(by 8 people)
How to choose the best web host for photographers
(yeah, yeah, yeah... just show me the hosting companies you recommend.)
Being a photographer and needing a website often go hand in hand. Whether you want a website to share your pics with your friends or your need a place to display your professional portfolio, you're going to need a hosting service. Not the most fun part of your online adventure, but a bridge you must cross none-the-less. This lens is designed to help you save time and compare some of the top hosting comapnies all in one spot.
Criteria for a good photographers web host
Now every photographer will need something a little different from their web hosting company, but there are three things are all photographers will need to consider, namely (we'll look at these more in depth below):1. Space - Photos take up space. So, number one thing to look for is the amount of space your potential web host is offering.
2. Bandwidth - Again, photos can be big. So, the more bandwidth you're allowed to use the better.
3. Price - Lets face it... all things being equal, you'd rather pay less.
This lens is designed to help you check out several of the leading web hosting providers and compare on some of the most important factors of a photographer like yourself. Now you don't have to search the web for hours looking for the right host for your new photo website. Everything is right here. Just review the information, select the one that looks best for you, click the banner and get started on your way to unleashing your photography to the world.
Space needed for hosting a photographers web site
In web hosting "space" is defined as the amount of hard drive memory that the company will allow your website and all its assets (text, pictures, code, programs, videos, ect) to take up.This is a lot like the hard drive on your computer. When you buy a computer it comes with a hard drive. Once you fill up your hard drive with information (programs, files, pics, etc) then you can not add anything else to it.
Web hosting companies work in the same way with one major difference. Since they have an almost endless amount of storage space, if you go over your alloted space you will most likely just get slapped with a charge from the company. So, it is always best to overshoot a little when looking for space needs.
So, how much space do you need?
Well, that depends on how many pictures you'll be hosting on your site. If you are a professional photographer hosting thousands of pictures... I'd just be safe and go with an unlimited package (it isn't that much more expensive). If I'm just an armature or I'm hosting my pictures on another site like, smugmug or flickr, then a smaller hosting package will be more than sufficient.
How much bandwith do I need?
uh... what is bandwidth?
Bandwidth is the amount of data you transfer to and from your web host's server.Every time someone loads your website, the hosting company is sending packets of information to and from the server. The more pictures you have and the bigger they are, the more bandwidth you are using.
So, again, if you are a professional with lots of photos, or an amateur who will be getting a lot of traffic to your site, it is better to go with a package that gives you room to grow.
Here again, going with a package that offers unlimited bandwidth is always the safest bet. But most average sites will not have to worry about bandwidth too much.
What should I expect to pay for hosting my photography web site?
Yes, you're going to have to pay
Well, thankfully there is a LOT of competition out there in the web hosting market and, for the most part, everyone seems to offer very similar packages.That said, you should plan on spending somewhere between $50 and $150 a year for hosting your photography website.
I've tried to highlight some of the goodies that each hosting company offers that sets them apart from their competition and why they might be more or less that the others.
Now the Search for a Photography Web Host Begins
lets go shopping...
Ok, below I have listed 8 web hosting companies that will meet the needs of a photographer looking for web hosting. I've listed the space they offer, the bandwidth limits, and the price. Along with that I have listed some of the goodies they offer that set them apart from the others. If you find one you like, just click the banner ad and it will take you to the companies website... and you're on your own from there.Good luck. Here we go:
Good Avacado
DISCOUNT CODE!
Bandwidth: 1,000 GB
Price: $14.95 per month
Special: 100% carbon-neutral, powered by wind and solar offsets, tree planting initiative, supporting non-profits, committed to sustainable growth
Other Goodies: Unlimited databases, host unlimited websites, unlimited mailboxes, PHP, Ruby on Rails, 100% uptime guarantee
Verdict: A powerful green solution!
Sign Up Now To Save $15 Off Any Of The Hosting Plans. Coupon Code:GAA931WU
JumpLaunch
Bandwidth: 6,000 GB
Price: $5.95 per month
Other Goodies Include: FREE Domain, FREE Setup, Web Statistics, Cpanel - Control Panel, E-commerce Enabled, $30 google ads Credit, $50 yahoo Credit
Verdict: Great hosting provider with everything you'll need!"
Best Web Hosting Plan! 600 GB Space, 6,000 GB Bandwidth - only $5.95/mo!
ThinkHost
COUPON CODE!
Bandwidth: 6,000 GB
Price: $9.95 per month (SAVE 20% with the code THINKHOST20)
Special: ThinkHost is a green web hosting company and is powered by wind and sun... pretty cool!
Other Goodies Include: Host unlimited databases, unlimited domains, unlimited email accounts, free shopping cart, free CMS software, free blog software
Verdict: Want to go green and get great hosting, ThinkHost
Dotster
COUPON CODE!
Bandwidth: 250 GB to 2,000 GB
Price: $5.25 to $22.95
Other Goodies Include: With so many packages, it is hard to put all the goodies here.
Verdict: Dotster has a great reputation in the hosting industry and is a sold choice.
COUPON CODES:
- Buy one years web hosting and get six months free!
The Code: SixMonths
- Buy two years web hosting and get one year free!
The Code: 1YearFree
5 Free Domains At Dotster With Any Hosting Package! Enter Coupon Code "5FORFREE"
Host Monster
Bandwidth: 6,000 GB
Price: $6.95 per month
Other Goodies Include: Free Domain Name, host unlimited domains, site builder, unlimited email accounts (pop3 and IMAP), 100 MySQL Databases, and many other hosting goodies.
Verdict: A solid solution for hosting a photography website.
Start Logic
Bandwidth: 6,000 GB
Price: $5.95 per month
Other Goodies Include: Free Domain Name, 30 Day Money Back Guarantee, web templates, unlimited email accounts, 25 MySQL Databases, and many other hosting goodies.
Verdict: Some limitations (compared to others) but the 30 Day Money Back Guarantee is nice. A good option for the nervous at heart.
I Power
Bandwidth: 250 GB / 6,000 GB / UNLIMITED
Price: $3.95 / $4.95 / $12.95
Other Goodies Include: Each package is a little bit different. The $3.95 packages isn't that great, but the other two are wonderful. Lots of options and goodies. Very sweet!
Verdict: Great packages and GREAT PRICES. A really great option. Highly recommended.
iPower - The Leader in Web Hosting
Blue Host
Bandwidth: 6,000 GB
Price: $6.95 per month
Other Goodies Include: Free domain forever, site builder, 24/7 support, 50 MySQL databases, Host unlimited domains
Verdict: Good offer, nothing special there. What makes them stand out is service. I can vouch that their customer service is really responsive and helpful. Always a positive.
Fat Cow
Bandwidth: 3,000 GB
Price: $88 per year
Other Goodies Include: Site creation tools, unlimited email accounts, 30 day money back guarantee, E-store builder
Verdict: With slightly higher price, slightly lower goodies... I'll be honest... The duck got them on the site... that, and the ability to carry a theme as far as one can.
Host Gator
Bandwidth: 3,000 GB / 6,000 GB / UNLIMITED
Price: $4.95 / $7.95 / $12.95
Other Goodies Include: Each package is a little bit different and each one is a pretty good deal. Check out the site and compare for yourself, but all looks good.
Verdict: Options to choose from and good offers on all of them... worth looking into further.
Easy CGI
Bandwidth: 3,500 GB / 5,000 GB / 750 GB
Price: $7.96 / $15.96 / $21.56
Other Goodies Include: Unlike other mult-level host offers, Easy CGI gives you almost the same exact goodies on each package (how nice). Money back guarantee and 24/7 phone support are always nice!
Verdict: A little more pricey than others, but as the saying goes, "you get what you pay for."
hostIcan
Space: 200 GB / 500 GBBandwidth: 2,500 GB / UNLIMITED
Price: $6.95 / $10.95 per month
Other Goodies Include: Free domain for life, unlimited email, fantastico, website templates, and many other goodies.
Verdict: I use hostIcan for some of my sites (including this one) and have been very pleased. A good solid choice.
Photography and Hosting Links
Photographers Web Hosting
Information to help photographers decide on a web more...1 point
SmugMug, the Ultimate in photo sharing
Great place to store photos if you don't use your more...1 point
Compare Professional Photo Sharing
Sell photos, prints, enlargements and gifts online more...1 point
Lowest Price Web Hosting
Looking to save some money on your web hosting nee more...1 point
Photography Inspiration | Inspiring Photographers to go Take Photos
Do you need inspiration to grab your camera and go more...1 point
Web Hosting Barato
The information which you see as you browse on you more...1 point
Photographers in Orlando Florida
A site devoted to helping people find great photog more...1 point
Best Bible | Translations Versions Software and Resources
Best Bible is a site devoted to helping people und more...1 point
What is the best Digital SLR?
Let the voting begin:
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III 21.1MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)
The Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III is an engineering tour more...1 point
Canon Digital Rebel XTi 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens (Black)
The Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi has a newly design more...0 points
Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens
The Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi has a newly design more...0 points
Canon Digital Rebel XT 8MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 Lens (Black)
Want high digital-camera performance in an SLR for more...0 points
Fujifilm Finepix S700 7.1MP Digital Camera with 10x Optical Zoom
The Fujifilm FinePix S700 is for anyone seeking an more...0 points
Canon Digital Rebel XTi 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera (Black Body Only)
Enjoy a high performance SLR digital-camera with p more...0 points
Some Photos from Flicker
seville
Haystack Butte at Su...
lone ranch
Dearborn River
Zamami Sunset HDR
Landscaping @ Duling
Duling courtyard
Medina Lake
snow day
snow day
Reader Feedback
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markbestweb
Great Lens!, I think is very important to find a web hosting service according to your needs. We need to research a bit before getting one. I really liked this information, very useful and interesting Posted August 25, 2008 |
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just_a_guy
Some Lenses I'm Proud to Call Mine: Posted July 28, 2008 |
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just_a_guy
Great new site to inspire photographers! Posted July 15, 2008 |
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Mr_B
Hey, I got a new one: Hypertension Help Posted March 14, 2008 |
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Yahoo-Web-Hosting
Nice Lens. Another great site for hosting many picture is yahoo web hosting where you can upload unlimited images. Posted March 13, 2008 |
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lvcjmac
I saw the link to your lens in the Get Ratings, Give Ratings! and I find it to be quite interesting. My sister is starting up her own web photography business and I'll make sure to direct her here. I gave you a 5 star rating and I'm hoping you can find the time to visit my lens MacDatingSite. Posted March 11, 2008 |
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Mr_B
Great lens. 5 Stars! Posted March 03, 2008 |
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just_a_guy
Hey everyone, I just started a new lens focusing solely on finding the Lowest Price Web Hosting. Feel free to check it out! Posted February 17, 2008 |
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NorDac
Nice lens, didn't see my digital camera on the list. I've got a Kodak dx6490. Great camera. Posted February 08, 2008 |
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tplus
Welcome to Get Ratings, Give Ratings! Great lens with some great resources to help photographers. Keep up the good work! Posted December 10, 2007 |
