Greetings...I have been with a specific hosting company since 2002. Not many problems, but last 3 months many issues related to downtime and the time needed to get back online. I do not have any issues left open that they have not resolved, but sometimes it takes several hours to resolve.

I do my best to tell my clients the 'normal' reasons and they are patient. Meanwhile I fear that I could be getting a bad reputation or that something may go terrribly wrong soon etc. Having all my eggs in one basket is nerve racking.

I started using alertraDOTcom to help me open up trouble tickets super fast when the server goes down. It's been the only thing to help me get my sleep.

Now planning a vacation in Cuba for 2 weeks...I can't imagine the nightmare that might happen. Imagine that I will rent a cell phone for 100s of dollars/week just to be able to receive alertraDOTcom notification of devices down and then call to open up trouble tickets. Not much of a vacation. But this is my business, not a hobby.

Through my current hosting company, I also resell dialup service which I brand and sell around Tampa. This service works good enough and don't have much to complain about.

I usually host about 40 sites that I also design. Been doing this since 1998. My clients pay me directly...I pay the hosting company. It is a shared environment resolving to one IP.

I also use MySQL, PERL, PHP, and h t t p s :// needs to be available.

I would like to see something on the server to help stop virus and spam. I'd like to see pop users have to authenticiate in order to use the SMTP server so cannot fake etc.


So far this month, my h t t p s: / / service has been down 53hours or 88.1% uptime. MySQL has been down 78 hours or 81.5% uptime. PERL has been down 18 hours or 95.9 % uptime. h t t p : / / normal access down 19 hours or 95.6 uptime.


Again, the site/service goes down and eventually it gets resolved. Could be growing pains for my host. Could be a lot of things. Switching would take me a while because I am alone and might be able to switch slowly 2 or 3 a day etc. But I need to begin doing something before I get a bad reputation.

I've spent about 8 hours going through this forum. Another several hours following the links to the 'recommended' hosts.

I have learned a lot, but not sure which direction to take as far as switching or at least begin opening a new hosting account with a company and slowly move over some clients and just slowly ween myself away from my current host over time. Be nice if I could also replace the dialup business since it is working in the residential nitch that I have found. Otherwise I would need to keep somehting with my current host in order to keep that bsuiness section growing.

I think I am in need of an 'mentor' - maybe someone who was in my posiiton in the past with a small web business growing steady every year. Someone who can show me the way to a host because they really are more experienced than me.

Many of the users here are resellers themselves. I don't mind if you are recommending your own service. But perhaps there is another webmaster around that can assist as well.

Sorry for the long post. If no time now to reply, please come back later if you believe you have thetime for me.

Thanks.

Try submitting a HOST QUOTE (http://www.webhostingtalk.com/request.php) request, and look into the hosts who respond to you (i.e. search around WHT, ask about them here).

So far this month, my h t t p s: / / service has been down 53hours or 88.1% uptime. MySQL has been down 78 hours or 81.5% uptime. PERL has been down 18 hours or 95.9 % uptime. h t t p : / / normal access down 19 hours or 95.6 uptime.That sounds really really bad.

Does your current host use a widely known control panel (Cpanel, H-Sphere etc)? That could help when changing hosts.

In any case, if that's the kind of service they plan on giving, I think you simply have to move, no matter what. You owe it to your customers and you owe it to yourself.

Yes, I have control panel, not one you listed.

The last time I changed hosts, I went from Windows to Linux. Took a little longer to change the scripts around and new paths etc. Now I'm hooked on Linux and do not think I'll ever go back.

Once I begin switching, I would do 1 or 2 a day. I don't mind doing it.

But once I start, I need to feel confident. You know, its hard to verify these hosting companies. It takes a lot of time googling and calling some of their current clients. I was reading a testimonial on one hosting company. When I went to that site, he had already switched to another host..called him at homeand found out it was a service-based reason. Scary, scary.

I would hate to make the wrong decision, move over and then end up with nothing better than what I have.

I think 99.9 is an unreasonable expectation for uptime. When I see that advertised, I turn into Dr. Skeptical. But give me 98 at least! And get me back online in reasonable time and give me good reasons to give my cleints instead of me having to make up stuff.

Also...one of the limitations I see posted out there are 100 mysql connections at a time. Well, the more PHP/Mysql apps I write, the more my solutions are going to require more than 100 connections at a time. Is is unreasonable for me to seek more connections?

You see..this is the stuff that keeps me from falling asleep.

Now planning a vacation in Cuba for 2 weeks...I can't imagine the nightmare that might happen. Imagine that I will rent a cell phone for 100s of dollars/week just to be able to receive alertraDOTcom notification of devices down and then call to open up trouble tickets. Not much of a vacation. But this is my business, not a hobby.


When you're a reseller and you're having these sorts of concerns - it usually is a good indication that you need to look for a new relationship and build a partnership you can trust...

Their are many reseller providers that can offer you the stability youre looking for, but, there are also many pitfall decisions out there....

You mentioned you were already on a control panel, but none of the ones listed. Before making a provider decision, maybe play with all the available control panels. Do you want to stick with the one you're on? Do you want to make a change?

Once you have determined which control panel best suits your particular requirements, it may be an easier task to narrow down a hosting provider...

Hope this helps and best of luck in your search....

Hi Chris,
Yes thanks for that note on savvis. Coincidence that I recently dealt with their abuse department because one of their cleints, scanalert was doing unathorized portscanning and driving me crazy. They helped me get scanalert to work with me to help them stop scanning me unintentionaly.

I think 99.9 is an unreasonable expectation for uptime. When I see that advertised, I turn into Dr. Skeptical. But give me 98 at least! I can only assure you that good hosts will usually maintain a 99.9%+ yearly uptime. Sure, one month might come with some server/network/software related problems or a DDOS attack etc, and thus a more significant downtime, but a good host should be able to get real close to that 99.9% uptime.

Also, 99.9% monthly uptime guarantee only means that you'll be refunded/given a credit if they fail to meet that uptime level. It doesn't mean that uptime will be 99.9%+ in every month.

98% uptime would be quite bad under normal conditions.

98% uptime would be quite bad under normal conditions.

As Dan has indicated - if you cannot receive 99.9%+ average - run and run fast....

(though a customer with a 98% uptime expectation is always nice :) - very easy to meet those expectations )

Thanks Dan & Cartika,

I probably have that syndrome that the hostages get...they emerge from the situation claiming how nice they were treated!!

InNeedOfHostHelp,

I don't think it's hostage syndrome; you've essentially lowered your overall expectations from such a terrible experience. It doesn't have to be this way of course. But 88% uptime is really hard to imagine!

That being said, at the very least you might want to let the WHT community know about this host so that people will avoid them and not go through what you did.

Good luck finding your new host; as Cartika mentioned, with your level of concern, you really should find a hosting company that takes into account personal relationships. Just don't let them forget you when things get bigger and better for them. ;-)

Roj

Have you communicated your concerns to your current host?

The downtime does look bad but if you have been happy since 2002 and the problems are recent then perhaps it is just a rough spot with the server you are on and maybe they will move your accounts for you to a more stable server.

Sometimes it is better to work with the devil you know than one you do not.

Hi Roj,
As it turns out, this forum is very much aware of how bad my current host is. I don't think that anyone in the future who visits this site will have any problem staying clear.

I got started with them becasue I rushed into action after a 30 days notice from 9netave/concentric that after moving to xo during the buyout..I'd be paying $30+/domain...had to move very quick and did not have the luxury to research completely.

Now I obviously want to avoid the same mistake.

It is so overwhelming. I am almost sick at my stomach. My wife was operated on last thursday and while at the hospital, alertra was giving me device down alerts...could do nothing fast.

Now Im researching today while she is still in bed rest trying to get it all done.

I like those staples commercials with the EASY button...where is my EASY button for getting a host.

This is a great forum. You guys have committed tons of time developing a goldmine of info I wish I had previously...many of you run big operations and spend quality time in here..possibly to find new clients...but the net effect is that you develop a HOSTANON environment for little folk like me.

Thanks for such a great resource.

So have you start looking for a new host yet?

9 Net Avenue, WOW ... does that bring back memories. :D

Remember having a Reseller account with them back in 98 or 99 and got out before they were sold. Good thing from what hear and InNeedOfHostHelp confirms it again.

From what you've posted so far, your biggest hurdle sounds like the Control Panel. Most people at this Forum use one of; WHM/Cpanel, Plesk, Exim, and some using Helm. They all transfer accounts easily if the same Control Panel is used. WHM might have a small advantage as they Advertise being able to transfer from Plesk and/or an Alabanza Control Panel.

Since you already use Linux that's a big plus as that is the most common OS, among Members of this Forum if not the world. :)

Leaving in 2 weeks doesn't give you much time to transfer as what you should do is perhaps pick two Hosters to transfer some accounts over to, preferably using the same Control Panel. Try them out for a week then decide between the two. If Finances allow, keep them both. Many Resellers use more than one Hoster. You could then transfer all accounts from the problem Hoster to the other two, or the other one.

Otherwise, best to leave this till you get back when you can devote more time to it.

Hmmm...there was a post here by someone named Chris...handel was Anworks. Any idea where the post went?

They removed it because I was soliciting.
My bad :rolleyes:

Us Hosters are not allowed to Advertise within threads unless in certain Forums, of which this thread is not in. That also why no other Hosters have posted any of their own Hosting offers -- in case you were wondering. :)

In 72+ hours of near constant research, must say that HTTPme is intriguing. One of the few that I have seen that posts so much data on uptime and has so much open interaction with clients.

In my search, when I ask a hostco to give me a client to talk to, there are some that just plain clam up. Interesting.

Haven't made a decision on where I will start, but probably will get through this by settling on a minimum of two.

inneedofhosthelp,

A host really can't give you a customer to talk to according to privacy policies, don't expect it from any host.

If they have forums, ask there, its about the only place, because there people volunteer their answer, and it is not given by the host.

Indeed. Recently asked a hostco for a link to their forums for such such info. They had a link listed on their site. Empty.

Hey, I can't complain, if you read my intro, I'd probably end up happy anywhere.

I read it all, I was just addressing the issue were you mentioned companies claming up.

I was just wanting to make you aware that most won't give that info.

Hope you find a suitable host soon.

There might be a cosmic correlation between the hostcos I've reasearched so far that do not offer a method to independently verify their service level with real clients and the number of negative opinions about same hostco.

The more easily obtained feedback from real clients, the less likely they have been to appear with highly negative info on this and other forums.

In spite of my own privacy policy, I at least have some cleints that have been with me 3+ years that do not mind me giving out their contact info to verify my rep.

There is the policy and then there is something higher.
;)

I know what you are saying, but it a different playground at the reseller level. I promise.

I don't see any difference at all?

Whether a Reseller or a Hoster, doesn't take much to ask current Clients if they can be used as reference. As our TOS / Privacy Policy does not allow sharing of detailed information (without a Court Order or other Legalities), we've done it for that very reason. Works out great for everyone. :)

InNeedOfHostHelp, my heart goes out to you. I am currently going through the same frantic search for a new host(s), though it doesn't sound nearly as crucial as it is for you. I have many domains and they bring in a nice little side income. Enough of an income that I shouldn't have to settle for super-cheap hosting companies. That's what I've been doing for a while and it's got to stop.

I have gone through so many web hosts in the last several years. Your posts brought back memories—my first ever web host was also 9netave.com. I remember that. I registered my first domain name. It was all very new and exciting for me. Since then I've flitted from one host to another. Some were good for what they were, but they weren't growing with me, you know?

Sorry, I'm getting off on a tangent. I just wanted to say that while I don't really have much useful advice for you, I do have some small idea of what you are going through. I'm in a frazzled state! But I think I've found some good leads thanks to this board, which is pretty great.

My theory on why there are N number of hosting companies and then N number of new players in the same industry is that people want the personal attention that most hosting companies can't give (because they eventually grow so large or at least *try* to and at the same time face perpetual problems with servers that constantly need updating). So around and around we go...

Reseller hosting by design allows the resellers focus in their "niche/target markets" without the hassle of server management. Keeping customers happy can be exciting at first but it has to be a principle for it to live.

Roj

Hosts could easily request permission from users to make their sites "available" to other users...including email addresses. There's no privacy policy forbidding this, as long as the host has permission.

The privacy policy I was meaning prevents just giving out to anyone, however I meant the mentality is different in the reseller world than the end user/direct customer mode. Many reseller's wish to have a high level of anonimity which is hard to achieve giving their name out.

Sure you might have an exception or two to ask, but I was more speaking about the market overall as I have seen it.

On the topic of speaking to current clients and the remarks above regarding why or why being a legal issue versus a good rep issue, I found this recent thread:
http://www.webhostingtalk.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=367648

Even Dan Lemnaru says in that thread: "In addition to searching here at WHT, I would try to contact some of their customers on their support forums."

I'm finding that a company with open forums and satisfied clients ready to rave about said hostco earns a 'positive stroke' on my list.

Negative issues that are resolved in-the-open are an encouragement to me. It gives me the choice and chance to use my own intelligence to determine if MadReseller was childish and impatient or if ProtectiveHostCo was insensitive to the resellers necessity to have good information to give to his clients and protect his own rep.

OtherHostCos that dance around referral requests get a 'think-twice stroke'.

I too think that asking in their support forums is the best method as I said earlier in the thread.
:D

Are you making any progress in the search?

My search evolution has taken me from completely-ignorant to dangerously-ready-to-decide-to-get-it-over-with.

From a field of many, have reduced to 6 potential including some of the host-posters in this thread.

Hoping to get to two, might arrive on three instead and then divide my accounts to match the offers/servers to the varying needs of each account.

For example, one account is a bar association. Nothing like having a membership base of a 1100+ lawyers to worry about. This one will end up with the host that in my opinion has demonstrated an incredible level of feedback during downtime crisis.

Originally posted by InNeedOfHostHelp
In 72+ hours of near constant research, must say that HTTPme is intriguing. One of the few that I have seen that posts so much data on uptime and has so much open interaction with clients.

In my search, when I ask a hostco to give me a client to talk to, there are some that just plain clam up. Interesting.

Haven't made a decision on where I will start, but probably will get through this by settling on a minimum of two.
Kudo's to you for doing your research and insisting on quality over bargain pricing. I've been a happy HTTPme client for over 2 years and recently signed up for a dedicated server to host GottaDeal.com (http://www.gottadeal.com) and I still have a resellers account.

I've never really paid attention to my uptime because it hasn't been an issue. I just checked for the heck of it and WOW (http://uptime.alertra.com/uptime2?id2=1111&id1=391358) no wonder HTTPme is at the top of it's game.

Choosing a web host is very difficult, I know as I have done it many times (currently have a dedicated server, 6 reseller accounts and 2 virtual web hosting accounts). All I can say is research, research, contact their sales and support departments with a lot of questions at odd times of day and go with your gut.