You can rack up some pretty expensive phone charges if you need to speak with them. They do have email, but the response time is what you typically expect from big business: not very quick.
It is so disappointing because a few years ago, when I joined, they were pretty good. I would have recommended them; now I cannot.
UPDATE: After no response, I contacted them again and they DID accept that there was a problem at their end; they made some change at their end and reported that the site was working fine again. It was. Until the next day, when it was not working again...but, after a few minutes, it was working again. Then it wasn't. What they said is that there is a server upgrade that will "solve this problem once and for all".
So, I do need to change the review. This time, they accepted responsibility, identified their problem, have some form of a solution in the works and I want to give an honest review. I will let you know how this goes.
Even so, a day without my website hurts my business.
You can judge their hosting for youself by trying to log onto my site through my "profile." If it works, they fixed the problem and all is good; if so, I will change my rating. If it doesn't work, well then, you know.
Recommended:
No
Platform used: Windows NT
Hosted on Secure Server: No
Database used: MSQL
Main focus of Web site: Customer service and retention
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Epinions.com ID:
drcns
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Location: San Francisco CA
Reviews written: 20
Trusted by: 6 members
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