Thie number of hosts out there is dizzying...finding a good one is proving challenging.

I'm looking to build ASP.Net 3.0 (and maybe 3.5/4.0 in the future), I will need a modest SQL database (<= 50mb of data), and I'm looking at a minimum of 2 hosted exchange mailboxes (maybe up to 10 someday).

With my current host (of over 5 years), I've enjoyed the flexibility of a smallish host (being able to roll out .net 2.0 and .net 3.0 subsites under the same site, etc) -- maybe that's standard for all windows hosts (i hope), but its definitely something I'm ok paying a bit more for.

Lastly, I'm not expecting a ton of traffic to this site, but what usage it gets I really want to have low latency.

So, how's that for a really random set of desires? A small time developer with big time ideas :-) (low bandwidth, low latency, windows + asp.net 2/3/3.5/4, hosted exchange, ms sql)

If you've been happy with your host for the past five years, how come you're looking for a new one? (Just more curious more than anything else, haha!)

Do you have a preferred location in mind? Any managed hosting provider should be able to accommodate your .NET needs very easily.

For the size of your DB, I assume you're looking at running MS SQL Express or MySQL?

And finally, what's your budget?

(I agree that searching through the myriad of hosting providers is really daunting... but if you do your homework and research well, you've got a very good chance of forging another 5+ year partnership with your new provider. :)

Oh, and welcome to WHT, home of the crazies! :D

When i started looking into adding exchange mailboxes to the mix, my current host blew the budget at about $18/month/box. I'm hoping for 20-25/month all up...

When i started looking into adding exchange mailboxes to the mix, my current host blew the budget at about $18/month/box. I'm hoping for 20-25/month all up...Hosted Exchange is not a cheap solution to provide with the hardware involved and Microsoft's licensing. I'm not going to critique someone's prices, but I certainly am right there with you in spirit on the pricing. If you're looking for a VPS and a couple hosted exchange boxes, you'll need to increase your budget, but not too much more.

Have you tried searching the offers forum or reaching out to potential hosting providers directly? That's basically going to be your best bet. I also agree about playing it safe when looking at any provider that offers you unlimited HD or BW... there is definitely a limit (and it's usually cleverly disguised in the TOS/AUP).

Hosted Exchange is not a cheap solution to provide with the hardware involved and Microsoft's licensing. I'm not going to critique someone's prices, but I certainly am right there with you in spirit on the pricing. If you're looking for a VPS and a couple hosted exchange boxes, you'll need to increase your budget, but not too much more.


Most definitely! I think VPS is way more than I need - shared hosting is more than enough. (ASPHostCentral doesn't have exchange, it appears...)

I'm finding that the really good exchange hosts I'm finding don't do shared hosting (but they have great looking VPS plans)...and some of the really good .NET hosts don't do exchange (or its not their core competency, so its way more expensive).

Most definitely! I think VPS is way more than I need - shared hosting is more than enough. (ASPHostCentral doesn't have exchange, it appears...)

I'm finding that the really good exchange hosts I'm finding don't do shared hosting (but they have great looking VPS plans)...and some of the really good .NET hosts don't do exchange (or its not their core competency, so its way more expensive).

Or should I just separate the two goals? Grab a good shared hosting company for my web host and a good exchange host for my exchange? Is it really just a matter of pointing my DNS to the web host, and set the MX record on the DNS to point the exchange host? (note that I'm using words I just learned, like "mx record" -- a little knowledge is a dangerous thing!)

I think that if you are open to using hosted exchange you should split the two out. For the cost having someone else manage your exchange environment is nice.

$18.00 is on par for good support, you can find many hosts to offer you resell for 10-15, cheaper in bulk.

Splitting the two is exactly what you should do. It is fairly easy to host your web site with a shared hosting provider and host your email elsewhere. You would simply point the DNS of your domain name to your new host and then point the MX records to the exchange host.