Choosing a small business host

How? Who? Where? Cost?

[kittimakai]

Hi

I have had my first proposal [webmasterworld.com] accepted! Hooray!

So I am raring to go! I have begun on the initial designs but in my proposal I stated I would find them affordable effective hosting:

Research and purchase web hosting for *company name* website. Requirements:
-Minimum 10MB server space
-Minimum 1GB bandwidth
-Minimum of 10 POP 3 E-mail addresses
-Site logs
-Supports server side scripting
-UK based with telephone support

So where can I find this? Does anybody have any recommendations? Is there anyone I should avoid? What sort of annual fee should I be looking to pay? Is there much you would add to the list? So many questions!

I feel like an excitable antelope taking it's first tentative steps into lion territory - So I am hoping not to get hit by the jaws of the beast too quickly (although I am sure that will arrive soon enough)(probably in the form of the tax men!)

Please feel free to contribute any advice no matter how insignificant you may think it is, I will not.

Thanks

Kitti

Shameless self promotion via sticky's accepted ;)

[Herath]

Infinology has a U$ 6.95 / month that gives 800MB/50GB.

We used them for couple of our sites and seems quite reliable.

[kittimakai]

Herath

Thank you for the quick reply - I will look into it - although I am hoping for a UK host so I can phone them if need be.

I was expecting people to make recommendations for sites but I didn't expect you to name them in the thread (sticky mail would be better). Are we allowed to do this anyway? It's like posting a link, and I want this thread to help not to hinder.

So I guess I will make it clearer - if you would like to make a specific recommendation of a host then please Sticky me. If you have advice then lets hear it :)

Thanks

Kitti

Added>> Sorry if that sounded harsh Herath - I just reread the post and I meant to be a bit more friendly :) It will be the first real site I have made alone so I am full of nervous anticipation.

[kittimakai]

Thanks for the advice of those who sticky'ed me.

I have found a host who looks like the real deal.

At £5 a month I think I can't really argue. They offer all I need and more. The demo of the admin interface sold it + they offer far more than most in the way of extras.

Thanks

Kitti

[limbo]

What sort of annual fee should I be looking to pay?

First more about you site - if you haven't already purchased the webspace. Is it likley you will be producing a site with more than 10, 100, 500, 1000 etc pages?

Will you eventually be looking to add database applications?ecommerce? PHP? ASP? JSP? Forum's? or will your site remain relatively static HTML?

I would look to invest in a host who will allow upgrades to the original package you purchase at low cost. Many charge a whopping fee to add more bandwidth or to support technology not originally configured in your package.

I feel like an excitable antelope taking it's first tentative steps into lion territory

I hear you on that one! I still feel like that - but that's the nature of the beast - but if you care to learn more then invest time here - WW will put the stabilisers on you first bike and catch you if you find out what the front brake does ;)

Good luck

Limbo

[petertdavis]

Hi,
Even though I'm USA based, I use a UK based host www.clook.net and have been extrememly pleased with them. They've been helpful to a fault. If you're going to be doing web development, you'll probably find it useful to have a "reseller" account. What that is, is like bulk hosting. You buy a set amount of resources and you can divide it up among as many sites as you wish, in whatever allotments you wish. A lot of developers do this because it gives them greater control over the accounts, you can make some residual profits on selling the hosting to your customers, and it consolidates everything (particularly the billing) under one account. If you go with Clook, tell Jim that Peter sent you. :)

[kittimakai]

WW will put the stabilisers on you first bike and catch you if you find out what the front brake does

LOL!

reassuring to know!

The site will be a basic HTML and CSS website. Which I guess makes it static. I can't see it getting larger than 20 pages.

Thanks for the advice

KITTI

------------------

Added: Haven't bought the space yet - want to be sure I am getting the best possible service.

[kittimakai]

Peter

You buy a set amount of resources and you can divide it up among as many sites as you wish,

Perfect!

I never knew that. I thought I had all my bases covered - If I use one of these will I be able to balance the webspace between websites? or is it a fixed number of megabytes per website? I am an expert at balancing money between my credit card, bank account's and building society so I should find a tool like that a piece of cake, and very handy!

Thank you

Kitti

[kittimakai]

Does everybody get this excited by develping websites - or is just just me?

[bsterz]

I absolutely love ev1servers. They used to be called rackshack. I have three servers with them and have never had any reason to complain. You pay like a hundred bucks a month and get an entire box to work with. It's not a stellar box (but they are available), but it's more than enough for lots of basic sites. One of the boxen I rent has a couple dozen sites on it and each site does a LOT of mysql stuff and the box gets a few million hits a month and the box runs at about 15% utilization.

Bill

[robert adams]

You seem to be new at this, I would stay away from dedicated servers for now. do a search for reseller web hosting and pick one that gives you what you think you will need.

congrats on your sale,
robert

[kittimakai]

You seem to be new at this

Yep

Never done anything like this by myself - just had a hand in other projects.

I have selected what looks to be an excellent host for the site. It is a 'bronze' package and has all the features i need. My clients are to pay them direct and the tranfer of domain is free too.

I am still browsing for my own reseller account - I need an affordable one but it would be superb if I could factor in hosting costs to my original plan so I do not seem like the the one in the middle. then I could shuffle new jobs on the reseller account without incurring new monthly costs.

Kitti

[robert adams]

I think you are doing the right thing. Now that you have your initial client taken care of, you can spend the time to find just the right reseller plan for you.

luck and joy,
robert

[nihanshe]

Hi i have found this company very reliable i have 12 sites with this company supanames.co.uk
for a .co.uk value host package £33.00 inc vat
35 megs
no telephone support but their response to e-mails are quick
there is different packages to suit you needs im sure.
nihanshe