Web Hosting Talk : Web Hosting Main Forums : Web Hosting : Help with Finding a Host

[ebizbuys.com]

Hi,

I wanted to get someones opinnion on what type of hosting package (and even what company - Any Aussies out there maybe ? Although not essential.) I should look for, for one of my new clients.

I have designed a site for my client which is just a normal site. Nothing special required statically anyway. He has a mailing list of 4-5000 which he wants to start sending a semi regular mailing list out.

The list will probably go out between once every 3- 6 weeks or so.

What package should I look at. For this size list - the emails will be about 15kb max - I figure the bandwidth from the list out will be less than a gig (.15 x 5000 = 750 yeah??) Obviously the utilisation of server resources would be the factor I need to really understand. I cant justify recommending a dedicated server at this stage though - due to cost.

The php software I have been testing and would be using has the ability to spread out the mail send over a period of time if I have access to cronjobs.

My other option is to outsource the list send to a 3rd party organisation.

What are peoples oppinions?

[excelblue]

I'd get a low-end semi-dedicated server (VPS) for this type of stuff for around $20/mo. It should be able to handle the load pretty well, as it doesn't send all emails at once. I used to have one of those as a backup server.

I got the VPS from http://www.jvds.com.

[ebizbuys.com]

OK. I havent heard of those guys and they aren't google page ranked so not sure how long they have been around but you are suggesting a vps? (I'll have to research here the pros and cons of this but that sounds like what I want)

The reseller 4 plan sounds ok too as I have another client (actually my own little project that is ready to take off big time - hopefully anyway)

So I might look for a nice bigger plan like this one, to house both of these sites.

[ebizbuys.com]

ServInt and VPSColo both seem ok too from some other threads. Root Access .... mmmm that sounds a bit scary though.

I have a reseller plan for other smaller sites so is it basically the same...anyway probably wrong thread. Just speaking out loud I will look into it more.

[WarpFactor]

I'd recommend a medium-sized reseller account. However, if you were looking to add other sites onto your reseller package, you might want to spring for something larger. The great thing about reseller packages is that you can upgrade them without downtime

[Flipe.NET]

I guess an reseller account can do the job normally.
You can find a lot of resellers at all.
Good luck!

[ebizbuys.com]

I'd recommend a medium-sized reseller account. However, if you were looking to add other sites onto your reseller package, you might want to spring for something larger. The great thing about reseller packages is that you can upgrade them without downtime

I will probably go down this path or a vps but has anyone got any larger mailing list sites as clients or run them themselves. I would be interested in hearing who they are using to host and what things they recommend look out for.

I am really happy with my host currently but they along with two other hosting companies got a bit scared at the size of the mailing list (which I didnt think was that big but anyway...). I was looking at getting a separate reseller account to what I have and just running this clients site solely on it but they were just interested in trying to sell me a dedicated server only.

I dont think the site requires a dedicated server. Apart from this lets say monthly newsletter it wont get that much traffic. I am prepared to pay a premium price for reliability and understanding of these issues and set it all up properly.

[ChrisBowd]

5,000 emails once a month is not a huge load and I would not think it merits the increased effort of managing a VPS/VDS.

Either a reseller account or a decent shared account with a "no-overselling allowed" host such as AffordableHOST.com or AussieHosts.com should be able to handle it.

I used AussieHosts for a year with no problems and have a reseller account with AffordableHOST which has only been down one time for a few minutes in the past 4 months.

[ebizbuys.com]

Thanks Chris,

Thats a good start. Can I just ask though why you aren't with them still now if they are pretty good? Actually you dont have to answer just curious I guess.

I want someone low maintenance that I dont have to worry about every week or more.

Thanks though will look into them asap.

[ChrisBowd]

The only reason I moved from AussieHosts was because I had a large reseller package with TurnkeyResellers and I wanted to reduce the number of hosts I use (management nightmare!).

AussieHosts were(are) excellent. Gary always seems to be online and also has good admins. Typically though AussieHosts prefers clients to use their local ISP's SMTP server for sending emails (although they do run sendmail on all their servers).

For sheer uptime and "set it and forget it" my present pick would be AffordableHOST. I have a reseller account with them that I use for "friends and family" and I have only had one support request from those "friends and family" in the past 4 months!

I am not sure about Tina's policy on mailing-lists though.