Ok so we finally figured out the whole website template thing and now we need a hosting co.
Who do you use?
How much space do you get?
Are you on a shared server or dedicated server?
We want clients to get to our site quickly when they type in our address. I know that depends on internet connection a great deal but what is the best bang for our buck?
I've been using an account on a shared-server at eBoundhost.com for just over a year now, and I am very happy. Their prices are quite competitive, but their customer support is absolutely outstanding. For example, I neglected to apply a security patch to one of my PHP applications, and someone began exploiting an opening. Most hosting companies would just inactivate the entire account when they detect something like that, but the eBoundhost folks identified which application it was and disabled only what was necessary. You won't get that treatment from GoDaddy (although I have a number of friends who are very happily hosted there).
Unless you expect huge traffic (100,000s of visitors per day), a shared host is the most cost-effective way to get a custom web-presence. Dedicated servers or virtual private servers (VPS) tend to run in the $25-$100/month range, while shared-hosting is $5-$10/mo.
I think I have a disk limit of 200Gb, and 25Gb of network bandwidth per month for something like $8 (those are fairly typical values for shared hosting plans).
P.S. whatever you do, avoid a company called Fuitadnet. I was hosted there for a few years and they are perhaps the worst hosting company in the world (and don't take my word for it, check any of the hosting review sites).
gindhart wrote:
lunarpages.com Large bandwidth & storage and about $7 a month.
Basic Hosting Plan $6.95 per month! 1,500 GB Storage, 15,000 GB Bandwidth, Free Domain Name for Life!
Yes. I've been using them 3-4 years, never had a problem, they are always quick with customer service, and unbelievable storage/bandwidth, always keeps increasing. I pay $110.35 per year for everything.
Godaddy has been priceless with their support. IMHO.
There are places where you may get a website and their hosting might be fine, but their customer service is trash and you may never get a reply no matter how hard you try or how many weeks you wait. You have to ask yourself if you're willing to waste 1-3 weeks waiting for someone to get back to you or would you rather be able to call an actual phone number and speak to a human being. Some places just tend to act as if they are doing their customers a favor when in fact it's the opposite.
With Godaddy, I call and I'm connected within 30 seconds with someone who can answer any question I have.
tcamper made a good suggestion. It's more then what you need but a good deal for what you do get. Just keep in mind it's only 50% off the first three months and a 12 month contract is required. "Domains have a 12 month minimum registration period. All other packages require a 12 month contract term."
Make sure you get Linux and not Microsoft Hosting.
DRebelGirl wrote:
What is linux? Why not microsoft?
You might get some arguments but Linux tends to be a more stable platform for shared web-hosting - it's almost always cheaper for hosting since most Linux distributions are cheap (some free) compared to windows. It's just a different operating system to windows... like the mac is different from windows.
I use SiteGround and they are pretty good. 750Gb of storage (short measure... 1000^3bytes) with lotsa installs for joomba, photo galleries, PHP & MySQL e.t.c. e.t.c. Costs around $6/mth depending on how long you sign up.
but Linux tends to be a more stable platform for shared web-hosting - it's almost always cheaper for hosting since most Linux distributions are cheap (some free) compared to windows. It's just a different operating system to windows... like the mac is different from windows.