My site, www.grandtheftauto3.net needs a new host. I've posted in the hosting request forum, but I seem to have got 2 replies, both too expensive or can't provide what I'm after. This site doesn't earn any money (at the moment) but probably will do in the future. However, I'm not prepared to dish out too much money at this point in time, but I'd also like to look out for the future when revenue from banner ads starts.

By posting here, I'm hoping to get a response from people who've had experience with a hosting company that would be a good choice for GrandTheftAuto3.net.

Requirements Are:

- Atleast 500mb Web Space
- Atleast 20GB Bandwidth a month
- Windows2000 Server
- Ability to host sites for people in the GTA3 community on a subdomain (at no extra cost)
- 'Unlimited' FTPs
- 'Unlimited' E-Mails
- 'Unlimited' Subdomains


Any responses greatly appriciated.

Hi there

You have a very nice site. However, the requirements you stated are very high. I'm not too surprised if the 2 offers you received were for dedicated servers or 'advanced plans' on shared hosting with added bandwidth/webspace figured into the deal.

You might want to consider getting your users who you host for to make a small contribution or charging them, in addition to expected revenue you might get from banner advertising and such. I wish you the best of luck in finding a host you'll be happy with. :)

Originally posted by Martin Hill
However, I'm not prepared to dish out too much money at this point in time, but I'd also like to look out for the future when revenue from banner ads starts.
I think quite a few hosts and designers out there would bear me out on this one in that banner adverts won't be able to fund your site costs in a significant way. Unforunately it just isn't seen as effective as it was once thought to be, so, you get offered far less as a result.

You might want to consider getting sponsorship instead, may'be even the games producers/coders/etc...

Just a thought... As to hosts, well there's a few good ones about but with your specification I'd say you're looking at around $75-100 a month plus.

Good luck with it though.

Originally posted by WebSnail.net

I think quite a few hosts and designers out there would bear me out on this one in that banner adverts won't be able to fund your site costs in a significant way.

Nope. Not at all. We have had absolutely ZERO luck with banner ads. You're better off using targetted paid text ads.

--Tina

You should consider getting a RaQ4 from www.rackshack.net with 300GB monthly transfer for $99/month (there is a $250 setup fee though).

Originally posted by AffordableHost


Nope. Not at all. We have had absolutely ZERO luck with banner ads. You're better off using targetted paid text ads.

--Tina Well I guess you can't get any less significant than that...

BTW... Tina, what are these "targetted paid text ads"? Not come across those, or at least not the term anyway.

Cheers

I used to run a site a site with over 50k uniques a day. We ran over 3 banner/pop-up advertising programs.. which only added about $150-200 to total revenue per month. After hosting fee's.. it wasn't worth our time. Working with other companies related to your site and promoting their products and selling from your own site proved a lot more profitable.


For you, I would get a dedicated server. If you wanted shared/virtual hosting.. you will have to pay around 40-70 bucks/month in extra bandwith and space alone. At least with a dedicated server.. you have more freedom on alloted bandwith and server space.