Over the last 10 years of owning websites I’ve gone through quite a few web hosts. I’ve used everything from shared to dedicated servers, and had the best of service, and the worst of service. With all this trial and error comes a lot of learning about what companies to utilize and what companies to avoid. So when it comes to shared and dedicated hosting, what are the best choices for you?
It’s important to read reviews when it comes to picking the right web host. This website http://www.howtosignupforwebhosting.com gives a lot of tips for beginners to purchasing your first shared hosting account. It lists three shared hosts that I have experience using – all top notch. I currently use what they rate as the #1 shared host, HostGator.
During my last three years with HostGator I’ve literally had no problems at all. Their customer service is excellent when I do have the occasional question, and their downtime is non-existent. Many hosts use the term unlimited too freely, but HostGator is unlimited in the true sense. I have 26 websites hosted with them using countless gigs of bandwidth and storage space without problems. The only negative I have with this host is that about once a month the site will load slowly for a few minutes.
Another option for you is dedicated servers. When my network had tens of thousands of visitors daily, this was a better option for me. I went through a couple terrible experiences before finding the right company for my needs. When it comes to dedicated servers, don’t fall for cheap deals, get one from a reputable company. The old saying you get what you pay for is extremely valid in this case.
For a comprehensive list and reviews about dedicated servers, check out
http://www.cheapestdedicatedservers.com My personal favorites on that list is 1&1 and Dreamhost. I’ve had no problems with either company, and they’re both extremely reliable. 1&1 has extremely affordable options starting at $60 for a basic web server.
Whatever you choose, make sure to read reviews. Not all web hosts are the same. Downtime can be highly annoying as well as cost you a lot of money in lost revenue. Just because the price is cheaper, doesn’t make it worth it.