Well, I posted a request for information in the Web Hosting Requests forum and received a number of responses, both publicly and privately. After doing some research, both here and on the hosting companies' sites, I think I've narrowed my choices to three. I'd like any additional feedback anyone's willing to offer.

First, my needs. I have a small site with my own domain (www.writeforyou.com), not much space used, not much bandwidth. I work on slow expansion, but I keep it small and simple (just like useit.com). I've added a bit of e-commerce, but do the actual commerce work through PayPal.

I've been with Aletia for awhile, but in recent weeks I haven't been able to get at the Control Panel at all. Plus, mail sent to a couple of addresses I set up to be blocked, but they are still getting through. I can't sign in to their forums, and I opened a trouble ticket about all this a few days ago and received no response. with both my contract with them nearing an and and my domain registration coming up, I thought it time to find a new host.

I laid out my requirements: unlimited email, decent disk space and bandwidth (not that I ever use a whole lot), reliable (especially the mail server), <$99/year. Of the couple dozen responses, I eliminated a number right off the bat. Some didn't offer unlimited email (although a few said to email them and they'd throw it in). Others didn't have much information on their sites, especially regarding support (no forums, etc.), or had broken links. Some didn't have information about the company (location, contact information, etc.)

The 3 I am looking at now are as follows (not in any order):

cwshost.biz
$50/year for 500MB/7GB

hostabox.net
$29/year for 50MB/1.5GB
$60/year for 100MB/3GB

****************.com
$90/year for 500MB/15GB

Eaither of the hostabox.net plans would serve my needs well, plus one ad on their site implies an offer of a free domain with a year's prepayment (I'll email them to comfirm, but I assume that would mean I could renew my existing domain at no cost thorugh whatever registrar they use, however, I need tomake sure the domain is registered in my name).

I'm not looking to resell, I'm not looking to host chats, galleries, or other high bandwidth stuff, just information that will slowly increase as I have time to add to it. I think I've seen the most comments here about hostabox.net and I'm interested in knowing anything more about these 3 (or others that would meet my needs).

i don't know them...go for a reputable host..

hostrocket, dixiesys, dominet or dot5

D'you mind if I ask HOW you narrow down to these 3? Not particularly famous, right?

Yea, never heard of any of these guys. Did you try email their sales department/person? Do they have forums? Most important to test response times. Sometimes we get prospective clients log a ticket on our system to test us. I definitely approve of such tactics.

First of all, thanks for the replies.

About the other suggested hosts:
Hostrocket has no plans in my requested price range.
Dominet doesn't ofer unlimited email
I forgot about dot5hosting; I had clicked on their ads but had not received any responses from them. From what I can see now, I shoudl include them on my potential choices.

I found these by posting on the hosting request forum and then researching the companies that responded.

So now I think I am looking at 4 options and want to decide in the next day or two....