Ok, first I thought about your-site.com... I find out they don't have a dedicated IP, and I don't know if they offer shell access or not. But for $5 a month -- it IS cheap! If their problems are behind them... seems like a good place to start.

Next I looked into phpwebhosting.com -- they don't seem like a very "professional" looking site. Not that that means a thing... I don't know they just rub me funny.

All-in-all, I'm freaking lost. In the end I'd like about 50-100 Meg of space, with 5-8 Gig of transfer. (Not that I think I'll use it)... but I'm really lost.

...And reading here has made me MORE lost.

Anybody point me anyplace? I sure can use the help.

Thanks,
Dan

:spiny:

Yes it can be confusing....

Here's some information that might help...

A dedicated IP is not necessary unless you expect to use your own SSL certificates or would like to use anonymous FTP services. So don't get one unless you need it.

As for shell, you can perform most functions via your control panel. What exactly do you need SSH/shell for?

Don't base everything on price. There are a lot of cheap hosts that will take away quality support in exchange for their low prices. It works the other way around too, so really, you'll have to do some reputation hunting and then go from there.

Also, don't base everything on a website either. Of course, if it looks like it's been slapped together using an online editor, run away.

If you are looking for specific requests, post a request in the requests forum. As the hosts reply, do a search on your prospects. Search here, as well as other forums, and look for reviews at the many directories.

When you do find a host, come back after a couple months and post a review...

...and last, but not least, welcome to WHT :wavey:. Join us in the lounge for our daily nonsense :beer:

Ok, first I thought about your-site.com... I find out they don't have a dedicated IP, and I don't know if they offer shell access or not. But for $5 a month -- it IS cheap! If their problems are behind them... seems like a good place to start.


They could be reselling for someone else, and their who-is for their doman doesn't even provide a contact name. I personally wouldn't go with them, but for only $5 I guess it couldn't hurt to try.


Next I looked into phpwebhosting.com -- they don't seem like a very "professional" looking site. Not that that means a thing... I don't know they just rub me funny


You shouldn't base the quality of a host by their site design. of course it is nice to go to those attractive hosting compaines and know right away you want them....Maybe they can offer you a good service...I don't know...Although they use that term Un-metered Bandwidth, you might want to ask them what they mean by this.

:D...Just my two cents...:D

Wow! Thanks for the quick replies and the "Welcome" -- I'll keep digging... As for "Un-metered bandwidth"... Here's what I've copied from them:

We offer "un-metered" transfer(bandwidth). Is this the same thing as "un-limited"? Not at all. Beware of anyone offering "unlimited" bandwidth. No quality webhost can offer unlimited bandwidth.

We offer fast, un-throttled, true burstable bandwidth. We do not place limits on your site's bandwidth (many hosts offer "unlimited" bandwidth but severely restrict the number of kbytes/second flowing out of your website). We work very hard to ensure that all of our customers bandwidth needs can be met under our $9.95/month plan, however we do have several important restrictions..."

I'll keep diggin'

Thanks again!! :)
Dan

Originally posted by BoatDan
All-in-all, I'm freaking lost. In the end I'd like about 50-100 Meg of space, with 5-8 Gig of transfer. (Not that I think I'll use it)... but I'm really lost.

...And reading here has made me MORE lost.

Thanks,
Dan

Hi Dan,
IT can, and IS overwhelming. I think the thing that I would encourage when host looking is to just do your own research yourself. The trouble with WHT is, many hosts here (some but not all, mind you!) will literally POUNCE on you to get your biz. The new hosts pop up here continually, adjust pricing by the moment, etc , etc.
I think what you are looking for is pretty standard.
You might just try to narrow some choices down (use the search tool here if you prefer to search WHT)
I would AVOID any unlimited offers, and I would look for a host that has been in business longer than 72 hours!
A money back guarantee is ADVISABLE.
Email your potential host with some pre sales questions and see what kind of feedback you receive from them.
Look for client reviews and if time permits, follow up on some of those.

I would look for a host that has been in business longer than 72 hours!

I don't think there is anything wrong with supporting and joining a new company as long as you feel they a re fair, provide good customer service, and can be successful down the line. There are benifits associated with new host; they often offer promotional prices to get customers and have them advertise for them through word of mouth. DedicatedNow did this...and I think they were successful...

There is always a possiblity that something can go wrong, it doesn't matter if you are new or have been established for a while. Those established companies had to start somewhere.

Hi Dan, and welcome!

A few tips to remember as you're researching for a host:

* don't panic
* don't scream
* don't bite your nails to the quick (that just plain hurts)

When you've narrowed things down to a few hosts that you want to check out, give them all a "test spin". Come up with a series of questions based on what you, yourself are looking for. Send them to the host, using their support forums, their email, their support number, whatever you wish (I personally would use forums or email - easier to compare the responses later on - but that's my quirk). For each of these companies, once you've received the response, answer these questions:

* does the answer make sense to you, or does it confuse you more?
* does the answer address your question?
* do you feel like the host tried to divert or pressure you?
* do you feel like the host tried to answer your question and give you a context about it?
* bottom line: does the host make you feel comfortable? Do you trust them and feel like you can work with them - or more importantly, that they can work with you? (I don't necessarily mean that they'll be at your beck and call 24/7/365, or that you'll evolve into golfing buddies - but do you trust them to answer your questions and provide you good, solid service?)

(These can actually apply to shopping for anything)

Best of luck, and welcome!

I would personally recommend not rushing into being hosted, if you consider a working website important. ;)

If you hang around here, read what others are posting about, and follow a few links around the place, you'll have a far better handle of how to proceed to your own satisfaction.