Reliable Web Host / Self Hosting

reliable web host

[joshuaip]

Hi I am having a problem with my current web host and my site being down for a minimum of 30 mins a day (during daytime hours)...at least that is all I notice...and I feel that is too much. Firstly I was wondering if this is typical and if it isnt typical what a more reliable host would be.

Additionally I was wondering what the costs of hosting your own site are and whether it would be worth it for me long run.

My site currently receives between 100-200hits/day.

Thanks,
Joshua

[txbakers]

The cost of hosting a site yourself is actually much more than it would cost if you found a reliable hosting company.

You would need your own server, first off, plus a reliable, high upload speed connection. Cable won't do it for serving web pages.

Then of course you need to learn how to do it, which will take considerable time.

Unless you *want* to learn how to do it (which is a great goal also), then I would find a better host.

If you search this site you'll find lots of discussions about reliable hosting.

[TomWaits]

From my limited experience, 30 mins/day is not typical. 30 mins/month is more like it. Dunno.

[MrDolphin]

30 minutes a month isnt even acceptable really.
A reliable provider will have the redundancy to be able
to keep downtime to maybe an hour or two a year, and that should be scheduled for offpeak hours.

If this is happening at peak times for your site
it can be devastating, as more often then not the user will never return.

My advice is to find a cheap but reliable provder that meets your needs. I could tell you a few to steer clear of
if you send me an stickymail.

My $0.02

The Water Mammal

[rogerd]

Joshuaip, welcome to WebmasterWorld. It's time to dump your current host! When looking for a new host, a few things to be cautious of:

1) Be wary of unverifiable claims of 99.999% uptime and similar.
2) Be wary of "host ranking" sites - many of these are thinly disguised advertising vehicles and the top rankings may be purchased. There may be some legit sites of this type, but be skeptical.
3) Watch out for hosts who claim "unlimited bandwidth" - they may lack good metering and controls. Even though your site is low volume, you don't want to be sharing a server with ten sites serving up streaming video.
4) Try to gauge the reputation of your host - it's better to avoid hosts who might deal with adult sites, spammers, etc.

[dwilson]

As a former network admin for a web hosting company, I have to agree that self-hosting is an expensive option. Don't think that LInux box in your closet is going to do the job just fine ... even if it's great as a development/test server.

I would recommend a company small enough that you actually know names of phone numbers of the key players -- somebody to whom you're not just one tiny drop in a great big bucket.

Have a good one in mind if you sticky me.

[mossimo]

Hate to be a name drop but all I can say is ALENTUS [alentus.com ]

I have several domains hosted thought them. Very fair pricing and massive support for ASP and tech support is the best I have ever seen. Many fortune 500 companies use them.
Wow sounds like a sales pitch, no I don't work for them.

[oilman]

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