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best web host to use

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madisun

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Dec 12, 2008
1
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I have a small general contracting/custom homebuilding business for which I need to set up a website. I'm completely new at doing this....

Does anyone have any suggestions for the best web host to use? I will just be using my site to showcase project photos and collect contact/e-mail address information for a newsletter and marketing mailers. I think I'd like to use a web site building program provided by the web host to build my site since I've never done this before. Any thoughts on that?
 
The topic of choosing a web host has been discussed here a number of times. Please use the forum search to seek them out. There's a lot of information if you search. You can also look through the stickies in this forum, which are also linked in my signature.

As far as tools a host provides for building a site, they generally are junk from my experience. Look in the stickies for applications to make a site as well. If you have a Mac and iLife you can use iWeb to make a site. It doesn't require web design experience for the most part.

If you're wanting to do more intense development, like using a database to store your mailing list information you'll likely need to learn a bit more. There's some stuff already out there that you can install, but you still need to know some things to get it up and working. Google is your friend.
 
1and1.com is rather cheap, so that's a plus. That's where I send clients with low bandwidth/server needs.
 
Eleven2.com - I've used them for years for hosting all my sites/projects/clients. Fast, friendly customer service too.

Whatever you do stay away from iPowerWeb.

PS Shouldn't we make hosting a sticky? This is a very common question..
 
It depends on what other apps you may need easy access to in the future (ie blog, ecommerce, forum, etc). I use MochaHost because they have a rich selection of apps and also support Ruby on Rails.
 
PS Shouldn't we make hosting a sticky? This is a very common question..
Click to expand...
There is a list of recommended ones in a sticky - but for some reason most people don't think to check there.

In answer to your question, I'd suggest TJR Networks. Given it is a business website, I'd try and stay away from ultra budget hosts, it isn't worth the risk if you can afford better.
 
I have used bluehost for the past 3 years with no problems whatsoever.

I am currently hosting about 10 sites on the 1 plan,
The support is great, and answered very quickly.
Its one of the better priced plans around at the moment too.
 
000webhost.com, I dont know if you can use it for a business but I use it for my portfolio
 
bntz313 said:
000webhost.com, I dont know if you can use it for a business but I use it for my portfolio
Click to expand...

Generally, I think it's best to stay away from cheap hosts - I know you get bad service at times either way you go. I checked them out a while ago, and several of the sites I found that recommended them highly were actually hosted and owned by them, which I found a bit underhanded.
 
I have used it for 4 months now and it's been down once to fix the sever, it's good for what I need and I'm broke.
 
madisun said:
I have a small general contracting/custom homebuilding business for which I need to set up a website. I'm completely new at doing this....

Does anyone have any suggestions for the best web host to use? I will just be using my site to showcase project photos and collect contact/e-mail address information for a newsletter and marketing mailers. I think I'd like to use a web site building program provided by the web host to build my site since I've never done this before. Any thoughts on that?
Click to expand...

You are selling things that cost how much?? And you can't spend 0.1% to pay a professional? When people like me see your web site, its quality or lack thereof will tell about the quality of lack thereof of your home building. You need an absolute first class and tasteful web site.

Let me put this another way: Could you well me where is a good place to buy lumber? I figure I'll need it and yes and any tips on how to nail it together so I can build a house. I plan to use this house to show off my design skills to potential clients so it has to look good. I's pretty clear that if I have to ask such basic questions I'm not going to be building anything that would impress anyone.

OK seriously now. Most businesses would budget marketing as some ratio of earnings. So set a realistic budget. Next, when you select a web designer what you are selecting for is not their technical abilty. It don't take much of that to do what you need. But you should be looking at their graphic design skills. You are hiring a graphic artest who will design the public facing side of your business. If there is anything you want to look good it's that.
 
Melrose said:
Eleven2.com - I've used them for years for hosting all my sites/projects/clients. Fast, friendly customer service too.

Whatever you do stay away from iPowerWeb.

PS Shouldn't we make hosting a sticky? This is a very common question..
Click to expand...

Thanks Melrose!

I would give you my input on the subject, but it's rather biased. I will say that we have a 20% special this month ;).
 
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