Web host recommendations?

[idea_hamster]

Hey there --

It's been some time since I posted anything, but I was hoping that someone might have a recommendation for a good hosting service for a family-type web site that I'm going to be starting.

I thought of using Lowest Hosting (http://www.lowesthosting.com) since they seem to have pretty good prices and offer a fair amount of bandwidth (50gb per month).

Does anyone have any experience with them (good or bad)? Any other suggestions?

I'm willing to do most (all?) the work my self, but would like the safety net of some form of tech support. (After all, it's just a hobby.)

Thx in advance!

[edesignuk]

You can't go wrong with A Small Orange (http://www.asmallorange.com). Very, very good in every aspect.

[munkle]

Followed the advice of e and went with A Small Orange. I couldn't be happier, have not had any issues and their tech support is unbelievable (have never had to wait more than an hour for a response!).

If your needs are heavier, I've heard good things about DreamHost (http://dreamhost.com/). Their prices seem very good, especially with the current sale they have going on (I've got feeling that there's always some type of sale going on there!).

Oh and a lot of these places have referral schemes, so you can always throw back some love to MR members whoever you decide to sign up with :)

[Josh]

I third ASO.

Great services/prices.

[notjustjay]

I went with VizaWeb and am quite happy with the performance and features for quite a low price.

Can't speak for their support, as I've never needed any.

Apparently there was a guy on TechTV who uses this host and proclaims it pretty publicly. Can't go wrong there. :)

[friarbayliff]

Followed the advice of e and went with A Small Orange. I couldn't be happier, have not had any issues and their tech support is unbelievable (have never had to wait more than an hour for a response!).

If your needs are heavier, I've heard good things about DreamHost (http://dreamhost.com/). Their prices seem very good, especially with the current sale they have going on (I've got feeling that there's always some type of sale going on there!).

Oh and a lot of these places have referral schemes, so you can always throw back some love to MR members whoever you decide to sign up with :)

DreamHost is the sweet, sweet nectar of hosting. If you're looking for at least a semi-serious hosting solution, their packages beat the pants off of anything else out there. You can't go wrong with A Small Orange either.

[iindigo]

As many others have said, A Small Orange simply rocks. excellent pricing, lightning fast servers, and even faster support responses (all my support emails were answered within 10 minutes of mailing them!)

[eva01]

everything i have heard about ASO is great. I don't use them i use u2mike.com but i recommend both

[jalagl]

I did some research recently for a client, and narrowed it down to two options:

- Dreamhost
- iPowerWeb

I've used iPowerWeb for a while, and never had a problem, even though that's not what everybody says. Dreamhost's plans are the best, IMO.

Haven't tried ASO. I considered them when doing this search, since they get a lot of good feedback in this forum, but found their pricing too expensive for dedicated server hosting. With the requirements my client had, the low-end dedicated option from Powerweb was sufficient, and will be for a bit (until my client starts making money and can afford a larger option).

[jaseone]

I did some research recently for a client, and narrowed it down to two options:

- Dreamhost
- iPowerWeb

I've used iPowerWeb for a while, and never had a problem, even though that's not what everybody says. Dreamhost's plans are the best, IMO.

Haven't tried ASO. I considered them when doing this search, since they get a lot of good feedback in this forum, but found their pricing too expensive for dedicated server hosting. With the requirements my client had, the low-end dedicated option from Powerweb was sufficient, and will be for a bit (until my client starts making money and can afford a larger option).

What exactly is included with those iPowerWeb plans though? They are a bit vague around maintenance and administration, especially as they advertise you can run Linux FreeBSD or Windows on their dedi's, so does that mean you need to take care of the OS yourself? I'm sure if you ran Windows the licensing would add quite a bit to the monthly cost (probably actually dwarf it) so that can't be included in the cost.

ASO's dedicated servers are fully managed with an additional included 2 monthly administration hours to have support assist you with installing software or any other assistance you require, plus then of course you have the usual top notch technical support. Plus you also get cPanel and WHM opposed to iPowerWeb's Plesk 7 control Panel, which I haven't had experience with so can't comment on.

It almost feels wrong to me to be able to get as much as what iPowerWeb are giving you for $99/month, it seems like it would be a bit of a stretch to fit the hardware cost, the datacenter fees and technical support into that monthly fee.

[idea_hamster]

Thanks for the recommendations --

Having done google searches and the like, I found it can be difficult to tell some of these operations apart. Knowing myself, I suffer from a certain amount of inertia once I've made a choice like this, so starting out right is rather important for me.

Thanks again!

[dhracer88]

I'd reccomend using CJB (http://www.cjb.cc) . I've used them for their free plan, and now I use them for the paid, domain hosting plan. It's a great staff and service. Here's a quick outline (http://cjb.cc/pages/support/upgrade_your_account.php) ...

Free: 50MB of space (I only used 3MB with all my pictures...)
500MB of bandwidth
PHP
If your needs aren't too great, you could buy a domain and have it redirect to your CJB account.
Short URL: yourname.cjb.cc

This is what I now have:

Domain hosting: $2.95/mo (paid annually I think)--
* 150 MB
* 10 Gig Data Transfer
* PHP Support (Safe Mode)
* 3 MySQL Databases
* 15 Email Accounts
* Unlimited Auto responders
* FrontPage Extensions
* Plesk Control Panel
* subdomains
* 30 install scripts (coppermine gallery,wordpress,CMS to name a few)



It's a great service. They check all the sites for content and ensure no porn or illegal material's being uploaded. It's a "family-friendly" server. The one drawback is when you sign up, you have to wait for a confirmation. It's usually same day (only a few hours for me). If you sign up, tell Brian (owner) that JM sent you. ;)

[eva01]

Thanks for the recommendations --

Having done google searches and the like, I found it can be difficult to tell some of these operations apart. Knowing myself, I suffer from a certain amount of inertia once I've made a choice like this, so starting out right is rather important for me.

Thanks again!
WEBHOSTINGTALK.COM

is what i use

[asif786]

another asmallorange user here..

they're superb. fast responses always. no downtime. pricing is amazing.

i highly recommend them! :)

[timdorr]

Haven't tried ASO. I considered them when doing this search, since they get a lot of good feedback in this forum, but found their pricing too expensive for dedicated server hosting. With the requirements my client had, the low-end dedicated option from Powerweb was sufficient, and will be for a bit (until my client starts making money and can afford a larger option).

Well, just to add to what jaseone said, we offer full management on our servers. The "management" you're getting now is probably a) incomplete b) slow, and c) unhelpful in most situations. The reason we cost more is because we go well above what other providers do. We do full system setup, firewall installation, security hardening, monitoring with human response, fully support any software we install (so if it breaks, we'll fix it for you), and maintain everything for you. It's essentially Servers for Dummies (although, you don't have to be a dummie to use it :) ), and is as easy as maintaining a simple shared hosting account.

(BTW, I'm the owner of ASO. Just saw this thread and thought I'd stop by :) ).

[Brian0523]

Does anyone know of an affordable web host company that provides Quicktime Streaming Servers?

[asif786]

Does anyone know of an affordable web host company that provides Quicktime Streaming Servers?

i'd be interested to know this..would be useful.

perhaps i'll send off an email to asmallorange later. i guess they must have a fair few mac users there who may like qt streaming.

[munkle]

Not sure about ASO but DreamHost (http://dreamhost.com/shared/comparison.html) currently do on all their plans (click on link to be taken to comparison page).

[rbo]

I've been looking for a new host for the past few months and ASO is exactly what I was looking for.

Thanks Guys (and thanks idea_hamster for starting the thread).

[idea_hamster]

(BTW, I'm the owner of ASO. Just saw this thread and thought I'd stop by :) ).

...to the individual who will take a moment to drop me a personal note from the top!

It immediately reminded me of the scene in Midnight Run when Jimmy Serano (Dennis Farina) admonished his goons to "take a more personal interest in your work or I'll stab you through the heart with a pencil." (Of course, I'm sure that ASO is a wonderful place to work ... ;) )

Thanks very much timdorr for making this decision an easy one in the end!

[timdorr]

It immediately reminded me of the scene in Midnight Run when Jimmy Serano (Dennis Farina) admonished his goons to "take a more personal interest in your work or I'll stab you through the heart with a pencil." (Of course, I'm sure that ASO is a wonderful place to work ... ;) )

Rest assured, we have had no pencil-related (or any sort of office-supply-related) incidents at ASO :D

[idea_hamster]

Well, I must say that the praise for A Small Orange (http://www.asmallorange.com) was hardly hype.

With a minimum of effort, I've been able to get up and running, including setting up a beautiful WordPress blog for my non-computing aunt.

It's not clear to me why this cPanel utility "fantastico" (had never heard of it, to give you an idea of where I'm at) isn't on Page 1 -- but I found out about it in ASO's forums.

FYI, in their Customer Comments forum, someone posted the thread "Will You Have My Babies?" Can't say that I disagree with her sentiment -- ASO has not disappointed.

Thanks, timdorr. You've put together quite an impressive operation.

[ham_man]

Well, I must say that the praise for A Small Orange (http://www.asmallorange.com) was hardly hype.

With a minimum of effort, I've been able to get up and running, including setting up a beautiful WordPress blog for my non-computing aunt.

It's not clear to me why this cPanel utility "fantastico" (had never heard of it, to give you an idea of where I'm at) isn't on Page 1 -- but I found out about it in ASO's forums.

FYI, in their Customer Comments forum, someone posted the thread "Will You Have My Babies?" Can't say that I disagree with her sentiment -- ASO has not disappointed.

Thanks, timdorr. You've put together quite an impressive operation.
Glad that you are happy with ASO. I went with their service, and it was very easy. Everything was straightforward and real nice. Unfortunately, I did not figure out about Fantastico until after I had installed Word Press. Oh well...:p

[idea_hamster]

Unfortunately, I did not figure out about Fantastico until after I had installed Word Press. Oh well...:p

Yeah -- I had been reading lots of the online stuff about installing WordPress. After three days, I was still not confindent enough (read: too chicken) to install it, since I didn't want to botch up my server space.

Wimp-i-ness pays off! :o

[jackieonasses]

NTCHosting (http://ntchosting.com/) Is good also....



that is what i use

kyle

[idea_hamster]

NTCHosting looks good. I found their office locations interesting -- Coral Springs (Fla.), London and Sofia (Bulgaria). I guess they got some kind of deal on that Bulgarian office space... ;)

Unfortunately, they don't say what "NTC" stands for. Not a problem for the well adjusted, but I would always think of my month at the US Army's National Training Center in Barstow, CA. Twenty-two days without a shower, sleeping in a bag that smelled like my foot, and all so that our jackass brass could get embarassed in spades.

[inhale]...[exhale]

OK. I feel better. ;)

[theappleguy]

TJR Networks (http://www.tjrnetworks.com) :)

[iN8]

Has anyone used MacDock (http://www.macdock.com/index.php). Their packages look expensive for what you get, especially when compared to dreamhost or ASO even. Website looks nice though.

[jeremy.king]

I use Surpass Hosting (http://www.surpasshosting.com) for two client sites - very affordable.

[maineroad]

I gotta cast my vote for A Small Orange. I just setup an account today, including domain registration and it took under 8 minutes for me to be up and running. I was amazed how clean, easy, and fast the whole thing was.

Amazing service. Plus you can resell (aka "sublet") your account space to others for your own hosting revenue. This hosting company doesn't charge you extras for email accounts, etc. Everything is unlimited (sans bandwidth, space).

[iN8]

I signed up for Dreamhost's "Crazy Domain Insane" (http://www.dreamhost.com/shared/comparison.html) Package which is usually $9.95 a month, but I got it for $9.24 for the full year by entering the offer code that has been floating around here.

I was going to go with ASO for their bustomer service, but I couldn't pass up that deal. So far I have been happy, especially considering this is my first time ever doing this. It was pretty painless.

[scarlco]

I'm using Total Choice Hosting (http://www.totalchoicehosting.com)

They've been great to me. Signed up for a reseller plan, 'cause it was a great deal. Haven't regretted it in about 3 years of service now.

According to their site, the plans start at $4/month for 450mb, 10g bw, unlimited email and mysql, and more.

[tjwett]

Media Temple (http://www.mediatemple.net)

[pubwvj]

I have had a multi-domain (reseller) account with http://VONetwork.com for years and am quite pleased with the price, options, service and servers.