Web Hosting Talk : Web Hosting Main Forums : Web Hosting : Host advice for someone growing his sites

[edelen]

I've been monitoring the content here for about a month and I must say that there are some very helpful folks in this forum. I'm wondering if anyone here might be able to help me.

I've outgrown my host and need to move to a new one. I've been with the same host for nearly ten years, so this is a big move.

Up till recently, I had limited needs. Now I'm branching out in my business.

I have five domain names registered:

1 - Existing personal site. Will stay a standalone site. Will need to be transferred to new host as easily as possible.

2 - Blog site, currently residing as a subdirectory on existing personal site. Will get its own standalone account/site. Needs MySQL for future conversion of the blog to Wordpress. New host must be Wordpress friendly.

3 - Business site for existing business. Nothing fancy. May even run through Wordpress. Will therefore need a MySQL database, too.

4 & 5 - Future business I wish to establish. Two slightly different domain names for what is really just one true standalone domain. Might just use a redirect on the second name. Will probably also run off Wordpress, so it will need MySQL. Will need eCommerce capability, so host must accept SSL certs and have some kind of eCommerce friendliness.

Must Have:
True multiple domain hosting capability in one account
600MB minimum of space
30GB of bandwidth minimally
3 MySQL databases
eCommerce
Wordpress friendliness
Good server speed
Good control panel
Reputable company
Under $17 a month


Would Like:
Good, responsive service
Miva Market for eCommerce
Load Balancing
Timely backup
Mailing list support


What I'm finding is that I'm wading through three or four days worth of host comparisons, is that these requirements are proving harder than I thought. I find a host that meets all this, then I come here and they're being blasted by lots of angry users. Or I find a host that people like, but they can't meet the requirements.

Based on what I would like to do with the number of domains I have, are there any good suggestions for a host? This quest has consumed far too much time and I'd like to just find what I need and get on with it.

Thanks in advance.

[shell-box]

Your needs dont seem to hard to fill. May I ask who your current host is?

[DimensionServers]

I would recommend a reseller account since you have a few sites you want to host. The offers section of this site has some good deals on reseller accounts, that would remain afforable.

[edelen]

My current host is so far behind the times it's embarrassing. There's no control panel of any kind (telnet and shell access is all), 1 MySQL account, no chance of eCommerce, and on and on. I look at some of these other plans and I feel like some Afghani kid browsing through a WalMart Supercenter.

[edelen]

jmcallister,

I thought resellers were selling space within a host. I'd like to be able to administrate all my sites from one control panel. Wouldn't a reseller account mean I'd have five separate accounts?

[shell-box]

A reseller account gives you the option to add sites when needed.. You usually can get your space at a cheaper rate once you have a certain amount of sites as well...

[XeHSean]

Agreed, as people above have been saying, it is probably best for you to head over to a reseller account. Id recommend RSHosting.com personally, but they are slightly over your budget (very good servers and reliable support)

[edelen]

I certainly appreciate the help so far!

I spent the last four hours checking out reseller sites. I've seen a few that have plans under my limit. One in particular from x9hosting.com was only $15.99 and included a veritable host of add-ins.

Anyone heard of them? I can't find any info on them at all, but their site is nicely designed and has many nice features, so they at least took the time to have a decent front end. Their site loaded quickly, too, which hints that they may be a fast provider. The scary thing is that very little info about them appears anywhere on the Web. Too new to be trustworthy?

A similar plan was at HostingX.net.

Any other small reseller plans in the sub-$17 range?

Again, thanks!

[Techark]

Best advice I can give is to do a search on any host you are considering both here and google, see what the rest of the world outside WHT says about them.

Read the hosts own forums if they have one, if nothing else it will sometimes give you an idea of how many clients they have and how they handle and interact with their clients.

A fancy web site and oogles of bandwidth and space is not always an indication of a trust worthy host. I have not heard of x9hosting.com they seem to be a new host, so if you are interested send a few emails to sales ask lots of questions such how long in business how many servers, staff etc..

Then send a couple of querys to support late at night or early morning to see how fast the response is.
New is not always bad, some great host have to start somewhere and they can give you lots of personal attention when new.

Good luck in your search.

[GigabitONE]

how abt hostgator seem to have good review here

[zeeshannaqvi]

i want to suggest you www.cheaphostings.be they offer 25GB Space with 400GB bandwidth in $16.67 with option of hosting upto 10 domain names that is more then enough for your requirements.

[edelen]

Actually, I may have finally found the host I'm looking for.

Many people have said good things here about dotable.com. I like what they're offering and they meet all the requirements (or come really, really close).

I'm sending some questions to them right after this and we'll see. I like the fact that their owner is approachable and has a presence here, plus they don't host adult sites, either. Makes 'em seem like family.

I'll keep you all informed....

[sdnet]

If you're looking at running an ecommerce site in the future, then resources will be a concern. I would recommend you look several years into the future and really consider where you want your web sites to be. Base your decision off of your vision for the future, not your vision for the present. A VPS may be more along your lines after reading your description of future business. Your 'Must Haves' will be easily met with a VPS.

[edelen]

Done deal. I went with Dotable.

Aussie Bob answered my questions immediately and had the right price and features. I like the fact that the servers are in the US, too. Got three free months, too. Impossible to resist. Considering Dotable recently won an award from reputable industry organization is just the icing.

[techwebhosting]

I cant give you any advice on which host to choose but be sure to leave plenty of room to grow or go with a host that will let you add bandwidth or more webspace on the fly. Good Luck