The Geek Certified 10
This list is our most basic guide to ensuring your next host will ensure your satisfaction.

1. Look for solid contact information - Make sure you always have up to date and "solid" contact information from a webhost. A valid (never be afraid to check) phone number is usually best, but also look for a physical street address, IM handle, etc.
2. Find out where the host will keep your data - Its a good feeling to know where your website is being hosted. Ask which data center your host is located in, who they resell through, (if applicable) and who the network providers are. In the event your website were to go down, you might be able to do some research on your own if you are armed with such information.
3. Check reviews - Google is your friend. Keep tabs on what people are saying about your host in message boards. Even quality hosts may have a disgruntled customer occasionally -- its just part of the business -- but make sure there are no patterns of customer dissatisfaction.
4. Speak to the host before you buy - The best option is to call your host on the telephone, but in some cases it isn't an option. IM, Live Chat, etc. are other options to communicating with your host. Ensure you and the host are on the same page with billing, account features, etc.
5. Read the AUP/TOS - Many people seem to think its legal nonsense, but most hosts use an easy to understand form of writing in their TOS/AUP. Read and understand exactly what your rights are as a customer and what powers the webhost reserves for themselves. Printing out the copy of the TOS/AUP is not a bad idea.
6. Run an internal "professionalism" check - Look through your host's website. Does it look professional? Are spelling errors rampant? Do links work? Are images done in MSPaint? Go with your gut feeling -- if the host lacks professionalism in its appearance, they may lack professionalism in customer support as well.
7. Find out how long the host has been around - Although all hosts were new at one time, its not uncommon to find a higher rate of problems with new hosts, largely because they lack experience. WHOIS your webhost's domain name, and try to decipher when your host was launched. If they're less than 6 months old, it might be a sign that this isn't the host you want to go with.
8. Review Certifications - Many organizations, including this one, issue certifications for hosts based on certain criteria. These can yield a wealth of information about your next host and may influence your decision.
9. Run your own response time check - We do it all the time at Geek Certified, and you can too! Send an email into your webhost, and measure the response time. If you are satisfied, its another thing you can add to the 'pro' column.
10. Ask for names and contact information of two or three other customers - Talk with other customers of the webhost. Get the pro's and con's from them.