I think I am in over my head

[mamainmichigan]

I have started a website recently and it is really taking off. It is basically an information site but it also contains message boards which are eating up my bandwith. The site is growing really fast. Much faster than I had anticipated. I think I will be needing to get a server within the next few months. I am a little panicked now because I am still an ameteur. Could someone please explain how dedicated servers work? I have been reading this forum for a while but scared to post because you all know a lot more than I do. My partner was helping me with the site but she has had to quit because of personal reasons and now I am all on my own and I am a little stressed out. Any help would be appreciated.

[mack]

Hi mamainmichigan and welcome to Webmasterworld.

I think the first think you need to do is calm down :)

When you say you are going to need a server within the next few months.. has your host contacted you regarding your bandwidth usage or will this be through personal choice?

Generaly there is a hosting solution for any requirements, you just need to shop around for the deal thats best for you.

Is the problem bandwidth or is disk space also becoming a problem.

Mack.

[cyberfyber]

mamainmichigan,

I hear ya'.

I once felt just as you do...without a clue as to how I'd handle both the bandwidth and the space needed.

I'm now on my 4th host (semi-dedicated) over the span of 3 years? and am quite happy where I'm at right now.

'and just as mack says. There's something out there for everybody. You just need to shop around.

Sticky me if you like and I'll give you a coupla' places to look at.

[woop01]

I was in your shoes two years ago. Get ready for numerous sleepless nights and a TON of anxiety.

[edit_g]

Welcome to WebmasterWorld mamainmichigan!

My advice is pretty simple. Stop. Take one step back and evaluate what you want. Do you want to have a popular personal website? It means sleepless nights, always struggling and always learning. If you do you may be able to look forward to financial rewards and the kudos that comes from having something you built from scratch being so popular. :)

[mack]

anxiety is all in your head :)

Try not to loose to many nights sleep over it. You just need to think about these thing logicaly.

Bandwidth and disk space have come down a lot in price. It may even be more cost effective on your part to pay for an upgrade as opposed to going for a full dedicated server.

Mack.

[flamesrock]

wow, I wish I were in your shoes :) If it makes you feel any better, I have way too much bandwith and not enough traffic :(

What I recommend doing is biting the bullet for now. Upgrade your plan as much as you need to, even if it costs you a little bit (getting traffic can be hard! don't throw your good fortune away.)

Learn how to use SSH and buy a dedicated server at someplace like ev1servers.net .

At the same time, spend as many hours as you can learning linux, I recommend either slackware or debian (I use slackware myself,) and experiment with administrating a server from home. There are many excellent books on this at the library and its a lot of fun.

Learn as much from this experience as you possibly can. Its a great opportunity.

[flamesrock]

another thing - hostony.com is an excellent value for what you get. I use them and they're extremely helpful with newbies, even going out of their way to install things for you. Their dedicated servers may sound expensive, but what you get is top notch support and you don't even need to learn very much.

If you can, use advertisements, ie google.com/adsense to offset hosting costs.

[woop01]

The sleepless nights thing was in reference to managing your own dedicated server after being colo. It's a pretty steep learning cuve.

[mamainmichigan]

Thanks so much for your help. I have contacted my web hosting company and they have reseller packages I can move up to. So that should buy me enough time to start sorting this out. I am feeling a lot better. I really love this site. I read it all the time. I just get a little intimidated posting here. Thanks so much for all the support. I am doing the google adsense now. I don't know how much it will help but it can't hurt. Plus some affiliate programs and stuff. I am learning as I go. Thanks again.

Patty

[wavebird23]

This may not help with your dedicated server question, but if your message boards are eating a lot of space away on your website, try a remotely hosted forum. Below, you'll find a page with a large list of them:
snipped

Good luck with your site :)

[edited by: mack at 3:51 am (utc) on May 14, 2004]
[edit reason] removed specifics [/edit]

[DaveLite]

I use a host that offers unlimited bandwidth, unlimited POP3 accounts, and offers 500Meg of space for one low price. There are many options out there.

Running a dedicated server is expensive and time consuming. This would take time away from your website.

Good Luck

and email me if you wish