Good tips Dan, some other things I think you should consider (pertaining to actual needs) when choosing are things like:
# of Email accounts allowed
# of Domains / Subdomains allowed
# of Databases offered

Also, what "reputable technology magazines" are we suppose to use for reviews?


On a side note, how does F1RM have 157 TP with only one post?????
Was it that good?

Originally Posted by jamestl2

Good tips Dan, some other things I think you should consider (pertaining to actual needs) when choosing are things like:
# of Email accounts allowed
# of Domains / Subdomains allowed
# of Databases offered

Yes of course - this is your actual needs. Some web hosts are quite expensive and do not offer that many features with their plans while others oversell a lot and offer things they couldn't actually keep to.

Originally Posted by jamestl2

Also, what "reputable technology magazines" are we suppose to use for reviews?

That's really up to you. The forums are international so I can't really mention a list of them. Here in the UK, I read a magazine called PC Advisor. Some magazines (particularly ones focusing on the web) do reviews of hosting companies occasionally so their advice should be considered too when making a choice.

Originally Posted by jamestl2

On a side note, how does F1RM have 157 TP with only one post?????
Was it that good?

I'm not quite sure how this member received this amount of TP. He hasn't been back for a while though so I don't really see it as a major concern.

Dan

I actually agree with you. Especially in the #1 tip. I've experienced it with such an unreliable hosting. The first time I saw the Site which offers Unlimited Bandwidth and Web space, I was so shocked and craved to get it! The second month of hosting, I was really shocked! My website was really a boom! Their server was destroyed with the reason of "high traffic" (Oh, I thought your offering unlimited things?). Too bad. It was really unreliable! Trust me! Anyway, good tip!

Unlimited offer is impossible. It's like just attracting newbies.

It was great help for me. Thanks.

thanks for the info.

Godaddy is good enough for me

Thats great post.
I was thinking if webmaster-talk can just give their recommended both Free and paid hosting for their users. Wouldn't it give a little ease for those are looking for one?
Just a thought

regards

I was thinking if webmaster-talk can just give their recommended both Free and paid hosting for their users. Wouldn't it give a little ease for those are looking for one?

1. It would make Webmaster-talk responsible for a service that it does not provide. Given that some hosts suddenly turn bad, things could easily backfire.

2. If we do this for hosting companies, the same could be done for web design, programming, SEO etc. We'd essentially be promoting an elitist system, which has some inherent drawbacks, and is particularly bad for a forum (IMO).

Originally Posted by ldcdc

1. It would make Webmaster-talk responsible for a service that it does not provide. Given that some hosts suddenly turn bad, things could easily backfire.

2. If we do this for hosting companies, the same could be done for web design, programming, SEO etc. We'd essentially be promoting an elitist system, which has some inherent drawbacks, and is particularly bad for a forum (IMO).

Agreed. I've got a thread that lists companies to avoid, but making one for companies to use would lead to all sorts of problems - some would say that self promotion could come into it - hence breaking the rules. Also, as ldcdc said, we'd be promoting a service that we cannot in any way control, plus people would start asking for similar reviews and articles in other forums.

For these reasons, it's best not to go there.

Dan

Thanks for these wonderful tips.

Great info, appreciate that!

Thanx for your guidelines, still there are instances when people are happy about their free hosts, I've read a lot about it at the forums where people search for free hosts like hostbidder.com.

Originally Posted by Jeyce

Thanx for your guidelines, still there are instances when people are happy about their free hosts, I've read a lot about it at the forums where people search for free hosts like hostbidder.com.

I agree that some free hosts can be alright. However, for the most part, paid hosting is the way to go for the serious business - free hosting shouldn't be relied upon for important websites. Free hosts come and go quite quickly because their business plans are often not long term. Paid hosts tend to stay in business for a much longer time because they are sustainable.

Dan

Nice tips, I recommend to anyone thinking about getting hosting for the first time.

Good post Whym.
I have falen foul of cheaper than cheap hosting (I didn't know any better unfortunatley, it was before I joined this forum) and now need to source my hosting elsewhere.

Originally Posted by jamestl2

Good tips Dan, some other things I think you should consider (pertaining to actual needs) when choosing are things like:
# of Email accounts allowed
# of Domains / Subdomains allowed
# of Databases offered

Ditto on that, plus don't forget some of the other important aspects like:

• Scripting languages installed (and, depending on the language, which modules)
• Database types and management
• SSL certificates
• Support for CRON
• CGI support
• FTP support (there are hosts out there that only allow you to upload 1 file at a time)
• Site Statistics
• Error reporting

I'm sure there are more, but that is just off the top of my head.

Thanks, this is helpful!
I'm definitely weary of any site that offers completely unlimited hosting. My dad has used Pronic solutions for about ten years now, they definitely are not the cheapest, but his site has never been down. I just looked at the last server reboot and it said like 360 days ago...

Nice one dan i been meaning to write a blog on this...

Also, BEWARE of buying your domains through the webhost, some are horrible at giving you your domain when you leave, and often lock the domain in so you are unable to transfer it or re-buy it after leaving.

I personally host my domains with 123-reg, but i am reconsidering this as my most recent client moved from their services and has moved everything over to me (YAY) because he was very disappointed with their service, and when i had access to his posting ob 123-reg i have to agree, AVOID THEM AT ALL COSTS for hostin, i personally prefer a hosting panel like cPanel, as the custom ones from like likes of 123-reg and 1and1 are at the very least fustrating.

I would ALWAYs encourage people to get a demo of the client systems and control panel before purchase, alot of hosts offer this, i myself prefer personal hosting, where i know who i am talking to (and i pride my self on this with my own business).

Always make sure your comfortable with it before paying, and also i would suggest not paying in large time blocks, all my outgoings are on a monthly basis so i am not in a position like i was with 1an1 (because i manage a Charity website which was on it) where i was forced to lose almost 6months worht of hosting (at 4.99gbp/month) because they dont provide a suitable server, they had no mysql databases and had hell getting the account changed from Windows to Linux to support PHP.

dan

Nice tips with a small objection :

Hostmonster has amazing service and an amazing hosting package. If there are any questions they will answer you live online within moments, plus they do offer an incredible deal at a low price. That is why it lists as one of the best hosting providers. I havn't had problems yet. Good tips.

I am a Hostmonster user before being an affiliate and it's really providing a reliable service I adore it and like to be using it for ever hope it keep this level of service I totally agree with highanddry the same here and the live chat wow it's perfect

Thanks for the edit whym :

OK so maybe hostmonster was a bad example for this but I've seen plenty of hosts offering similar amounts and I know it simply isn't profitable for hosts to actually give these quantities away - hence overselling