Hi,

This forum seems like a great place with a lot of usage. I think it could use three more boards that compile all the information here and allow users to have quick-reference in selecting a host:

1. a list of the major, unbiased host-review sites;
2. a list of user/moderator-rated reputable hosts; (http://www.webhostingtalk.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=59955)
3. a list of free, adless hosts. (http://www.webhostingtalk.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=59958)

Until new boards are opened, this post is an attempt at #1:
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It seems that there are so many hosts that few of the review sites I've found discuss or recommend the same ones! It also seems like there are so many different host-review sites that there are usually few or no user reviews.

• Is there an authoritative host-review site?

If not, do you know any frequently-visited host-review sites with good "professional"-reviews and lots of user reviews? These sites should not get paid by the hosts for recommendations.

Here are host-review sites that I've found so far in no particular order. Unfortunately these don't seem to have a lot of of user reviews. Are there better ones?:

http://www.webhostdir.com/
http://www.webhostingratings.com/
http://www.hostsearch.com/
http://www.isp-guide.com/

Please add sites that you have found helpful.

Well, I guess I'll get the ball rolling...


www.findmyhosting.com/
-- A fairly good site with a few user-reviews per host. The user reviews are fairly hard to interpret, however. The site stays claims to remain unbiased by not accepting payment for placement or recommendations. It makes a comission on all referrals (so it doesn't care which one you choose).

http://www.webhosters.com

Aloosenation, just stop and think about this:
if you run a hosting directory or review site, who pays for the site and your work? With a 95% chance hosts.
Do you really think this will create a system of fair reviews/awards/whatever?

CNET.com
They appear to be the most unbiased. They don't seem as reliant on advertising dollars either.

Originally posted by Walter
Aloosenation, just stop and think about this:
if you run a hosting directory or review site, who pays for the site and your work? With a 95% chance hosts.
Do you really think this will create a system of fair reviews/awards/whatever?

FindMyHosting pays for their site and their work by taking a 15% commission on all sales made when someone visits a hosts site and purchases a plan.

"With a 95% chance hosts." - What does that mean?

The system is completely fair if you take a moment to look. There is no advertising/sponsorships whatsoever.

The system is completely fair if you take a moment to look. There is no advertising/sponsorships whatsoever.

This is a good description - thanks for that.

We have been live for only 4 months, so are not yet as well established as we will be before too long. Our hosting directory follows a different approach. There really isn't any sponsorships or advertising. Our whole model is based upon the creation of a level playing field - so if we took on advertising we would compromise our model. FindMyHosting will never contain any form of advertising or paid advantages.

Our rating system has a little bit more depth than a subjective rate 1-10 type system - we like it although it is a little bit more involved, but even with the advertising based directories there is nothing to suggest that their ratings are made up or adjusted. Although of course they are always open to the question.

The thing we like best about our approach is that it can be nothing but win-win. We only win if the host wins. In fact - even if a host in our system gets no sales - they still get the kind of quality of traffic that costs $5 on overture, and it costs them nothing.

Sounds like there is a hidden catch? - several hosts here can confirm that FindMyHosting works.

:)