Why Do Some Hosts Not Have Telephone Numbers?

Are they just avoiding support calls or they simply don't want to talk to people? I just don't see how to have a growing business and not have a telephone.

If you target the local market a telephone number is a must. If you do business on the Internet only - I don't see it as a must, if you offer enough other options for communication. Phone can be a cost factor - while you are on the phone with a customer you do not have a chance to do something else. You are tied up.

Chris

But even if a host does business primarily through the internet, there are still people who want to use the phone. Why limit the contact options?

I work in the UK, 60% of my client base is in the US.
I also like to avoid talking to people. Clients will only start taking advantage, phoning up for help with things that we do not support such as how to delete an email in Outlook... well its not our product go get help from Microsoft.... etc

Webhosts do have phone numbers of course. They just don't post them on their websites for obvious reasons. To find out their telephone number, type the name of their company in an online 1411 directory like getINFO.us at http://getinfo.us , and do a nationwide search by leaving the city and state field blank :-).

I do it all the time when I'm searching for a company that doesn't make their phone number readily available. BTW, that getInfo.us company meta-searches all the big boys like Yahoo, AnyWho, Worldpages, etc.

Some don't. Some do. Mine is very communicative and supportive on the e-mail end. They also have a phone number. On the rare occassions I needed to call they always answered the phone within three rings, in person. Further, they stayed on the line as long as it took to resolve the problem, or transferred with a personal handoff and explanation. This is why they continue to have my business.

Here are some reasons why they don't have telephone numbers listed:

1) Possible abuse and waste of resources as all ther clients are international
2) High maintanence cose of a tele-support center
3) eMail and forum support means cut down of cost.

Lastly one other important point.
THEY don't have a telephone. because there are may webhosting "companies" that are run by teenagers and they do this from their home with the server located at another location. They wouldn't want the customer to keep calling their house not would they

Not only do email support, web based ticket systems and IM support cut down on cost but they also allow for a much better problem tracking and reporting.

Doing strictly web based support opens up the option to not have to have your staff chained to a desk, it allows you to offer 24x7 support without needing someone physically sitting at the machine. Think about it, with the proliferation of wireless handhelds and such you could be out to dinner, get a support ticket and have it resolved before you entree arrives.

We tend to not do phone support mainly for the above reasons, however I will give out our phone number to existing clients who want an emergency contact because they have been burned previously by other hosts. Noone to date has ever used it because we reply to tickets and email within 15 minutes of them being submitted.

When i was a web hosting customer , i have phoned several big services for my problems and always get those answers:
Have you opened a ticket?
Whats your ticket number?
Ok our support will take it care...

ANY OF THE WEB HOSTING SERVICES COULD NOT SUPPORT FOR YOUR NEEDS ONLY DIRECT TO A TICKET OR REDIRECT TO YOUR TICKET... COULD YOU THINK THAT A WEB SERVICE THAT TELLS YOU HOW TO CREATE AN ACCOUNT FROM WHM FOR THE NEWBIES ? NO OFCOURSE ONLY WILL REDIRECT TO YOU FOR ITS FLASH TUTORIAL FOR THE BEST

So The phone support just make the service costs higher not any benefit except its impression of(800*** live support)

DUDE, FIND CAPS LOCK, PRESS IT Once. insert screwdriver. remove key from keyboard. discard key in trash.

Back to the subject:
A combination of the two is really ideal. Especially for sales. I needed to upgrade my service and it was nice to talk to someone on the phone to get reassurance of the transition. Meanwhile, I am a customer, this is my host:
URL

I will provide a transcript of my recent ticket. Names abbreviated, actual dialogue removed. Check the times:


Got that?

Yes i learned how is an excellent thread reply . lol thanks for the lessons