What is Support channels?

Support channels are the routes a customer can use to get help, such as email, a telephone line, a self-service help centre or a community forum. The set a provider offers shapes how fast a question gets answered and whether it is answered at all. 360 Total Security (Qihoo 360) lists a help centre only, while 21Vianet offers email and phone. 1Password and 2FAS both pair email with a help centre and a community, and 12VPN offers email and a community. Providers with a help centre and a community give you written answers you can search later, while a phone line suits urgent account problems. Check the channels before you pay, because a product with no live route can stall a renewal.