Hello Web Gurus!

I'm a newbie to web hosting. I'm planning to put together my first site and I'm not quite sure what I need in a hosting plan. What I do know is I want a Unix server, with PHP and MySQL. The site will rely heavily on database queries, (there will be calendars which users can search and add to, message boards, business directories, content management and the like).

What I'm worried about is the data transfer limit. Will I need to go with a dedicated server? Can anyone with similar sites make suggestions? I'm trying to avoid picking a plan and going over my limits. Should I be worried about this? Is upgrading to a different plan usually an easy process or does it depend on the host?

:confused: Best web hosts? Maybe you can help me out on this also. I've read alot of posts regarding which hosts are good/bad. It seems to me that it is really hit or miss. There are hosts that get good reviews by some and bad by others. I'm thinking I should just pick one that has received mostly good reviews and go with it untill I have a problem with them. Is there any better way to choose (besides the dartboard method)?

Thanks in advance for your help!

You didn't mention how big your directories are, or how many members your site will have, but since this seems to be an individual effort (at least for now) I assume you wouldn't need much until you have an established user base. I would suggest something around 150-200 Megs in disk space and around 3-5 Gigs of transfer per month. Of course, if your site grows, you can always upgrade your plan by contacting support.

To calculate bandwidth post how big are the html files that are loading.How many unique visitors you get a month and how many of them browse how many pages per one visit.

The things that will be on the site seem fairly resource intensive. Most sites start out smaller and build and build, until their shared virtual hosting arrangement is no longer sufficient.

Data transfer of images and videos, etc., is a far greater concern than text (obviously) and lsing an image here or there, cutting them down as much as possible, etc., goes a long way when the traffic starts coming.

About limits. Yes, there is the possibility of going over the limit, having to switch (upgrade) plans. I've really never heard any horror stories with hosts in regards to this. More likely, due to the types of things on the site, you'll exceed another server resource before exceeding your allotted transfer allowance. just a guess.

No one host is going to be good for everyone. You have to balance your needs and be realistic. Some people aren't and seem to expect a dedicated server's worth of serivce for $2/mo. It just ain't gonna happen.

Another thing to keep in mind is that your best bargin will be right now, while your site is small enough to be virtually hosted. Once this is no longer possible, you'll experience a rather big step up in cost and you should be ready for that, or the site will have to be closed (which is always a shame after people work so hard to build sites up) or sold.

I just mention this because I've seen too many posts from people who work hard on their sites, it gets popular, and they frantically look for another host for $20/mo. for their large site and simply, there isn't one.

Start at the beginning though :) It sounds like you're just at the start of all this and don't have to worry too much, but I don't know what type of site it is, etc. Good luck...

>Is upgrading to a different plan usually an easy process or does >it depend on the host?

I would shy away from any host that has problems upgrading or downgrading your plan.

DK

Oops . . . . I read that wrong :rolleyes:
This would have made no sense so I'm editing it.
You've already got some good advice going.
I'm gonna get some sleep :yawn: