Computers, Gadgets & Tech
The Ultimate Guide to Choosing a Reliable Web Hosting Service
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Learn the Secrets of How to Determine Which Hosts Will Best Meet Your Website's Needs
Choosing the right host for your website can be a painful experience. In the past, I would go and choose the cheapest option available. This resulted in me using various hosts that had terrible down-time or made my sites run S-L-O-W-L-Y. I got sick of having to continuously move my sites around, and finally decided to actually invest some time into finding trustworthy hosts that I could run my sites on a permanent basis.
So, I spent weeks doing research to find the right host to run my websites, and I've decided to go ahead and share what I learned. I've also included a few links to free tools that I think you will find useful in researching prospective hosts. This page will help you to find the right web host for your website or blog.
What You'll Find on this Page
- Popular Types of Hosting Options Available
- Determining the Type of Hosting You Need
- 5 Factors to Review When Choosing a Web Host
- My Personal Experiences with a Few Hosts
- Tool #1: Secret to Finding Out What Hosts Your Favorite Websites Use
- Tool #2: Find Out How Many Websites are on the Same Server
- Tool #3: Monitor Your Site to See How Long it is Down
- Recommendations for Purchasing Affordable Domain Names and Analytics
- Who Do You Think is the Best Host?
Popular Types of Hosting Options Available
Shared web hosting service: your web site is placed on the same server as many other sites. Typically, all domains may share a common pool of server resources, such as RAM and the CPU. This is very cost-effective and most sites are hosted on shared servers. I recommend Bluehost or ASmallOrange
Dedicated hosting service: the user gets his or her own Web server and gains full control over it (root access for Linux/administrator access for Windows); however, the user typically does not own the server. Another type of Dedicated hosting is Self-Managed or Unmanaged. This is usually the least expensive for Dedicated plans. The user has full administrative access to the box, which means the client is responsible for the security and maintenance of his own dedicated box.
Virtual Dedicated Server: slicing up a server into virtual servers. each user feels like they're on their own dedicated server, but they're actually sharing a server with many other users. The users may have root access to their own virtual space. I recommend ASmallOrange or Mediatemple
Dedicated hosting service: the user gets his or her own Web server and gains full control over it (root access for Linux/administrator access for Windows); however, the user typically does not own the server. Another type of Dedicated hosting is Self-Managed or Unmanaged. This is usually the least expensive for Dedicated plans. The user has full administrative access to the box, which means the client is responsible for the security and maintenance of his own dedicated box.
Virtual Dedicated Server: slicing up a server into virtual servers. each user feels like they're on their own dedicated server, but they're actually sharing a server with many other users. The users may have root access to their own virtual space. I recommend ASmallOrange or Mediatemple
Determining the Type of Hosting You Need
When you are just starting a new web site, it is usually a safe best to store your site on a shared server with a hosting company that you find reliable. Placing your site on a shared server will cost you anywhere from 5 to 20 dollars a month, which is a very affordable option compared to paying upwards of $100 a month for a dedicated server. Remember, you can always upgrade later if you suddenly begin experiencing a spike in traffic, and feel that you have outgrown your memory space and bandwidth.
Here are a more factors to consider:
What do you plans for your website?
Will it just be a basic site, a blog or a full-blown portal with discussion forums? The more complicated and resource-draining your site becomes, the more space you are going to need.
How much traffic do you expect to get at your site? -Be realistic here. Most small-to medium scale sites will do sit just dandy on a shared server (with a host like Bluehost or ASmallOrange).
If you want to run discussion boards or expect to get super high traffic counts running through your site, I strongly suggest that you consider dedicated or virtual dedicated server options (ASmallOrange or Mediatemple can manage your needs).
Here are a more factors to consider:
What do you plans for your website?
Will it just be a basic site, a blog or a full-blown portal with discussion forums? The more complicated and resource-draining your site becomes, the more space you are going to need.
How much traffic do you expect to get at your site? -Be realistic here. Most small-to medium scale sites will do sit just dandy on a shared server (with a host like Bluehost or ASmallOrange).
If you want to run discussion boards or expect to get super high traffic counts running through your site, I strongly suggest that you consider dedicated or virtual dedicated server options (ASmallOrange or Mediatemple can manage your needs).
Factors to Review When Choosing a Web Host
Here are 5 factors that you should research before choosing a host.
1. Reliability - There is no such thing as 100% uptime, but you should definitely go with a host you can depend on. I also suggest that you shy away from any bundled web hosting plans provided by telephone or cable companies. You want to work with web hosts where hosting is the core business, that way you are much more likely to work with highly trained experts.
2. Technical Support - Nowadays, EVERYONE in the hosting business claims to have tech support available 24/7. Find out if this will cost you extra, and how this is available. You will find that most of this support is only available online, so if you HAVE to talk to someone over the phone, be sure that they provide phone tech support as an option.
3. Company Stability - How long has the company been in business? You should try and find out how long your potential web host has been around. Ya definitely don't want to wake up one morning and find out that your host has pulled the plug on thier business. Get with a company that has been around for awhile.
4. Price/Features - Lots of hosts will promise you the stars and the moon for only a few dollars each month. Most of these hosts are over-selling and will drop your site once your traffic count gets too high. Be sure to read reviews on the hosts you are seriously interested in to find out how satisfied past customers have been with your potential host.
5. Domain Ownership - Make sure that you get to keep your domain in case you must cancel your account or transfer to a new host.
1. Reliability - There is no such thing as 100% uptime, but you should definitely go with a host you can depend on. I also suggest that you shy away from any bundled web hosting plans provided by telephone or cable companies. You want to work with web hosts where hosting is the core business, that way you are much more likely to work with highly trained experts.
2. Technical Support - Nowadays, EVERYONE in the hosting business claims to have tech support available 24/7. Find out if this will cost you extra, and how this is available. You will find that most of this support is only available online, so if you HAVE to talk to someone over the phone, be sure that they provide phone tech support as an option.
3. Company Stability - How long has the company been in business? You should try and find out how long your potential web host has been around. Ya definitely don't want to wake up one morning and find out that your host has pulled the plug on thier business. Get with a company that has been around for awhile.
4. Price/Features - Lots of hosts will promise you the stars and the moon for only a few dollars each month. Most of these hosts are over-selling and will drop your site once your traffic count gets too high. Be sure to read reviews on the hosts you are seriously interested in to find out how satisfied past customers have been with your potential host.
5. Domain Ownership - Make sure that you get to keep your domain in case you must cancel your account or transfer to a new host.
My Personal Experiences with a Few Web Hosts
- Bluehost Review (Positive Experience)
- I initially tried Bluehost, because it was one of the hosts listed by Wordpress as a preferred hosting provider. After doing research, I also found that Bluehost was listed at the top of many hosting review sites. I decided to give them a try, and overall, I've had really positive experience with them.
Whenever I've had a question, I just visit their homepage and click the "Live Chat" button on the left-hand corner and instantly get a live person on the other end (even for any technical questions I've had). The coolest thing is that after our conversations, I have the option of getting a transcript of our chat emailed to me! I love having this kind of "proof" should anything go wrong in the future, and I especially enjoy not having waste my cell phone minutes waiting on the phone to talk to someone! You do have to pay them upfront, but they've got a 30 day money back guarantee. All in all, they are pretty affordable and have been around for a while, so give them a look.
Visit Bluehost now. - ASmallOrange Review (Positive Experience)
- I also use ASmallOrange for some of my hosting needs. I tried them because I had heard soooo many good things about their customer service. They have a really affordable "tiny" plan ($25 to host your small site for a year). They also have a "live chat" feature, but it's still in a test mode and there isn't always a support person available. Although, I will say that once you are a customer, you can put in a support ticket, and they will respond with lightening speed (even at 2 in the morning). These folks really do have stellar customer service and have a pretty solid discussion board forum that you can check out if you have any questions.
The main reason I also host some of my sites on ASmallOrange is because they offer a great variety of hosting packages, and you can start off with a "Tiny" plan and have them upgrade your hosting package as your site grows in traffic. - GoDaddy Review (Negative Experience)
- I used GoDaddy during my first experience with building a site. I will admit that I used one of the very cheap shared hosting plans that they offer. My experience was that the site was very S-L-O-W! So disgustingly slow, that I had to switch immediately. I will admit that I still use GoDaddy to register my domain names.
*If anyone has a positive experience using GoDaddy to run your website, please leave your review in my guestbook below.
Free Tool #1: Secret to Finding Out What Hosts Your Favorite Websites Use
One of the best ways to find out which host you should use is to visit websites that are similar to your website and find out who they use. You can do this by following the below steps:
1. Make a quick list of the websites you like.
2. Copy and paste the URL's (of websites that are similar to the type of website you'd like to build) into a notepad file.
3. Visit WhoIsHostingThis, and type or paste the URL of your preferred site into the form located in the middle of the page.
That's it, and now you can easily compare what hosts are preferred among similar websites.
1. Make a quick list of the websites you like.
2. Copy and paste the URL's (of websites that are similar to the type of website you'd like to build) into a notepad file.
3. Visit WhoIsHostingThis, and type or paste the URL of your preferred site into the form located in the middle of the page.
That's it, and now you can easily compare what hosts are preferred among similar websites.
Free Tool #2: Find Out How Many Websites are on the Same Server
This is a nifty tool if you plan on using Shared Hosting
Shared hosting means that you will be placed on the same server with other websites. Some hosts are pretty greedy and will stuff several hundreds of sites on one server. Go ahead and give this tool a try if you want to get an idea of how many sites your potential hosts on one server.
Free Tool #3: Monitor Your Site's Downtime
Once you've got your site up and running, you can sign up for this simple service to get notifications whenever your site experiences downtime.
Free website monitoring tool:
-Get an email when your site goes down
-Get an email when it goes back up
-Read statuses via RSS or Yahoo widget
-No unreasonable limit on the number of websites monitored
Visit Monstastic and sign up now.
Free website monitoring tool:
-Get an email when your site goes down
-Get an email when it goes back up
-Read statuses via RSS or Yahoo widget
-No unreasonable limit on the number of websites monitored
Visit Monstastic and sign up now.
Who Do You Think is the Best Host?
Rank the hosts below or add your own recommendation.
A Small Orange
**Promotional offer: Buy a year, get 2 months free more...0 points
(mt) Media Temple
0 points
Recommendations for Purchasing Affordable Domain Names and Analytics
- GoDaddy
- I buy 99% of my domains from GoDaddy. There is always a coupon floating around. You can also get private registration for free when you register or transfer 5 or more domains! **I sometimes buy 1.99 .info domains as filler to get the free private registration. Visit www.GoDaddy.com
- Free Analytics from Google
- I love the free website analytics tool from Google. This is a great service that you can use to track how many people are visiting your site, what keywords are bringing them in, and what content they look at the most.
- Mint Site Analytics
- Mint site analytics is a very affordable option for those who don't feel comfortable using Google's externally hosted analytics. This software only costs $30 per site and is super easy to navigate.
- CrazyEgg
- Fantastic analytics software that creates a "heat map" to show you where people are clicking the most. They've also added a new feature called "Confetti" that allows you to see where each visitor clicked on your site and how they found your site. You can try their services for free on up to 5,000 clicks a month (on 4 pages at a time).
What Host Do You Recommend?
If you enjoyed our lens or have a host recommendation, please take a few minutes to leave a note.
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site-builder
Excellent job on your lens. Good information and I will definitely consider the hosting companies you recommend. 5 stars for you... Posted September 30, 2007 |
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trueprosperity
Great informatin. 5 Stars Posted September 07, 2007 |
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- Determining the Type of Hosting You Need
- Factors to Review When Choosing a Web Host
- My Personal Experiences with a Few Web Hosts
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