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Looking for some advice on web hosts

my server's hd just failed

         

roldar

5:07 am on Feb 28, 2005 (gmt 0)

10+ Year Member



Right when I thought my website was going to get indexed by google, I get an email from my host telling me the HD on the server failed and it will probably be several days before a 2-week old backup will be operational. So basically I guess I learned why it was only $8/month to host with these jokers.

I started working only part time in order to put more effort into my site, but this is a very disheartening thing in a long string of unforunate recent events. Does anybody else sometimes fantasize about just walking away from their computer and never using it again?

Can somebody who has had luck with their webhost for at least a couple years send me a sticky? I would prefer a VPS. I need apache, PHP, mySQL, shell access, a couple gigs of disk space, 40+ GB transfer, and, most importantly, competent and attentive people staffing the place. Willing to spend up to $40/month if it's worth every penny and more.

All the "hosting review" sites are full of self-promoters or are ranked in order of the affiliate commission paid... and given that I don't have any friends in this line of work I really have nothing to point me in the right direction.

My thoughts currently are to switch to godaddy's hosting. They seem to do a good job with domains, but I've heard some negative things about the tech support. Also, their terms of use say something about only being able to use gifs that have been certified or were created by a certified program (huh?). And I'm not sure what if any security concerns there are with older versions of PHP... I think they run 4.2.2.

I still have one site hosted by the same company which hosts WW (not the one I'm having problems with), and was extremely pleased with the support; but for whatever reason my tiny pure html pages take an unusually long time to load.

I just got dsl so I can more accurately gauge the numbers.. my site with ww's host pings ~ 75 ms on average over 30 pings, while ww itself pings at ~40 ms - assuming this is because it's on its on dedicated server? The site I just had go down pings at ~ 50 ms.

kirash

8:14 am on Feb 28, 2005 (gmt 0)

10+ Year Member



How many gigs of space are you looking at.
If more than 10gb i would recommend your own server otherwise the costs would go higher

roldar

8:34 am on Feb 28, 2005 (gmt 0)

10+ Year Member



I don't need too much disk space; I could probably get by with less than 1 gb, but 2 gb would be nice.

The bandwidth/transfer is of more importance.. I'm sure I'll never need more than a few gb, but I always fear running over my limit and getting slammed with high per/gb charges.

My current host gives me 2 gb space and 20 gb transfer. I'd prefer a little more transfer, but all in all it would have been a good value if my site didn't go down as often as it does.

monkeythumpa

5:55 pm on Feb 28, 2005 (gmt 0)

10+ Year Member



I get 120 GB a month, for $19.95 on a stable server. I love my host.

kazecoder

7:24 pm on Feb 28, 2005 (gmt 0)

10+ Year Member



I only pay $5/month for hosting and I have never had a problem. I have 3 domains with the same host all for a few years now. I don't thinks it the amount of $ you pay a month but rather the "jokers" that run the place.

I will sticky you the host.

sirkei

12:53 am on Mar 3, 2005 (gmt 0)

10+ Year Member



Please sticky me some good host too. Besides, anyone knows of where to find good hosts to host adult entertainement like casino and adult toys or stores? Some of them disallowed adult contents. One of my website is adult based and it is working freaking slow. Thinking of changing host. Please sticky me. THanks in advance.

PatrickDeese

1:04 am on Mar 3, 2005 (gmt 0)

WebmasterWorld Senior Member 10+ Year Member



My secret steps for looking for a host:

1) do not use any host that is being heavily promoted via adwords - most of the hosting companies with high paying affiliate programs give high payouts by scrimping on staff, service and quality. imho

2) do not use any of the hosting recommendation sites, as most of these sites are shills for hosts with affiliate programs

I usually look at the serps and see who people in my general niche are using.

I also rely on personal recommendations from people that I know and trust.

sirkei

2:17 pm on Mar 3, 2005 (gmt 0)

10+ Year Member



I usually look at the serps and see who people in my general niche are using.

How do u know your competitors webhost? Do u check their i.p status? Does it list the server of the webhost?

monkeythumpa

5:16 pm on Mar 3, 2005 (gmt 0)

10+ Year Member



The name server usually gives it away.